DOVER, Del.— Henry The Dragon had a new driver this week, but it didn't matter, as Jim Morand drove the 1:52.4 win in the fastest of four $20,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) 2nd and final preliminary leg for three-year-old male pacers over a track inundated an hour earlier by a heavy rainstorm.
James Isaac, Bags To Riches and Wake Up And Go won the other DSBF divisions. Major Uptrend won his third straight taking the $30,000 Preferred Handicap and Poisonous pulled a mild surprise winning the $27,500 Delaware Special Handicap on Thursday, April 6 at Dover Downs.
Henry The Dragon took the early lead and never was headed in his third win in a-row and eighth in nine lifetime appearances. The Clyde Francis trainee has now banked $141,600 for owner George Teague who bred the Custard The Dragon-Surveille Hanover colt with Elmer Fannin. Montrell Teague drove runner-up Daiymir also owned by George Teague with Art Of Fire (Vic Kirby) the show horse.
Dan Keeler's James Isaac and Tony Morgan were much the best in the second $20,000 DSBF section winning in 1:53.3. Jim King conditions the Roddy's Bags Again-Slide Home colt who drew off for an easy victory. River's Crest (Art Stafford Jr.) and Whispering Witch (Teague) were second and third respectively.
Bags To Riches romped to a 1:53.4 decision in the third DSBF prelim. Tim Tetrick guided the Only Money Inc. and trainer Jason Skinner colt to his third win in four starts this year and seventh triumph in 12 career races. The Roddy's Bags Again-Paint The Sky Blue colt is a $115,062 lifetime winner. Hallie's Comet (Pat Lachance) was second with Olivias Grand Slam (Morand) closing fast for third.
Meet leader Corey Callahan piloted Wake Up And Go home in 1:53.1 to win the final prelim for Jimmy Lunn and Charles Winbrow. Also by Roddy's Bags Again from his dam, Early Riser, it was his second win in three outings this year. Automatic Dragon (Kirby) was next with Stay In Your Place (Teague) a close third.
Next Thursday the top eight colt and gelding pacing point-getters after two prelim divisions return for the $100,000 DSBF Championship Final.
Super sharp Major Uptrend made it three consecutive Thursday feature race wins as Tony Morgan drove the Somewbeachsomewhere-Tricky Tooshie gelding to his third consecutive sub-1:50 victories, this time in 1:49.4 for recent owners trainer Tim Crissman and Niss Allen Inc. Major Uptrend picked up his seventh win of 2017 in 12 races and now has won $82,900 this year and $343,833 lifetime. Jet Airway (Callahan) was a strong second. $2.2-winner Limelight Beach (Tetrick) was the show finisher.
Russ Wolfenden sent Poisonous home in 1:49.4 to win the $27,500 Delaware Special Handicap overtaking Sweet Rock (Allan Davis) who finished second and fast closing Blazing Bobby Sox (Stafford Jr.) third.
Tim Tetrick drove three winners. Vic Kirby, Corey Callahan and Art Stafford Jr. had a pair apiece.
DSBF MALE TROT SOPH $100,000 FINAL MONDAY AT DOVER DOWNS
Following two weeks of preliminaries, the top eight point-getters match strides in the $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) Three-Year-Old Male Trot Final, to start the Dover Downs’ meets final week on Monday, April 10 . Post time is 4:30 p.m.
Master Clave sailed through both $20,000 DSBF prelims even after the Ben Brooks-owned trotter made a misstep just before the starting gate opened in his 1st leg. Ross Wolfenden got the John Wilkerson trainee quickly back trotting and had the lead just past the opening quarter pole and finished the winning mile with a 29.3 final panel. This week Master Clave drew post 2. Rodney Mitchell’s Jiggs, trained by Leigh Raymer with driver Vic Kirby leaves from the rail. Sean Bier will drive Moonshine Lavec, trained and owned by Erika Paradee Francisca Munoz and Crissy Bier from post 5.
Other contenders are Crosby, the upset winner of the Dover November freshman championship is owned by breeders Linda MacDonald and Susan Durham driven by George Dennis. Following two close finishes, Master Kingpin, with Art Stafford driving for owner-trainer Tom O.Lail; Pam Wagner’s Kirby In Command with Jay Moyer; Jane Dunavent has two homebreds, Dusty Fool, with Jim Morand and Yagot A Winner piloted by trainer-driver Carlo Poliseno.
During this the final week of Dover Downs meet, each day will feature a DSBF $100,000 final, Tuesday, filly pacers, Wednesday filly trotters and Thursday, male pacers. Closing day festivities include presentation of the Leading Driver, Leading Trainer and Horse of the Meet honors.
Simulcasting of harness and thoroughbred racing is available daily from 12 Noon until 12 Midnight. There is no charge for parking and admission at Dover owns.
Reservations are suggested for the acclaimed Winner’s Circle Buffet Restaurant and those planning a stay at the 4-star Dover Downs Hotel. Call 302-674-4600.
Marv Bachrad