Weather permitting, four Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) three-year-old events bring preliminary rounds to a close as an outstanding 16-race program wraps up Dover Downs’ penultimate racing week on Thursday (March 22).
Major Uptrend, a 1:49.2 winner of last week’s $35,000 Preferred pace is back in the week’s top feature event, while a $22,000 sub-feature and two $25,000-$35,000 claiming handicap paces are on the standout program. Post time is 4:30 p.m.
A pair of non-wagering DSBF events precede the regular card. At 4:00 p.m., George Teague’s Ibetyoucanwiggle (Montrell Teague) and Rich Lombardo, Brent Outten and Green Racing’s Go Sandy Go (Jason Green), separated by a nose in last week’s $20,000 sophomore filly pace, renew their competition. Pedal Power (Tim Tetrick), owned by Darrell and Leah Lewis, is the one to beat in the second contest.
The DSBF sophomore male pacers start the wagering card with the first of two $20,000 divisions. JoAnn Looney-King’s Evolution Tour (Tetrick) and George Teague’s GWT (M. Teague) start the daily double. Slick Tony (Russell Foster), bred and owned by George Leager, will meet Joy and George Teague’s Transitioning Joy (M. Teague) and Looney-King’s Burn Brighter (Tetrick) in the second DSBF section.
Since last mid-year, Niss Allen and Crissman Inc.’s Major Uptrend (Tony Morgan) has been a major factor in the top race of the week, winning three times faster than 1:50 while Little Ben, racing for JoAnn Looney-King, has been one of the most consistent pacers in feature races. Tim Tetrick drove him to a strong second last week. Meanwhile, Soto, owned by Ken Wood, Bill Dittmar and Steve Iaquinta, has been a fixture in top races for several seasons.
The rest of the seven Preferred starters are Mike Hall and Dave Hamm’s steady Super Imposed N (Corey Callahan), the sharp JJ Flynn (Vic Kirby), and a pair of winners las time out: George & Tina Dennis’ Forty Five Red (Mike Cole) and Tom Lazzaro’s Never Say Never N (Jonathan Roberts)
The DSBF three-year-old division culminated with four $100,000 finals on the meet's closing day, Thursday, March 29.
(Dover Downs)