Fruit Snacker makes amends

Fruit Snacker (Dover Dan) made amends after going off stride last week. He held on gamely to win the $25,000 Open Handicap Trot at Bally’s Dover on Tuesday night.

It was a scramble for race position early as A Blue Million (post 5) left as well as Last Glow ( post 4) and Fruit Snacker ( Post 7).

Benjamin Hanover and driver Tim Tetrick sprinted quickly along the pylons protecting rail position The move forced the outside challengers to find seats into the first turn.  However, Fruit Snacker and driver Tony Morgan would not back down and bullied their way to the top after being parked out. The opening quarter was reached in a robust 27.2. Last Glow continued to grind on the outside parked out. Fruit Snacker refused to take any prisoners and led the field of quality trotters to the half in 56, a 28.3 quarter 

Approaching the three quarter pole, Last Glow became leg weary after his parked out try.  Arrowhead Hanover vacated his second over bid and circle three wide. Victor Laszlo also circled wide. The 2/1 betting favorite Benjamin Hanover waited patiently in the pocket. 

Fruit Snacker continued to breathe fire reaching the three quarters in 1:24.1,a 28.1 quarter.

At the top of the stretch, Arrowhead Hanover continued his relentless charge and was closing in on the pacesetter Fruit Snacker.  Fruit Snacker dug in late and held on to win by a nose in 1:52.3  He paid $7.60 for the victory.

Arrowhead Hanover finished second and pocket sitter Benjamin Hanover was third.

Fruit Snacker ( Dover Dan) is owned by Mark R. Howard of Federalsburg, Maryland. Kenneth Slayback is the breeder.  Will Reynolds trained and Tony Morgan drove.

After the race a beaming Will Reynolds, the trainer of Fruit Snacker spoke.

“He raced terrific after being parked out and dug in late.  I was afraid of Benjamin Hanover racing in the pocket.  This is probably his best race of the season.  I give a lot of the credit to Mark Howard for finding him.”

Tim Tetrick drove six winners on the 15 race betting card.

The feature race on Wednesday’s betting card will be the 8th race $25,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace. Jett Propelled, last week’s winner, must navigate the outside post eight. She faces Racin Hungry, who upset her two weeks ago.

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