Dover, DE — Navy Blue completed a sweep of the Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund series for 3-year-old male trotters at Bally’s Dover with a lifetime best 1:56.2 in Tuesday’s (Dec. 13) $100,000 championship event — but he was forced to employ new tactics to get the job done.

With fellow second-round winner Big Daddy D leaving aggressively to control the terms, trainer-driver Art Stafford Jr. rode the pocket with Navy Blue through almost the first half of the race before angling outside and dueling the pacesetter down through the home turn en route to a two-length victory.

Navy Blue completed his sweep of the Dover DSBF series for 3-year-old male trotters with a lifetime best 1:56.2 win in Tuesday’s $100,000 final. Fotowon photo.

Big Daddy D, driven by Cody Poliseno, burst clear through the first 100 yards. Navy Blue, who came away third, worked alongside Tua (driven by Montrell Teague) through the first turn before landing in the second spot before a :28.3 first quarter. Navy Blue drafted contently behind Big Daddy D through a measured :58.1 half before Stafford switched him off the pegs with just over three-eighths of the one-mile race remaining.

Navy Blue stuck his nose in front at the 1:27.1 three-quarter sectional, put away Big Daddy D on the final turn, and used a :29.1 closing quarter to edge away by a hand-driven two lengths. Big Daddy D was an isolated second, 4-1/4 lengths better than JAs Bluestone (Victor Kirby), who rallied gradually into third.

Stafford, who also bred Navy Blue, shares ownership in the Anders Bluestone-Overnight Hit gelding with Wyatt Starkey. Now a 12-time winner from 16 starts, Navy Blue has banked $217,986 thus far in his career. He paid $2.40 to win.

In the $20,000 DSBF consolation, Canoe Trip outlasted a late challenge from Little Georgie to win by a half length in 2:00.4. Allan Davis drove the Anders Bluestone-Political Starlet gelding for trainer Linda MacDonald. Owner Shirley Shand bred the four-time winner in partnership with late harness racing publicist Marv Bachrad’s Serendipity Stable.