DOVER, Del. —- The first of four $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) finals this week leads off the final harness racing week of the Dover Downs 2015-2016 meet on.
Chipoffthewall, winner of both his prelims is the one to beat although he leaves from post 8. Rockeyed Optimist challenges Atta Boy Dan, winner of the last two $36,000 Open Preferred paces, while Bad Boy Matt leads the $33,000 Delaware Special on a powerful Monday card, April 11. Post time is 4:30 p.m.
Chipoffthewall has been the dominant male trotter at two and now three in the DSBF program. This year, Tony Morgan has driven the Syl King-leased gelding to easy front-end victories. Last Monday, Chris Yochim's Mondello was an impressive 1:58.2 winner. Dave Nelson's Overnight Shipper finished second for George Dennis. JJ&M And Seafood Delight Stable's Seafood Scrappy and Ross Wolfenden has raced well in both his prelims.
The other DSBF contenders are Deb Warnick's Popcorn Machine from post 1 with Jim Morand. Jane Dunavant's Elton J with Carlo Poliseno, Outside The Line, leased by Syl King and driven by Tim Tetrick and Ed Goans' Samuel J handled by Vic Kirby.
In the $36,000 Open Preferred Handicap pace, Rockeyed Optimist (Tetrick) finished second behind Wiggle It Jiggleit in his last start two weeks ago. Meanwhile, Weaver Bruscemi and Burke Racing's Atta Boy Dan (Yannick Gingras) has won the last two features.
Vapour N, a recent imported gelding from New Zealand Pat Berry), was a strong winner last Monday for J Crarotta & P Berry Racing. Peter Venturini and Peter Venturini III and Brian Malone's Smart Rokker (Morgan), already a five-time winner this year, is at the top of his game. Jeneral Patton (Callahan), who won four straight at Yonkers, was an impressive second last Monday at Dover. Soto (Wolfenden) is a hard-hitter for Ken Wood, Bill Dittmar and Steve Iaquinta, has drawn the rail.
Another major race on the card is the $33,000 Delaware Special. Dropping down from the Preferred ranks are Reggie Hazzard and Legacy Racing's Bad Boy Matt (Allan Davis) a winner of this event two weeks ago. Max Walton and Greg Papaleo's Mustang Art (Sean Bier) enjoying an outstanding 2016 start. Blazing Bobby Sox with trainer-driver Art Stafford Jr. the fast Remember Me VK (George Dennis) has the rail while streaking New Patrol (Morgan) owned by Frank Chick leaves from outside post 6.
DOVER DOWNS NEWS EXTRA
The last full week of the 2015-2016 Dover Downs meet is at hand, the week of April 11-14. On Tuesday, Use Your Noodle and Della Donne won filly pace prelims. On Wednesday, Triple Bottom Line and Epic Smash were filly trot winners. Thursday, colt pacer wins were turned in by Cut the Beach, Casino Bags Anso and Next Success.
——————————
Henry Faragalli III, a long time DSBF supporter has hopes during Final week, as three of his Delaware-sired three-year-old were winners last week – Use Your Noodle, in the Filly pacer final and Cut The Beach and Next Success in the Male pacer final.
——————————
Casino Bags Anso may be called a ‘miracle’ horse. The sophomore gelding pacer has made a remarkable return to the races after battling lime disease at two. He scored his first win on Thursday when trainer-driver Vince Copeland rallied the Roddy’s Bags Again-Casino Bus gelding from third turning for home to overtake leader Hail To The Master for a 1:53.3 triumph. Owned by Cavalli Pazzi Stables, Casino Bags Anso was on the verge of being given-away early in the year when Copeland wanted to give him one more change and it worked out
——————————
World champion trotter JL Cruze, who made his 2016 winning debut at The Meadowlands last Friday winning a $25,000 trot came right back on Wednesday to win a $36,000 Open Preferred trot. On the internet, Dave Briggs in Harness Racing Update wrote an outstanding story on JL Cruze and owner Ken Wood’s decade-long project digging wells in Ghana and Tasmania.
——————————
The saga of pacer Doctor McSwing continues. The 5-year-old is still the track’s richest maiden pacer. DurIng his winless career, now 71 races, Doctor McSwing has won $63,800 in purses. Since racing as a 2-year-old, he has finished second 15-times with 13 thirds. He tries again for that first win again on Monday in the 1st race from post 7. Allan Davis is his driver.
——————————
There will be no change in season-ending awards. Corey Callahan will win the leading dash-win title for the seventh straight year. Dylan Davis will take the Leading Trainer crown for the third consecutive season. These awards and Horse of the Meet will be presented on meet closing night, Thursday, April 14.
—————————–
During the meet’s final week, watch live racing and enjoy tasteful dining at the same time, The popular Winners Circle Harness Buffet is back and it’s real treat. Reservations are suggested; call 302-674-4000.
by Marv Bachrad, for Dover Downs