DOVER, Del— Spoonful won her second $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) final in six months holding on by a nose in the harness racing three-year-Old Filly trot final. Celebrity Pegasus set a new track record for an older trotter turned in a powerful 1:52 performance in the $20,000 Open trot on an eventful Wednesday, April 12 card at Dover Downs. Jim Morand had a driving triple.
Trained by Les Givens, who has trained more DSBF winners than any other conditioner, Spoonful won for third time this year and seventh time in 18 races lifetime earning $174,512 for owners Delbert Cain and Nanticoke Racing.
Morand was concerned as Spoonful led turning for home. "I was worried The Spoonful was tiring coming down the stretch, but she had just enough to make it," he said.
After winning both her $20,000 DSBF prelims, the Political Briefing-Sanctions sophomore was installed a 4-5 favorite in the field of eight. On the backstretch, leader Willow Mill Anna (Donnie Long) began to tire and back through the field when Morand moved Spoonful quickly into the lead. In the lane, Ross Wolfenden came on strongly driving Gogh Cinorita and missed by a nose catching Spoonful in the 2:00 final. Black Magic Mist (Art Stafford Jr.) took third in front of Political Energy (Cory Callahan) with Luv Is Blind (Vic Kirby) taking fifth place money.
In the $20,000 DSBF consolation, Redneck Red, a CR Commando-Diamonds For Julie chestnut gelding homebred notched his first career win scoring in 2:01.2 for trainer Arlene Cameron and owner Pamela Wagner. A Chorus Line (Jason Thompson) finished second. Hashtag Hope (Stafford Jr.) was third.
Celebrity Pegasus got away third behind Tough Mac (Callahan) and Gural Hanover (Tony Morgan) in the $20,000 Open Trot Handicap. Heading past the three-quarters, Art Stafford Jr. rushed the five-year-old son of Andover Hall-Celebrity Athena past the leaders on the outside before the final turn to take the lead and opened up with a :27.3 final panel to score a 1:52 triumph breaking the former track record held by Hes Spooky (Eric Carlson) established in March 2013 of 1:52.3. Wind Of The North (Kirby) came on for second. Gural Hanover (Morgan) was the show finisher.
The fourth $100,000 DSBF Final on the last day of Dover Downs 48th season is set for Thursday, April 13. A $100,000 DSBF 3-year-Old pacing final, a $27,500 Delaware Special and $20,000 Open pace highlight a strong card. The leading Driver, Leading Pacer and Horse of the Meet awards will be presented.
This is final program of Dover Downs' 48th season. Thursday post time is 4:30 p.m. Parking and admission are free. Reservations are suggested for the Winner's Circle Restaurant's acclaimed Buffet, and for the 4-star Dover Downs Hotel. Call 302-674-4600. Top harness and thoroughbred races are featured in the Racing and Sports Book daily for 12 Noon until 12 Midnight.
100,000 DSBF SOPH FINAL; $30,000 PREFERRED, $27,500 DEL. SPECIAL CLOSING DAY
The last of four $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) Three-Year-Old finals this week featuring male pacer plus a $30,000 Preferred Handicap and a $27,500 Delaware Special headline a standout meet closing day, April 13 card at Dover Downs. First Post is 4:30 p.m.
The winner of last Novembers $100,000 two-year-old final, Bags To Riches drew the rail meeting two sharp George Teague-owned sophomores and the fast James Isaac in the big-purse race.
Jim Morand drives program favorite Henry The Dragon, a 1:52.4 winner last week in a $20,000 prelim and lightly raced Daiymir with Montrell Teague, who in the first prelim startled with a wire-to-wire 1:52.4 win in his first pari-mutuel start. A third George Teague contender is Ain’t It Fun with Bret Brittingham.
Dan Keeler’s James Isaac was an impressive 1:53.3 winner for Tony Morgan while both River’s Crest and Art Stafford Jr. racing for the Stafford family and Larry Martin along with Automatic Dragon, handled by Vic Kirby, owned by Tina and Brian Clark, were second in their prelims last Thursday after a win the week before. Corey Callahan will drive Wake Up And Go, fresh from a win last week, for Jimmy Lunn and Charles Wimbrow.
George Teague and K&R Racing, who raced the famed Rainbow Blue, leads an eight horse field in the $20,000 DSBF consolation.
On the rest of the terrific closing day program is a $27,500 Delaware Special, led by last week’s surprise winner Poisonous (Ross Wolfenden), Art and trainer driver Art Stafford Jr.’s fast finishing Blazing Bobby Sox, and Don Marine and Brent Hall’s Emeritus Maximus (Tetrick). Fast Remember Me VK (Teague), owned by Sharon Wyatt, Robin West and Ron Benton. Not to be overlooked are driver George and Tina Dennis Racing’s Seventh Secret, the steady Sweet Rock (Allan Davis), from the outside is Al Carter and Doug Lewis’ Captive Audience while Betty Brittingham’s Tip It On Back (Bret Brittingham) leaves from the rail.
The Dover Downs’ 2016-2017 season comes to a close today. On behalf of Dover Downs management and horseman, thanks for making the 48th season one of the best in track history.
Delaware harness racing continues starting April 24 at Harrington Raceway.
Watch live harness and thoroughbred racing at the Dover Downs Sports & Race Book open daily from 12 Noon until 12 Midnight. There is no charge for parking or admission.
Marv Bachrad