Progress Pace field set after elim battle

Captain Albano (Captaintreacherous) fought through the wind and cold to capture the Progress Pace Elimination at Bally’s Dover on Thursday night.

Eleven of harness racing’s top three year old colt and gelding pacers squared off. Calicojack Hanover, Better Is Nice and Captain Albano all left in unison approaching the quarter pole. Captain Albano was able to wrestle for the early lead but was parked to the opening quarter in 27 seconds flat.

Nijinsky, who paid $25,000 to supplement in Progress Pace, was parked the entire mile as was It’s Saturday Night. Captain Albano was fierce and would not give up the lead passing the half in 54 seconds, a 27 flat throw down. Captain Albano steamrolled to the three quarters in 1:22, a 28 flat quarter. Nijinsky and It’s Saturday Night began to get leg weary, approaching the three quarter pole.

Mirage Hanover, Captain Luke and Nuclear circled three wide from the back of the pack in pursuit of Captain Albano. In the lane, Better Is Nice and Calicojack Hanover skimmed along the pylons but their attempts were in vain. The even odds betting favorite, Captain Albano won by a half length in 1:48.4. He paid an even $4 for the win.

Noel Dailey trained and Todd McCarthy drove. Better Is Nice finished 2nd and Calicojack Hanover was 3rd.