The Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund trot and pace divisions for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters and pacers got underway on Thursday at Dover Downs
, with Powerful Mist, Three Martinis, First Captain and Warrhawk One capturing their $20,000 splits.
Powerful Mist, a Powerful Toy-Misty Speed colt owned by Niel Gargiulo, Louie Paglierani and Legacy Racing Of DE coasted to a 1:54 triumph in his 2011 debut. Tim Tetrick drove Powerful Mist into the lead out of the gate and pulled away to his 10th career victory in 17 races. The Wayne Givens-trained colt was rated #17 in Stan Bergstein’s preseason Experimental Rating of the sport’s leading three-year-olds. Givens sent out a total of four winners on the card.
Three Martinis built up an early lead and won an uncontested 1:54.1 victory in another of the DSBF paces. Montrell Teague guided the Three Olives-Florina Bayama colt to his second straight win this year for G.P. Patel, Badlands Racing and George Teague Jr. Inc. Lucky Land (Ben Stafford, Jr.) was best of the rest. Badlands Challenge (Tony Morgan) was the third finisher. Both winning pacers were trained by George Teague.
First Captain won the first of two $20,000 trot divisions. Ross Wolfenden ushered First Captain into the lead just before the opening quarter and was never headed en route to a 2:00.4 victory, his first start of the year and seventh lifetime success in 11 starts for trainer Wayne Givens and owners Sharon White, Blake Baker and Legacy Racing Of DE. Mob Boss (Bret Brittingham) made a late charge at the winner finishing a half-length behind. Smart Stride (Art Stafford, Jr.) grabbed the show dough.
In the second division, Warrhawk One made a big move on the backstretch to take the lead and quickly opened up for a decisive 2:00.4 triumph for trainer/driver Vic Kirby and co-owner and breeder Ericka Brittingham. All Clear (Carlo Poliseno), the early leader, held on to finish second in front of Obey The Command (Brad Hanners).
The DSBF $20,000 colt and gelding divisions continue with second leg action next Thursday.
(Dover Downs)