Going Platinum ($2.80) became the only two-time winner in the Delaware Standardbred Breeders' Fund (DSBF) series for two-year-old trotting fillies at Bally's Dover with a 2:00.2 win in the first of three $20,000 second-round divisions, held Monday (Nov. 13).
Daburg, the overwhelming 1-9 favourite in the third division, tasted defeat for just the second time in her six-start career after giving way to Platinum Proposal with three-sixteenths to go.
Going Platinum and driver Corey Callahan sprinted to the lead from their outside post six in the first split and, after rebuffing an early challenge from Platinum Blue (Allan Davis), were never in doubt after controlling splits of :28.4, 1:00.3 and 1:31 en route to a three-length score over pocket rival Marinos Prize (Ross Wolfenden) in 2:00.2. Platinum Blue, who retreated to the three-hole after pressing early, saved third from a ground-saving trip.
Nicholas Callahan trains Going Platinum, now a three-time winner with $98,499 in career earnings, for Breakaway Racing. Shaun Callahan bred the E L Platinum-Nitroglide Hanover filly.
In the final division, Daburg and driver Pat Berry tried to slam the door on their six rivals by sprinting three lengths clear through a 1:00.2 first half mile, only to tire into the far turn and be engulfed by Platinum Proposal and Jim Morand midway around the final turn. Platinum Proposal, a daughter of E L Platinum-SJs Proposal, drew away through the stretch to win by 2-1/4 lengths in 2:02. Rip Away (Cody Poliseno) finished second and Daburg was a well-beaten third, another 5-1/4 lengths behind.
Les Givens trains the Thomas Dodson-bred Platinum Proposal, a two-time winner with $61,300 in the bank, for Nanticoke Racing and Delbert Cain.
In the second division, Carrie Cameron's homebred Luvyas Nugget ($6.80) and driver Victor Kirby followed the cover of Wolfpack Wilma (Callahan) up the backstretch before collaring her in deep stretch to win by a neck in 2:00.4. Lovies Place (Ross Wolfenden) finished third as the 6-5 favourite.
Gary Cameron II trains the E L Platinum-Luvyabutleave filly, who recorded her first victory in five career starts and has earned $17,400.
The eight fillies who qualified for next Monday's (Nov. 20) $110,000 DSBF series final are: Going Platinum, Daburg, Lovies Place, Luvyas Nugget, Platinum Proposal, Rip Away, Wolfpack Wilma and Chinco Mayo.
(Delaware Standardbred Breeders' Fund)