Freshmen take center stage at Harrington

October 23, 2008

Three track records were set or equaled Wednesday at Harrington Raceway as four $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) events were held for 2 year olds.

The showcase began in the colt trotting final with Nanticoke Racing and Ed Maas III's Ruby Ransom ($5.60, Brandon Givens) setting a new track record for 2-year-old colt trotters in 2:01.1 for trainer Les Givens. The CR Commando colt set all the fractions and held off Bakermill Blake and Outdoor Action for his second win in eight career starts.

In the filly trotting final, Joie De Vie Farm, F. Barbato and T.A. Abramo's Toni's Wink ($2.40, Howard Parker) didn't disappoint as the heavy favorite, equaling the track mark for trotting fillies with a 2:02.4 triumph. The Felton Queen was second while Datzfast was third. Toni's Wink, a CR Commando filly, is trained by Oyvind Hegdal.

The pacing colts put on a good show as Richards Stable, Donna Sullivan and Judy Leonard's Ray's Big Bubba ($4.80, Ross Wolfenden) sat in the pocket behind pacesetter Mr. Wiggles and surged by in the stretch for a two-length win for trainer Scott Gregoire in 1:55.2. The Badlands Hanover colt has won four-of-seven career starts. Sgt. Charlie got up for second while Mr. Wiggles held third.

As for the filly pacers, K&R Racing and Teague Inc's She's Everything ($5.40, Jim Morand) set all the fractions in her 1:55.1 victory for trainer George Teague Jr. It was a new track record for 2-year-old pacing fillies. Rusty's Joy stalked the pace and finished second while Little Bit Tricky was third.

Earlier on the program, the track honored Bob Stevenson Inc. and Eric Davis' 14-year-old trotter Stormont Northstar who raced for the final time at Harrington Wednesday and finished third. The local favorite has won more races (35) at Harrington than any horse in track history. He was acquired by Bob Stevenson in 2000 from Canada and has been with him ever since.

"He's got a home for life," said an emotional Stevenson in the winner's circle. "He's always loved this track. He's done better here than anywhere else. He just loves this place."

"Northstar" was the horse of the meet at Harrington in 2001 and ironically was a nominee for the 2008 award in his last year of racing after winning five races on his favorite surface this season.

Stormont Northstar, sired by Brisco Hanover, has 287 career starts and 71 wins to go with his bankroll of nearly $600,000. (Harrington)

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