Early speed duel helps Bella Artiste

Bella Artiste (Badlands Hanover) benefited from an early harness racing speed duel and won the $51,750 Bally’s Dover Late Closer Final for Three Year Old Pacing Fillies at Bally’s Dover on Wednesday night. 

Sparks were flying early when Little Miss Peyton parked out Tilted Crown thru the opening quarter in a blistering 26.  Little Miss Peyton, the 1/9 betting favorite, was upset by Tilted Crown last week in the elimination as bad blood was imminent. 

Tilted Crown was able to ease off of the accelerator and grabbed a pocket trip behind a headstrong Little Miss Peyton. The half was reached in 55.2 (29.2).

Betting favorite, Bella Artiste gathered momentum and rushed 1st over before the three quarters in pursuit of Little Miss Peyton.  Odds Beater followed 2nd over. One Hot Shark followed dull cover 3rd over.

Little Miss Peyton continued on a tenuous lead as Bella Artiste drew alongside.  The stablemates raced on even turns passing the three quarters in 1:24.3.(29.1) The blistering early fractions took their toll on pacesetter Little Miss Peyton as she became leg weary late.  Bella Artiste roared home to win by two and a quarter lengths in 1:55.1.  He paid $3.20.for the victory.

Stablemate Little Miss Peyton finished 2nd and Tilted Crown was third.

BELLA ARTISTE REPLAY

Bella Artiste ( Badlands Hanover) is owned by Nanticoke Racing Inc, Chad Tate from Seaford,  Delaware. Arthur Feeney from Edwater, Maryland.

The $25,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace.was won by Elegant A wire to wire in 1:52 for owner Pollack Racing LLC. Jeff Cullipher trained  and Tim Tetrick drove.  Disturbed Hanover finished 2nd and Melody Hanover was 3rd.

Bally’s Dover boasts an outstanding racing card on Thursday, the final day of live harness racing for the season.There is a $51,000 Bally’s Dover Late Closer Final for Three Year Old Colt and Gelding Pacers. 

Itsrockandroll A takes on seven other competitors in the $25,000 Open Handicap Pace.

Thursday’s post time at Bally’s Dover is 4:30 pm (the final day of live harness racing for the season)

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

by Alex Kraszewski, for Bally’s Dover