Cut The Beach, Casino Bags Anso and Next Success found their way to victory lane Thursday at Dover Downs in their respective $20,000 divisions of the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund for three-year-old colt and gelding pacers.

George Dennis left fast from the outside to get the early lead with Cut The Beach and was able to keep the Artzina-I Love The Beach gelding in front despite a strong cavalcade of challengers including last November $100,000 DSBF champion Johns Dream (Tony Morgan), a nose back in second. Cantthelpbutwin (Ross Wolfenden) was a close third.

Cut The Beach is trained by veteran Del Cote for Henry Faragalli III, Joe Thomson, Trevor Johnson and Jeff Ruben.

Casino Bags Anso, who has made a remarkable return to the races after battling a lime disease, scored his first win as trainer-driver Vince Copeland rallied the Roddys Bags Again-Casino Bus gelding from third turning for home to overtake leader Hail To The Mater (Art Stafford, Jr.) for a 1:53.3 triumph. All Artist (Jeff Fout) was the third finisher.

Owned by Cavalli Pazzi Stables, Casino Bags Anso was on the verge of being given-away when Copeland wanted to give him one more change and it worked.

Next Success won the third $20,000 DBSF division recording a lifetime best 1:54.2 victory with Jim Morand in the bike. Co-favourite Power To Perform (Morgan) was second in front of All Music (Dennis).

The win was the second of the day for part-owner Henry Faragalli III who owns the Veeza-Quick Question gelding with Bay Pond and Nanticoke Racing. The victory was also the second for driver Morand and trainer Les Givens.

The DSBF three-year-old second prelims have now been resolved. The top 8 point-getters in each of the four sophomore section are set for next week’s $100,000 finals.

Next week, the Dover Downs 47th season comes to a close with a $100,000 DSBF final every day. The top 8 point-getters after two preliminary legs meet. Monday is male trot day, filly pacers vie on Tuesday with filly trotters on Wednesday. Closing day, Thursday, April 14 features male pacers going for $100,000.

(With files from Dover Downs)