Powerful Mist and Dyslexic won the paces while Mob Boss and Smart Strike took the trots in Thursday’s second leg of the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund
at Dover Downs.
As anticipated, Powerful Mist was too much for six rivals in the first $20,000 DSBF male pace prelim. Tim Tetrick drove the son of Powerful Toy-Misty Speed, trained by Wayne Givens, to his second straight triumph of the 2011 season. It was his 11th lifetime victory in 18 races for the pacer, who has earned $232,537 to date for owners Niel Gargiulo, Louie Paglierani and Legacy Racing Of DE. Three Martinis (Montrell Teague) sat second the route with Conartist Hanover (Eric Goodell) third.
Dyslexic was not burdened starting from post eight in the other DSBF prelim pace. Ross Wolfenden made the winner’s circle for the third time on the card guiding the Three Olives-Spell Check gelding conditioned by Scott Gregoire to his first win of the year for owner Donna Rae Sullivan. Dyslexic got the lead quickly and set all the fractions in a 1:54.2 victory. Princely Asset (Roger Plante) was second with Mattador D (Vic Kirby) taking third-place honours.
Mob Boss was rushed away from the starting gate by Bret Brittingham to take the lead, and the Don Boss Vita-Hornby Belle gelding trained by Anastasias Papadopoulos led the rest of a 1:58.4 mile to win for the second time this year for Larry and Barbara Mayer. In the first of two $20,000 DSBF trot divisions. Race favorite First Captain (Ross Wolfenden) had to accept second in the first of two prelims for the trotters. Big Award (Jim Morand) was the show horse.
Art Stafford, Jr. picked up his 998th win steering Smart Strike home wire-to-wire in 1:59.2. The altered son of Political Briefing-Ms Marshmala is owned by the father/son Stafford team of trainer Art and driver Art, Jr. Call On Me (Kim Vincent) was second with Its All Good Jack (Eddie Davis, Jr.) third.
The top eight point-getters in each DSBF division return on meet closing day, next Thursday for $100,000 pace and trot finals.
Ross Wolfenden had a four-win night. Bret Brittingham and Vic Kirby collected doubles.
(Dover Downs)