by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — Though stabled a short distance from the track, JL Cruze made his second 2016 start and first local appearance and responded with an easy 1:53.2 victory in the $36,000 Open Preferred trot at Dover Downs. Two $20,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund 2nd leg 3-year-old male trot divisions led off the program with Triple Bottom Line and Epic Smash scoring impressive victories on the Wednesday, April 5 program.

Fotowon photos

JL Cruze was an easy 1:53.1 winner in Wednesday’s Open Preferred trot at Dover Downs.

Hall of Fame driver John Campbell left with JL Cruze and tucked in fifth after the start. Campbell began his frontward movement heading to the half-mile and steadily continued to move. The Crazed-Topcat Hall bay gelding finally took over after the three-quarters on the way to his second triumph of the year for trainer Eric Ell and owners Ken Wood, of Denton, Md., and Philadelphia area residents, Bill Dittmar and Steve Iaquinta. Emerging from a pack of trotters bidding for second was Spunky Jack with Roger Plante, who has five seconds this year and 15 over the last two seasons. Somebody AS, teamed with Tim Tetrick, finished third in front of early leader Gural Hanover, driven by Andrew McCarthy.

JL Cruze now has 23 career wins and earnings of $690,553 lifetime.

In the stronger of two $20,000 divisions, Epic Smash rolled to his second DSBF 2nd leg trot victory holding off a determined bid from Cicada’s Song in a 1:56.4 mile. Pat Berry, who won consecutive races, took Epic Smash right to the front as he did last week and was never headed in the lifetime best clocking of her career. Cicada’s Song was relentless chasing the winner home. JCraparotta &PBerry Racing, own the Political Briefing-Giant Smash filly who now has five lifetime wins and purses of $115,208.Chestnut Chic (George Dennis) came on to finish third.

The outside post didn’t deter Triple Bottom Line and Jeff Fout in the other $20,000 DSBF section. The CR Commando-Current Yield bay stormed away to get the early lead and cut out all the 2:00.1 winning fractions holding off Miss Baltimore (Tony Morgan) who stalked the winner from the start but had to hold on for second. Devlin (Carlo Poliseno) was the third-place money winner. Winbak Farm bred and owns Triple Bottom Line who won for the first time this year and third time in her 10 race career. She has banked $88,200 in purses.

Epic Smash rolled to his second DSBF 2nd leg trot victory holding off a determined bid from Cicada’s Song in a 1:56.4 mile.

The DSBF 3-year-old second prelims come to a close on Thursday featuring the sophomore male pacers in three $20.000 events.

Next week, Dover Downs’ 47th season comes to a close with a $100,000 DSBF final every day. Monday is male trot day, filly pacers vie on Tuesday with filly trotters on Wednesday. Closing day, Thursday, April 14 features male pacers going for $100,000. In each final, the top eight point-getters in each division race for the big money.

Monday through Thursday racing begins at 4:30 p.m. Dover Downs is dark on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.