The Budster returned to the winner’s circle for the first time since Feb. 1 notching a 1:56 triumph in the $22,500 Jr. Open Trot, and favourites responded with impressive victories in two $20,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) second leg sophomore colt trot preliminaries on April 4 at Dover Downs

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Teamed with Vic Kirby, The Budster pulled to the outside around the final turn and finally overtook leader Arriba Amigo (Brad Hanners) midway down the lane. Owned by Jeff Bartels, the Broadway Hall-Distaff gelding reached the finish line in 1:56 in the week’s top trot to win for the second time this year. He has now won $49,110 of his $489,653 earnings in 2012. Uwantapieceofme (George Dennis) finished second in front of Lets Get Serious N (Ross Wolfenden).

Chris Giaccio’s Allmar Surprise dropped down a notch to the $15,500 trot level and posted a wire-to-wire 1:55.1 win, her fourth of the year for trainer-driver Victor Kirby. Jeter Marvel (Ross Wolfenden) was next edging Maravich (Corey Callahan) for second-place honours.

In Delaware-sired events, Windshield took command heading to the three-quarters and strolled away from the opposition for an easy, lifetime fastest, 1:59 win to sweep both of his prelim divisions. Ross Wolfenden, who shares ownership with Nanticoke Racing, drove the Political Briefing-CR Mimosa colt to his 10th win in 12 career races while pushing his winnings to $165,299. Take Over Payments (Tony Morgan) led from the start until mid-backstretch and remained second. Westgate Melvin (Jim Morand) was the show finisher.

Trainer-driver Eddie Dennis piloted Im So Striking for Lois and Earl Walters and E&K Stables to an overpowering 2:00 score in the other $20,000 DSBF prelim. This was the third of the season and fifth lifetime win for the So Striking-Ringside Katie homebred, who now has earned $46,118. Bold Strike (Art Stafford Jr.) was second best with Boss The Hoss (George Dennis) third.

The top eight point getters return for $100,000 DSBF finals, which are slated each day next week.

Alleigh Girl and Cruisin Susan, both first leg winners, lead $20,000 DSBF prelim trots Thursday.

(Dover Downs)