DOVER, Del.— Egosnattitudes and Political Foe scored $20,000 victories to complete the 2nd leg preliminaries for three-year-old male trotters in Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) harness racing action on a track which turned sloppy late in the Tuesday card, March 31 at Dover Downs. PL Hoofhearted came from far back to win the regular card feature.
Jonathan Roberts left fast from outside with Egosnattitudes to take the lead while Go Byem broke stride at the start. Egosnattitudes continued to lead the way as trainer-driver Les Givens got Go Byem back on stride with about 15 lengths to make up. Go Byem finally caught the field at the half and then rolled on down the backstretch to a challenging position.
Reaching the stretch, Egosnattitudes had a 2-length lead but Go Byem was still trotting and was making it interesting, but Egosnattitudes held on in a lifetime best 1:58.3. Go Byem was second with Audie Mo (Corey Callahan) finished third the second straight week. The victory was the first of the year for the Great George Two-Aerobic Linda gelding owned by trainer Bob Roberts, breeder Graham Grace and M&W stables. It was his fourth career win and $88,400 lifetime earnings.
The second $20,000 DSBF section was a Dennis brother's battle. George Dennis roared from the outside to take the front with Eddie Dennis right behind with favorite Political Foe. That's the way they trotted until reaching the last turn when Political Foe made his move to take a short lead. The two continued their battle down the lane with Political Foe finally pulling off for a 1:58.3 decision. Win Power (Jeff Fout) finished third.
The top eight point-getters after two-legs meet next Tuesday in a $100,000 DSBF Final.
In a $20,000-$25,000 4&5-Year-Old Claiming. Handicap, PL Hoofhearted drew the rail but it was no advantage as the gelding got away in mid pack when Touchdown Mindale (George Dennis) carried the field to the quarter in :25.4. But turning for home, driver Montrell Teague moved the Mach Three-Finally Focused gelding four-wide in the stretch and blew past his rivals for a 1:51.2 lifetime best. Nick Surick trains the winner for Curran Racing to post his first success of the year. Just Bettor (Vic Kirby), who has started from the outside post in all of his last eight races, closed to finish second. Brees Creek (Callahan) was third.
Corey Callahan got hot late and finished with three wins. Vic Kirby also had a triple. Montrell Teague, Tony Morgan, George Dennis, trainers Ben Stafford, Kevin Lare and Trish Foulk and Foulk Stables along with owner Joel Halpern, had two-wins apiece.
THREE $20,000 DSBF SOPH FILLY PACES; $20,000 OPEN TROT
The spotlight is on three Three-Year-Old Delaware Standardbred Bre1der Fund (DSBF) Filly pace divisions plus a $20,000 Open trot Wednesday, April 1st at Dover Downs. First post is 4:30 p.m.
Two of last week's impressive winners tangle in the third $20,000 DSBF contest.
Gigi Deo, owned by Deo Volente Farms, J&T Silva and by C&G Racing stables, won her 1st leg prelim wire-to-wire in 1:54 with Ross Wolfenden driving and drew the rail. Vic Kirby and only once beaten in nine starts, JoAnn King's P Purrfect Bags, a 1:52.4 winner last week leaves from post 2. Tony Dinges' Love Forbidden with Tim Tetrick, was a strong second last Wednesday. Easy Ranch's Little Sandyloam, piloted by Jason Thompson, at 87-1, also finished second in her prelim. Elaine and Russ MacKinnon's homebred Fearless Chance was third with John MacKinnon holding the lines.
In the first race, Carter Racing Stable homebred Totally Rusty (Corey Callahan), fresh from a 1:53 triumph, is the one to beat. Chief rivals are Eric Good and trainer Gary Simpson's Puddle Jumper (Roger Plante) and Mike Horsey's Brian's Thunder (Jim Morand).
Completing the daily double, breeder, owner, trainer Virginia "Leigh" Louthan's homebred Spin Vision (Allan Davis), has post 1 in the second $20,000 DSBF division. Willard Hall's Cedar Hall Heiress (George Dennis) starts alongside. Lloyd Hickman's Riggins Route (Eddie Davis Jr.) is a strong contender.
The top eight-point getters after the two legs of action will return next Wednesday for the $100,000 DSBF Filly Pace Final.
In a high-powered overnight feature, a $20,000 Open/Handicap trot, driver Tim Tetrick and trainer Jim King's Powerful Charger, a winner last time and of three of his previous four starts, and Brit Evans And Foulk Stables' Prayer Session, looking for his third straight victory, take on Joann Dombeck and trainer-driver Daryl Bier's Wind Of The North, Mike Casalino's Tough Mac (Callahan) and Barbara Boese's Awsome Valley (Tony Morgan) in the $20,000 Open/Handicap trot.
Fast finishing Baximum (Allan Davis) racing for Tina and Joe Clark, L&L DeVisser and Peninsula Farm's Deadliest Catch (John Duer) and J.L.Sadowsky's Photosavvy ( Ross Wolfenden), in from Meadowlands and Yonkers respectively, complete the hard-hitting field.
This is the penultmum week of the 2014-2015 Dover Downs meet.
Monday through Thursday post time is 4:30 p.m. There is no live racing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Every Thursday through April 9, there is 'two-for-one' entrées in the Winners Circle Restaurant. Simulcasting of harness and thoroughbred racing is available daily from 12 Noon until 12 Midnight.
At Dover Downs, there is no charge for parking and admission. Reservations are suggested for the Winner's Circle Restaurant and for those planning to stay at the 4-star Dover Downs Hotel. Call 302-674-4600.
Marv Bachrad