Heavy favourites defeated in DSBF elims

DOVER, Del. — Odds-on favorites were shut out in the second harness racing round of the Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund (DSBF) series for 3-year-old male trotters at Bally’s Dover as both Pretty Two (Dusty Winner-I Concur) and Platinum Max (E L Platinum-Hybrid Hedy) upended odds-on choices in their respective $20,000 splits on Tuesday (Dec. 10).

In the first division, 5-2 second choice Pretty Two and driver Cody Poliseno vacated the pocket up the backstretch to wear down pacesetter Ronnie Ridge (driven by Tony Morgan) and then withstood a late charge from 1-5 favorite Workslikeacharm (Tim Tetrick) to win by a nose in 1:56.2. LG’s Bluestone (Ross Wolfenden) finished third.

PRETTY TWO REPLAY

Carlo Poliseno trains eight-time winner Pretty Two, a gelding who competes as a homebred for Jane Dunavant. He paid $7.80 to win.

The second division saw 10-1 long shot Platinum Max and driver Troy Beyer yield for a pocket ride behind 1-2 choice LG ‘s Jaxon (Jim Morand), stalk an intensifying duel between that rival and the first-over Portnoy (Montrell Teague) up the backstretch, and then dive to the open stretch to take the lead and evade stablemate Chief Funster (Trae Porter) by 1-1/2 lengths to win in 1:58. LG ‘s Jaxon was a beaten third.

PLATINUM MAX REPLAY

Ron Millman trains three-time winner Platinum Max, a gelding who paid $22.40 to win, for owner Kelsey Wagner.

Preliminary winners LG ‘s Jaxon, Platinum Max, Pretty Two and Workslikeacharm will be joined in next Tuesday’s (Dec. 17) $110,000 series final by Ronnie Ridge, Chief Funster, LG’s Bluestone and Trout Master.

Sophomore pacing fillies take center stage at Bally’s Dover on Wednesday (Dec. 11), with three $20,000 DSBF second-round splits — one conducted as a non-wagering event at 4:10 p.m. (EST), the other two at the front of a 14-race pari-mutuel card — sharing top billing. First post for the main program is 4:30 p.m.

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