by Marv Bachrad, for Dover Downs

Dover, DE — Henry The Dragon had a new driver this week, but it didn’t matter, as Jim Morand drove the 1:52.4 winner in the fastest of four $20,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) in the second and final preliminary leg for 3-year-old male pacers over a track inundated an hour earlier by a heavy rainstorm on Thursday (April 6). Also, in the winner’s circle where Major Uptrend won his third straight taking the $30,000 Preferred Handicap and Poisonous, who pulled a mild surprise winning the $27,500 Delaware Special Handicap.

Henry The Dragon, trained by Clyde Francis, has now banked $141,600 for owner George Teague, who bred the Custer The Dragon-Surveille Hanover colt with Elmer Fannin.

Henry The Dragon took the early lead and never was headed in his third consecutive win and eighth in nine lifetime appearances. The Clyde Francis trainee has now banked $141,600 for owner George Teague, who bred the Custer The Dragon-Surveille Hanover colt with Elmer Fannin. Montrell Teague drove runner-up Daiymir, also owned by George Teague, with Art Of Fire (Vic Kirby) the show horse.

Dan Keeler’s James Isaac and Tony Morgan were much the best in the second $20,000 DSBF section winning in 1:53.3. Jim King conditions the Roddy’s Bags Again-Slide Home colt who drew off for an easy victory. River’s Crest (Art Stafford Jr.) and Whispering Witch (Teague) were second and third respectively.

Bags To Riches romped to a 1:53.4 decision in the third DSBF division. Tim Tetrick guided the colt owned by Only Money Inc. who is trained by Jason Skinner to his third win in four starts this year and seventh triumph in 12 career races. The Roddy’s Bags Again-Paint The Sky Blue colt is a $115,062 lifetime winner. Hallie’s Comet (Pat Lachance) was second with Olivias Grand Slam (Morand) closing fast for third.

Meet leader Corey Callahan piloted Wake Up And Go home in 1:53.1 to win the final DSBF contest for Jimmy Lunn and Charles Winbrow. Also by Roddy’s Bags Again from his dam, Early Riser, it was his second win in three outings this year. Automatic Dragon (Kirby) was next with Stay In Your Place (Teague) a close third.

Next Thursday (April 13) the top eight colt and gelding pacing point-getters after two preliminary divisions return for the $100,000 DSBF Championship final.

Fotwon photos

Major Uptrend picked up his seventh win of 2017 in 12 races and now has won $82,900 this year and $343,833 lifetime.

Super sharp Major Uptrend made it three consecutive Thursday feature race wins as Tony Morgan drove the Somewbeachsomewhere-Tricky Tooshie gelding to his third sub-1:50 victory in as many attempts; this time in 1:49.4 for recent purchasers trainer Tim Crissman and Niss Allen Inc.

Major Uptrend picked up his seventh win of 2017 in 12 races and now has won $82,900 this year and $343,833 lifetime. Jet Airway (Callahan) was a strong second. $2.2-winner Limelight Beach (Tetrick) was the show finisher.

Russ Wolfenden sent Poisonous home in 1:49.4 to win the $27,500 Delaware Special Handicap overtaking Sweet Rock (Allan Davis), who finished second, and a fast closing Blazing Bobby Sox (Stafford Jr.) third.

Tetrick drove three winners. Vic Kirby, Callahan and Art Stafford Jr. had a pair apiece.