DOVER, Del.— The Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) Two-Year-Old Filly pacers tangle in the first leg of two weeks of prelims and a hard-hitting group of quality trotters meet in the $20,000 Open on the regular card on Wednesday, Nov. 11 Veteran's Day at Dover Downs. First post is 4:30 p.m.
Two of the three DSBF prelims open the program. In the first half of the daily double, KDK Standardbred's Apple Bottom Jean makes his first start since winning the $100,000 Harrington Final last month. Montrell Teague drives the winner of two of three with a second in his career. Corey Callahan steers George Leager's Dance My Way from the rail Rowdy Patti trained and driven by Bryan Truitt for Truitt and Rolland Hall, his toughest rivals
JoAnn King's Cougar Creek (Vic Kirby), She's Brilliant (A.Davis) owned by Sharon White, Louie Pagliaroni and Legacy Racing and Carter Racing's homebred Fiftyshadesofrusty (Callahan) battle it out in a competitive second $20,000 edition.
In the third extravaganza, Garnet O'Marrow's homebred Seboomook Up-Town (Allan Davis) sporting four wins in five starts and a second in the $100,000 DSBF Final at Harrington and owner-trainer Bobby Glassmeyer's Eternal Ring (Jonathan Roberts) with three wins in five races lead another $20,000 DSBF division. Jeff and Dave Clark's Calledforapurpose, (Frank Milby), and Reuben and Michelle King's Skats Outa The Bag (Ross Wolfenden) also have posted wins this season.
On the regular overnight card, Mike Casalino's Tough Mac (Callahan) was toughest of all last week in the $20,000 Open trot posting a1:52.3 wire-to-wire victory by 7-lengths. Tim Tetrick and trainer Jim King's Powerful Charger (Kirby), who shared the Delaware track's spotlight all season, heads the opposition which finds a well-documented newcomer, Hemi Seelster, a fast Ontario stakes performer this year.
Bill Cantrell's fast 12-race winning mare, Classic Belisima (Wolfenden), Callam Racing's Spunky Jack (Roger Plante), E&K Stables and Lois and Earl Walters' I'm So Striking (Eddie Dennis),Vince Copeland and owner-trainer Ed Gannon Jr.'s Winbak Charles M (A.Davis) and Eric Foster's Stirling Charisma (Morgan) complete the talented field.
Traditionally, for the past four decades on Veteran's day, the feature race honors members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, led by 85-year-old former Dover Downs horseman, Moses Asia, and his fellow winners of the prestigious Purple Heart awarded for exceptional bravery in battle, present an engraved blanket to the race winner.
Top three-year-olds meet in the $200,000 (est.) Matron Colt Pace featuring Wiggle It Jiggleit and Wakizshi Hanover,one of four rich Matron Stakes Finals on the Thursday program.
Monday through Thursday post time is 4:30 p.m. There is no live racing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Watch the races and enjoy dining in the Winners Circle Restaurant. 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