by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — Five Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund 3-year-old trots on Wednesday (April 1) completed the preliminary legs of the Delaware-sired stakes program.

A pair of favorites led off the card as Tony Morgan drove Mark Waterman’s TP Lucy to victory in 1:59.1, capping off the mile with a :28.4 final panel. The win was the third in four lifetime starts for the Limbo-Fastreena filly. Bristy Crinkley (Mark A. King) finished second in front of Copper Harbor (Ross Wolfenden).

Fotowon photo

L T’s Best was a 1:55.1 winner in the $32,000 Open Handicap Trot.

In the first of two $20,000 colt divisions, Ed Maas and Nanticoke Racing’s Ruby Ransom, a son of CR Commando-Dreamland’s Trophy, sat behind Bakermill Blake (Bob Shahan) from the start and pulled to the outside swinging for home on the way to a 1:58.2 triumph. Linbo’s In Command (George Dennis) picked up third money.

In the final colt prelim, Carlo Poliseno took no prisoners on the way to a 1:59.2 victory with Tony Poliseno’s Collect The Brass in his first win of the year. Outdoor Action (Eddie Davis, Jr.) was second. Spent Force, the wagering favorite, broke stride after the start and rallied for Ross Wolfenden from far back to finish third. Collect The Brass is a CR Commando-Yagot Prestige colt.

There were two $20,000 non-wagering DSBF filly trot events prior to the regular program and both were won by Manley Brown trainees. Lloyd Arnold’s Funny Brief, a Political Briefing -Over Comical bay notched a 2:01.3 decision. No More Games (Corey Callahan) broke stride while moving the outside to challenge, got back trotting and finished second, edging Political Spin (Roger Plante, Jr.) in the final stride.

In the other non-wagering prelim, Vic Kirby took Pam Wagner’s JA’s Commando right to the lead and never looked back en route to a 2:01.2 victory, her second in two starts. Worthy Command (Ross Wolfenden) took second in front of A Spur Bet (Clifton Green).

The top eight point getters in the colt and the filly division race in $100,000 finals next Wednesday, April 8.

L T’s Best beat odds-on favorite Starsel to win the $32,000 Open Handicap Trot. Vince Copeland took L T’s Best to the outside on the final turn and then wore down public choice Starsel, driven by Daryl Bier, in the stretch to score a three-quarter length victory. Joey The Jet JT with Ross Wolfenden came home strongly to finish third.

The victory was the fourth of the year for the Tom Barrett-owned Davanti-Light Tackle gelding, now in the money in nine of 12 starts, while earning $83,560 in 2009.

Ross Wolfenden won three races to move with three wins of 4,000 lifetime.