Wednesday marked the commencement of the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) stakes for three-year-old trotters at Harrington Raceway with five $20,000 divisions.

Three filly divisions were contested as well as two for colts and geldings, both held as non-wagering events.

Nanticoke Racing and Delbert Cain's Go Byem (Les Givens) took the first of the non-wagering races with a dazzling 1:56, 13-length margin of victory over Political Foe and Political Cash. Trained by his driver, Go Byem recorded his fourth career win in 10 starts. Sired by Impel Hanover, Go Byem took his lifetime mark of 1:53 on June 19 at The Meadowlands as one of the few Delaware-sired trotters to win a race in recent history at the New Jersey racetrack, a venue he's won at on two occasions. Wednesday’s win was just a tick off the track record of 1:55.4, held by I Like My Boss.

Ed Kimmel and Don and David Wiest's Perfect Vangogh (Tony Morgan) captured the remaining colt and gelding division with a 1:59.3 triumph over Luck Dynasty and Win Power. A son of JM Vangogh, Perfect Vangogh was trained by Donald Wiest.

Callmemza ($4.40, Jon Roberts) won the first filly division in 2:00.2 for co-owner/trainer Bib Roberts and co-owners Graham Grace Stables and M&W Stables. Callmemza, a daughter of Great George Two, followed pacesetter My Fire Cloud Too throughout before surging clear of that rival in the final strides for a narrow win. Collen In Command was third.

Marvin Meyer's Cuddle Punk ($5, Allan Davis) took the second division with a 1:58.3 blowout win over Bellas Punkett and Laurie Lin. The complexion of the race changed when 3-5 favourite Penny Paratrooper went off stride behind the gate. For Cuddle Punk, the Joe King trainee and daughter of Super Punk scored her third career win.

Another daughter of Super Punk, I Got Spunk, went postward as the 1-5 favourite in the final DSBF division, but was second best to 4-1 Silence Is Bliss ($10.60, Allan Davis), sired by CR Commando, who emerged a 1:59.2 winner with a burst of speed near the wire for trainer Robert White and owners Charles Wimbrow and James Lunn. I Got Spunk was second and Sparkling Rosie was third.

Round two of the DSBF stakes for trotters takes place Wednesday, July 8 before the $100,000 final on July 30 (special 7 p.m. post time).

In the overnight feature, the $16,000 Open Trot, Six Gun Hall assumed early command from Pittstop Kip through fractions of :27.4 and :56.4 while seven-time 2015 winner Powerful Charger ($5.40, Victor Kirby) mounted his attack first over with favourite Tough Mac following second over through three-quarters in 1:25.4. Powerful Charger began to edge clear at top of the stretch and held off a late charge by Tough Mac for a 1:55.3 win. Six Gun Hall was third. Owned by trainer Jim King Jr. and Tim Tetrick, Powerful Charger earned his 30th career win.

(With files from Harrington Raceway)