Trotting freshmen competed in the second leg of their Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund series on Tuesday (Nov. 16) at Dover Downs, with the five $20,000 preliminary events — two for fillies, three for colts and geldings — establishing the finalists for the $100,000 dashes next Tuesday (Nov. 23).
Our Last Penny completed a sweep of her preliminary events with a 2:02.3 score in the first filly division over Just Pump It and Giant Arbitration. Trainer-driver Rod Allen owns and bred the daughter of CR Commando and CR Penny Lane.
Shes All Woman captured the second split in a lifetime-best 2:00. Jared Moyer steered Anders Bluestone-Wark Woman filly for trainer John Wagner and owner-breeder Pamela Wagner. Miss Timber Wolf finished second and Xactly What I Want took third via disqualification.
Shes All Woman winning her DSBF preliminary
Among the trotting males, Rivers took top honours with a 1:57.4 score in the first division in line to Corey Callahan. The son of Anders Bluestone and Stargazer Lily, trained by Nicholas Callahan for Stuart Chambers Racing, Divine Horse Racing, Cinbrew Enterprises and BCJM Inc., defeated LGs Reed O Wen and Tua. The Callahan and ownership team came back in another division to win with Wolfpack Russ, a Winbak Farm-bred son of Glidemaster and Emilys Ego who defeated JAS Bluestone and Canoe Trip to take a mark of 2:00.1 in the final colt and gelding division.
Wolfpack Russ winning his DSBF preliminary
Navy Blue took a lifetime record in the second colt and gelding division, defeating Big Daddy D and Brief Legacy in 1:58.4. Trainer-driver Art Stafford Jr. co-owns the son of Anders Bluestone and Overnight Hit with Wyatt Starkey.
Northern Express upset the heavy favourite Morairtime in Tuesday's $25,000 Open Handicap Trot.
Northern Express and driver Russell Foster cut fractions of :27.4, :58, and 1:26.4. Morairtime, the 1-5 public’s choice in the wagering, and driver Jack Parker Jr. pulled from the pocket to challenge Northern Express nearing the three-quarter pole. The two trotters dueled gamely in the stretch, however, Northern Express prevailed to win by a half-length in 1:54.1 and paid $9.60 for the win. Morairtime finished second and Great Unknown finished third.
Northern Express (Muscle Massive) is owned and trained by Arty Foster Jr.
The $35,000 Progress Pace elimination highlights the Wednesday card. Ten three-year-old colt and gelding pacers go postward. The top eight in the official order of finish will qualify for the $310,000 final on November 24. Two-year-old pacing fillies will also contest their second leg of the DSBF series on Wednesday’s program. Post time is 4:30 p.m. (EST).
(DSBF & Dover Downs)