Triple Command came on in the stretch to prevail in the $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) Two-Year-Old Final on Wednesday, Nov. 28 at Dover Downs.
Acquired less than two months ago by trainer Josh Green and Richard Lombardo, Triple Command won the DSBF consolation at Harrington and finished second in his only preliminary last week.
This week the CR Commando–Triple T Carmel colt closed quickly for Ross Wolfenden to record a lifetime fastest 2:00.4 triumph. Race favourite Dingys Boy (Bryan Truitt) had the lead in the stretch and Bellas Spunkypunk (Corey Callahan) was also coming on when driver Ross Wolfenden, who was enjoying a good trip behind the leaders, turned Triple Command loose in the lane towards victory. Bellas Spunkypunk finished second in front of Dingys Boy at the wire. Command Flight (Bobby Clark) and Solo Command (Jim Morand) earned the remaining cheques finishing fourth and fifth, respectively.
“[Triple Command] has been bothered by sore feet,” said winning driver Wolfenden, “but Josh spent a lot of time getting him ready and this horse did the rest.”
Earlier Brief Politics had just enough to hold off Smoke Monster (Les Givens) by half-a-head to win the $20,000 DSBF consolation. Jon Roberts drove the Political Briefing-Fidia gelding for owners Joe Eisenhower and trainer Mike Lafferty.
In the $23,000 Open Trot, Tony Morgan moved Sand Top Gun strongly on the backstretch to engage the leaders and the Conway Hall-Top Chip gelding took the over command in deep stretch from race favourite E L Rock (Ron Pierce) with early leader Mandabra (Corey Callahan) holding on for third. The winning time was 1:54.4.
Meet leading driver Corey Callahan, Brad Hanners and trainer Josh Green had three winners each. Ron Pierce and trainer George Wagner had two wins.
A $36,000 Preferred/Open Handicap and a $30,000 Delaware Special headline Thursday’s card.
(With files from Dover Downs)