Dover, DE--Luscious Leigh won the harness racing version of the friendly "Family Feud," taking the first of four Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) $100,000 finals on a ‘sloppy’ track at Dover Downs on Tuesday (Nov. 27).
Owned, trained and driven by John Wagner, Luscious Leigh overtook early leader JA Going Alltheway, owned by Wagner’s wife Pamela, to score a 2:02 victory. JA Going Alltheway had to work hard to take the lead in 29.1. From there on Vic Kirby kept the lead, but had to withstand an aggressive effort from Bosston Chevel and George Dennis from mid-backstretch until turning for home. Luscious Leigh sat fourth before pulling to the outside to follow Bosston Chevel.
In the lane, the daughter of CR Commando-Fox Valley Mo Jo came three-wide to take the lead nearing the finish line and won easily. JA Going Alltheway, whose five-race win streak came to an end, held on for second with Bosston Chevel taking third money. Country Romance (Ron Pierce) and Starlit Eyes (Ross Wolfenden) were fourth and fifth, respectively.
While the Wagners dominated the DSBF final, the Staffords won two of three $20,000 freshman first leg filly preliminary paces. Ben Stafford Jr. guided Blush With Pride home in 1:57.3 to win one prelim Ben Stafford trains and co-owns theRustler Hanover-Jenna’s Joy bay with Winbak Farm. Little Miss B (Ross Wolfenden) second followed by Day Dreamin Dragon (Art Stafford Jr.) third.
Ben Stafford Jr. came right back in another DSBF prelim steering By Design to a 1:58.2 win, her sixth of the year. Ben Stafford owns the Roddy’s Bags Again-Trophy Wife black filly with Randall Stafford III. Dream N Ezy (Tony Morgan) was runner-up. Grace Of An Angel (George Dennis) took third.
Tim Tetrick had one race and he won it driving Inittowinafortune to a convincing 1:55.2 for Daryl Bier and Charles Dombeck. The victory by the Cams Fortune-Cuzuinittowinit filly was her sixth of the year in 11 races. Bags Of Stars (Ben Stafford Jr.) was a fast-finishing second with Ally Wishes (Tony Morgan) third.
Ben Stafford Jr., Ross Wolfenden, Brad Hanners and Tony Morgan drove two winners each while trainer Ben Stafford had a training double.
Dingys Boy leads eight to post in the $100,000 DSBF Two-Year-Old Colt Trot heading a strong Wednesday card.
Monday through Thursday racing begins at 4:30 p.m. There is no live racing on Friday and Saturday. Weekday races begin at 4:30 p.m. Sunday post time is 5:30 p.m.