Navy Blue sharp in DSBF Trot opener

DOVER, Del. — Navy Blue (Anders Bluestone-Overnight Hit) continued his tear through the First State on Tuesday (Nov. 29), recording a 1:56.3 win — his eighth victory from nine starts this season — in his $20,000 first-round preliminary harness racing division of the Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund (DSBF) series for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings at Bally’s Dover.

JAs Bluestone (Anders Bluestone-JA’s Commando) rallied from off the pace to nab odds-on choice LG’s Reed O Wen in the other division.

Prohibitive 1-20 favorite Navy Blue, in line to trainer-driver Art Stafford Jr., wasted no time establishing control of the terms, forcing Big Daddy D (driven by Cody Poliseno) to retreat to the pocket at the end of a :28.2 first-quarter duel.

The pair raced one-two through middle splits of :58.3 and 1:27.3 while steadily separating themselves from their four rivals. Off the home turn, Navy Blue edged two lengths clear of his nearest rival, and, despite drifting a bit wide in mid-stretch, maintained that margin to the end of his 1:56.3 victory. Sunset Sail (Tony Morgan) rallied to take third, another 14-1/4 lengths behind.

Stafford, who also bred Navy Blue, shares ownership with Wyatt Starkey. The gelding has now won 10 of his 14 career starts including the Harrington DSBF series final earlier in the season, amassed $157,986 in career earnings, and paid $2.10 to win.

NAVY BLUE REPLAY

In the other division, JAs Bluestone took advantage of a pressured pace and a patient steer from trainer-driver Victor Kirby to win in 1:59. Away sixth early in the field of seven, JAs Bluestone angled third-over up the backstretch after LG’s Reed O Wen (Jim Morand) took three-eighths of a mile to clear for the lead.

Despite being able to pull the half back to :58.3, LG’s Reed O Wen faced a second challenge heading into the far turn, when the first-over Tua (Montrell Teague) briefly seized command from LG’s Reed O Wen. When Tua began to stall in the breeze, Kirby spun JAs Bluestone three-wide, and the gelding rallied to collar LG’s Reed O Wen by a neck in 1:59. Embrace The Stone (Tim Tetrick) finished third.

JAs Bluestone, a Pamela Wagner homebred, paid $6.20 to win. He has now won five times in 22 career starts and has banked $124,381.

JAS BLUESTONE REPLAY

Also during the evening, Northern Express (Muscle Massive) benefitted from a perfect journey and won the $18,000 Select Handicap Trot.

It was a scramble for the early lead. Secret Jet parked Northern Express into the first turn, then retreated to the pocket.  Northern Express held the lead momentarily then Star Razor quarter pole moved and took the lead away. The opening quarter was trotted in :28 seconds flat.

Star Razor led the field to the half in :56.4.  Remarkable De Vie maneuvered 1st up down the backstretch and challenged Star Razor to the three quarters in 1:26.

At the top of the stretch, Star Razor started to tire and Northern Express, with driver Russell Foster, muscled their way off the rail and charged home for the victory.

Northern Express won by a head and trotted the mile in 1:56.1.  He is owned and trained by Arty Foster Jr of Harrington, Delaware.  His son Russell Foster drove.  Northern Express returned $8.40 for the win.

Secret Jet knifed along the passing lane and finished 2nd for trainer and driver Tyler Davis. The even odds betting favorite, Star Razor, finished 3rd for trainer Nick Callahan. His son Corey Callahan drove.

NORTHERN EXPRESS REPLAY

Shea Lare celebrated his 21st birthday with a driving victory aboard Admiral Hanover in the 6th race and three training wins (Admiral Hanover, Jengish Chokuso and Muscle Dynasty).

The second preliminary round of the DSBF series for 3-year-old male trotters is slated for next Tuesday (Dec. 6). Wednesday’s (Nov. 30) 14-race program at Bally’s Dover begins with a pair of $20,000 DSBF first-round events for 3-year-old pacing fillies; post time is 4:30 p.m.

For complete race results, click here.

From the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund