Dover, DE --- Powerful Mist and Dyslexic won the paces, while Mob Boss and Smart Strike the trots in Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund $20,000 second leg preliminaries on a sunny Thursday (April 7) at Dover Downs.
As anticipated, Powerful Mist was too much for six rivals in the first DSBF male pace, scoring in a time of 1:52.2. Tim Tetrick drove the son of Powerful Toy-Misty Speed, trained by Wayne Givens, to his second straight triumph of the young season and 11th lifetime victory in 18 races. He has earned $232,537 for owners Niel Gargiulo, Louie Paglierani and Legacy Racing of DE. Three Martini’s (Montrell Teague) sat second the route with Conartist Hanover (Eric Goodell) third.
Dyslexic was not burdened starting from post eight in the other DSBF prelim pace. Ross Wolfenden made the winner’s circle for the third time on the night, guiding the Three Olives-Spell Check gelding conditioned by Scott Gregoire to his first win of the year for owner Donna Rae Sullivan. Dyslexic got the lead quickly and set all the fractions in a 1:54.2 victory. Princely Asset (Roger Plante) was second with Mattador D (Vic Kirby) taking third-place honors.
Mob Boss was rushed away from the starting gate by Bret Brittingham to take the lead in his $20,000 trotting split. The Don Boss Vita-Hornby Belle gelding trained by Anastasias Papadopoulos led the rest of a 1:58.4 mile to win for the second time this year for Larry and Barbara Mayer. Race favorite First Captain (Ross Wolfenden) had to accept second. Big Award (Jim Morand) was the show horse.
Art Stafford, Jr. picked up his 998th career drving win, steering Smart Stake home wire-to-wire in 1:59.2 in the other DSBF trot. The altered son of Political Briefing-Ms Marshmala is owned by the father-son Stafford team of trainer Art and driver Art Jr. Call On Me (Kim Vincent) was second with It’s All Good Jack (Eddie Davis, Jr.) third.
The top eight point-getters in each DSBF division return next Thursday for $100,000 pace and trot finals.
Ross Wolfenden had a four-win night. Bret Brittingham and Vic Kirby collected doubles.