Bandolito scored the fastest mile of the year on any size track while equaling Dover Downs’ all-track record thanks to his impressive score on Thursday.
Daryl Bier moved Bandolito up on the outside as Lollipop Kid (Corey Callahan) and Fancyfreeshark (Jonathan Roberts) continued to battle on the front end. Bandolito took the lead on the final turn and breezed home for the 1:48 victory over Manhattan Rusty N (Ron Pierce) and Lollipop Kid.
Bier trains and co-owns the Ponder-Sodys Home Brew brown horse with Charles Dombeck and David Bier. It was his second win of the year and 11th lifetime and now has won purses of 210,815.
Thursday’s card also featured the second leg of the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund Stakes.
Casino Bags Carlo turned in the fastest performance in the trio of DSBF prelims when he went wire-to-wire in 1:53.4 over Forced Passage (Ross Wolfenden) and Lewiebyalength (Corey Callahan).
Vince Copeland trains and drove the pacer to the win for owner Cavalli Pazzi Stables. The Roddys Bags Again-Casino Bus gelding won his second in two starts in 2014 and seventh, with two second and a third in his 11 career races banking $118,911.
In the second $20,000 DSBF pace, Elite Awards came from off-the-pace for driver George Dennis to take the lead from West Star Director (Ben Stafford, Jr.) and then led his six rivals home for a 1:54.3 victory - his third straight this year.
David Rearic conditions the Powerful Toy-Silk Slip gelding, who boasts a bankroll of $124,255, for owner Karen Walls.
The third DSBF division was even more competitive. Tim Tetrick drove Art Retreat to a come-from-behind decision in 1:54. Go Big Spinder (Ron Pierce) closed well to take second, while Hawker (David Miller), finished third.
Vern Cannon and trainer Jeff Clark owned the Artzina-Wild Retreat gelding who won for the first time in 13 starts.
Nova Artist in his customary style closed from fifth at the half to notch a 1:50.2 triumph over Just A Jolt (Tim Tetrick) and Feel Like A Fool (Dennis) in the $33,000 Delaware Special.
Allan Davis was at the controls of the seven-year-old son of Real Artist-Avon Lady who recorded his fourth win of the year for owners trainer Eddy and Kathy Davis. The pacer, who was the track’s Horse of the Meet two seasons ago, has won $85,350 this year and $849,917 to date.
(Dover Downs)