Dover, DE --- Four Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) 2-year-old first leg $20,000 preliminaries won by pacers Badlands Jenna and the trotters Tokyo Oklahoma and SBs Commando were featured on the Saturday card at Dover Downs.
Badlands Jenna overtook leader Stash The Cash (Daryl Bier) after the half and posted her eighth win in 10 starts, this one a 1:55, season’s-best victory in the first DSBF filly pace. Allie Oakley (Jim King, Jr.) was the show finisher. Trainer Ben Stafford and Winbak Farm own the Badlands Hanover youngster driven to victory by Ben Stafford, Jr.
The second DSBF filly pace was taken by the fast-finishing Sarah Barracuda in a new lifetime record of 1:55.2. Jim King, Jr. drove the brown Three Olives--Lady Steel K filly to victory for his wife, JoAnn King. Final Executive (Ross Wolfenden) was runner-up. What Rusty (Eddie Davis, Jr.) was third.
In two DSBF frosh filly trots were raced as non-wagering events. Tokyo Oklahoma, a CR Commando--Rowdy Somolli chestnut owned by Ben Kenney, scooted down the passing lane to overtake the front-trotting Political Starlet (Ross Shand) at the wire, in 2:03.4. Joyful Anna (Carlo Poliseno), after racing Political Starlet head-and-head after the three-quarters, had to settle for third.
The other trot was taken by Allan Pullman and driver Eddie Davis’ SBs Commando in a tight, 2:04.4 finish. Davis in a rare driving appearance since his retirement, rallied the CR Commando--AP English filly to get to the finish line first. Montabello Brandi (Vince Copeland) used the passing lane to nip the early leader, Lady Alicia (Kim Vincent), for second.
On Sunday, in addition to two $30,319 Matron Stakes sophomore pace eliminations, one that features the Progress Pace winner Rockin Image taking on leading candidate for Horse of the Year honors, Rocknroll Heaven, the DSBF male pace prelims are on the schedule.
The DSBF preliminaries will continue next weekend, with its second leg filly action on Saturday, followed by colt races on Sunday.