Speed Away outduels Last Glow in thrilling finish

Speed Away was able to hold off a fast closing Last Glow and won the Open Handicap Trot at Bally’s Dover on Tuesday night.

Speed ball Last Glow, the even odds betting favorite, left alertly at the start of the race. Indy Be Quick settled into the pocket and Speed Away bided his time in third approaching the quarter.   

However, driver Corey Callahan called upon his trotter Speed Away early and sprinted past Last Glow who rarely gave up a lead. Last Glow surrendered to the pylons in 2nd.  

The opening quarter was marched off in 28.2  Speed Away continued on a mission and led the field of quality trotters to the half in a moderate 57.4, a 29.2 quarter. 

Indy Be Quick braved the chilly temperatures and raced 1st over up the backstretch.  Navy Blue duplicated a 2nd over trip from last week when he won..

Speed Away continued on the lead confidently, passing the three quarters in 1:25.4 a rapid 28 flat quarter.

The backfield was in motion when Indy Be Quick started to weaken after being parked out.  Navy Blue circled three wide and Somebody Special thundered four wide at the top of the stretch.  

Last Glow saved ground along the pylons and surged late but ran out of racing room late..  Speed Away dug down deep to win by a nose in 1:55.1.  He paid $15.60 for the victory.

SPEEED AWAY REPLAY

Speed Away ( Father Patrick ) is owned by Breakaway Racing and Yorwollahan Racing Team both from Delaware.  Nick Callahan trained and his son Corey Callahan drove. 

Last Glow finished 2nd and Somebody Special rolled late to finish 3rd.

After the race Speed Away’s  trainer Nick Callahan was asked if he was surprised at driver Corey’s decision to take the lead away from Last Glow early..  Nick replied with a smile. “ I was a little surprised when Jack Parker Jr and Last Glow took back”.  An elated Nick Callahan later replied proudly about his son Corey’s decision. “ It was the right thing to do”.

The feature race tomorrow at Bally’s Dover will be the 12th race $25,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace. Ballast, last week’s winner, takes on Ragtime Red and Huntress. There  are also two $20,000 DSBF elimination races for Three Year Old Fillies on the Pace.

Bally’s Dover races Monday thru Thursday.  Post time is 4:30 pm.

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

by Alex Kraszewski, for Bally’s Dover