$400,000 DSBF Finals held at Dover

DOVER, Del. — After sweeping the preliminary rounds in their respective harness racing divisions, First State Joni ($2.80) and Blue Devil ($3.80) both stood up to odds-on billing in Thursday’s $400,000 culmination of the Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund series for 3-year-olds on Thursday (Dec. 16) at Dover Downs.

First State Joni, who delivered pillar-to-post wins in both of his preliminary splits and also won the Harrington DSBF final earlier this season, took a lifetime mark of 1:54 in the $100,000 DSBF final for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings.

Subban and Henrico showed the quickest turn of foot when the gate sprung, but driver Barton Dalious gunned First State Joni through at the pegs to secure the lead midway on the first turn. First State Joni worked through a :26.4 first quarter to assert his position as the 2-5 favorite, but once in control, it was smooth sailing for the Delmarvalous-Jonigold colt.

After rating middle splits of :56.2 and 1:24.2, First State Joni edged clear to defeat pocket rival Subban (Montrell Teague) by 2-1/2 lengths. Downtown Show (Allan Davis) held third, another two lengths behind, after a failed first-over bid into the far turn.

W. Bart Dalious trains eight-time winner First State Joni, who has now earned $174,824 for owner-breeder The Wiz Kids Stable LLC.

FIRST STATE JONI REPLAY

In the $100,000 3-year-old male trot final, 4-5 favorite Blue Devil and Montrell Teague used the entire first turn to clear from post seven, overtaking Bluestone Jackson at the end of a :28.1 quarter. Bluestone Jackson broke stride shortly after yielding, enabling even-money second choice Big Al M to inherit the pocket, but Blue Devil remained stoutly in control through a well-rated :59.2 half.

Up the backstretch, the sophomore Anders Bluestone-Overnight Hit gelding withstood a stern first-over challenge from Vlahos, who pushed the tempo to three-quarters in 1:28.3. Blue Devil remained resolute, shrugging off his outside foe and evading Big Al M (Eric Davis) by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:57.4. Vlahos (Tim Tetrick) faded to third.

Adrian Wisher trains Blue Devil, whom Art Stafford Jr. bred, for Elite Harness Racing LLC. The six-time winner has now amassed $136,976 in career earnings.

BLUE DEVIL REPLAY

The $100,000 filly finals saw their respective winners carry their momentum forward from victories in the second preliminary round.

Tobago Time ($11.20) clocked the fastest DSBF final with a 1:53.4 score in the filly pace, and she shaved four-fifths of a second off her lifetime mark with her ninth career victory.

Allan Davis landed the Tobago Cays-Time Frame N filly in the pocket behind 11-1 pacesetter Cinder’s Baby, and drafted behind splits of :27.3, :57.1 and 1:25 before angling her off the pegs with three-sixteenths to go.

Tobago Time responded immediately, surging to the lead and evading 1-5 choice Littlebagoftricks (Dexter Dunn) by a length. Cinder’s Baby (Ross Wolfenden) faded to third after giving way. Chuck Crissman Jr. trains the earner of $198,172 for the partnership of Glenn Phillips and breeder David Hamm.

TOBAGO TIME REPLAY

In the filly trot, Whitesville Beulah ($7.20) controlled fractions of :28, :58.3 and 1:27.2 before holding off a late charge from Kim’s Command by a neck in 1:57.2. K J Diamond finished third.

Art Stafford Jr. drove the victorious Anders Bluestone-Whitesville Tara filly for owner-trainer-breeder Gary White.

WHITESVILLE BEULAH REPLAY

A trio of $15,000 consolations served as undercard events. Archie And Emerson ($2.80, Dunn, 1:53.4) won the male pace, Rowdy One (Victor Kirby, 1:58.2) won the filly pace, and Altar Call (Barton Dalious, 2:00) won the male trot.

From the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund 

Jack’s Legend N steamrolled to victory in the Open Handicap Pace at Dover Downs on Thursday night.

Driver Dexter Dunn chose to ease Jack’s Legend N off the gate and settled into 6th position at the quarter.

Shoobee Doo A and No Lou Zing battled thru an opening quarter in 26.1. Driver Corey Callahan was on a mission as Shoobee Doo A continued on their journey reaching the half in 54.2 (28.1). Shoobee Doo A continued to lead the field to the three quarters in 1:22.1 (27.4).

At the three quarters, No Lou Zing left the pocket and Mack raced on the rim in 2nd over position. Jack’s Legend N encountered heavy traffic as Dexter Dunn maneuvered four-wide at the top of the stretch.

Shoobee Doo A braced for the challenge as Jack’s Legend N unleashed a ferocious closing kick and won by a head in 1:50.2. He paid $3 for the win. Jack’s Legend N (Bettor’s Delight) is owned by Rich Lombardo Racing
LLC. Ohio, David Kryway, Ontario, Eric Good, Maryland and Josh Green of Delaware. Green also trains the horse.

JACK’S LEGEND N REPLAY

Shoobee Doo A lost a heartbreaker of a race and finished 2nd for trainer Dylan Davis. Mack finished a game 3rd for trainer Joe Columbo. Mike Cole drove.

Tim Tetrick won 3 races. Bart Dalious won 3 races total. 2 on the betting card and 1 non wagering race win.

Dover Downs will be dark from December 17 thru December 26th in observance of the Christmas Holiday.
Racing resumes on Monday December 27. Post time is 4:30 pm.

For full race results, click here.

From the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund