Cheers to Heinikin Bythebay

DOVER, Del. — Already a two-time Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund series harness racing champion in his young career, KDK Standardbreds’ homebred Heinikin Bythebay (Southwind Lynx) began his quest for a third such title with a sharp 1:52.1 victory in his $20,000 first-round division of the DSBF series for 3-year-old male pacers at Bally’s Dover, held Thursday (Dec. 1). Ds Heartland won the other division.

In line to Tim Tetrick, the gelding strode to the lead from post five and cleared Bad And Boujee (driven by Tony Morgan) through a :28 first quarter before maintaining a steady pace through :56.3 and 1:25 middle splits. Heinikin Bythebay remained unchallenged turning for home, switching into high gear and capping his mile with a :27.1 final quarter to evade Bad And Boujee by 1-3/4 lengths. Johnny Badlands (Corey Callahan) maintained third after a failed first-over bid up the backstretch.

HEINIKIN BYTHEBAY REPLAY

Kevin Switzer trains 13-time winner Heinikin Bythebay, who lifted his career earnings to $223,775 and paid $2.20 to win as the overwhelming 1-10 favorite.

In the other division, Ds Heartland (Badlands Hanover-Armbro Cashmere) and Art Stafford Jr. employed similar tactics, controlling the pace en route to a 1:54 score. The colt protected inside position to seat Hiro Knockout (Tetrick) through a :28.2 quarter, rated a :57.4 half, and picked up the pace on the backstretch to keep the first-over Cntnobdytelmenothn (Morgan) at bay through the final three-eighths of a 1:54 mile, winning by a diminishing 1-1/4 lengths. Runner-up Cntnobdytelmenothn was five lengths ahead of Step On Over (Michael Cole), who finished third.

Les Givens trains seven-time winner Ds Heartland, who has now made $146,047 for his owners and breeders, Nanticoke Racing Inc. and Donna Messick. He paid $4.20 to win as the even-money favorite.

Grand Cayman (Always B Miki) dug in late and was victorious in the Blue Hen Open Handicap Pace at Bally’s Dover on Thursday night.

Grand Cayman left at the start of the race and waited for Mack to clear for the early lead.Tim Tetrick then rallied Grand Cayman to the front past the quarter in 27.1.

Grand Cayman continued on the engine, reaching the half in 55.4 (28.3). Sprocket, a winner in his last four starts, raced 1st up and coverless from 4th.

Sprocket and Grand Cayman both raced as a team to the three-quarter marker in 1:24 (28.1). Sprocket had the lead but not the rail turning for home.  Grand Cayman dug in late and battled to the wire.

Grand Cayman won by a hard-fought length in 1:52.3 and paid $4.60 as the bettor’s choice. Grand Cayman is owned by Vincent Ferriero Jr. of Florida.  Crissy Crissman- Bier trains.

Shoobee Doo A, followed a 2nd over journey and finished 2nd for trainer Dylan Davis.  Corey Callahan drove. Mack held pocket position and finished 3rd for trainer Joe Columbo and driver Mike Cole.

GRAND CAYMAN REPLAY

Tim Tetrick had a driving triple on the evening.

The second preliminary round of all four DSBF series for 3-year-olds will take place next week (Dec. 5-8), and the eight highest point earners from each series will vie for their share of $100,000 in their respective finals the following week (Dec. 12-15). Live racing resumes Monday at Bally’s Dover, first race post time at 4:30 pm,

For complete race results, click here.