Dover, DE — Neither rain nor gloom of night could deter KDK Standardbreds’ homebred Heinikin Bythebay from capturing his third Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund title, finishing a sweep of the December series at Bally’s Dover for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings with a 1:53.2 win in Thursday’s (Dec. 15) $100,000 championship.
Ds Heartland and driver Art Stafford Jr. pushed to the fore early from post six, but Heinikin Bythebay and Tim Tetrick made their way to the lead just after the :26.4 first quarter after sitting patiently in the two-path through the first turn. Once the Southwind Lynx-Sally Pansen gelding controlled the terms, it was lights out for his seven rivals. Heinikin Bythebay traveled uncontested through middle splits of :56.1 and 1:24.2 before using a :29 final quarter to gain 3-3/4 lengths of separation on eventual runner-up Bad And Boujee (driven by Tony Morgan), who escaped traffic to save second over the first-over Business Director (Pat Berry).
Kevin Switzer trains 15-time winner Heinikin Bythebay, who has earned $283,775 in his career.
Tetrick won the $20,000 DSBF consolation as well, putting I Roddy into play first-over up the backstretch and collaring pacesetter It’spronounced Jif by a half length in 1:56.1. Jason Skinner trains the Roddy’s Bags Again-I Turtle gelding, a four-time winner who returned $7.00 to win, for owners and breeders Susan Camac and Susan Skinner.