Warrens Charm made easy work of her five rivals in the second $28,169 first-round division of the Delaware Standardbred Breeders' Fund (DSBF) series for two-year-old pacing fillies at Bally's Dover, comfortably holding 3-5 favourite Odds On Put Option at bay en route to a lifetime-best win on Wednesday, Nov. 12.

A winner in four of her five starts coming into the Dover series, including the Oct. 14 final of the DSBF series at Harrington Raceway, Warrens Charm and driver Art Stafford Jr. were in no hurry at race's outset. They landed in fourth from the pole position before launching an extended brush midway around the first turn to clear early pacesetter Burlesque Belle (Corey Callahan) well after a :28.3 first quarter. After putting up middle splits of :58.1 and 1:27 — and gaining steady separation from a tiring Burlesque Bell up the backstretch — Warrens Charm parried a mild first-over challenge from Odds On Put Option (Tim Tetrick) on the far turn and defeated her by a measured length in 1:55.2. Moms Vision (Pat Berry) rallied for third, another 10-1/4 lengths behind.

Trainer Jason Skinner co-owns Warrens Charm with Rodney Wyatt. The Hes Watching-Azure Deo filly paid $4.40 to win as the 6-5 second choice.

In the first section, a non-betting event, Just Applause and driver Tetrick rolled to a pillar-to-post 1:56.2 win. The Hes Watching-Rock Me Baby filly put down the fractions of :28.3, :58.2, and 1:27.2 and kicked clear of her foes in the final quarter, defeating pocketed rival Meemaws Column (Russell Foster) by 2-1/4 lengths. Nickis Watching (Roger Plante Jr.) rallied mildly off the home turn to finish third.

Just Applause has won three times in six starts for trainer Linda Toscano and owners Let It Ride Stables Inc. and Carl Howard.

Rookie pacing fillies will contest their second DSBF series preliminary round next Wednesday, Nov. 19. The top eight point earners from both preliminaries will then convene for a $110,000 USD final on Nov. 26. The second preliminary round of the DSBF series for two-year-olds begins on Thursday, with 18 male pacers split into three divisions. 

In the top overnight event, Huntress took her third straight victory as she captured the $36,620 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace.

Sent off as the even-money favourite, Huntress sprinted quickly off the starting gate from post eight but met resistance early when Jett Propelled (Jason Thompson) and Laurel Court (Art Stafford Jr.) left together and parked her out. Huntress marched on, clearing to the lead after racing outside to the opening quarter in a taxing :26.1. Huntress and driver Allan Davis were allowed a breather to the half in :55.2.

Melody Hanover (Ross Wolfenden) went on the hunt as she started an uncovered advance before the half. Square Deal (Tony Morgan) shadowed her second-over and Lofty Treasure (Pat Berry) followed third-over up the backstretch with Huntress and Melody Hanover matching strides to three-quarters in 1:23.1. At the top of the stretch, Huntress dug in and dispatched Melody Hanover while Lofty Treasure circled three-wide and Incaseyoudidntknow (Morand) flew home from seventh. Huntress held on to win by a neck and completed the mile in 1:52.4. Incaseyoudidntknow ran out of real estate and had to settle for second. Laurel Court was third.

Huntress is owned by Manklin Creek LLC and trained by Eric Ell. The six-year-old daughter of Huntsville-Love And Honor is now 49-for-102 lifetime. She paid $4 to win.

Foster drove three winners on the pari-mutuel card.

The next program at Bally's Dover on Thursday will feature four divisions of the Matron Stakes for three-year-olds with a first post time of 4:30 p.m. The Matron divisions will take place in Races 6, 8, 10 and 12

(Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund & Dover Downs)