Curtsyforpurrseco coasts to second DSBF preliminary win

DOVER, Del. — Jo Ann Looney-King’s Curtsyforpurrseco (Roddy`s Bags Again-Purrfectly Bad, $2.40) became the lone 2-year-old harness racing pacing filly with a shot at sweeping the Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund (DSBF) series at Bally’s Dover after winning her $20,000 second-round preliminary division on Wednesday (Nov. 15) in a lifetime best 1:56.4.

Curtsyforpurrseco, who squared off against fellow first-round winners Smalltown Bad Girl and Designs On You in the first of three second-round splits, was parked in third early after Smalltown Bad Girl (driven by Victor Kirby) secured the lead over American Marvel (George Dennis) through a :28.1 first quarter. Tim Tetrick drove on with Curtsyforpurrseco with a lap to go, and the Roddy’s Bags Again-Purrfectly Bad filly strode clear and controlled middle splits of :58.3 and 1:28.1. After rebuffing a first-over challenge from Designs On You (Allan Davis) through the far turn, Curtsyforpurrseco evaded a late rally from runner-up Smalltown Bad Girl to win by a length. Designs On You faded to third.

CURTSYFORPURRSECO REPLAY

Jim King Jr. trains the Winbak Farm-bred Curtsyforpurrseco, whose fifth career win brought her total earnings to $49,771.

In the second division, Bad Nella Monella (Badlands Hanover-Nella’s Bus, $10.60) and Ross Wolfenden endured an eventful journey en route to a maiden-breaking 1:58.1 score over 3-5 favorite Slipinsidewayz (Victor Kirby). She sprinted clear to a 2-1/2-length lead in the first sixteenth before yielding to Grace O’Malley (Tony Morgan) at the completion of a :28.3 first quarter. Up the backstretch, Slipinsidewayz surged out of midfield into the lead, and Wolfenden angled Bad Nella Monella out of a failing pocket to protect second at three-quarters in 1:29.1. Bad Nella Monella then closed a three-length gap through the final three-sixteenths and lunged to just nab Slipinsidewayz in the final stride. Salma (Pat Berry) was third.

BAD NELLA MONELLA REPLAY

Trainer Andrew Stafford owns Bad Nella Monella, who has earned $16,400 in five starts, with Bonnie Benson, Thomas Ireland and Brian Martin.

Bella’s Dream (Dream Away-Winbak Isabella, $3.20) and Tony Morgan also won in 1:58.1, brushing from third to clear Jett Propelled (Art Stafford Jr.) with a lap to go before parrying an outside bid from Makemymommaproud (Eric Davis) up the backstretch and evading Jett Propelled by 2-1/4 lengths in the final division. Classic Diamond (Corey Callahan) was a ground-saving third.

BELLA’S DREAM REPLAY

Steve LeBlanc trains Bella’s Dream, a two-time winner in 11 starts with $46,230 in the bank, for LeBlanc Racing Inc., Count De Money Stable, William Lutz Jr. and Douglas Johnson.

The eight fillies who qualified for the $110,000 Ramona Hubbard DSBF final, to take place next Wednesday (Nov. 22), are as follows: Curtsyforpurrseco, Smalltown Bad Girl, Bad Nella Monella, Bella’s Dream, Designs On You, Jet Propelled, American Marvel and Slipinsidewayz.

Feeling Sweet (Sweet Lou) surged late to win the $25,000 Fillies & Mares Open Handicap Pace.

Driver Tony Morgan launched Tae from post 8 and rumbled to the quarter in :26.2.

The 2/5 betting favorite, Feeling Sweet and driver Tim Tetrick gladly accepted the pocket trip. Tae held an uncontested lead at the half in :55.1 Misty Coast chased 1st over past the half and challenged pacesetter Tae.

Misty Coast then cleared for the lead past the three-quarters in 1:23.2 (:28.2) as Goo Goo Won was in perfect 2nd over position to pounce on the leaders but that bid stalled.

Feeling Sweet vacated the pocket at the top of the stretch and stormed home to win by 1 ½ lengths in 1:52.2. She paid $2.80 for the win for owners George and Tina Dennis Racing of Wyoming Delaware. Joe Columbo trains. Misty Coast, the filly, raced gamely but finished 2nd for trainer Les Givens. Art Stafford Jr. drove. My Kiwi Lady N picked up the show position for Trainer Chris Sciculna. Trae Porter drove.

SWEET FEELING REPLAY

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

From the Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund