Delaware-bred preliminaries featured at Dover Downs
Dover, DE --- Favorites dominated Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) second leg preliminaries on Wednesday, April 6 at Dover Downs.
In filly stakes action, Badlands Jenna continued her domination of the DSBF filly pace ranks, rolling to a 1:55.1 victory in the first $20,000 second leg preliminary. Unbeaten in all of her previous DSBF events, the Badlands Hanover--Jenna’s Joy sophomore took the early lead and then held-off the fast-finishing Allie Oakley (Jim King, Jr.) for her 12th career win in 14 races, to go with a pair of seconds. Ben Stafford and Winbak Farm own and Ben Stafford, Jr. drives the winner. Fouralarmfire (Vic Kirby) was third.
JoAnn King’s homebred Sarah Barracuda won her first of the year behind a 1:54.2 effort with Jim King, Jr. in the bike. The Three Olives--Lady Steel K youngster held-off Beach Frenzy (George Dennis) and race favorite Devil May Care (John Wagner), the second and third place finishers, respectively.
Daryl Bier drove Stash The Cash to victory in 1:56.2 in the third DSBF preliminary. Trainer Jeff Long owns the Shotgun Scott--Escape Route filly with Warren Racing Stable. Winsmith Jess (Ron Pierce) got up for second. Apache Star (Corey Callahan) was the show horse.
In the first of two $20,000 DSBF trots, Jim Morand drove Overnight Command into the lead after the half and pulled away for a career-fastest, 2:00.1 score. Morand and Nanticoke Racing own the CR Commando--Overnight Rail distaff. She now is two for two this year, and six of nine, lifetime. Tokyo Oklahoma (John Wagner) edged the early leader, Political Starlet (Ross Shand), for second.
The only upset in the two preliminary legs came when Brickhouse Rosey, owned by Deborah Bozman and trainer Walt Bozman, Jr., made up a lot of ground for George Dennis on the way to a 2:03.2 success in the second division. Sweet Apple Cider (Roger Plante, Jr.) was second, in front of Montabello Brandi (Vince Copeland).
The top eight point-getters in each division return next Wednesday for $100,000 DSBF pace and trot finals.
Ron Pierce with three wins tied Corey Callahan with 220 dash wins this meet. Jim Morand also had a triple. Drivers George Dennis and Ben Stafford, Jr., along with trainer Ben Stafford, had two wins, each.