Already a two-time Delaware Standardbred Breeders' Fund series champion in his young career, KDK Standardbreds' homebred Heinikin Bythebay began his quest for a third such title with a sharp 1:52.1 victory in Thursday's $20,000 first-round division of the DSBF series for three-year-old male pacers at Bally's
In line to Tim Tetrick, the Southwind Lynx-Sally Pansen gelding strode to the lead from post five and cleared Bad And Boujee (driven by Tony Morgan) through a :28 first quarter before maintaining a steady pace through :56.3 and 1:25 middle splits. Heinikin Bythebay remained unchallenged turning for home, switching into high gear and capping his mile with a :27.1 final quarter to evade Bad And Boujee by 1-3/4 lengths. Johnny Badlands (Corey Callahan) maintained third after a failed first-over bid up the backstretch.
Kevin Switzer trains 13-time winner Heinikin Bythebay, who lifted his career earnings to $223,775 and paid $2.20 to win as the overwhelming 1-10 favourite.
In the other division, Ds Heartland and Art Stafford, Jr. employed similar tactics, controlling the pace en route to a 1:54 score. The Badlands Hanover-Armbro Cashmere colt protected inside position to seat Hiro Knockout (Tetrick) through a :28.2 quarter, rated a :57.4 half, and picked up the pace on the backstretch to keep the first-over Cntnobdytelmenothn (Morgan) at bay through the final three-eighths of a 1:54 mile, winning by a diminishing 1-1/4 lengths. Runner-up Cntnobdytelmenothn was five lengths ahead of Step On Over (Michael Cole), who finished third.
Les Givens trains seven-time winner Ds Heartland, who has now made $146,047 for his owners and breeders, Nanticoke Racing Inc and Donna Messick. He paid $4.20 to win as the even-money favourite.
The second preliminary round of all four DSBF series for three-year-olds will take place next week (Dec. 5-8), and the eight highest point earners from each series will vie for their share of $100,000 in their respective finals the following week (Dec. 12-15).
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