Penzance Hanover ($3) fought hard late and won the $20,000 Winners Over/Select Handicap Pace at Bally’s Dover on Thursday night (Jan. 18).
Dreaming Of Lou sprinted quickly off the gate and forced Sweet Angel Boy to retreat to the pocket approaching the quarter pole. Penzance Hanover, the 1-2 favourite, was parked from post seven but cleared the lead past the :27 opening quarter.
Penzance Hanover continued on an uncontested lead, reaching the half in :55.1. Jacks Shadow N was first to pull to the outside and Heinikin Bythebay followed second-over up the backstretch, but Penzance Hanover continued on the engine to the three-quarters in 1:23.2.
At the top of the stretch, Jacks Shadow N began to tire, forcing Heinikin Bythebay to circle three-wide and Business Director four-wide from the back of the pack. Dreaming Of Lou appeared to be the only threat from the pocket.
In deep stretch, Penzance Hanover started to shorten strides but dug in to fight off a late charge from Dreaming Of Lou. The son of Somebeachsomewhere, in line to owner/trainer Art Stafford Jr., won by a neck in 1:50.4. Dreaming Of Lou finished second and Sweet Angel Boy was third.
There is a pentafecta carryover of $1,269 to Monday’s (Jan. 22) 15th race.
Racing at Bally’s Dover continues on a Monday through Thursday schedule. Daily post time is 4:30 p.m.
(With files from Bally's Dover)