Winbak News

NEWS AND INSIGHT ON WINBAK FARM

Read below for the latest on Winbak Achievements and graduates.
Stories are from the leading industry news sources.

">WINBAK STALLIONS  DOMINATE DEL. STANDARDBRED BREEDERS FUND 1ST LEG


DOVER, Del. --- The Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) Three-Year-Old stakes got underway at Dover Downs on the final two days in March with 1st leg trotting and pacing $20,000 preliminaries at Dover Downs.


On DSBF opening day, March 30 , Delaware-sired fillies took the spotlight. Badlands Jenna, after sweeping both the Harrington and Dover Downs 2010 two-year-old filly paces, picked right up where she left off last scoring a 1:55.4 victory in her $20,000 prelim. Ben Stafford Jr. drove the Badlands Hanover-Jenna’s Joy filly in her first start to her 11th win in 13 lifetime starts for owners trainer Ben Stafford and Winbak Farm. Stash The Cash (Daryl Bier), a daughter of ill-fated Shotgun Scott,  made a belated dash down the lane to secure second. Winsmith Jess (John Wagner), a Badlands Hanover lass, was the show finisher.


Another daughter of Badlands Hanover won the other section. Devil May Care posted a 1:56 triumph edging front-pacing Allie Oakley (Jim King), also by Badlands Hanover, by a nose in the other filly pace prelim. It marked the second trainer-driver win for John Wagner who owns the Badlands Hanover-Turn For The Best filly that he owns with Winbak Farm. Apache Star (Corey Callahan), a daughter of Badlands Hanover - 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 in her sophomore season debut. Two Political Briefing foals. Now Virginia (Brad Hanners) finished second. Sweet Apple Cider (Roger Plante) 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), a CR Commando filly, and Joyful Anna (Carlo Poliseno) were second and third respectively. Political Starlet (Ross Shand), a major contender at two, broke stride at the start and finished out-of-the-money


One day later, Thursday, Powerful Mist, Three Martini’s, First Captain and Warrhawk One recorded victories as trainers Wayne Givens and George Teague and drivers Vic Kirby and Montrell Teague were multiple winners.


In one of two $20,000 colt preliminaries, Powerful Mist, a Powerful Toy-Misty Speed colt owned by Niel Gargiulo, Louie Paglierani and Legacy Racing Of DE  coasted to a 1:54 triumph in his first 2011 effort. Tim Tetrick drove Powerful Mist into the lead out of the gate and pulled away to his 10th career victory in 17 races. The Wayne Givens-trained colt was rated #17 in Stan Bergstein’s preseason Experimental Rating of the sport’s leading three-year-olds.


Three Martini’s built up an early lead and won an uncontested 1:54.1 victory in another of the DSBF paces. Montrell Teague guided the Three Olives-Florina Bayama colt to his second straight win this year for Gunjan Patel, Badlands Racing and George Teague Jr. Inc. A pair of Badlands Hanover colts followed. Lucky Land (Ben Stafford Jr.) was second with Badlands Challenge (Tony Morgan) was the third finisher. Both winning pacers were trained by George Teague.


First Captain won the first of two $20,000 trot divisions. Ross Wolfenden ushered First Captain into the lead just before the opening quarter and was never headed en route to a 2:00.4 victory, his first start of the year and seventh lifetime success in 11 starts for trainer Wayne Givens and owners Sharon White, Blake Baker and Legacy Racing Of DE. Mob Boss (Bret Brittingham) made a late charge at the winner finishing a half length behind. Smart Stride (Art Stafford Jr.), a son of Political Briefing, was the third-place horse.


In the second section, Warrhawk One made a big move on the backstretch to take the lead and quickly opened up for a decisive 2:00.4 triumph for trainer-driver Vic Kirby and co-owner and breeder Ericka Brittingham of the Par One-Ms. Erica B colt. Two  CR Commando offspring were the place and show finishers. All Clear (Carlo Poliseno), the early leader, held on to finish second in front of Obey The Command (Brad Hanners).


The second and final DSBF $20,000 preliminaries are set for Wednesday, April 6 featuring the filly divisions. The colt and gelding divisions highlight the Thursday, April 7 card.  The top eight point-getters return the following Wednesday and Thursday with $100,000 finals.