Millionaire trotter scores at a price

JL Cruze (Crazed) is a career harness racing winner of more than $1.7 million and has won a race every year for ten years running now.

Add 2023 to that list as JL Cruze won, at a price, in the $18,000 feature trot at Bally’s Dover Downs Tuesday, January 3, 2023.

The 12^th race Winners-Over Select Handicap Trot saw eight starters behind the gate on the unseasonably warm evening (62) with both JL Cruze and driver Art Stafford, Jr. and Northern Express (Russell Foster) both leaving from posts 6 and 8 respectively.

JL Cruze strung out Northern Express to the opening quarter mile in :26.3 and once Northern Express cleared, Stafford came right back with JL Cruze to take back command of the race.

They then trotted single file past the half mile in :56 before Embrace The Grind (Montrell Teague) came first-over to try and challenge but could not collar JL Cruze by the three-quarters in 1:24.4 and around the final turn.

As they came down the stretch, JL Cruze was the strong horse, winning by two lengths in 1:55. Northern Express was second with Embrace The Grind third.

JL CRUZE REPLAY

An eight-time winner in 2022, JL Cruze is now age 12 and still a top-class winner for trainer Eric Ell and owners William Wood, William Dittmar, Jr. and Stephen Iaquinta. Sent off as the generous 2.5-1 race favorite, JL Cruze paid $7.00 to win.

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink