Embrace The Grind battles to top trot score

Embrace The Grind (Keystone Activator) showed his true grit and won the $18,000 Winners Over/Select Handicap Trot at Bally’s Dover on Tuesday night (Jan. 24).

On paper there were three harness racing horses that had proven early speed. They also soaked up most of the betting dollars.

Embrace The Grind, Highland Mowgli and Northern Express all left in unison trotting to the quarter.

Northern Express left from post 8 and was able to find a seat in third entering the 1st turn. Highland Mowgli also left and grabbed the early lead.  Embrace The Grind left, settled, then rushed to the top passing the quarter in :27 seconds flat. Driver Tony Morgan who, had never driven Embrace The Grind before, reached the half in :55.2. (:28.2).

Approaching the three quarter pole, Northern Express, the 2-1 betting favorite, moved off the rail from third and attacked Embrace The Grind for the lead. The pair reached the three quarters in 1:24 flat. A :28.3 quarter.

In the stretch, Embrace The Grind maintained a comfortable lead. Highland Mowgli stalled in his bid along the inside from the pocket. Northern Express continued to grind on the outside and Fifty Ways closed from sixth.

In the late stages of the race, Embrace The Grind found enough inner strength to win by a measured half length, trotting the mile in 1:53.4. He paid $8.80 for the win.

EMBRACE THE GRIND REPLAY

Embrace The Grind is owned and trained by Andrew R. Glassmeyer of Dover, Delaware. Northern Express was second for trainer Arty Foster Jr. Russell Foster drove. Fifty Ways closed to finish third for trainer Joe Columbo. Mike Cole drove.

Corey Callahan and Tony Morgan scored three driving wins each on the betting card.

Backstreet Shadow takes on Penzance Hanover and Grand Cayman in the $27,500 Blue Hen / Open Handicap Pace on Thursday. Post Time at Bally’s Dover is 4:30 pm.

For complete race results, click here.

by Alex Kraszewski, for Bally’s Dover