DSBF divisions, Fine-Tuner headline Dover Thursday
DOVER, DE — The Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) Three-Year-Old colts and gelding began their preliminaries with five divisions at Dover Downs on Thursday, March 27. Drollinger and Man Of Science won the trots, Big Heart, Uncle Rubble and Dina’s Gamble took the paces. Fine-Tuner wins overnight feature and Tim Tetrick won four races.
In DSBF Three-Year-Old Colt paces and trots, Arlie Tinder’s Drollinger a son of CR Commando, scored an impressive victory for Vic Kirby on the chilly and windy evening in 2:01. First National closed strongly for Art Stafford Jr. to finish second with Rough Seas and Eddie Davis Jr. third. It was the first of two winners for trainer Jeff Long.
The fastest clocking for a DSBF trot came in the other $20,000 section when Brandon Givens guided a chestnut CR Commando he shares in ownership with Walter Blacharski, Man Of Science to victory in 2:01.1. Indian Hill Mojoe and Ron Hill closed quickly to finish second. Bogey N Bacall with Corey Callahan was the show finisher.
Teague Inc.’s Big Heart, teamed with Jim Morand, fought off a bid from Frog Juice and Tim Tetrick, the second-place finisher, around the final turn before pulling away for a 1:53.1 victory in a $20,000 DSBF colt test. Always A Choice came in third.
Tetrick also steered Joe Gulotta’s Uncle Rubble to his second win of the night a 1:53.3 victory, the third in his last four starts for the Badlands Hanover-sired gelding. Business Plan and Ben Stafford raced game to finish second in front of Mimi’s Tyler and Ross Wolfenden the early leader.
Dina’s Gamble, owned by Vicki Givens and Louie Paglieroni, came on entering the stretch drive to score a 1:53.4 decision in another DSBF section. Martiniwith Olives pulled Tony Morgan to a second while Badlands Jaden and Tim Tetrick were third.
On the regular card, Fine-Tuner, with Corey Callahan holding the reins, held off Tufsun Beach (Tim Tetrick) in the stretch to win a $19,200 Delaware 4&5-Year-Old Male pace in 1:54. Stacy’s Character (Bryan Truitt) took show money. Andy Kovath bred, owns and trains Fine-Tuner, a son of Tune Town, the outstanding pacer that Kovath trained during his racing career.
Bill Emmons’ Elegant Dreams was one of Tim Tetrick’s four winning drives taking the $25,000 Claiming Allowance in 1:53.1. The Aussie Fighter (Frank Milby) closed strongly to finish second. Sparkler (Mike Cole) took third.
Arty Foster’s Spunky Vic enjoyed a 2-hole trip and then Ross Wolfenden rolled down the passing lane with the Valley Victor gelding to score a 1:58.4 victory in the $14,500 feature trot. Smokey Bear (Eddie Davis Jr.) was runner-up. Rattlesnake Jake (George Dennis) finished third.
Friday is a dark day for live racing. Through meet closing day, April 10, live racing begins at 5:30 p.m. daily, Saturday through Thursday. There is no charge for parking or admission. Reservations are suggested for the Winner’s Circle Restaurant 302-674-4600.
– Marv Bachrad, Dover Downs