It was a special occasion for owner/trainer Kevin Switzer standing in the winner’s circle with his homebred Apple Bottom Jeans, winner of the $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) Two-Year-Old Filly Pace, ironically on his 1,000th career training win on Wednesday, Nov. 25 at Dover Downs.
Apple Bottom Jeans, who last month impressively won the Harrington $100,000 frosh filly final, recorded her fourth consecutive victory for KDK Standardbreds as Montrell Teague took the Mr Apples-Scylla Hanover black filly right to the lead and never looked back en route to a lifetime-fastest 1:53.3 triumph in the final 2015 $100,000 DSBF test. Eternal Ring, who has a win and a second in DSBF prelims, was second-best with Jonathan Roberts aboard. Use Your Noodle, also first and second in prelims, was third for driver Jim Morand.
Apple Bottom Jeans has now banked $135,000 in her six Delaware starts.
“She’s a pleasure to drive,” smiled Teague. “She has been getting better in each of her starts.”
Switzer has been a leading horseman at Northeast racetracks and is planning to retire and race horses in the First State.
“I think [Apple Bottom Jeans] has a lot more to show," added Switzer. "In addition to the Delaware program at three, I’ll race her in other stakes.”
In the $20,000 DSBF consolation, Vic Kirby whirled Cougar Creek away from post eight and moved into the lead early then set the tempo for a 1:55.1 career-best victory for trainer Jim King and wife JoAnn Looney King. It was the second win for the Dream Away-Fire One Up first-year performer, who boasts earnings of $27,425. Fiftyshadesofrusty (George Dennis), the race favourite, had to settle for second. Dance My Way (Corey Callahan) was third.
Tirade Hanover, reined by meet-leading driver Corey Callahan, held off a passing lane charge from Hemi Seelster (Ross Wolfenden) to win the $21,000 Open Handicap Trot in 1:54. Cashontherocs (Allan Davis) was the show horse.
Callahan, Tony Morgan, Allan Davis, owner Tina Clark, trainers Bobby Clark and Bob Shahan, all won two races.
There is no live racing on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day. Friday, Saturday and Sunday are dark live racing days at Dover Downs. Monday through Thursday racing begins at 4:30 p.m.
(With files from Dover Downs)