Dead heat in Dover Open as Itsrockandroll A and Muskateer Hanover tie

In a rare occurrence, Itsrockandroll A and Muskateer Hanover finished in a dead heat for the win in the Open Handicap Pace at Bally’s Dover on Thursday night.

Itsrockandroll A (post 5) and Muskateer Hanover( post 7) left alertly from their outside posts and raced together as a team into the first turn.  

Muskateer Hanover responded well from the week off and powered to the top reaching the opening quarter in 26.4 over the sloppy track. Itsrockandroll A retreated to the pylons in the pocket trip. 

Renaissance Deo and driver Art Stafford Jr moved to the outside in front of the stands and attacked first over approaching the half.  Wager On Me drafted second over and Jack’s Shadow N was towed into a third over race position.  Muskateer Hanover continued to lead the best aged pacers on the grounds to the half in 56.2 (29.3).

Muskateer Hanover braced from the relentless attack by Renaissance Deo and the battling duo reached the three quarters together in 1:25.2 ( 29)

At the top of the lane, Renaissance Deo started to become leg weary. Wager On Me and Jack’s Shadow N could not sustain their bids on the outside.  Steven’s Saloon was forced to circle three wide from the back of the bus. Itsrockandroll A , the 1/5  betting favorite, saved ground along the pylons and was charging hard with a fury.

Muskateer Hanover and Itsrockandroll A finished in a dead heat for the win in pacing the mile over an off track in 1: 52.4 with a last quarter in 27.2. Renaissance Deo finished third.

MUSKATEER HANOVER & ITSROCKANDROLL A REPLAY

Itsrockandroll A paid $2.10 for the win. Muskateer paid $3.00 to win.

Itsrockandroll A ( A Rocknroll Dance) is owned by Elizabeth and Bret Brittingham from Delaware.  Don Brittingham trained and Allan Davis drove. 

Muskateer Hanover ( Sweet Lou ) is owned by Calcutta Stable LLC from Delaware. Jason Johnson trained and Allan Davis drove.

The Bally’s Dover Late Closer for three year olds begins next week.

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