Alleigh Girl lived up to advance billing and overpowered seven rivals to win Thursday’s $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund Three-Year-Old Filly Final on closing day of Dover Downs’ 43rd season
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For the third time in four $100,000 finals, driver Ross Wolfenden and Les Givens’ Nanticoke Racing made the winner’s circle, this time with co-owner Delbert Cain, reining in Alleigh Girl in the Filly final. She notched her third straight win of the early season and 10th in 13 lifetime starts. She’s earned $196,440 in her career.
Alleigh Girl waited in third as entrymate Da Boss Lady cut out the early fractions until mid-backstretch. Wolfenden quickly moved out and took the lead before the three-quarters and pulled away in a lifetime best 1:57.4. Commitment To Win rallied from far back with Roger Plante to take second money, with La Vita Loca Rusty and Brad Hanners finishing third.
It was the third winner in which Nanticoke Racing was a co-owner. In addition to Alleigh Girl, Wolfenden drove two other DSBF sophomore champions, and was co-owner of two of the winners with Nanticoke Racing of pacer Flight Instructor and trotter Windshield.
Ross Wolfenden led all drivers on Thursday with six wins, while meet leading driver Corey Callahan collected four. Allan Davis and George Dennis had two winners apiece.
During the program, Corey Callahan was presented his third straight Leading Driver award. Josh Green took his eighth Leading Trainer title in the 21st century including the last seven-in-a-row and Nova Artist was winner Horse of the Meet chosen by the DelVal chapter U.S. Harness Writers Association.
With completion of Dover Downs 2011-2012 season, Delaware harness racing resumes on April 20 at Harrington Raceway. Dover Downs’ 44th season will return in November.
(Dover Downs)