JL Cruze inches closer to $2 million

JL Cruze (Crazed), the old man, benefitted from a perfect pocket trip by harness racing driver Montrell Teague and won a $17,000 condition trot at Bally’s Dover on Tuesday night.

JL Cruze left alertly then released the even odds betting favorite Renegade Gypsy approaching the quarter pole.

Renegade Gypsy hammered out the fractions of 28.2 to the quarter.  The half was reached in a pedestrian 57.2 , a 29.1 quarter.

Not For Money raced 1st over up the backstretch. That Ole Bar Stool moved 2nd over but with dull cover in front of him.

Renegade Gypsy, the even odds betting favorite, was in total control and seeking his third consecutive win at Bally’s Dover..  He passed the three quarters in 1:26.1, a 28.3 quarter.

However, the old man, JL Cruze was lurking in the pocket and waiting for the opportunity to swing wide for the stretch duel.

Trotting in mid stretch Renegade Gypsy and JL Cruze were on even terms.

JL Cruze would not be denied and surged late with visions of yesteryear and won by a neck in 1:55.2.  He paid $5.00 for the victory.

Swan’s Maid was 2nd.  Renegade Gypsy was 3rd.

JL CRUZE REPLAY

JL Cruze is owned by Kenneth Wood, WJ Dittmar Jr. and SJ Laquinta of MD and PA.

Eric Ell trained and Montrell Teague drove.

After the race JL Cruze’s sole caretaker, William Taylor, stated that Cruze was purchased as a three year old and had earned $26,000 at the time. He now is just shy of $2 million dollars lifetime with 247 lifetime starts so far.

Allan Davis recorded a four bagger with four driving wins on the night.

There will be a $6,789 Pentafecta carry over to the 14th race on Wednesday December 11.

The Pentafecta consists of the top five finishers in the official order of finish and is a fifty cent wager.

Bally’s Dover races Monday through Thursday with a post time of 4:30 pm.

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

by Alex Kraszewski, for Bally’s Dover