Dover, DE --- The Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund focus shifts to male trotters and pacers with four $20,000 3-year-old first leg preliminaries on Thursday (March 31) at Dover Downs. Post time is 4:30 p.m.
Powerful Mist (Tim Tetrick), a winner of nine races and $212,537 at two, is the one to beat in his DSBF pace prelim. Owned by Niel Gargiulo, Louie Paglierani and Legacy Racing of DE, the colt qualified twice in preparation of an expected big 3-year-old campaign.
Callahan Family Farms’ Badley’slastride (Greg Callahan), Conartist Hanover (Eric Goodell), racing for Baron Racing and Glenview Livestock, and Green Olives (Art Stafford, Jr.), owned by Delauction and Burger Strables, are other factors.
Three Martini’s (Montrell Teague) is the one to catch in the first of two $20,000 male pace prelims. G.P. Patel, Badlands Racing and George Teague Jr. Inc. own the colt, fresh from two straight wins.
Dr. Bill Solomon-bred and owned Badlands Challenge (Tony Morgan) has been second in his last two. Powerful Odds, racing for driver John Wagner and Winbak Farm, and Ben Stafford’s Lucky Land (Ben Stafford, Jr.) are leading contenders.
First Captain, the beaten favorite in last fall’s $100,000 final at Dover, is the one to beat in the first DSBF trot division. Ross Wolfenden will drive for Sharon White, Blake Baker and Legacy Racing of DE.
Smart Strike, owned by Art Stafford and driver Art Stafford, Jr., Larry and Barbara Mayer’s Mob Boss with Bret Brittingham, Horton Who driven by Roger Plante for Richard Crammer and trainer Bob Reeser, and Alvin Beiler’s Bosston Beam R with George Dennis are leading contenders.
All Clear, last year’s $100,000 final winner with owner, trainer, driver Carlo Poliseno and Erica Brittingham and driver Vic Kirby’s Warrhawk One are program choices in the second trot prelim.
Ed Maas, Nanticoke Racing and driver Jim Morand’s Big Award drew the rail with LeBlanc Racing and Winbak Farm’s Obey The Command (Brad Hanners) leaving from post eight.
The second leg DSBF prelims will take place next Thursday, April 7.