by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — First leg Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund prelims ended on Wednesday (Nov. 11) at Dover Downs with 86-1 Mortgage Bags, Apple Bottom Jeans and Eternal Ring chalking up wins.

In one of three $20,000 DSBF 2-year-old filly pace divisions, Eddie Dennis and Joe Thomas’ Mortgage Bags (Roddy’s Bags Again-Mortgage Paid) moved three wide around two breaking horses heading to the final turn and wore down race favorite and leader Use Your Noodle (Jim Morand) to score her first career win in 1:56.3, paying $175.80 for a $2 ticket. Another longshot, Circle M Georgia (Tony Morgan), finished fourth and was placed third.

It was all Apple Bottom Jeans in the first $20,000 DSBF section. The daughter of Mr Apples-Scylla Hanover, owned by KDK Standardbreds and trained by Kevin Sizer, went right to the front for driver Montrell Teague and led at every position in a 1:54.4 romp, lifting her record to three wins in four starts with a second. Rowdy Patti (Bryan Truitt) was second in front of Delle Donne (Ross Wolfenden).

Jonathan Roberts steered Eternal Ring to her second win in a row and fourth in six efforts, posting a 1:56.2 success in the third DSBF prelim. The Artzina-Turn For The Best filly is owned and trained by Bobby Glassmeyer. Skats Outa The Bag (Wolfenden) was next. Seboomook Up-town (Allan Davis) was the show finisher.

Callam Racing’s Spunky Jack left quickly and stung race favorite Tough Mac to the quarter in :26.3 in the $20,000 Open Handicap Trot. Tough Mac (Corey Callahan) then took over and led until deep stretch when Roger Plante pulled Spunky Jack from second and overtook the leader to the wire in 1:54. Fast finishing Stirling Charisma (Morgan) also came on to edge Tough Mac for second place.

After seven wins Tuesday, Callahan added four on Wednesday. Victor Kirby had three wins.

The top horses, drivers and stables are at Dover Downs on Thursday in the four rich Matron Stakes events. Wiggle It Jiggleit and Wakizashi Hanover renew their rivalry in the 10th race, the $201,900 3-year-old championship.