The Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) Stakes for three-year-olds got underway with two $20,000 divisions each for pacers and trotters
. Overnight Command and Tokyo Oklahoma won first leg preliminaries at Dover Downs on Wednesday, March 30 at Dover Downs. Trainer-driver John Wagner won one DSBF trot and a pace.
Badlands Jenna picked right up where she left off last year scoring a 1:55.4 victory in her $20,000 prelim. Ben Stafford Jr. drove the Badlands Hanover-Jennas Joy filly to her 11th win in 13 lifetime starts for trainer Ben Stafford and Winbak Farm. Stash The Cash (Daryl Bier) made a belated dash down the lane to secure second. Winsmith Jess (John Wagner) was the show finisher.
Devil May Care posted a 1:56 triumph edging front-pacing Allie Oakley (Jim King) by a nose in the other filly pace prelim. It marked the second trainer-driver win for John Wagner, who owns the Badlands Hanover-Turn For The Best filly with Winbak Farm. Apache Star (Corey Callahan), a daughter of Apache Dame, a previous Dover Horse of the Meet, was an impressive third closing from far back.
Both favourites came through in DSBF filly trots. Overnight Command, winner of last fall’s $100,000 freshman final was much the best as Jim Morand drove the CR Commando-Overnight Rail daughter to a convincing 2:01.1 victory. Morand and Nanticoke Racing own the five-time career winner, who was making her sophomore season debut. Now Virginia (Brad Hanners) finished second. Sweet Apple Cider (Roger Plante) was third
Tokyo Oklahoma won the second $20,000 division with a 2:03 mile. John Wagner trains and drives the CR-Commando-Rowdy Somolli filly for Ben Kenny. SBS Commando (Eddie Davis) and Joyful Anna (Carlo Poliseno) were second and third respectively. Political Starlet (Ross Shand), a major contender at two, broke stride at the start and finished out-of-the-money.
The DSBF $20,000 colt and gelding divisions highlight the Thursday card.
On the overnight card, Vick Kirby drove Chris Giacco’s Allmar Surprise to her second straight win taking a $13,000 trot in a wire-to-wire 1:55.3 decision. Gurf (Allan Davis) came on for second. Counsel (Ron Pierce) was the show horse.
Jim Morand had a four-bagger, Ron Pierce a driving triple. Trainer Les Givens and owner Nanticoke Racing won three races. John Wagner posted an owner, trainer, driver double, while driver Vic Kirby and owner Winbak Farm had two winners.
(Dover Downs)