by Matt Sparacino, publicity director, Harrington Raceway

Harrington, DE — More than $600,000 in purses were distributed over 12 races on Thursday (July 26) at Harrington Raceway during Governor’s Day of racing during the Delaware State Fair.

The annual event showcases the First State’s top owned and/or bred racehorses, headlined by four Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) final events for 3-year-olds, each carrying a hefty $110,000 purse.

Mr Aviator was a 1:53.2 winner for Kevin Sizer in the DSBF 3-year-old colt pace.

In the pacing colts split, Trevor Warwick and Peter George’s Mr Aviator ($2.80, Kevin Sizer) continued his dominance of the division with a 1:53.2 triumph over Skeleton Key and All American Reason. Sizer and Mr Aviator flew to the front early after assuming command from Be Bad Bill, and cruised to a three length score.

The Trevor Warwick-trainee earned his fifth win of the year as his seasonal earnings increased to nearly $160,000. He is sired by Badlands Hanover.

“He’s just a super nice colt to drive,” said Sizer. “He does everything you ask of him and does it so easily. Trevor’s done a great job with him.”

On the filly pacing side, Winbak Farm, John Wagner and the late Earl Wagner’s Double Flip ($2.40, Tony Morgan) was the prohibitive 1-5 choice and didn’t disappoint as she escaped a wire-to-wire victor in 1:54.2 over Honeyland and Miss Fanelli. The Manley Brown-trainee has now banked nearly $250,000 lifetime and has won 13 of 19 career starts.

“She’s been really good with these,” said Morgan. “We took some pressure at the three-quarters and I asked her for a little bit more at the head of the lane and she responded.”

Foto Won photos

Tim Tetrick piloted Twilight Mist to victory lane in the DSBF 3-year-old filly trot.

Meanwhile, the trotting fillies went faster than their male counterparts as Mist Stable’s Twilight Mist ($4.80, Tim Tetrick) was a decisive two length winner over Devilish Miss and Shelbster. Twilight Mist — sired by CR Commando — has won 10 of 14 career starts for trainer Jim Thompson.

“This red filly is such a nice horse to drive,” said Tetrick. “She’s so good gaited and well mannered and that means a lot.”

Tina and Joanne Clark and Cantwell Bridge Stable’s Powerful Committee ($5.60, Art Stafford, Jr.) earned a bittersweet win for trainer Bobby Clark in the colt division in 2:01.3. Clark’s father, Charles Clark, Jr., who passed away recently, would have celebrated his 71st birthday on the day his former trotter would win the biggest race of his career.

The race favorite, Swissonian, made an early break while Stafford and ‘Committee’ had a comfortable lead and won by four lengths over Secret Agent and Penn State Fan.

“He’s been maturing,” said Stafford. “I felt pretty comfortable with him on the front.”

The feature event for older pacers was the $40,000 Governor’s Cup, which was won by Arty Foster, Jr.’s Village Blitz ($13.60, Tetrick). Redford Hall was on the front end and was challenged hard by Art Director going towards the three-quarters. Redford Hall began to give way as Village Blitz mounted his assault three wide and stormed home in :27.2 for the win. Tarver Hanover was second with Art Director holding third.

“It wasn’t the best of trips, but it worked out,” said Tetrick. “He’s a nice horse and fortunately he kicked home real well on the turn and we were able to get it done.”

Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner was on hand as usual for the race named in her honor. Afterwards, she gave some congratulatory words to Tetrick.

Ricky Pryor II and Wendy Crissman’s Breeze Hill Will ($4.80, Tetrick) earned his 49th career win with a 1:57.1 triumph in the $30,000 Delaware Park Trot, for older trotters. Broke As Usual A was second while Johnny Peanuts rounded out the trifecta.

Joyce Keeler, Kathleen Keeler and Linda Keeler’s Ladyfield ($5.40, Morgan) was victorious in the $30,000 Legislator’s Cup for pacing mares. The 4-year-old Armbro Cadet mare launched an impressive rally from fifth at the half-mile mark to win by two lengths over Poppy Lustre N and GE’s Jen.

Trainer Bobby Clark earned his second win of the day with Cantwell Bridge Stable’s Pure Class ($67.60, Roger Plante, Jr.) in the $20,000 President’s Cup.

Live racing resumes August 12 with a Sunday through Thursday schedule. Post time is 5:30 p.m.