Eight to contest Dover Downs Open Trot

An interesting eight pack is set to contest the $25,000 Open Trot at Dover Downs is Tuesday (Feb. 27) harness racing action.

J L Cruze (Crazed) makes his 218th start in a storied career, inching closer to becoming a double millionaire. He continues to be productive, winning 13 of 38 starts in 2023/24 and earning close to $145,000 from those starts.

The Eric Ell trainee has been the model of consistency, taking 65 wins and finishing in the money in close to 60 per cent of his starts, often racing in the top classes. Last week, he got stuck behind stalled cover and tried a wide rally, falling less than two lengths short. He is certainly worth a look at his 12 to 1 morning line quote. Regular driver Art Stafford Jr. will steer J L Cruze once again.

The two horses that finished 1-2 in last week’s Open are back for more and they both drew well to blast off the gate and get position as they did last week.

Eight-year-old gelding Northern Express (Muscle Massive) was likely best in that race. He was used hard early to make front in :27.3 and he got no breathers as he was pressed throughout by a rival that got parked the mile.

Regular driver Russell Foster still almost coaxed a win out of Northern Express who was picked off right on the line. The 37-time winner and $578,000 earner is the 5 to 2 morning line favorite and likely horse to catch and beat. He is sent out by Arty Foster III who also owns.

The winner of that race was eight-year-old gelding I Get It (Dontyouforgetit), who secured the pocket early, sat a perfect trip, and got up late in the stretch for the win. That was his second win in a row and 10th taken from 38 starts in 2023/24.

The 1:55.0 score last week was only 1/5th of a second off I Get It’s lifetime mark, and it was engineered by Dover’s leading driver Tim Tetrick, who vacates this week for Platinum AS (E L Titan). Trainer Scott Di Domenico enlisted Victor Kirby to drive I Get It.

Platinum AS Invades from The Meadowlands where he comes off a break in stride racing in the Open class, but he was victorious in the Winners Over class at the New Jersey oval three starts back. He drew widest, but interestingly attracted Tetrick, Dover’s leading driver who has clicked at a 27 per cent strike rate at the Delaware track so far this year.

Anette Lorentzon sends out six-year-old the 18-time winner that has earned close to $320,000 in his 70-race career.

Muscle Dynasty (Muscle Hill) was an odds-on favorite at this level last week, but he got hung the mile by I Get It yet still hung in to take a check, finishing fifth beaten only 1 3/4 lengths.

The gelded six-year-old Walter Callahan trainee was a front end 1:53.3 winner of the Open two starts back then he missed close to three weeks. He can be sharper for this start, and he is an obvious contender. Corey Callaghan steers the 19-time winner that has earned more than $338,000.

Here is the full field for the Open Trot, which goes as race 12 on the 14-race card and is scheduled to go at 8:20 p.m. Eastern.

1. Darbyshire – Anthony Morgan – 12/1

2. That Ole Bar Stool – Ross Wolfenden – 10/1

3. Black Hope – Cole Olsen – 8/1

4. J L Cruze – Art Stafford Jr. 12/1

5. Northern Express – Russell Foster – 5/2

6. I Get It – Victor Kirby – 9/2

7. Muscle Dynasty – Corey Callaghan – 7/2

8. Platinum AS – Tim Tetrick – 6/1

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

by Garnet Barnsdale, for Harnesslink