Swee’Pea surges late for upset win

Eleven to one longshot, Swee’Pea surged late along the pylons and upset the field in the $51,100 Bally’s Dover Late Closer Final at Bally’s Dover on Tuesday night.The race was for Three Year Old Colt and Geldings on the trot.

Thiskissformaryell,Topflight Champion and Swee’Pea tangled early each trying to find early race position trotting in the first turn.

Thiskissformaryell and driver Jim Morand parked out Topflight Champion  through the opening quarter in a quick 27.3. Topflight Champion retreated to the pocket.  Thiskissformaryell, the 3/5 betting favorite, controlled the half in a leisurely 57.4 a 30.1 quarter.  He then trotted to the three quarters unchallenged in 1:26.4.(29)  Topflight Champion and driver Eddie Dennis continued to race in the pocket. Swee’Pea and driver Corey Callahan remained in third along the pylons.  The remainder of the field were gapped and out of contention

At the top of the lane Thiskissformaryell braced for the challenge of Topflight Champion who drew alongside.. The two rivalries battled hard all season.  Swee’Pea benefitted from the duel  gathering momentum along the pylons and surged quietly to win by a neck in 1:56.2.  He paid $24.00 for the victory.  Thiskissformaryell finished second and Topflight Champion was third.

SWEE’ PEA REPLAY

Swee’Pea (Top Flight Angel)  is owned, trained and bred by Thomas Lail of Swedesboro, New Jersey.  Corey Callahan drove.

After the race, winning driver Corey Callahan noted.  I was confident in his abilities even though he only won in 1:59.1 last start. “ I wanted to get race position and hoped  the two (Thiskissformaryell) and (Topflight Champion)  would battle it out and they did”

Swee’ Pea’s trainer noted “ Corey Callahan drove a perfect race.  He had more confidence in my trotter than me”

Wednesday’s  the sixth race feature is the $50.950 Final of the Bally’s Dover Late Closer series final for Three Year Old Fillies on the pace 

The co- feature on the night is the $25,000 12th race Mares Open Handicap Pace.

Bally’s Dover will conclude its live harness racing season on Thursday April 2.

Post time is 4:30 pm

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

by Alex Kraszewski, for Bally’s Dover