In a thrilling showdown at Bally's Dover on Wednesday evening, Jody from Ontario secured a win in the $33,784 Mares Open Handicap Pace, marking her second consecutive victory in the event.
The race kicked off with Tae making a powerful start, swiftly taking the lead and setting the pace with a quick opening quarter in :26.4. Meanwhile, Jody, starting from post eight, positioned herself in fourth place, steadily advancing towards the front. Southwind Icenfire held a strong position in the inner lane. Tae maintained a commanding lead, controlling the race and easing off to a half in :56.1, with a quarter of :29.2. Jody, the favoured contender at 3-2 odds, made her move by moving out from the pylons and taking the lead past the halfway mark. Lyons Bettorday followed closely behind in pursuit, while Got the Gold kept up in third place.
The tension escalated as Tae and Jody faced off for the third consecutive week, engaging in a fierce battle up to the three-quarters mark in 1:24, a formidable quarter of :27.4. Jody managed to overtake Tae at the top of the stretch, with Lyons Bettorday making a wide move to challenge for the lead. Despite a late surge from Got the Gold, Jody maintained her position, steadily securing the win.
Jody, hailing from the lineage of Betterthancheddar and Topgun Lady, clinched victory by a narrow half-length margin in 1:52.4, rewarding backers with a payout of $5.00. The talented racer is under the ownership of Reginald A Hazzard II from Millsboro, Delaware, with Wayne Givens overseeing her training and Allan Davis guiding her to victory. Lyons Bettorday claimed the second spot, while Got The Gold settled for third place.