Longshot Southwind Icenfire circled the field and won the $33,784 Mares Open Handicap Pace at Bally’s Dover on Wednesday night, March 20.
A mad scramble formed for early race positioning as four pacing mares made their presence felt early. Lyons Bettorday the, 6-5 betting favourite, parked out Disturbed Hanover and Jody to the opening quarter in :27.4. Jody finally cleared the lead passing in front of the stands. Disturbed Hanover retook the lead away from Jody and led the field to the half in :56.1.
The field squared off four inside and four on the outside pacing down the backstretch. Lyons Bettorday marched first-over. Misty Coast shadowed second-over Devine Deo and Southwind Icenfire followed into the outside flow.
Disturbed Hanover maintained a narrow lead to the three-quarters in 1:25.2. Southwind Icenfire took advantage of the windy conditions at her back and circled three-wide at the top of the stretch and won by a length in 1:54.2. She paid $25.80 for the win.
Southwind Icenfire (Betting Line-Southwind Inertia) is owned by Frank E. Chick of Harrington, Delaware. Kevin Lare trained and Corey Callahan drove the winner.
Misty Coast finished second and Disturbed Hanover finished third.
Tony Morgan won three races on the betting card.
Penzance Hanover looks for his fifth consecutive win in the Blue Hen Open Handicap Pace on Thursday. His main challenges will be delivered by Energetic Hanover, who won in 1:49.4 last week, and Maximus Miki, who stormed home along the pylons to finish second.
Bally’s Dover races Monday through Thursday with a post time of 4:30 p.m.
(With files from Bally's Dover)