Yanks Dugout won his third consecutive harness racing start with a front-end triumph in the $25,000 Open Handicap Trot at Dover Downs on Tuesday night.
Northern Express left aggressively and parked Yanks Dugout to the quarter, then retreated to the pocket. Yanks Dugout cleared for the lead past the quarter and carved out fractions of :27.4 :56.3 (:28.4) and 1:26.1 (:29.3).
Driver Tony Morgan put the field to sleep as the field raced single file nearing the three quarters. Swansea and driver Tim Tetrick challenged from 3rd and actually held a brief lead at the top of the lane.
Yanks Dugout gamely, dug in and regained the lead in deep stretch. However, he had to hold off a late charging Northern Express for the win by a half-length and trotted the mile in 1:54.2. He paid $4.40 to win as the race favorite.
Yanks Dugout (Triumphant Caviar -Yansky-Muscles Yankee) is owned by Ivan L and John Duke Sugg of Deshler, Ohio. Ron Burke trained, and Tony Morgan drove. Northern Express finished a fast-closing second for trainer Arty Foster Jr and driver Russell Foster. Swansea tired late to finish third. Cad Gregory trains.
YANKS DUGOUT REPLAY
Pat Berry captured a driving triple.
Racing continues at Dover Downs on Wednesday night. Post Time is 4:30 pm.
For full race results, click here.
by Alex Kraszewski, for Dover Downs