Arriba Amigo was a 1:55.4 winner in the $26,000 Open Handicap Trot while favourites dominated Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund second leg preliminaries on Wednesday at Dover Downs
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Ron Pierce and Arriba Amigo had little trouble besting five rivals in 1:55.4 to win the week’s top trot racing for a $26,000 purse. Josh Green trains and co-owns the Amigo Hall-Fidanzata gelding with David Rovine and VIP Internet Stable. It was the four-year-old’s fifth win of the campaign in eight races bringing his seasonal bankroll to $57,400. Photo Maxx (Roger Plante) was best of the rest. Second Hand News (Corey Callahan) picked up third money.
In filly stakes action, Badlands Jenna continued her domination of the DSBF Filly Pace ranks rolling to a 1:551 victory in the first $20,000 second leg prelim. Unbeaten in all of her previous DSBF events, the Badlands Hanover–Jennas Joy sophomore took the early lead and then held off fast finishing Allie Oakley (Jim King) for her 12th career win in 14 races with a pair of seconds. Ben Stafford and Winbak Farm own and Ben Stafford Jr. drives the winner. Fouralarmfire (Vic Kirby) was third.
JoAnn King’s homebred Sarah Barracuda won her first of the year behind a 1:54.2 effort with Jim King in the bike. The Three Olives-Lady Steel K youngster held off Beach Frenzy (George Dennis) and race favourite Devil May Care (John Wagner), the second and third place finishers.
Daryl Bier drove Stash The Cash to victory in 1:56.2 in the third DSBF prelim. Trainer Jeff Long owns the Shotgun Scott-Escape Route filly with Warren Racing Stable. Winsmith Jess (Ron Pierce) got up for second. Apache Star (Corey Callahan) was the show horse.
In the first of two $20,000 DSBF trot, Jim Morand drove Overnight Command into the lead after the half and pulled away for a career fastest 2:00.1 score. Morand and Nanticoke Racing owned the CR Commando-Overnight Rail distaff. She now is two-for-two this year and six of nine lifetime. Tokyo Oklahoma (John Wagner) edged early leader Political Starlet (Ross Shand) for second.
The only upset in the two prelim legs came when Brickhouse Rosey, owned by Deborah Bozman and trainer Walt Bozman made up a lot of ground for George Dennis on the way to a 2:03.2 success in the second division. Sweet Apple Cider (Roger Plante) was second in front of Montabello Brandi (Vince Copeland).
The top eight point-getters in each division return next Wednesday for $100,000 DSBF pace and trot finals.
The Thursday card is highlighted by five $20,000 DSBF Colt and Gelding prelims.
Ron Pierce with three wins tied Corey Callahan with 220 dash wins this meet. Jim Morand also had a triple.
(Dover Downs)