A total of 12 divisions, each with a purse of $20,000, headline the upcoming week of racing at Harrington Raceway as the second leg of Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) stakes will be contested.
Four divisions of male pacers highlight the Monday (September 27) program with Kdk Standardbreds’ Heinikin Bythebay (7/5, Jason Thompson) and Nanticoke Racing and Donna Messick’s Ds Heartland (7/5, Art Stafford Jr.) perhaps emerging as the most impressive winners from the 1st leg of elimination events. Heinikin Bythebay, a son of Southwind Lynx, has won three straight races for trainer Kevin Switzer and is the favourite in the second division, the fourth race on the 15-race program. Les Givens-trained Ds Heartland, a son of Badlands Hanover, was the fastest elimination winner last week (1:55.3) and heads the fourth division, eighth race.
Three divisions of pacing fillies will battle Tuesday (September 28) with two clear standouts thus far. Let It Ride Stables’ Shabby Chic (7/5, Tim Tetrick) is unbeaten in three career starts for trainer Mike Hall.
The Badlands Hanover filly is in the 2nd division and fourth race on the card. Meanwhile, Gty Stable’s Gaitway Gal (7/5, Pat Berry) is 3-for-4 lifetime and was a three-length winner last week for trainer Jeff Smith. The Delmarvalous-sired filly heads the third division, the sixth race on the card.
Meanwhile, trotters will take centre stage Wednesday with three divisions for males and two for females. Owned by Stuart Chambers, Divine Horse Racing, Bcjm Inc., and Cinebrew Enterprises, Wolfpack Russ (Corey Callahan) and Nanticoke Racing’s LG’s Reed O Wen (Jim Morand) have emerged as early favourites from the colt and gelding side. Wolfpack Russ, a son of Glidemaster, was a 2:02.1 winner last week for Nick Callahan and leads the first division, second race Wednesday for trainer Nick Callahan. Givens-trainee, LGs Reed O Wen has been on a roll with three straight wins, including a 2:02.3 victory in his elimination last week. The Anders Bluestone gelding has won 3-of-4 starts.
A small group of just other fillies will complete their two divisions, with both elimination winners from last week squaring off in the same race, the 10th on the card. Andrew Glassmeyer’s Franky Doyle (Pat Berry), a daughter of Glidemaster, and Art Stafford and Art Stafford Jr.’s Just Pump It (Stafford Jr.), a daughter of CR Commando, are in a four-horse field in their split. Franky Doyle was a 2:05 winner last week while Just Pump It was victorious in 2:04.2.
Live harness racing will continue on a Monday through Wednesday schedule through October 20. First post time nightly is 4:30 p.m.
(Harrington)