First State Joni coasts to DSBF prelim sweep

DOVER, Del. — First State Joni ($3.40) established himself as the colt to beat in next week’s $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund final for sophomore harness racing colt pacers, coasting to a 1:54.1 win in his $20,000 second-round preliminary split on Thursday (Dec. 9) at Dover Downs.

The Wiz Kids Stable LLC’s homebred son of Delmarvalous and Jonigold employed the same tactics he did in his 1:55.4 first-round score, sprinting to the lead at race’s outset and outpacing his foes throughout the one-mile journey.

Barton Dalious gunned First State Joni to the lead from post six, and the pair cleared Subban (Montrell Teague) midway on the first turn. First State Joni traveled uncontested through splits of :27, :56.1 and 1:24.4 on his way to a three-length victory. Subban defended second from Archie And Emerson (Dexter Dunn), who leveled off amid a mild first-over advance.

Bart Dalious trains seven-time winner First State Joni, who heads to next Thursday’s (Dec. 16) final with a career bankroll of $124,824.

FIRST STATE JONI REPLAY

Downtown Show ($2.60) also became a two-time winner in the current DSBF series, riding the pocket through splits of :28.2, :57.2 and 1:26 before pulling on the final turn and vaulting past pacesetter Henrico to win by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:55.2.

Allan Davis drove the Winbak Farm-bred son of Delmarvalous and Slow Down Rita, now a six-time winner, for trainer Les Givens and the partnership of Henry Faragalli III, Nanticoke Racing Inc. and Arthur Feeney.

DOWNTOWN SHOW REPLAY

Mr Overbite ($2.40) completed the trio of second-round winners, making amends for a break at the finish in the first division with a pillar-to-post 1:57.3 score over Justflirtingwithu. Montrell Teague drove the Southwind Lynx-Hustle Hard gelding; trainer and breeder Brenda Teague shares ownership of the three-time winner with Shane Griffith.

In addition to the aforementioned second-round winners, Squeak On By, Henrico, Subban, Justflirtingwithu and Spinologist earned berths to the final.

MR OVERBITE REPLAY

All four DSBF finals for 3-year-olds are slated for the evening of Dec. 16, the final card at Dover before the track’s customary week-long winter holiday break.

from the Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund

Jack’s Legend N powered from dead last and won the Open Handicap Pace at Dover Downs on Thursday night.

Driver Dexter Dunn the 2/5 race favorite and Jack’s Legend N decided on a change in race strategy this week. Instead of racing on the engine as was the case last week driver Dexter Dunn decided to race from off the
pace this week. It proved to be the winning strategy.

Dunn and Jack’s Legend N spotted the field 8 lengths at the quarter. Mack and driver Mike Cole were on a mission and left aggressively from the rail forcing others to back off at the quarter pole. Mack set fractions of 26.4 to the quarter. The half was marched off in 55.4 (29) the three quarters were reached in 1:22.3 (26.4)
Dorsoduro Hanover motored from 1st up past the half and challenged Mack to the three quarters. Shoobee Doo A followed from a 2nd over stalking position.

Jack’s Legend N had the best view from last at the top of the stretch. Dexter Dunn called upon the 7-year-old for pace, and he responded with a furious late kick and won by 1 ¼ lengths in 1:50.4 and paid $2.80 for the
win. Jack’s Legend N paced an individual last ¾ of a mile in 1:22.2 and the last half of a mile :53.4. Temperatures were in the mid 30’s.

JACK’S LEGEND N REPLAY

Jack’s Legend N (Bettor’s Delight) is owned by Rich Lombardo Racing LLC of Ohio, David Kryway of Ontario and Josh Green of Delaware, who also trains the horse.

Mack, who set all the race fractions finished a game 2nd for trainer Joe Columbo. Mike Cole drove. Shoobee Doo A closed to finish 3rd for trainer Dylan Davis and driver Corey Callahan.

Racing continues on Monday. Post time for Dover Downs is 4:30 pm.

For full race results, click here.

by Alex Kraszewski, for Dover Downs