Dover, DE — After claiming a divisional Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund (DSBF) title this summer at Harrington Raceway, Workslikeacharm kicked off the December DSBF series at Bally’s Dover in victorious fashion, posting a 1:58.3 win over seven rivals in the first of two $20,000 first-round divisions for 3-year-old male trotters on Tuesday (Dec. 3).
The gelded son of E L Platinum-Charming Oaks was in no hurry early, content to stalk from midfield as LG’s Bluestone (driven by Ross Wolfenden) soared to the front from post eight through a :28.4 first quarter. With a circuit to go, Tim Tetrick angled Workslikeacharm first-over, and the pair gained stoutly into a :59.4 half before dueling to the lead with just over five-sixteenths of the mile remaining. Workslikeacharm pushed clear of LG’s Bluestone past three-quarters in 1:28.2 and repelled a late challenge from runner-up Ronnie Ridge (Tony Morgan) by a measured length. LG’s Bluestone was a beaten third.
Jim King Jr. trains Workslikeacharm, now a seven-time winner with $137,560 in earnings, for Brett MacDonald. As the prohibitive 1-10 favorite, he paid $2.20 to win.
The second division saw 3-2 choice LG ‘s Jaxon and driver Jim Morand follow second-over cover up the backstretch into the pocket behind Pretty Two before inheriting the lead as that rival broke in upper stretch. The Rolls Blue Chip-Miss Jocelyn gelding evaded 51-1 runner-up Platinum Max (Troy Beyer) by 2-1/4 lengths to win in 1:58.4. Trout Master (Jason Green) rallied from far back to just miss second.
LG ‘s Jaxon, a Nanticoke Racing homebred with 12 career wins and $193,312 in earnings, is trained by Les Givens. He paid $5.00 to win.
Wednesday’s (Dec. 4) 15-race card at Bally’s Dover begins with a pair of first-round DSBF preliminary events for 3-year-old pacing fillies. First post is 4:30 p.m. EST.