Dover, DE --- The Dover Downs 2010-2011 meet comes to a close with two $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund 3-year-old finals on Thursday (April 14). Post time is 4:30 p.m.
Powerful Mist and Three Martini’s had little trouble turning in impressive wins in their two respective pacing colt preliminary divisions while Mob Boss and Smart Strike, last week’s winners, join First Captain and Warrhawk One, previous winners in the $100,000 colt and gelding trot final.
Powerful Mist, with Tim Tetrick driving, registered his 10th and 11th lifetime wins in prelims for owners Niel Gargiulo, Louie Paglierani and Legacy Racing of DE. His chief rival appears to be Gunjan Patel, Badlands Racing and George Teague’s Three Martini’s, piloted by Montrell Teague.
The other starters include last Fall’s surprise winner of the DSBF freshman final, Conartist Hanover, with Eric Goodell driving for Baron Racing and Glenview Livestock; Donna Rae Sullivan’s Dyslexic (Ross Wolfenden), who drew the rail; Onery Inc.’s Princely Assets and driver Roger Plante; Winbak Farm and Ben Stafford’s Lucky Land, driven by Ben Stafford, Jr.; Dr. Bill Solomon-bred and owned Badlands Challenge, reined by Corey Callahan; and Greg Callahan driving Callahan Family Farms’ Bradley’slastride.
The $100,000 colt and gelding trot final is more of a wide-open affair. First Captain (Ross Wolfenden), owned by Sharon White, Blake Baker and Legacy Racing of DE., has won seven of his 12 lifetime races. Warrhawk One, owned by driver Vic Kirby and Erica Brittingham, races after a week off.
Larry and Barbara Mayer’s Mob Boss (Bret Brittingham) has been super sharp in each of his two prelims with a win and a second but the Anastasias Papadopoulos-trainee must overcome starting from outside post eight. LeBlanc Racing and Winbak Farm’s Obey The Command (Brad Hanners) drew post one.
The rest of the field is made up by last Fall’s $100,000 2-year-old winner All Clear, owned, trained and driven by Carlo Poliseno; Smart Strike, owned by Art Stafford and driver Art Stafford, Jr., who was a wire-to-wire winner last week; It’s All Good Jack with Eddie Davis, Jr. driving for Susan Durham and trainer Linda MacDonald; and Call On Me, reined by Kim Vincent for owners Country Girl Stables.