Navy Blue prevails in photo finish

Navy Blue (Anders Bluestone) surged late to win the Open Handicap Trot at Bally’s Dover on Tuesday night. 

Last Glow boasted his usual quick early speed and breezed past the opening quarter in a brisk 28.1 over a moist surface.  Indy Be Quick secured pocket position.   

Driver Jack Parker Jr was able to take advantage of the single file lineup, throttling the speed of Last Glow through a half in 57.2, a 29.1 quarter.  

Last Glow maintained a comfortable lead entering the back stretch. Victor Laszlo mounted a charge racing 1st over. Navy Blue, the 6/5 betting favorite, countered with a 2nd over push but was gapping cover as the field approached the three quarters in a stepped up 1:26 a 28.3 third quarter.  

At the top of the stretch Last Glow became leg weary. Victor Laszlo seized the opportunity and grinded past the pace setter. Navy Blue was charging hard in deep stretch and edged clear to win by a nose in 1:55.2.  He paid $4.40 for the victory.  Victor Laszlo finished 2nd.  Last Glow was 3rd.  

NAVY BLUE REPLAY

 Navy Blue (Anders Bluestone) is owned by Austin Clarence Stafford from Felton, Delaware and F. Wyatt Starkey from Sudlersville, Maryland. Stacey Johnson-Stafford trained and Arthur Stafford Jr. drove..   

After the race, trainer Stacey Stafford- Stafford was beaming and exclaimed  “He always races with a big heart”. The victory was Navy Blue’s 6th win in 10 starts this racing season. 

The featured  race on Wednesday is the $25,000  Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace.  Ragtime Red looks to win back to back races in the event.. 

There are also two $20,000 DSBF elimination races for Three Year Old Fillies on the pace. 

Corey Callahan and Tim Tetrick drove three winners each on the 15 race betting card 

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

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

by Alex Kraszewski, for Bally’s Dover