Dover, DE --- The Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) three-year-old stakes got underway with two $20,000 divisions, each, of pacers and trotters Overnight Command and Tokyo Oklahoma won first leg preliminaries at Dover Downs on Wednesday, March 30. Trainer-driver John Wagner won one DSBF trot and a pace.
Badlands Jenna picked right up where she left off last year, scoring a 1:55.3 victory in her $20,000 preliminary. Ben Stafford, Jr. drove the Badlands Hanover--Jenna’s Joy filly in her first start this year to her 11th win in 13 lifetime starts for co-owner-trainer Ben Stafford and Winbak Farm. Stash The Cash (Daryl Bier) made a belated dash down the lane to secure second. Winsmith Jess (John Wagner) was the show finisher.
Devil May Care posted a 1:56 triumph, edging the front-pacing Allie Oakley (Jim King, Jr.) by a nose in the other filly pace preliminary. It marked the second trainer-driver win for John Wagner, who owns the Badlands Hanover--Turn For The Best filly he owns with Winbak Farm. Apache Star (Corey Callahan), a daughter of Apache Dame, a previous Dover Horse of the Meet, was an impressive third, closing from far back.
Both favorites came through in DSBF filly trots. Overnight Command, winner of last fall’s $100,000 freshman final, was much the best as Jim Morand drove the CR Commando--Overnight Rail daughter to a convincing 2:01.1 victory. Morand and Nanticoke Racing own the five-time career winner, who was making her sophomore season debut. Now Virginia (Brad Hanners) finished second. Sweet Apple Cider (Roger Plante, Jr.) was third.
Tokyo Oklahoma won the second $20,000 division with a 2:03 mile. John Wagner trains and drives the CR-Commando--Rowdy Somolli filly for Ben Kenny. SBS Commando (Eddie Davis) and Joyful Anna (Carlo Poliseno) were second and third, respectively. Political Starlet (Ross Shand), a major contender at age two, broke stride at the start and finished out of the money.
The DSBF $20,000 colt and gelding divisions will highlight the Thursday card.