After claiming a divisional Delaware Standardbred Breeders' Fund (DSBF) title this summer at Harrington Raceway, Workslikeacharm kicked off the December DSBF series at Bally's Dover in victorious fashion, posting a 1:58.3 win over seven rivals in the first of two $28,169 first-round divisions for three-year-old male trotters on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
The gelded son of E L Platinum-Charming Oaks was in no hurry early, content to stalk from midfield as LGs Bluestone (Ross Wolfenden) soared to the front from post eight through a :28.4 first quarter. With a circuit to go, Tim Tetrick angled Workslikeacharm first-over and the pair gained stoutly into a :59.4 half before duelling to the lead with just over five-sixteenths of the mile remaining. Workslikeacharm pushed clear of LGs Bluestone past three-quarters in 1:28.2 and repelled a late challenge from runner-up Ronnie Ridge (Tony Morgan) by a measured length. LGs Bluestone was a beaten third.
Jim King Jr. trains Workslikeacharm, now a seven-time winner with $186,707 in earnings, for owner Brett MacDonald of Freelton, Ont. As the prohibitive 1-10 favourite, Workslikeacharm paid $2.20 to win.
In the second division, 3-2 choice LGs Jaxon and driver Jim Morand follow second-over cover up the backstretch into the pocket behind Pretty Two before inheriting the lead as that rival broke in upper stretch. The Rolls Blue Chip-Miss Jocelyn gelding evaded 51-1 runner-up Platinum Max (Troy Beyer) by 2-1/4 lengths to win in 1:58.4. Trout Master (Jason Green) rallied from far back to just miss second.
LGs Jaxon, a Nanticoke Racing homebred with 12 career wins and $221,162 in earnings, is trained by Les Givens. He paid $5 to win.
Chapheart proved to have the heart of a lion and won the $35,211 Open Handicap Trot on the undercard of the chilly Tuesday evening.
Rivers (Corey Callahan) and Chapheart (Pat Berry) were the quickest off the wings of the starting gate. Rivers settled in the pocket while Chapheart surged to the top, reaching the quarter in :27.4. Chapheart raced comfortably, leading the field of trotters to the half in :57.1. Inaminute Hanover (Tim Tetrick) moved off the pylons and traveled first over up the backstretch with Sinatra De Vie (Russell Foster) following second over. As those bids stalled, Chapheart was in total control passing the three-quarters in 1:25.3. Chapheart won by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:54.3. Rivers finished second over J L Cruze (Montrell Teague).
The five-year-old son of Chapter Seven-Hip To My Heart is owned by Mike Casalino Jr. and Dylan Davis Racing. Dylan Davis trains Chapheart.
Wednesday's 15-race card at Bally's Dover begins with a pair of first-round DSBF preliminary events for three-year-old pacing fillies. First post is 4:30 p.m.
(With files from Delaware Standardbred Breeders' Fund & Bally's Dover)