by Matt Sparacino, publicity director, Harrington Raceway

Harrington, DE — More than $550,000 in total purses were up for grabs as part of a showcase of Delaware’s top bred horses Wednesday (Oct. 21) Harrington Raceway.

Four $100,000 Delaware Breeders Fund (DSBF) final events were the centerpiece of the 13-race program, as well as their accompanying $20,000 consolations.

There was also $20,000 Open events for older horses, with preference given to those who were Delaware owned or bred.

Apple Bottom Jeans was an impressive 1:56 front-end winner in the $100,000 DSBF final for 2-year-old pacing fillies on Wednesday night at Harrington Raceway.

KDK Standardbreds’ Apple Bottom Jeans ($6.80, Montrell Teague) was the first $100,000 DSBF final winner with an impressive 1:56 front end win for trainer Kevin Switzer. The Mr. Apples-Scylla Hanover-sired filly led throughout over Seboomook Up-town and Eternal Ring, who rounded out the trifecta. It was her second win in three career starts.

Carter Racing Stable’s Rusty Carter ($3.80, Corey Callahan) prevailed in the final for colt and gelding pacers with a 1:54.1 triumph after a first-over charge cleared pacesetter All Artist near the three-quarters. All Artist finished second with Steller City third. Trained by Doug Lewis, Rusty Carter, an Art Director-Rusty’s Joy gelding, notched his second career win.

The first trotting final went postward in the eighth race as Chris Yochim’s Mondello ($28.60, Art Stafford Jr.) was a winner via disqualification of favorite Chipoffthewall, who was taken down for interference against Elton J early in a miscue-marred mile. The time of 1:59.2 was disallowed. Overnight Shipper was placed second with Mr. Paul third. Mondello, sired by Taladega-St Patty’s Paige, achieved his first career win.

Fotowon photos

Epic Smash was an upset winner in 2:02.3 in the 2-year-old $100,000 filly trotting final.

In the $100,000 filly trotting final J Craparotta and Patrick Berry Racing’s Epic Smash ($57.20, Berry) was an upset winner in 2:02.3. Berry and Epic Smash (Political Briefing-Giant Smash) in a wire-to-wire win over Unshakeable Peace and Princess Politics.

Driver George Dennis notched his 5,000th career win in the second race aboard trotter Ronan. The 45-year-old Dennis is a former driving champ at Harrington and has been a staple among the leading drivers on the First State’s half-mile racetrack for the last 20 years.

Janet Hudson’s Just a Jolt ($4.40, Victor Kirby) captured the $20,000 Open pace for horses and geldings in 1:52 for trainer Jim King Jr.

Another King Jr.-trained and Kirby-driven horse visited the winner’s circle in the $20,000 Fillies and Mares Open, as sophomore filly sensation Purrfect Bags ($2.80, Kirby) recorded her 10th win of the year with a 1:53.1 triumph versus older rivals. She increased her seasonal earnings to more than $237,000.

Another winner in the $20,000 Open Trot with Gary Evans and Foulk Stables’ Prayer Session ($3) who was a dominant winner in 1:54.4.