Twelve-year-old millionaire trotter JL Cruze dug in to win the Bally's Dover $25,000 Open Handicap Trot on Tuesday night (March 21).
Northern Express was the first to clear to the top and led the field to the quarter in :26.4 while parking the betting favourite, Yall Beneath Me. After the opening panel, Yall Beneath Me took over the controls and led the field single file to the half in :55.4. Driven by Art Stafford Jr., JL Cruze set in motion on a first-over trip from third as Yall Beneath Me began to weaken. JL Cruze was in control at the three-quarters in 1:24.1. At the top of the stretch, the veteran trotter fended off three-in-a-row reigning victor Muscle Dynasty. JL Cruze dug deep to win by a nose in 1:53.1. Muscle Dynasty (Corey Callahan) finished second and Northern Express (Russell Foster) was third.
JL Cruze is trained by Eric Ell for Kenneth Wood, William Dittmar Jr., and Stephen Iaquinta. A 56-time career winner, he's won four of nine starts this year.
Racing continues on Wednesday at Bally's Dover. Post time is 4:30 p.m.
(WIth files from Bally's Dover)