Apple Valley Art took a new lifetime mark of 1:52.4 and claimed top honours in the second preliminary round of the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Thursday at Dover Downs.

The winner of the Harrington DSBF series earlier in the season, Apple Valley Art ($4.20) scored decisively in the second of two $20,000 divisions. Tim Tetrick brushed Apple Valley Art to the lead with a lap to go, and the pair repelled a first-over challenge from eventual third-place finisher Leonards Legacy before evading a three-wide push from runner-up Elite Retreat by 1-1/2 lengths. Jim King, Jr. trains the son of Artzina and Shake Away for owner-breeder Jo Ann Looney-King.

In the first division, All About Lynx and driver Montrell Teague completed a sweep of their preliminary legs with a 1:53.4 victory. The son of Southwind Lynx and All About Tonight drew clear late to beat Bookin and Undercovershamrock by 3-3/4 lengths. Clyde Francis trains All About Lynx for owners and breeders George Teague Jr and K & R Racing LLC.

The top eight point earners in the series return for the $100,000 DSBF final next Thursday (Dec. 17), which is the final day of racing at Dover before the holiday break. Those eight are: All About Lynx, Apple Valley Art, American Nitro, Elite Retreat, Bookin, Leonards Legacy, Undercovershamrock and Aidan.

(With files from Dover Downs and TB)