Gaitway Guy grinds out another DSBF score

DOVER, Del. — GTY Stable’s homebred Gaitway Guy (Delmarvalous-Brussels Hanover) withstood a sustained first-over attack to score his second preliminary win in the Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund (DSBF) series for 3-year-old harness racing male pacers at Bally’s Dover, drawing away to a handy 1:54.1 victory in his $20,000 second-round division on Thursday (Dec. 7).

Corey Callahan floated Gaitway Guy into third as fellow first-round winner Marshal Dillon (driven by Tony Morgan) pushed clear of Night Terror (Allan Davis) through a :27.2 first quarter. Not long after Marshal Dillon pulled the half back to :57.2, Gaitway Guy angled first-over and ground forward to engage the pacesetter nearing the far turn.

The two hit three-quarters in tandem in 1:25.3, and Gaitway Guy struck the front on the far turn before edging clear of his six rivals off the corner for home. Gaitway Guy easily put away Marshal Dillon at the eighth pole and sprinted three lengths clear of runner-up Big Truss (Hugh O’Neil), who followed the winner’s live cover. Showdown Lynx (Art Stafford Jr.) rallied belatedly to just miss second.

Jeff Smith trains 12-time winner Gaitway Guy, who paid $2.20 to win as the overwhelming favorite and has earned $249,400 through his career.

GAITWAY GUY REPLAY

In the other split, Meg A Bags (Roddy’s Bags Again-Megginspin) and driver Montrell Teague took full advantage of the open stretch and converted a pocket trip into a 12-1 upset victory.

Meg A Bags sealed off the pocket behind 4-5 pacesetter Bad Boy Too (Simon Allard) through a :27.1 first quarter and kept close attendance to the pace as Notte’s Mist (Allan Davis) mounted a first-over push from third into Bad Boy Too to three-quarters in 1:25.2.

With Bad Boy Too and Notte’s Mist embroiled in battle turning for home, Teague dove to the open stretch with Meg A Bags, and the gelding surged forward to win by 1-1/4 lengths in a lifetime best 1:54.2. Bad Boy Too held second over Notte’s Mist.

Jason Skinner trains Meg A Bags ($27.00), a four-time winner with $50,459 in career earnings, for Ryan Davila.

MEG A BAGS REPLAY

The eight qualifiers for next Thursday’s (Dec. 14) $110,000 DSBF series final are: Gaitway Guy, Marshal Dillon, Meg A Bags, Bad Boy Too, Delightinhisglory, Big Truss, Night Terror and Notte’s Mist.

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

From the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund