Four $20,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) preliminaries for two-year-old fillies were won by pacers Badlands Jenna and Sarah Barracuda, and trotters Tokyo Oklahoma and SBs Commando on Saturday at Dover Downs
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Badlands Jenna overtook leader Stash The Cash (Daryl Bier) in the stretch to post her eighth win in 10 starts for a 1:55 season’s best victory in the first DSBF filly pace. Allie Oakley (Jim King) was the show finisher. Trainer Ben Stafford and Winbak Farm own the Badlands Hanover youngster, who was driven to victory by Ben Stafford Jr.
The second DSBF filly pace was taken by the fast finishing Sarah Barracuda in a new lifetime record of 1:55.2. Jim King drove the brown Three Olives-Lady Steel offspring to victory for his wife JoAnn King. Final Executive (Ross Wolfenden) was runner-up. What Rusty (Eddie Davis Jr.) was third.
In the first of two DSBF frosh filly trots raced as non-wagering events, Tokyo Oklahoma, a CR-Commando-Rowdy Somolli chestnut owned by Ben Kenney, scooted down passing lane to overtake front trotting Political Starlet (Ross Shand) at the wire in 2:03.4. Joyful Anna (Carlo Poliseno) after racing Political Starlet head-and-head after the three quarters had to settle for third.
The other pre-regular program trot was taken by Allan Pullman and driver Eddie Davis’ SBs Commando in a tight 2:04.4 finish. Davis, in a rare driving appearance since his retirement, rallied the CR Commando-AP English filly to get to the finish line first. Montabello Brandi (Vince Copeland) used the passing lane to nip early leader Lady Alicia (Kim Vincent) for second.
On Sunday, in addition to two $30,319 Matron sophomore pace elims, one that features Progress Pace winner Rockin Image taking on leading candidate for Horse of the Year honours Rock N Roll Heaven, the DSBF male pace prelims are on the schedule.
The DSBF prelims continue next weekend with its second leg filly action on Saturday followed by colt races on Sunday.
(Dover Downs)