Dover, Del. --- Pacer Badlands Jenna closed with a rush and trotter Overnight Command was never headed in $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) Filly Finals on a drizzling Tuesday, April 12 card at Dover Downs.
In a rare off-the-pace demonstration, Badlands Jenna roared down the stretch to score a lifetime fastest 1:54.1 victory in the DSBA filly final with Ben Stafford Jr. piloting the Badlands Hanover-Jenna’s Joy distaff to her 13th victory in 15 career starts and $229,462 purse money for Winbak Farm and trainer Ben Stafford. Stash The Cash, a daughter of ill-fated Shotgun Scott, also closed strongly for Daryl Bier to finish second. Sigh Allie Oakley and Tim Tetrick third. Another Badlands Hanover offspring, Sarah Barracuda (Jim King) cut out the fast early fractions before tiring in deep stretch. Badlands Jenna was a $26,000 purchase at the 2009 Winbak Yearling sale.
The $100,000 filly trot final was all Overnight Command. Jim Morand took the lead at the half and quickly opened up a big lead on the way to a 2:01 triumph. Morand and Nanticoke Racing Inc. own the CR Commando-Overnight Rail daughter now a winner of seven of 10 lifetime races. The Les Givens-trainee lifts her earnings to $156.625. Brickhouse Rosey, in only her third start, closed well for George Dennis to finish second. SBS Commando, also by CR Commando and Eddie Davis were the third-place finisher. Overnight Command was purchased for $17,000 at the Winbak Yearling Sale in Fall 2009.
On the regular program, Vic Kirby steered Allmar Surprise to victory in 1:55.3 for her sixth win of the year. Chris Giaccio owns the Angus Hall-Benita Victory six-year-old, the only mare in the $26,000 Open Handicap feature field. Second Hand News (Corey Callahan) bested Photo Maxx (Roger Plante) in the second-place photo. Angus Hall is Canada’s leading sire of trotters standing at Winbak of Canada.
Two $100,000 DSBF Three-Year-Old finals, one for trotters and the other for pacers, headline the closing day card. The Horse of the Meet, chosen by members of the U.S. Harness Writers Association Delaware Valley chapter, Leading Trainer and Leading Driver awards will be presented.
Going into the final race day of the meet, Ron Pierce leads defending track champion Corey Callahan, who had three wins for the night, by two wins, 228 to 226 wins. Trainers Les Givens and Dylan Davis had two wins each.
Dover Downs 42nd meet comes to a close on Thursday, April 14. Two $100,000 DSBA male pace and trot finals feature the meet closing day card. Post time is 4:30 p.m. Simulcasts of harness and thoroughbred racing is featured daily from 12 Noon until 12 Midnight in the Dover Downs Race and Sports Book. Parking and admission is free.