Dover, DE — Apple Valley Art ($4.20) took a new lifetime mark of 1:52.4 and claimed top honors in the second preliminary round of the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Thursday (Dec. 10) at Dover Downs.

Apple Valley Art recorded a new lifetime mark in his DSBF preliminary on Thursday at Dover Downs. Fotowon photo.

The winner of the Harrington DSBF series earlier in the season, Apple Valley Art scored decisively in the second of two $20,000 divisions. Tim Tetrick brushed Apple Valley Art to the lead with a lap to go, and the pair repelled a first-over challenge from eventual third-place finisher Leonard’s Legacy before evading a three-wide push from runner-up Elite Retreat by 1-1/2 lengths. Jim King Jr. trains the son of Artzina and Shake Away for owner-breeder Jo Ann Looney-King.

In the first division, All About Lynx ($2.20) and driver Montrell Teague completed a sweep of their preliminary legs with a 1:53.4 victory. The son of Southwind Lynx and All About Tonight drew clear late to beat Bookin and Undercovershamrock by 3-3/4 lengths. Clyde Francis trains All About Lynx for owners and breeders George Teague Jr. and K & R Racing LLC.

The top eight point earners in the series return for the $100,000 DSBF final next Thursday (Dec. 17), which is the final day of racing at Dover before the holiday break. Those eight are: All About Lynx, Apple Valley Art, American Nitro, Elite Retreat, Bookin, Leonard’s Legacy, Undercovershamrock and Aidan.