Kodack Black completed a clean sweep of the Delaware Standardbred Breeders' Fund (DSBF) series for three-year-old male trotters — and captured his second divisional title in the First State this season — with a commanding 1:57.3 win in the $110,000 final on Tuesday, Dec. 12 at Bally's Dover.
Montrell Teague put 1-20 favourite Kodack Black in play from post seven immediately as the gates folded, but the pair was strung out on the first turn by 17-1 shot Paleface (Ross Shand) before clearing three-sixteenths of a mile in. After being pushed through a :28.2 first quarter, Kodack Black rated middle splits of :59.2 and 1:27.4 before steadily widening his lead through the final turn. The Kodak Lindy-Love On Broadway gelding won by 4-1/4 lengths while well in hand, and his 1:57.3 winning time equals his seasonal mark.
Paleface was all-out to save second from his pocket ride. I Got It Made (Ross Wolfenden) circled stalled cover on the far turn and sustained a mild bid through the stretch to just edge the ground-saving Hespookshescores (Russell Foster) for third.
Kodack Black, who has won 14 times in his career and banked $262,979, is trained by Clyde Francis for the partnership of George Teague Jr. Inc., David Collins and Lakiyah Teachey. He paid $2.10 to win as the overwhelming public choice.
Global Believer S wires the field to win Open Trot
Global Believer S put a field of quality trotters to sleep and won the $25,000 Open Handicap on Tuesday night.
Driven by Tim Tetrick, Global Believer S charged hard at the start of the race but was pressed to the quarter by a pesky I Get It (Victor Kirby) in :27.3. Tetrick was able to put the brakes on Global Believer S after reaching the half in :57.3, a :30 second quarter. Muscle Dynasty (Corey Callahan) was parked the mile and forced Black Hope (Cole Olsen) and That Ole Bar Stool (Allan Davis) to circle three-wide down the backstretch. Global Believer S, the even odds betting favourite, was in cruise control passing the three-quarters in 1:25.3, a :28 flat quarter.
In the stretch, Global Believer S was able to repel the late charges from Black Hope and Muscle Dynasty to win by a half-length in 1:55 flat. He paid $4 for the win. Black Hope finished second while Muscle Dynasty, who was parked the entire mile, lasted to finish third.
Global Believer S (Donato Hanover-Platinium Shine) is trained by Per Engblom and owned by Engblom Stable LLC and Kasper Foget, both from New Jersey. He has now won at four different sized racetracks this year. He won for the eighth time in 17 starts this year.
Two $110,000 DSBF series finals remain in 2023 at Bally's Dover: the three-year-old filly pace on Wednesday, Dec. 13 and the sophomore male pace on Thursday, Dec. 14. Also on Wednesday's card, Incaseyoudidntknow will look to win her sixth consecutive race in the $26,000 Fillies & Mares Open Handicap Pace, set as race 13. Boudoir Hanover, who finished second last week, and Majorca N will look to play the spoiler.
Bally’s Dover races Monday through Thursday with a 4:30 p.m. post time.
(With files from the Delaware Standardbred Breeders' Fund and Dover Downs)