by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — Six $20,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) first leg preliminaries for 2-year-olds highlighted the Saturday, November 17, card at Dover Downs.

A sureshot and a longshot marked the two $20,000 trotting prelims. Another 19-1 shot pulled a surprise in the pacing sections.

Juanita was a 2:00.2 winner for Jim Morand.

In the first trot, as expected, Juanita, a daughter of CR Commando, scored her sixth victory in seven starts, notching a 2:00.2 triumph with Jim Morand at the controls. First Season, a Political Briefing filly, finished second with Jim King. Early Shirley, by Taladega, with Cliff Green driving, finished third.

Juanita, winner of the DSBF $110,000 Harrington Final in October, is owned by driver Morand and Nanticoke Racing, and is trained by Les Givens. She has now won $112,700.

In the other trot prelim, Commando Queen, at 19-1, chopped down odds-on favorite Kisses On Command (Roger Plante) in the stretch to win her second lifetime start in 2:05, with a last half of :59.4. It was one of two DSBF wins for Vic Kirby. Basic Encounter, sired by Political Briefing, finished third for Eddie Dennis.

In the $20,000 DSBF pacing prelims, Dover Dolly rolled down the passing lane for a 1:56.2 victory as the 19-1 shot driven by Eddie Davis, Jr. upset odds-on choice Sheisaknockout and Jim Morand, ending a two-race win streak. Nipotina and Ross Wolfenden finished third.

Foto Won photo

19-1 shot Dover Dolly scored in 1:56.2 for Eddie Davis, Jr.

The Badlands Hanover winner is owned by 91-year-old Jim McAuliffe, who also owns the top freshman trotter Lear Jetta. Both are conditioned by Bobby Myers.

Badlands Power, with Art Stafford, Jr. driving for his dad, Art Stafford, and brother, trainer Jeff Stafford, had too much for six rivals en route to a 1:56.2 victory. Seboomook Mao, with Roger Plante, was second best. B Exotic and Ross Wolfenden was third in the all-Badlands Hanover trifecta.

Royal Fortune was a wire-to-wire, 1:56.4 winner for Vic Kirby, driving for Ricky Pryor and Erika Paradee. The Cams Fortune homebred won for the sixth time in 11 races and has earned $94,982 in purses. Bags Of Three, a Three Olives daughter, teamed with Eddie Davis, Jr. to finish second in front of GB’s Li’l Princess. The Badlands Hanover filly was driven by her trainer, Bob Colsanti.

Cierraslittleangel took the lead early and driver Jim King never looked back as the Tune Town filly romped to a 1:56 victory in the final first round prelim. Ed Walls owns the winner, trained by John Wilkerson. Pink Sweater was second for Jim Morand with Got To Be Pink, Roger Plante driving, third.

Six $20,000 DSBF colt prelims on Sunday

The Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund completes its first of two $20,000 preliminary legs on Sunday, Nov. 18, with six colt and gelding divisions at Dover Downs. Post time is 5:30 p.m.

There are four DSBF $20,000 colt and gelding pace prelims. Jerry Smith and driver Bryan Truitt’s B Bad scored a 1:55 win in an overnight race last week and heads a six-horse field in the first division. Vicki Givens and Louie Paglierani’s Dina’s Gamble, with driver Corey Callahan, Badlands Jaden, with Tim Tetrick in the bike for Newman Racing and Crystal Ball Stables, and Willow Run Huck, owned by Richard and Grace Allen, teamed with Tony Morgan, will also be in the hunt. The other starters are Gateway Stable’s Badlands Bigboy with Tim Curtin and Lobo Billy with Roger Plante for owners Bob and Deb Rementer.

Mike Horsey’s Thunder’s Toy (Tim Tetrick) rompled to a 1:57.1 win in his previous start. Three others won qualifying races; Greg Simendiger’s Mimi’s Tyler (Ross Wolfenden), Roger and Dawn Samson and Joe Seekman Racing Stable’s Martiniwith Olives, and Joe Gulotta’s Uncle Rubble. Frog Juice, owned by Gary and Barbara Iles, is the other starter.

Two $20,000 trots start off the card. In the first, Indian Hill Mojoe, second in the DSBF $110,000 final at Harrington, is owned by Virginia Keeler and trainer-driver Ron Hill, and leaves from the outside in a field of six. Vicki Givens and Pam Curran’s Westgate Mile (Ross Wolfenden) and Arlie Tinder’s Drollinger (Vic Kirby) leads the other upset minded contenders. Serendipity Stable’s Political Correct drew the rail. Man Of Science (Les Givens), owned by Brandon Givens, Walt Blancharski and Nanticoke Racing, and Wave On, racing for Brent Outten, Virginia Fisher and Green Racing, complete the field.

Delbert Cain’s Aggressive Command (Jim Morand) is fresh from winning the $110,000 Harrington Final at 17-1. The other contenders are Little Lady Stable’s GB’s Li’l Comander (Gary Finnigan), Nancy Jackson and Jeanne McInnis’ Rough Seas (Ryan McInnis), Man Of Style (Corey Callahan), racing for Fred and Bev Phillips, Investment (Eddie Davis, Jr.), owned by Rodney Mitchell and Teague Inc., and Dan Myer’s Dogface (Jim King).

Saturday and Sunday post time is 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday racing starts at 4:30 p.m. The track is dark, featuring only simulcast racing, on Friday. There is no charge for parking or admission. Reservations are suggested for the Winner’s Circle Restaurant. Call (302) 674-4600.