Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund action for three-year-old male pacers commenced on the Monday Harrington Raceway program with two $20,000 divisions competing in the opening leg.

Apple Valley Art ($2.40, Tim Tetrick), owned by Jo Ann Looney-King, won the first division in 1:55.4. The Artzina gelding seized control with a powerful first over move on the backstretch and opened up on the field to win by 12 lengths. Bookin was second with Iceal third.

Trained by Jim King, Jr., it was just the second career start for the winner. It was the first of two driving wins for Tetrick on the card.

The two pacing heavyweights of the division from last year faced off in the second division, Bebop On The Block, who on the $100,000 final at Dover Downs, and American Nitro, who won the final at Harrington. It didn't take long for those two to hook up as 3-5 favourite American Nitro assumed command near the quarter mile while 9-5 second choice Bebop On The Block waited in second.

The outcome from there wasn't as expected however as Bebop On The Block retreated near three-quarters, while Aidan applied pressure to pacesetter American Nitro and Elite Retreat surged down the passing lane in the stretch. In a tight, three-way finish, 21-1 Elite Retreat ($44.60, Jeff Fout) edged out his rivals in the photo finish in 1:56, as American Nitro was second and Aidan third.

A son of Dream Away, it was the first career win in 12 starts for Elite Retreat, who is trained by his driver.

Bret Brittingham joined Tetrick with a driving double.

Live racing continues Tuesday with a 4:30 p.m. post time.

(Harrington)