by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — Ms Virginia and Twilight Mist made it look easy in winning both DSBF second leg 2-year-old filly trot preliminaries on Saturday, Nov. 24 at Dover Downs. Double Flip won a filly freshman pace division while Love And Truth pulled a surprise in the other section.

Dover Downs photo

Tony Morgan piloted Ms Virginia to a 2:02 triumph.

Ms Virginia, recently purchased by Don Hawk and trainer Dan Warrington, scored her second straight DSBF filly trot prelim victory as Tony Morgan drove the CR Commando lass right to the front and never looked back en route to a 2:02 triumph. Neverenogh Rusty, with Brad Hanners driving, made a strong effort on the final turn but finished a length back in second. Miss Taxigator, driven by Eddie Davis, Jr. was third. It was the first of two wins for trainer Warrington.

In the first $15,000 trot, Mist Stable’s Twilight Mist took the lead at the start and was never headed in a 2:02.3 victory with trainer-driver Jim Thompson in the bike. A :29.4 final quarter ensured the CR Commando filly’s fourth win in five lifetime starts. Love Affair, with Eddie Dennis, finished second and Surfer Gal and Tony Morgan took the show spot.

Tony Morgan collected his third win of the night and trainer Manley Brown a double when Double Flip cruised to a 1:55.4 victory in a $15,000 filly pace. The win was the sixth of the season for the Badlands Hanover miss and her second straight in a prelim. Owned by John and Earl Wager and Winbak Farm, entrymate On Stage Sizzle, a Powerful Toy filly owned by driver Ben Stafford, Jr. and Winbak Farm, finished second. Dressed For Summer, with Roger Plante, was third.

In the other DSBF filly pace, odds on favorite Free Admission, with Steve Warrington at the controls, had a two length lead at the head of the lane with only two others in contention and both were coming on strongly in the stretch. In the all Powerful Toy-sired finish, Jim Morand got Linda and Ron Graleski’s Love And Truth up in the last stride in 1:56 with Free Admission holding second by a half-length. Extremely Powerful, reined by Brad Hanners was third. The win was the second of the day for driver Morand.

All four DSBF colt second leg divisions are set for Sunday’s program. The top eight point getters after two prelim rounds qualify for the four $100,000 finals on Sunday, Dec. 3.

Saturday and Sunday post time at Dover Downs is 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday racing starts at 4:30 p.m. Friday is a no live racing day at Dover Downs. There is no charge for parking or admission. Reservations are suggested for the Winner’s Circle Restaurant. Call (302) 674-4600.