by Matt Sparacino, publicity director, Harrington Raceway

Harrington, DE — The First State’s finest horses were in action on Thursday (July 24) at Harrington Raceway, competing in the annual Governor’s Day card during the Delaware State Fair, featuring $620,000 in total purses.

The yearly event showcases the top Delaware owned and bred horses, and is headlined by the four $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) final events for 3-year-olds, as well as the $40,000 Governor’s Cup for older horses.

Juanita was a 1:59.2 winner in her DSBF final on Thursday.

The chalk talked in the DSBF events as favorites dominated the events, including talented CR Commando-Nice Juan filly trotter Juanita, who improved to 15 of 17 lifetime with a 1:59.2, five length romp for owners Jim Morand and Nanticoke Racing. Trained by Les Givens, she’s earned more than $300,000 in her career. Commando Queen and Kisses On Command rounded out the trifecta.

“She’s a very nice filly,” said Morand, who drove her Thursday. “We drew well for the final and she did everything pretty much on her own so it was a good day.”

Givens earned another training win with Man Of Science in the trotting colt final. His son, Brandon, drove the CR Commando-Solo Act gelding to a wire-to-wire win in 2:01.1. Rough Seas was second with Jim And Bob third.

“I thought if we stayed flat he’d win,” said Brandon Givens. “He’s a lot better now than he was at Dover.”

Fotowon photos

Big Heart was a 1:55 winner for Tony Morgan in the DSBF colt pace final.

On the pacing side, recently acquired Big Heart (Tony Morgan) cruised to a 1:55 win for new owners Howard Taylor, Mitchell Rosenthal and Robert Feldman. The Mike Hall-trainee assumed command at the quarter-mile mark and held off Martiniwitholives and Badlands Big Boy for the win.

Morgan drove Big Heart (Badlands Hanover-Cold Heart) for the first time in a prep race at Chester on July 13.

“He was a lot safer this week,” Morgan said. “I knew coming around the last turn that if he stayed flat he’d win.”

Jim McAuliffe’s Dover Dolly (Badlands Hanover-Morepowertoya) and driver Tim Tetrick were four lengths the best in the filly pacing final for trainer Bobby Myers. She set all the fractions as Ashleys Lucky Lady and Badlands Power completed the trifecta.

The Myers stable earned a double, by capturing a win the $40,000 Governor’s Cup with Carter Racing and Myers’ Immortal Quest N, who was a decisive 1:53.1 winner over Heavenly Flight and McCabe Hall. Immortal Quest N continued his impressive 2008 campaign as the 9-year-old Sands A Flyin-Reign In New York gelding won his ninth race of the year. He has banked nearly $200,000 in 2008.

The Governor’s Cup features the top Delaware-owned older horses as Governor Ruth Ann Minner and Lt. Governor John Carney were on hand to present the trophy to the winning connections.

Rodney Wyatt’s Ireneonthemove (Corey Callahan) overcame post eight to win the featured event for older mares, the $30,000 Legislator’s Cup in 1:53.2. The Powerful Toy-Lindaonthemove mare made a sweeping three-wide move up the backstretch and drew clear by eight lengths for an impressive score over Betting Machine and Seamstresforthepan.

In the $30,000 Charles Murphy Memorial Trot — the headline event for older trotters — Paul McDougall and WJ McDougall Racing’s Broke As Usual A (1:56.4, Ross Wolfenden) won by two lengths. Trained by Peter Tritton, the 8-year-old Malhana Gindin-Maori Annette gelding has regained top form and won two of his last three races.

The fastest race of the day came in the $20,000 President’s Cup as Brandon Givens piloted Wayne Givens and Neil Gargiuilo’s Brian P to a sizzling 1:51.4 victory. The 5-year-old Western Hanover-Bestaverde stallion won by five lengths over Battersby N and Kamwood Warrior N.

Drivers Morgan, Tetrick and Brandon Givens each had a driving double.

The summer/fall meet at Harrington resumes August 10 on a Sunday-Thursday schedule. Post time is 5:30 p.m.