Five divisions of First State-breds go at Dover

April 04, 2008

Man Of Science and Aggressive Command won the trots while Big Heart, Frog Juice and Moosehead Jack were the winning pacers in the second and final Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) preliminaries for 3 year olds at Dover Downs on a rainy Thursday.

The Givens team of father Les and son Brandon continued their success in the DSBF trotting ranks with two more winners. Man Of Science, just as a week ago, powered to a 1:58.1 victory just as the rain began. The CR Commando gelding is owned by Walt Blacharski and trainer-driver Brandon Givens. Indian Hill Mojoe, with Ron Hill in the bike, finished second for the second straight time. My Buddy Freddie and Wayne Long got up for third.

The second trot belonged to Les Givens who kept Aggressive Command flat and the gelding took care of the rest in a 2:02.3 triumph at 10-1 odds. The Delbert Cain homebred overtook Man Of Style with Tim Tetrick on the far turn en route to a 2:02.3 triumph.

In the $20,000 DSBF colt and gelding paces, Teague Inc.'s Big Heart lived up to his name as driver Jim Morand drove the Badlands Hanover colt under duress for most of the last half to a scintillating 1:54 triumph, his sixth in seven starts this season. Badlands Jaden, handled by Tetrick, finished second with Dina's Gamble and Corey Callahan putting in a game effort attacking the winner on the backstretch and holding on for third.

The fastest division was all Frog Juice, another of Morand's three winners. Named by his breeder-owner Gary Iles, a barber who told children getting a haircut that he would put "Frog Juice" tonic on their hair to make them look and smell good. Conditioned by Gary and Barbara Iles' long-time trainer, Bobby Clark, Frog Juice paced a career fastest 1:53.4 mile. Another Badlands Hanover gelding Triple Black with Ben Stafford Jr. closed from fourth to finish second. Martiniwith Olives and Morgan took show honors.

The last prelim was an all Three Olives finish. Moosehead Jack stormed from five lengths back on the final turn to zoom down the lane and pass pacesetter Mimi's Tyler and Tetrick, the leader from the start, in deep stretch for his maiden victory in 1:55 for Lou Schaefer and Pete Heffering. Night Trouble closed with Morand for third money.

The top eight point getters in the four DSBF sophomore divisions return on meet closing day, Thursday, April 10, for the $100,000 finals. (Dover Downs)

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