Four $100,000 events held

The favorites persevered in the four $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) finals on Sunday at Dover Downs. Mr. Aviator and filly Double Flip and won the pacing events while Ms. Virginia took the filly trot final and Swissonian the colt trot.

Double Flip, a Badlands Hanover filly, was much the best in the first DSBF Final. Tony Morgan, who drove both winners of the $100,000 races daily double, took the lead at the start and never looked back posting a 1:53.4 victory, her seventh of the season in 12 races. John and Earl Wagner and breeder Winbak Farm own the winner of $109,308 this season.

Extremely Powerful, with David Miller driving, was a secure second with On Stage Sizzle, driven by co-owner Ben Stafford Jr., finishing third.

Trainer Manley Brown, who conditions Double Flip, and driver Morgan, made a quick trip back to the winner's circle when Ms. Virginia romped home in 1:59.3 to win the $100,000 Filly Trot. Devilish Miss, with Brandon Givens at the controls, was second while Twilight Mist, after breaking stride on the first turn, rallied bravely for trainer-driver Jim Thompson to catch the field and come back to finish third

Last month, Don Hawk and Dan Warrington purchased Ms. Virginia from original owner Lloyd Arnold. Since then the CR Commando filly has won all three starts in DSBF events.

Swissonian, winner of the DSBF $100,000 final at Harrington in October, rebounded from consecutive seconds in his preliminaries to score a 2:00.1 victory in the Colt Trot final. Miller took the son of CR Commando right to the lead and cut out all the winning fractions in his fourth win in six career races.

Secret Agent and Eddie Dennis, who recorded two prelim wins over Swissonian, raced second the entire route. Mr. Consistent and Jim Morand took third money. Swissonian has now won breeders Fred and Layhoon Brunner, of Etobicoke, Ont., $122,500 this season.

In the $100,000 Colt Pace, Mr. Aviator enjoyed a perfect seat following pacesetting Be Bad Bill and Ross Wolfenden until turning down the stretch when Be Bad Bill suddenly broke stride. Kevin Sizer, who had taken Mr. Aviator to the outside for the stretch drive then went by to score an easy 1:53.4 victory to add his second DSBF 2-year-old championship to his record.

The winner now has banked $139,061 this season for his owners Trevor Warwick of Harrington and his Australian partner Peter George. Wolfenden quickly got Be Bad Bill back pacing and still closed strongly enough to take second money. Sun Power and driver Stafford finished third. (Dover Downs)

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