Egosnattitudes and Political Foe scored $20,000 victories to complete second leg preliminaries for three-year-old male trotters in Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) action on a track which turned sloppy late in the Tuesday card, March 31 at Dover Downs.
Jonathan Roberts left fast from outside with Egosnattitudes to take the lead while Go Byem broke stride at the start. Egosnattitudes continued to lead the way as trainer-driver Les Givens got Go Byem back on stride with about 15 lengths to make up. Go Byem finally caught the field at the half and then rolled on down the backstretch to a challenging position.
Reaching the stretch, Egosnattitudes had a two-length lead but Go Byem was still trotting and was making it interesting. Egosnattitudes held on in a lifetime best 1:58.3 with Go Byem was second and Audie Mo (Corey Callahan) third for the second straight week. The victory was the first of the year for the Great George Two-Aerobic Linda gelding owned by trainer Bib Roberts, breeder Graham Grace and M&W stables. It was his fourth career win and $88,400 lifetime earnings.
The second $20,000 DSBF section was a battle of the Dennis Bros. George Dennis roared from the outside to take the front with Eddie Dennis right behind with favourite Political Foe. That’s the way they trotted until reaching the last turn when Political Foe made his move to take a short lead. The two continued their battle down the lane with Political Foe finally pulling off for a 1:58.3 decision. Win Power (Jeff Fout) finished third.
Stephanie & Brian Cassell of Gloucester, Ont. own Political Foe (Political Briefing - Paris Filly), now with a lifetime summary of 6-4-0 in 12 lifetime starts.
The top eight point-getters after two legs meet next Tuesday in a $100,000 DSBF Final.
(with files from Dover)