Favourite Triple Command had just enough to win his Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund prelim while 25-1 Cashmere Briefs pulled an upset in the other $20,000 section on another windy Wednesday, April 3 at Dover Downs.
In a three-horse photo of CR Commando-sired colts, Triple Command, the public choice owned by Rich Lombardo and trainer Josh Green, withstood a heated battle with 38-1 Command Flight and Brad Hanners to post a 1:59.3 victory, his second prelim win in a row. Also in the tight finish, Solo Command and Jim Morand was a close-up third. Triple Command, a CR Commando-Triple T Carmel colt was the DSBF two-year-old champion and now has banked $89,050 this year.
Vince Copeland and longshot Cashmere Briefs moved into high gear heading to the three-quarters as front-trotting Security Breach, with Carlo Poliseno, began to open his lead after race favourite Dingys Boy, driven by Bryan Truitt, broke stride on the backstretch. Cashmere Briefs finally wore down Security Breach in deep stretch for a 1:59.3 triumph. Nanticoke Racing, Delbert and Mike Cain own the Political Briefing-Cashmere Sahbra colt, who won for the third time in his career upping his earnings to $35,362. Bellas Superpunk, driven by Roger Plante, finished third.
The top eight point-getters after the two prelim legs return next Wednesday for the $100,000 DSBF Final.
Anders Bluestone, who was parked out the mile last time and lost by a head and nose in his previous races, was at the top of his game scoring a 1:54.3 victory in the $24,000 Open Handicap Trot. Track older-trot record holder Hes Spooky and Corey Callahan put in a game effort to finish second with early leaders Allmar Surprise and Vic Kirby holding on to finish third. Ross Wolfenden drove the big-gaited Anders Bluestone, a seven-year-old son of Yankee Glide-Annette Hanover, to his third win of the year lifting his seasonal bankroll to $52,020. The millionaire trotter has now won 39 times in his career.
Three tough $20,000 DSBF second leg prelims for colt pacers plus a $30,000 Delaware Special and $23,000 Open Pace headline a strong Thursday program.
(With files from Dover Downs)