Pacer Badlands Jenna closed with a rush and trotter Overnight Command was never headed in a pair of $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) finals contested on Wednesday night at Dover Downs
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In a rare off-the-pace demonstration, Badlands Jenna roared down the stretch to score a lifetime fastest 1:54.1 victory in the DSBF filly pace final with Ben Stafford Jr. piloting the Badlands Hanover-Jennas Joy distaff to her 13th victory in 15 career starts. The victory, her ninth consecutive, lifted her career bankroll to $229,462 for Winbak Farm and trainer Ben Stafford. Stash The Cash also closed strongly for Daryl Bier to finish second. Sigh Allie Oakley and Tim Tetrick finished third. Sarah Barracuda (Jim King) cut out the fast early fractions before tiring in deep stretch.
The $100,000 filly trot final was all Overnight Command. Jim Morand took the lead at the half and quickly opened up a double digit lead on the way to a 2:01 triumph. Morand and Nanticoke Racing Inc. own the CR Commando-Overnight Rail daughter, now a winner of five consecutive races and seven of 10 lifetime starts. The Les Givens trainee pushed her earnings to $156,625. Brickhouse Rosey, in only her third start, closed well for George Dennis to finish second. SBS Commando and Eddie Davis were the third-place finisher.
On the regular program, Vic Kirby steered Allmar Surprise to victory in 1:55.3 for her sixth win of the year. Chris Giaccio owns the Angus Hall-Benita Victory six-year-old, the only mare in the $26,000 Open Handicap Trot feature field. Second Hand News (Corey Callahan) bested Photo Maxx (Roger Plante) in the second-place photo.
The Housewifes of Delaware made the winner’s circle again. Many of the two-dozen women who share ownership saw their 10-year-old gelding Jabez, driven by Corey Callahan, close along the passing lane for a 1:56 win in a $12,500 conditioned trot. The Shepherd (Roger Plante) was a head back in second. Good Feeling (Vince Copeland) was the show finisher.
Two $100,000 DSBF Three-Year-Old finals, one for trotters and the other for pacers, headline the closing day card. The Horse of the Meet, chosen by members of the U.S. Harness Writers Association Delaware Valley chapter, Leading Trainer and Leading Driver awards will be presented.
Going into the final race day of the meet, Ron Pierce leads defending track champion Corey Callahan, who had three wins for the night, by two wins, 228 to 226 wins.
(With files from Dover Downs)