Givens doubles in DSBF filly prelims

DOVER, Del. — Harness racing trainer Les Givens captured two of Wednesday’s (Nov. 20) three $20,000 second-round Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund splits for 2-year-old pacing fillies at Bally’s Dover, as odds-on favorites Little Miss Peyton (Papa Ray-Armbro Cashmere) and Bella Artiste (Badlands Hanover-Arts Bid) posted repeat victories in their respective events.

In the first split, Little Miss Peyton and driver Corey Callahan seized control from Tilted Crown (driven by Russell Foster) just past a :28 first quarter, rated middle splits of :57.3 and 1:27, and then held off that rival by a neck to score in 1:55.2. Sweet Samsara (David Rearic) finished third.

LITTLE MISS PEYTON REPLAY

Little Miss Peyton competes as a homebred for Donna Messick. The seven-time winner paid $2.10 to win.

The second section saw Bella Artiste and driver Jim Morand seat Valentina Station (Eddie Dennis) into the pocket through a :27.4 first quarter, coast through middle splits of :58.2 and 1:27.4, and evade her pocket foe by 1-3/4 lengths to win in 1:56.3. Mornin Merle (Pat Berry) was a one-paced third after stalking the top pair throughout the mile.

BELLA ARTISTE REPLAY

Bella Artiste has now won five times in her career for Nanticoke Racing, Arthur Feeney and Chad Tate. She paid $2.60 to win.

Immaculate Inning (Roddy’s Bags Again-End To End Hanover) gave trainer Jim King Jr. a DSBF win, sustaining a mid-race brush in line to Tim Tetrick to overtake early Pacesetter Banana Cabana (Tony Morgan) and win by 1-3/4 lengths in a lifetime best 1:57.1. Cake Pop (Jason Thompson) stayed on for third after stalking closely.

IMMACULATE INNING REPLAY

Jo Ann Looney-King owns and bred Immaculate Inning, a filly who won for the second time in her career and paid $2.80.

In addition to second-round winners Little Miss Peyton, Bella Artiste and Valentina Station, the following fillies qualify for the $110,000 DSBF series final, to be held on Nov. 27: Immaculate Inning, Tilted Crown, Banana Cabana, Mornin Merle and Sweet Samsara.

Two-year-old male pacers take center stage at Bally’s Dover on Thursday (Nov. 21), contesting their $110,000 DSBF series championship as the fourth event on a 14-race card. First post is 4:30 p.m. (EST).

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.