Dover, DE --- The Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) 3-year-old colt and gelding $20,000 trot and pace divisions got underway with1st leg preliminaries with Powerful Mist, Three Martini’s, First Captain and Warrhawk One winners at Dover Downs on Thursday, March 31 at Dover Downs.
Powerful Mist, a Powerful Toy-Misty Speed colt owned by Niel Gargiulo, Louie Paglierani and Legacy Racing of DE coasted to a 1:54 triumph in his first 2011 effort. Tim Tetrick drove Powerful Mist into the lead out of the gate and pulled away to his 10th career victory in 17 races. The Wayne Givens-trained colt was rated 17 in Stan Bergstein’s preseason Experimental Rating of the sport’s leading 3-year-olds. Dyslexic was second with Conartist Hanover finishing third.
Three Martini’s built up an early lead and won an uncontested 1:54.1 victory in another of DSBF pace. Montrell Teague guided the Three Olives-Florina Bayama colt to his second straight win this year for G.P. Patel, Badlands Racing and George Teague Jr. Inc. Lucky Land (Ben Stafford Jr.) was best of the rest. Badlands Challenge (Tony Morgan) was the third finisher. Both winning pacers were trained by George Teague.
First Captain and won the first of two $20,000 trot divisions. Ross Wolfenden ushered First Captain into the lead just before the opening quarter and was never headed en route to a 2:00.4 victory, his first start of the year and seventh lifetime success in 11 starts for trainer Wayne Givens and owners Sharon White, Blake Baker and Legacy Racing of DE. Mob Boss (Bret Brittingham) made a late charge at the winner finishing a half-length behind. Smart Strike (Art Stafford Jr.) was the third-place horse.
In the second section, Warrhawk One made a big move on the backstretch to take the lead and quickly opened up for a decisive 2:00.4 triumph for trainer-driver Vic Kirby and co-owner and breeder Ericka Brittingham. All Clear (Carlo Poliseno), the early leader, held on to finish second in front of Obey The Command (Brad Hanners).
The DSBF $20,000 colt and gelding divisions continue with 2nd leg action next Thursday (April 7).