I Like My Boss continued his domination in the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) three-year-old male trot division, keeping his record perfect by winning the third of four $100,000 DSBF finals this week on the penultimate day of Dover Downs' season, Wednesday, April 9.
Driver Jonathan Roberts was content to sit back sixth until reaching the backstretch, then he uncorked I Like My Boss and the altered son of Don Boss Vita-Wild One roared to the front and then pulled off for his fourth win of the year. Now a perfect seven-for-seven lifetime, he earned his second $100,000 DSBF title at Dover Downs in five months with an easy 1:57.4 effort.
One-time Brandywine driving champion Bob Shahan trains, co-bred and co-owns I Like My Boss with Jimmy and Ashley Parsons. I Like My Boss has now won $75,000 this year and $145,000 lifetime.
Briefs Or Boxers (Carlo Poliseno) was a game second with Toolbox (Bill Long) coming along for third.
A 20-1 shot, Winbak Farm-bred and owned Call Me Hall with Vic Kirby in the bike came on strong in the closing strides to win the $20,000 DSBF consolation in 1:58.4. LG’s Pride (Jim Morand) led from the start until the closing steps, was second with Winmando (Frank Milby) third.
Barbara Boese’s Awsome Valley, a wire-to-wire winner last week, sat second this time and came on in the lane for a 1:54.1 victory in the $24,000 Open Handicap Trot. Tony Morgan drove the Valley Victor-Nannina Ambrosio gelding trained by Ryan McInnis, to his third win of the year, good for $50,260 earnings. In his career, Awsome Valley has won 21 times and earned $242,843 lifetime. Spunky Jack (Roger Plante) led until late and settled for second with Im So Striking (Eddie Dennis) closing for third-place honours.
Ross Wolfenden drove three winners while Corey Callahan, Ron Pierce, George Dennis and Vic Kirby had two wins each.
Dover Downs' 45th meet comes to a close on Thursday with a power-packed program led by the $100,000 DSBF Male Pace final, $36,000 Preferred Pace and $33,000 Delaware Special. Post time is 4:30 p.m.
(With files from Dover Downs)