by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — Trainer-driver Carlo Poliseno’s strategy came through as Cicada’s Song caught race favorite Epic Smash in the closing strides for a 1:57.3 triumph in the $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund 3-Year-Old Filly Trot Final at Dover Downs on Wednesday, April 13.

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Cicado’s Song scored a 1:57.3 triumph in the DSBF 3-year-old Filly Trot Final Wednesday at Dover Downs.

Epic Smash was odds-on favorite from the rail following two straight wire-to-wire victories, while second choice Cicada’s Song had post three.

“My plan was to leave fast and find room second behind Epic Smash. I liked my chances sitting behind him when we reached the stretch,” remembered Poliseno.

And that’s the way the race unfolded. Cicada’s Song, led from post eight in the November 2-year-old DSBF championship, and was on top until the closing strides finishing second.

Pat Berry cut out all the fractions driving Epic Smash, almost flawlessly, until the last steps to finish second. Chestnut Chic (George Dennis) went off at 51-1 came on to finish third.

Cicada’s Song is truly a Jane Dunavant-homebred. Her sire is Dusty Winner and her dam Koala Kat, both owned and raced for Mrs. Dunavant for a number of starts at Dover Downs several years ago. Since the Dunavant’s resides in Virginia, Cicada’s Song is that state’s trotting champion as well.

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Somebody AS took the $36,000 Open Preferred Handicap trot in 1:53.2.

Tim Tetrick left fast with Somebody AS to take the early lead in the $36,000 Open Preferred Handicap trot and controlled the race from there. Andrew McCarty moved to the outside driving Gural Hanover in front of the grandstand and continued up on the outside finally reaching the leader at the three- quarters. Around the final turn, Gural Hanover had a slight lead on the outside, but Somebody AS retook the front and pulled off for a 1:53.2 success. Awsome Valley (Tony Morgan) finished third.

Kjell Johansson and ACI Stuteri AB own Somebody AS, an altered son of Striking Sabra-Noblesse AS trained by Anette Lorentzon, who won for the fourth time in nine starts in 2016. The win was the 25th lifetime for the newly minted half- million dollar winner whose bankroll stands at $500,063.

The Dover Downs 47th season comes to a close on Thursday with a $100,000 DSBF 3-Year-Old Male pace final featuring the top eight point getters after two preliminary legs. Thursday post time is 4:30 p.m.