Energetic Hanover skilfully manoeuvred around the outer path as he approached the final bend, emerging triumphant in the Blue Hen/Open Handicap Pace at Bally's Dover on Thursday night (Feb. 15).
The race ignited with a burst of excitement as Mack aggressively claimed the lead, forcefully keeping Sprocket at bay during a blistering opening quarter clocked at 26 seconds. Despite being the heavily favoured contender, I Did It Myway struggled to match the pace and quickly retreated to a fifth-place position along the inner pylons. Meanwhile, Sprocket's engines roared as he seized control after enduring a wide trip, crossing the halfway point in a rapid 54 seconds.
On the backstretch, I Did It Myway valiantly gave chase, launching a determined first-up charge, with Energetic Hanover positioned conveniently second-over and Belmont Royale N shadowing closely in third-over position. Sprocket continued to exhibit resilience, leading the field to the three-quarters mark in 1:21.4. As I Did It Myway began to falter upon entering the homestretch, Energetic Hanover unleashed a powerful three-wide surge, storming home to secure a commanding 2-3/4 length victory in an impressive time of 1:50.1.
Sprocket showcased tenacity and settled for a well-deserved second-place finish, while Belmont Royale N showcased a strong closing kick, securing the third-place position. Unfortunately, I Did It Myway faltered and ended up finishing sixth. Energetic Hanover, piloted by the skilled driver George Napolitano Jr., is a son of Captaintreacherous-Eloquent Grace. The winning horse paid $7.80 for a win and is owned by Sam Bowie, with Tony Alagna serving as the accomplished trainer. It's worth noting that both driver Tim Tetrick and trainer Chuck Crissman Jr. achieved remarkable triples during the thrilling event.