by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — Litigator, one of two winning trots for Roger Plante, powered to a 1:54.3 victory in the $32,000 Open at Dover Downs on Wednesday, March 26.

Fotowon photo

Litigator crossed the finish line in 1:54.3 in the $32,000 Open Trot on Wednesday.

Plante made a wise tactical decision after race favorite Jake’s Nordic (Tim Curtin) was torched by Rose Run Flash during the early stages of the featured trot. Plante put Litigator into high gear on the final turn, rolling three-wide into the lead entering the homestretch and posted a 1:54.3 victory, the fourth of the season for the Steve LeBlanc conditioned Valley Victor gelding owned by Parent Racing and Crystal Ball Stable. Mike Cole kept Rose Run Flash going enough to finish second. Winbak Red streaked down the lane for Jim King for show honors.

Eddie Davis, Jr. and Financial Glider, owned by Lorna Cohen and Kevin Switzer, quick stepped past Lady Segil N (Tony Morgan) heading to the three-quarters and then moved away for a 1:56.2 win in the $23,000 Mares Winners Over Trot. Go Sassy Go closed strongly for George Dennis to finish second. Vicki Gram and Art Stafford, Jr. picked up third money. The win was the first of two for Davis.

M&M Harness Racing’s Saint Johns Boy took to the front for Tim Tetrick and commanded a 1:55 victory in a $21,000 trot. Laser Lavec came on for George Dennis to take second in front of Moneyball and Mike Cole.

Jim Morand and John Campbell made the winner’s circle twice during the opening $20,000 round of the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF). Morand drove the fastest winners in the filly trot and pace.

In the first of two trots, Juanita, bred, driven and co-owned by Morand with Les Givens, continued her near unblemished record by scoring a wire-to-wire, 2:00.4 victory, her ninth in 10 career starts. Winsmith Amy, came in second for Vic Kirby while My Happiness and Bob Kinsey, Jr., was third.

Campbell drove Basic Encounter LP’s Basic Encounter to victory in 2:00 to win the second $20,000 DSBF trot. Commando Queen led until mid-stretch for Vic Kirby and had to settle for second. First Season was the show finisher, piloted by Jim King.

In the $20,000 filly pace prelims, Morand piloted Brenda Teague’s Sheisaknockout to a 1:53.3 lifetime record in one of the four sections. Royal Fortune came in second for Vic Kirby with Debs Lady Fortune and Mike Cole third.

John Campbell steered Tug River Princess, an overwhelming favorite, to a 1:54 triumph in their $20,000 split. Let It Ride and Robert Cooper stables purchased the sophomore recently in time to win the Tender Loving Care final at the Meadowlands. The win was the fourth of the year and ninth straight in an unbeaten career this far. Cosmo Madness and Corey Callahan saw a four-race win streak come to a close in a strong effort, finishing second. Eurobound and Ross Wolfenden was the third place filly.

Badlands Power, owned by trainer Andrew Stafford and driver Art Stafford. Jr., held off fast finishing Maddie G and Tim Tetrick for a 1:54.2 victory in another $20,000 pace. Pink Sweater was third, piloted by Jonathan Roberts.

Eddie Davis, Jr. executed a perfect drive behind Janet Davis’ trained 10-1 shot Ashleys Lucky Lady to win the final $20,000 pace in 1:55.2 for owners Sam Jacobs and Ron Reed. Twotixto Paradice closed well for Ross Wolfenden to finish second. JMDancingshannon finished third.

$19,200 Pace, DSBF prelims are Thursday features

Eight start in the $19,200 4- and 5-year-old male pace on Thursday, March 27, at Dover Downs. Five DSBF sophomore preliminaries are also on the program. First post is 5:30 p.m.

Andy Kovath’s Fine-Tuner seeks a third consecutive trip to the winner’s circle in the $19,200 featured pace. Corey Callahan will be back in the bike for the Tune Town-sired 5-year-old staring from post one.

Tim Tetrick will pilot Foulk Stables’ Tufsun Beach alongside. Stacy’s Character, owned by Rich Esham and driver Bryan Truitt, Herman and Lynn Drenth’s Shady Mountain GA with Jonathan Roberts and Joanne Matthews’ Badlands Sammy and Mike Cole have been racing in this class.

The other starters are Greg Simendinger’s Dragon’s Blood (Jim Morand), Joe Baccino’s Always A Contender (Vic Kirby), and Roam’n At Cooly’s Stables’ NF Rivers Edge (Eddie Davis, Jr.).

There are five $20,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) 3-year-old colt and gelding first round preliminary events on the program, three for pacers and two for trotters.

Saturday through Thursday, post time is now 5:30 p.m., until closing day April 10. No live racing on Fridays. There is no charge for parking or admission. Reservations are suggested for the Winner’s Circle Restaurant. Call (302) 674-4600.