On a foggy, rainy night, Penzance Hanover stormed home and won the Blue Hen Open Handicap Pace at Bally’s Dover on Thursday night (Jan. 6).
Backstreet Shadow, the 3-5 betting favourite, launched quickest off the starting gate. Last week’s winner Grand Cayman left from post eight and was able to tuck into the fourth position racing to the quarter. Penzance Hanover protected the pylon position behind the pacesetter.
Backstreet Shadow carved race fractions of :26.3 at the quarter. The half was reached in :55.2, a :28.4 breather.
Grand Cayman ground first over past the half and challenged Backstreet Shadow at the three-quarters in 1:23.1. Slick Tony followed second over and Island Of The Sea marched third over on the rim.
Driver Art Stafford Jr. and Penzance Hanover boldly pulled the pocket at the top of the stretch and won convincingly by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:51.2. Mack finished second and Backstreet Shadow took third.
Penzance Hanover is owned, trained and driven by Art Stafford Jr. He paid $18.80 for the win.
Tim Tetrick won four races on the betting card.
Racing continues on Monday (Jan. 9) at Bally’s Dover. Post time is 4:30 p.m. (EST).
(Bally's Dover)