In a surprising turn of events at Bally's Dover on Tuesday, Dec. 10, odds-on favourites were upset in both divisions of the Delaware Standardbred Breeders' Fund (DSBF) series for three-year-old male trotters.
In the first $28,169 split, 5-2 second choice Pretty Two and driver Cody Poliseno vacated the pocket up the backstretch to wear down pacesetter Ronnie Ridge (Tony Morgan) and then withstood a late charge from 1-5 favourite Workslikeacharm (Tim Tetrick) to win by a nose in 1:56.2. LGs Bluestone (Ross Wolfenden) finished third.
Carlo Poliseno trains eight-time winner Pretty Two, a Dusty Winner-I Concur gelding who competes as a homebred for Jane Dunavant. He paid $7.80 to win.
In the second division, 10-1 longshot Platinum Max and driver Troy Beyer followed a tactical journey behind the 1-2 favourite LGs Jaxon (Jim Morand). After stalking a fierce duel between LGs Jaxon and first-over Portnoy (Montrell Teague), Platinum Max surged in the stretch to score a 1-1/2-length victory over stablemate Chief Funster (Trae Porter), stopping the clock in 1:58. LGs Jaxon finished third.
Platinum Max, a three-year-old gelding by E L Platinum out of by Hybrid Hedy, is trained by Ron Millman and owned by Kelsey Wagner. He paid $22.40 to win.
LGs Jaxon, Platinum Max, Pretty Two and Workslikeacharm will be joined next Tuesday, Dec. 17 in the $110,000 USD series final by Ronnie Ridge, Chief Funster, LGs Bluestone and Trout Master.
Also featured on the Dec. 10 Tuesday night card at Bally’s Dover was a $23,944 conditioned trot, which was won by JL Cruze with Montrell Teague in the bike.
JL Cruze left alertly, then released the even-money favourite Renegade Gypsy (Tim Tetrick) as they approached the quarter pole. Renegade Gypsy set a brisk pace, reaching the quarter in :28.2 and the half in :57.2. With Not For Moni (Allan Davis) racing first over, JL Cruze sat in the pocket and waited for the opportunity to swing wide for the stretch duel. Trotting in mid-stretch, Renegade Gypsy and JL Cruze were on even terms. JL Cruze would not be denied and surged late to win by a neck in 1:55.2.
JL Cruze, a 13-year-old Crazed-Topcat Call gelding, is trained by Eric Ell and is owned by William Wood, William Dittmar Jr., and Stephen Laquinta. He paid $5 for the victory. The war horse has banked more than $2 million in lifetime earnings with 247 career starts.
The action at Bally's Dover continues on Wednesday, Dec. 11, with three $20,000 USD DSBF second-round splits for sophomore pacing fillies, one of which will be a non-wagering event at 4:10 p.m. This will be followed by two pari-mutuel races at the start of a 14-race program. Notably, there will be a $6,789 Pentafecta carryover to the 14th race. The Pentafecta requires picking the top five finishers in the official order of finish and is a 50-cent wager. The first post for the main card is at 4:30 p.m.
(With files from Bally's Dover)