Artistic Director, Bags Of Money and Hot Roddy were impressive winners in their respective $20,000 divisions of the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings Tuesday at Dover Downs.
Artistic Director, from the first crop of Art Director, romped to a 1:54.3 triumph in one of the $20,000 splits. Corey Callahan drove the gelding to his second win of the year and fourth in 10 lifetime starts. Tina Clark and Kovach Stables own the $54,720 lifetime winner conditioned by Bobby Clark. Casino Bags held off Quick Rod for second money.
Ben Stafford, Jr. left fast with Bags Of Money, and while under duress during the last half held on for a career fastest 1:54 triumph. Joel and Diane Halpern and Only Money Inc own the Roddys Bags Again-Badlands Iron Lady chestnut. The Ben Stafford, Jr. trainee sports a two-win, one second and two-thirds record in five lifetime races. Ilikethemtrashy was second with Beammeupscottie the show horse.
Hot Roddy won for the eighth time in nine career starts racking up a 1:55.2 score in the other $20,000 DSBF prelim. Joe Hundertpfund is trainer and part owner with Ted Hundertpfund and Rodney Long on the Roddys Bags Again–The Artful Diva colt. The win lifts the winner of both the Dover Downs and Harrington fresh finals to lifetime earnings of $142,575. Golden Gun was a game second in front of Forever Love.
On the strong undercard, Nova Artist overpowered six rivals scoring a record-equaling 1:49.3 triumph in the $30,000 Delaware Special. Allan Davis drove the first of his two wins guiding the Real Artist-Avon Lady horse trained by his brother, Martin, for their parents, Eddie and Kathy Davis. The victory was the second of 2013 with two seconds and a third for the $652,217 lifetime winner of which $48,600 has come this year. Rustys All In was runner-up. Fancyfreeshark, the early leader, finished third.
Joe Muscara’s Stolen Car returned to the winner’s circle for the first time since early in the month recording a 1:49.3 victory in the $23,000 Open Handicap Pace. George Dennis drove the Mach Three-Ashlees Luck five-year-old for trainer Jeff Clark. He has now won $77,550 this year and $292,149 lifetime. Adventure Bound was second with Wee Brother N third.
(Dover Downs)