Jasmine K and Epic Smash won their opening week Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund 1st leg filly pace preliminaries at Dover Downs on Wednesday, March 30. A 381- shot, Tymal Signature, scored the harness racing upset of the year in the $18,500 trot.
The sophomore filly pacers were front-and-center as the DSBF 1st leg kick-off week of stakes continues. Jasmine K, owned and trained by Kevin Switzer, was in control from the start in the first $20,000 prelim. Montrell Teague guided the Master Lavec-Visioness K filly to a lifetime mark of 1:58.3 from post 7. Miss Baltimore (Tony Morgan) was runner-up with Press Corp (Art Stafford Jr.) coming up to finish third.
In the second $20,000 division, Pat Berry got Epic Smash quickly to take the lead and withstood a challenge from Cicada's Song (Carlo Poliseno), who was parked-out the entire mile, to win by three-quarters in 1:58.1, also a personal record. The win was the fourth of her career in 11 starts for the Political Briefing-Giant Smashofspring who now has won $105,208 lifetime. Cicada's Song was an impressive second in front of Triple Bottom Line (Jeff Fout).
The 2nd and final preliminary DSBF leg is set for next Wednesday with the top 8 point-getters returning on April 13 for the $100,000 final.
In the regular card feature, an $18,500 4&5-Year-Old trot, Inner Peace (Sean Bier) led turning for home but a major assault began in the stretch where Tymal Signature and Jonathan Roberts passed them all in deep stretch for a 1:56.3 victory. After three straight starts from post 8, the Deweycheatumnhowe-Blossom Seelster black four-year-old mare owned and trained by Bobby Glassmeyer was followed by Royual Status (Jim Morand) and My Way The Highway (Vic Kirby) in the tight finish. Inner Peace was fourth.
One race earlier, a $14,500 trot, Mike Casalino's veteran Tough Mac made it back to the winner's circle for the first time since January as Corey Callahan drove a 1:53.2 triumph. Tough Mac scored for the 23 time in his career earning $$288,889 lifetime. Venerable contender Spunky Jack (Roger Plante) finished second for the fifth time this year. Brew Master (George Dennis) was the third finisher.
Pat Berry picked up his second win guiding Windsun Cobra home in 1:55 to win another 14,500 trot for young horses. Jonatan Nikomski conditions the Kadabra-Imageofaclearnight gelding for Mike and Roberta Nikodemski. Race favorite By And By Hanover (Stafford Jr) was next with Political Cash (Davis) the third horse.
On The Sly, trained by Kevin Lare, gave George Dennis his second winning drive notching an 8-1 win with Frank Chick's On The Sly, also in a $14,500 trot. It was the third win-in-a-row for the Broadway Hall-Sly Fox gelding. Lou Man (Tim Tetrick) led until turning for home when On The Sly came on. Ashes Cash (Kirby) was third.
On Thursday, in the DSBF twin features, three-year-old male pacers race in 1st leg $20,000 events.
Corey Callahan won three races, Pat Berry and George Dennis had driving doubles. Trainers Eddie Dennis and Kevin Lare haltered two winners each while E&K Racing Stable had two-owner wins.
Monday through Thursday racing begins at 4:30 p.m. Dover Downs is dark on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Watch live races and enjoy dining in the Winners Circle Restaurant's acclaimed Harness Racing Buffet. Call 302-674-4600 for reservations.
Simulcasting of harness and thoroughbred racing is available daily from 12 Noon until 12 Midnight at Dover Downs where 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