Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) action for three-year-olds will headline the week of racing at Harrington Raceway from June 10-12.
The first leg will be completed with 12 $20,000 (U.S.) divisions being contested over the Monday through Wednesday schedule.
Male pacers will kickoff the action on Monday June 10 with a trio of divisions. The major contenders all drew into the same division, which is the second race on the program and opening leg of the pick four (Races 2-5). As last year’s DSBF champion, Beat Cop (7-5, Tim Tetrick, pictured above) will square off with Stephen Messick’s Papas Son (3-1, Art Stafford Jr.) and Captain Pete (9-5, Allan Davis), owned by Mulilgan and Calcutta Stables and Denise Davis. A son of Dragon King, Beat Cop is trained by Crissy Crissman-Bier and banked $165,225 as a freshman, while upstart Captain Pete — a son of Roddys Bags Again — was unraced at two and has won six of eight starts this season. The remaining divisions are also in the early pick four in races three and four.
The filly pacing division is more contentious and will be contested Tuesday, June 11 in three divisions, all part of the early pick four. Bob Shahan’s Jett Propelled (7-5, Barton Dalious) and Jo Ann Looney-King’s Curtsyforpurrseco (3/2, Tim Tetrick) head the first division, carded as Race 2. Both are daughters of Roddys Bags Again. Co-owner/trainer Andrew Stafford will send out favoured Badlands Hanover filly Bad Nella Monella (7-5, Art Stafford Jr.) in pursuit of her fourth straight win in the second division, slated fourth on the 15-race program. Shawn Hanley’s Grace O Malley (9-5, Corey Callahan), will no doubt be the favourite in the final division, the fifth race, after her most recent win. The Emeritus Maximus filly has been one of the more improved horses this season for trainer Crissman-Bier.
Trotters will battle on Wednesday with three divisions apiece for males and females. One early non-wagering event will be held at 4:10 p.m. featuring five fillies, including two-year-old DSBF champ Going Platinum (Corey Callahan), a daughter of EL Platinum for trainer Nick Callahan and Breakaway Racing.
On the wagering program (morning line odds not yet available), the first two races on the 15-race card will feature likely heavy favourites in James Craparotta and Pat Berry Racing’s Daburg (Berry) and Nanticoke Racing and Delbert Cain’s Platinum Proposal (Jim Morand). Daburg, a daughter of Anders Bluestone, is looking to atone for a break in stride in her last start for trainer Jason Skinner, while EL Platinum-sired Platinum Proposal has won two straight for trainer Les Givens and will head the second race.
Male trotters will battle in races four, six and seven. Deborah Warnick’s Royal Beep Beep (Driver TBA), will be the likely favourite in the first split. The Yankee Royalty filly banked $74,568 at two for trainer Skinner. Brett MacDonald’s Workslikeacharm (Victor Kirby) won the DSBF late closer this season at Bally’s Dover and will square off with familiar rival LGs Bluestone (Art Stafford Jr.) in the second split. Workslikeacharm is an EL Platinum gelding trained by Jim King Jr., while LGs Bluestone hails from co-owner/trainer Givens’ barn, who has experienced an abundance of success in the DSBF program with trotters over the years.
Another Givens’ horse, LGs Jaxon (Jim Morand) stands out in the final division. The Rolls Blue Chip gelding has won two straight and was a two-year-old DSBF champ.
First post time at Harrington is 4:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday.
(Harrington)