It was time for the two-year-old colts and geldings to shine in Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) $20,000 first-leg preliminaries action at Dover Downs on Sunday.
Collect The Brass turned in a sparkling 1:58.3 victory in the first DSBF Colt Trot. Carlo Poliseno wasted no time getting the lead and then overpowered five rivals on the way to his third victory of the year. The son of CR Commando – Yagot Prestige now has won $36,498 for owner Tony Poliseno. Ruby Ransom (Brandon Givens) was his closest pursuer. Wishwell Bigmo (Jonathan Roberts) finished third.
In the second $20,000 Trot, Bobby and Macey Mae Myers' Outdoor Action, a CR Commando – Liberty Trust gelding, came through with a 2:02.4 win. Hot Potato (Jim Morand) was a strong second with Snowy Finn (Ross Wolfenden) the show horse.
Elmer Fannin and George Teague Jr. Inc.'s Mr Wiggles pulled a mild 1:54.4 surprise in one of three $20,000 DSBF Colt Pace prelims. The Badlands Hanover – Wiggle Hanover bay took the lead from Post 8 at the start and never looked back in a 1:54.4 triumph, his fifth in seven starts. Travel Watch (Ben Stafford, Jr.) was the runner-up. Race favourite Rays Big Bubba (Wolfenden) made a strong bid on the backstretch, but could not reach the leader and gallantly held on for third.
Gentlemen Heir scored a 1:55.2 triumph in his $20,000 prelim. Tim Tetrick guided the Badlands Hanover – Heir Apparent chestnut to his fourth win of the season. Bad Bleed George (Morgan) finished second in front of All Powerful (Wayne Long).
Jeff Bartels' homebred Sgt Charlie won his second race in a row as Corey Callahan steered the victory in another DSBF Colt Pace. Prince of Badlands (Eddie Davis Jr.) and Captain Casey (Roger Plante) were second and third, respectively.
The second round of DSBF prelims takes place next Saturday and Sunday. The top eight point getters qualify for $100,000 finals for filly and colt trotters on Sunday, Dec.7. The colt and filly pacer finals are slated for Monday, Dec. 8.
(Dover Downs)