First over fire – Navy Blue strikes again

Navy Blue (Anders Bluestone) set sails and won back to back harness racing races in the $25,000 Open Trot at Bally’s Dover on Tuesday night.

Vlahos and All Wrapped Up played give and go as both trotters left quickly at the start of the race.  Vlahos grabbed the early lead. All Wrapped Up then regained the lead trotting to the opening quarter in 27.4

All Wrapped Up guided the field to the half in 57. Vlahos was content to ride the pocket.  The 9/5 betting favorite, Navy Blue, waited patiently along the pylons in 4th before the half.  Navy Blue then started to unwind trotting quickly on the rim 1st over up the backstretch.  Mickey Muscles shadowed 2nd over on the rim and Victor Laszlo started his journey 3rd over.

All Wrapped Up continued on a tenuous lead reaching the three quarters in 1:25.3 a 28.3 quarter.  

Navy Blue surged past the pace setter and began to draw off from the field in deep stretch. Navy Blue trotted the mile in 1:55 and won by a length and three quarters returning $5.60 for the win.

NAVY BLUE REPLAY

 Navy Blue ( Anders) is owned by Austin Clarence Stafford and F Wyatt Starkey of Delaware and Maryland.  Stacey- Johnson Stafford trained and Art Stafford Jr drove. It was a family affair in the winners circle with mom, dad and son celebrating the victory.

Mickey Muscles finished 2nd and Victor Laszlo was 3rd.

The featured 8th race on Wednesday’s betting card is the $25,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace.

On Thursday there will be two Progress Pace elimination races with a field of seven three year olds competing for a purse of $35,000 each. The Progress Pace eliminations take place on 12th and 14th races on the 15 race betting card.

The top four horses in the official order of finish in each elimination race will compete for the estimated $250,000 Progress Pace Final on Wednesday November 26.

The top 8 finishers from the eliminations will start with their noses on the starting gate. 

There is a $6,777 superfecta carryover to Wednesday’s races. 

Bally’s Dover races Monday thru Thursday with a 1st race post of 4:30 pm

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

by Alex Kraszewski, for Bally’s Dover