Misty Coast dominates in DSBF opening round

DOVER, Del. — Misty Coast (Powerful Mist-Cruisinthecoast) continues to prove herself as Delaware’s top rookie pacing filly, cruising to a 1:56.1 win in her $20,000 first-round Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund preliminary harness racing event on Wednesday (Nov. 9) at Bally’s Dover.

Following wins in the $100,000 final of the DSBF Harrington series on Oct. 11 and against older conditioned company in a lifetime best 1:54.1 on Nov. 2, Misty Coast recorded her seventh career victory in extremely easy fashion, taking the first of three splits. Misty Coast cleared to the lead before completing the :28.3 first quarter and faced nary a challenge from that point on. After rating a :59 half, she accelerated up the backstretch to three-quarters in 1:27.3 — and while No Gel Nikki kept pace, their other four rivals tired considerably.

Misty Coast finally dismissed her pocket rival in the final eighth, drawing clear handily to win by 4-1/4 lengths over No Gel Nikki. I Dareutoticmeoff (Pat Berry) rallied belatedly for third over Hold My Wine (Michael Cole), who tired after mounting an uncovered bid on the backstretch.

Les Givens trains Misty Coast, who has amassed $106,300 in career earnings, for owner-breeder Stephen Messick.

Stafford capped a DSBF driving double in the final division, teaming up with first-time starter Killer Stripes (Badlands Hanover-Tiger Style) to post a 1:57.3 debut score. The filly rode the pocket behind even-money choice Ezycure (Teague) through a :58 half, pulled the pocket with five-sixteenths to go, and struck the front at three-quarters in 1:28.

After putting Ezycure away, Killer Stripes dug deep to stave off a sustained challenge from Clearlydreamy (Victor Kirby) by a half a length. Spoiled Rotn Girl (Allan Davis) overcame traffic on the far turn and dove to the open stretch to just miss the runner-up spot.

Trainer Andrew Stafford co-owns the Winbak Farm-bred Killer Stripes, who paid $6.20 to win, with Thomas Ireland and Bonnie Benson.

KILLER STRIPES REPLAY

Direct Mist (Powerful Mist-Yankee Vista) completed the trio of first-round winners with a gritty 1:57.1 performance in the second division. The filly was innermost of four early leavers, and driver Trae Porter used pole position to protect the lead with her through a :28.1 first quarter.

With all six of her rivals behind her in single file, Direct Mist pulled the half back to :59, but was forced to accelerate when Kims Secret Search (Teague) mounted a first-over push to take second from a gapping Spicy Tuna (David Rearic) nearing three-quarters in 1:27.3. Despite the sustained challenge on her outside, Direct Mist prevailed, keeping Kims Secret Search a half length at bay while driven out. Chatty Kathleen (Berry) remained a detached third, 8-1/4 lengths farther behind, after losing cover.

DIRECT MIST REPLAY

Wayne Givens trains two-time winner Direct Mist, a Legacy Racing of Delaware homebred who paid $2.10 to win.

The second preliminary round in the current DSBF series for 2-year-old pacing fillies is slated for next Wednesday (Nov. 16), and the eight highest point earners from both preliminary legs will meet in a $100,000 final on Nov. 23.

Milieu Hanover (Betting Line) benefitted from a suicide pace up front and coasted to victory in the Mares Open Pace at Bally’s Dover on Wednesday night.

Fire Start Hanover left fast and protected the rail position from the start.  Shes Pukka N and Grace Rocks were parked two and three deep into the 1st turn. The duel continued past the half. The 1st quarter scorched the beam in 27 flat.

Fire Start Hanover remained stubborn and continued to park out the early challengers, Shes Pukka N. and Grace Rocks. The 3-ply battle continued to the half in 57.3.  The three quarters were reached in 1:26.2.

The backfield was in motion and started to converge on the cutthroat pace. Milieu Hanover, Feeling Sweet and the even odds favorite, Majorca N. began circling three and four wide at the top of the stretch.  Milieu Hanover was able to clear late in the lane and won by 1 ½ lengths in 1:52.3.  She paid $22.60 for the win.

MILIEU HANOVER REPLAY

Milieu Hanover is owned by Devita Racing Stable Inc. C. Giaccio both from New York and D.R.Hamm of Delaware.  Chuck Crissman Jr. trained, and Alan Davis drove.

Majorca N finished a fast-closing 2nd for trainer Dylan Davis.  Corey Callahan drove. Fire Start Hanover took no prisoners and faded to 3rd for trainer R. Nifty Norman. Victor Kirby drove.

Anticipation awaits on Thursday as Bally’s Dover hosts four Matron Stakes for 3 Year Olds. The races are scheduled for the 6th, 8th,10th, and 12th races on the 15-race betting card.  The 12th race is also named in honor of WE “Hap” Hansen, Administrator/General Manager Brandywine Raceway.

On Thursday, there will be a Pentafecta carry over of $5,391 on the 15th race.  An early Pick 4 carryover of $1,820. and a Pick 5 carryover of $1,002.

Post time is 4:30 pm at Bally’s Dover in Dover, Delaware

For complete race results, click here.

From the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund