Amigo Volo puts up a stand in the mud

Amigo Volo (Father Patrick) won the $25,000 Open Handicap Trot at Bally’s Dover despite poor weather conditions on Tuesday night (Nov. 15).

It was a three-horse sprint leaving the harness racing gate.  Crystal Fashion, HL Revadon and Amigo Volo all left for early positioning nearing the quarter pole.  Crystal Fashion accepted the pocket and HL Revadon settled into 3rd.

Amigo Volo, the 2/5 betting favorite and pilot Victor Kirby took control of the race and hammered out fractions of :28.1,  :57.3 and 1:26.3.

HL Revadon and driver Yannick Gingras made a sustained 1st up challenge to Amigo Volo down the backstretch.  Both trotters raced as a team to the three quarters.

At the top of the stretch Amigo Volo braced for the relentless challenge of HL Revadon, who continued on the rim and Crystal Fashion remained in the pocket.

Amigo Volo, despite racing back in 5 days, showed grit and courage in the lane. The five-year-old gelding won by two and a quarter lengths, trotting the mile in 1:54.2.  The last half was 56.4 and the last quarter was 27.4.

AMIGO VOLO REPLAY

Amigo Volo, who is trained by Nifty Norman, has earned just under two million dollars lifetime, is owned by Pinske Stables of MN. and David J. Miller of Fla.  He paid $2.80 for the win.

Crystal Fashion was 2nd for trainer Chuck Crissman Jr.  Tim Tetrick drove.  HL Revadon finished 3rd for trainer Ron Burke.

On Wednesday the $26,000 Mares Open Handicap features last week’s winner Milieu Hanover and challenger Majorca N.

Thursday’s card features two Progress Pace elimination races featuring Pebble Beach, I Did It Myway and Beach Glass in separate divisions.  Post time for Bally’s Dover is 4:30 pm.

For complete race results, click here.

by Alex Kraszewski, for Bally’s Dover