Winter weather was threatening in the evening sky on Wednesday (Nov. 14) at Dover Downs, but the young trotters contesting their first-round Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund events didn’t seem to care.
The first filly event was contested as a non-wagering event before the card. Bellas Party Punk (Super Punk-Nubella) driven by Art Stafford Jr. and trained by a jubilant Shae Vandervort won by half a length over Star Tume (bred by Marv Bachrad) in 2:04.2.
The second filly division (race one) saw the Harrington winner Disco Soliel (CR Commando-CR Penny Lane) dance from gate to wire for driver Carlo Poliseno and owner Rod Allen in 2:03.4, half a length better than Dark Dutchess.
In the first division for colts and geldings (race two), Rich N Royal (Yankee Royalty-Adore Eleanor) beat Dr Grinch by a neck to break maiden in 2:01.2 for trainer-driver Kim Vincent and owner Bart Cavanagh’s Providence West of Media, Pa. Time was 2:01.2 and it was the Maiden win for Rich N Royal.
The second split for colts and geldings went to Embrace The Grind (Keystone Activator-My Embrace), who beat Say Gesundheit by five lengths in 2:03 for driver Jonathan Roberts and owner-trainer Bobby Glassmeyer. It was his fourth victory in five starts.
Round two will take place next Wednesday (Nov. 21), the night before Thanksgiving. The final will be contested on Nov. 29 in conjunction with Dover Downs's signature event, the Hap Hansen Progress Pace named for the late Brandywine Raceway president.
(with files from Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund)