Starlit Eyes, fresh from a wire-to-wire victory in last week’s $20,000 preliminary, and overlooked at 18-1, completed the same mission from post eight in Tuesday’s $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) Three-Year-Old Filly Trot Final at Dover Downs.
Outside starting fillies left fast with Starlit Eyes (Ross Wolfenden) emerging with the lead and the race favourite, Country Romance (Allan Davis), sitting second in front of Luscious Leigh (John Wagner) trotting third. Podium (Dylan Davis), who had a win and a second in prelims, was also on the move, but broke stride on the first turn and never became a factor.
Starlit Eyes continued to cut out the fractions as Luscious Leigh came to the outside as challengers stacked up turning down the homestretch. Country Romance, the public’s choice, finally was able to rush along the passing lane, but could get no further than a head back of Starlit Eyes at the wire in 1:58.3. Luscious Leigh held on for third.
Jeff Franklin bred Starlit Eyes, a daughter of CR Commando, from his mare Call Me Hazel. Winbak Farm and trainer Steve LeBlanc share ownership in the new DSBF champion, a first-time winner.
The third of four $100,000 DSBF finals, featuring three-year-old colt and gelding trotters, top a trot-filled Wednesday program.
(Dover Downs)