Late closing blast gets 10-1 longshot home

Belmont Royale N (Betterthancheddar) closed from well off the pace and thundered home to win the $27,500 Blue Hen/ Open Handicap harness racing pace at Bally’s Dover on Thursday (Jan. 11) night.

My Miki Beach left quickly from the start of the race parking out Energetic Hanover to the opening quarter in :26.1. Energetic Hanover continued on an uncontested lead to the half in :54.3. The back field was in motion when Soaring Now raced first over. Penzance Hanover followed second over cover and Belmont Royale N with driver Victor Kirby shadowed third over on the rim.

Energetic Hanover continued on the engine passing the three quarters in 1:21.4,  a :27.1 quarter.

At The top of the stretch, Soaring Now’s bid stalled forcing  Penzance Hanover to circle three wide and Belmont Royale N followed on a four wide brush. I Did It Myway, the 3/2 betting favorite, was trapped along the inside with pace.

Belmont Royale N surged late and won by a half a length pacing the mile in 1:50.4.  He paid $22.80 for the win. Penzance Hanover finished a late closing second with Energetic Hanover third.

BELMONT ROYALE N REPLAY

Belmont Royale N is owned by Archie McNeil, Hall of Famer William O’Donnell and Enzed Racing Stable Inc. Richard (Nifty) Norman is the trainer.

There is a pick 4 carry over of $1,477, a pick 5 carryover worth $664 and a Pentafecta carryover of $1,795 to Monday’s card.

Bally’s Dover races Monday through Thursday with a post time of 4:30 pm.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Alex Kraszewski, for Bally’s Dover