Tug River Princess now nine for nine

March 27, 2008

Jim Morand and John Campbell made the winners circle twice during the opening $20,000 round of the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) Wednesday at Dover Downs. Morand drove the fastest winners in the filly trot and pace.

In the first of two trots, Juanita, bred, driven and co-owned by Morand with Les Givens, continued her near unblemished record scoring a wire-to-wire 2:00.4 victory, her ninth in 10 career starts, in the first $20,000 filly preliminary. Another CR Commando daughter, Winsmith Amy came in second for Vic Kirby while a Political Briefing distaff My Happiness and Bob Kinsey Jr. was third.

Campbell drove the Political Briefing filly Basic Encounter, owned by the same named, to victory in 2:00 to win the second $20,000 DSBF trot. Commando Queen led until mid stretch for Vic Kirby and had to settle for second. First Season, also by Political Briefing, was the show finishers piloted by King.

In the $20,000 filly pace prelims, Morand piloted Brenda Teague's Sheisaknockout, a homebred daughter of Badlands Hanover, to a 1:53.3 lifetime record in one of the four sections. Royal Fortune came in second for Kirby with Debs Lady Fortune and Cole third.

Campbell steered Tug River Princess, an overwhelming favorite, to a 1:54 triumph. Let It Ride and Robert Cooper Stables purchased the Badlands Hanover sophomore recently in time to win the Tender Love Care final at the Meadowlands. The win was the fourth of the year and ninth straight in an unbeaten career this far. Cosmo Madness and Corey Callahan saw a four-race win streak come to a close in a strong effort finishing second. Eurobound and Ross Wolfenden was the third filly.

A trio of Badlands Hanover fillies finished one-two-three in the other $20,000 section in a 1:54.2 mile. The winner was Badlands Power, owned by trainer Andrew Stafford and driver Art Stafford Jr. held off fast finishing Maddie G and Tetrick for a 1:54.2 victory. Pink Sweater was third piloted by Jonathan Roberts.

Davis executed a perfect drive behind Janet Davis' trained 10-1 shot Ashleys Lucky Lady allowing Rusty's Martini (Jonathan Roberts) to take the lead heading to the three-quarters and then coming back out turning for home and drawing off for a 1:55.2 victory for owners Sam Jacobs and Ron Reed. Twotixto Paradice closed well for Ross Wolfenden to finish second. JMDancingshannon made it an all Badlands Hanover payoff board finishing third. (Dover Downs)

Litigator, one of two winning trots for Roger Plante, powered to a 1:54.3 victory in the $32,000 Open, Financial Glider, one of two wins for Eddie Davis Jr. won the $23,000 mares winners-over while Saint Johns Boy led from the start in 1:55 to win the $21,000 trot.

Plante made a wise tactical decision after race favorite Jake's Nordic (Tim Curtin) was torched by Rose Run Flash during the early stages of the feature trot. Plante put Litigator into high gear on the final turn rolling three wide into the lead entering the homestretch and a 1:54.3 victory, the fourth of the season for the Steve LeBlanc-conditioned Valley Victor gelding owned by Parent Racing and Crystal Ball Stable. Mike Cole kept Rose Run Flash going enough to finish second. Winbak Red streaked down the lane for Jim King for show honors.

Davis and Financial Glider, owned by Lorna Cohen and Kevin Switzer, quick stepped past Lady Segil N (Tony Morgan) heading to the three-quarters and then moved away for a 1:56.2 win. Go Sassy Go closed strongly for George Dennis to finish second. Vicki Gram and Art Stafford Jr. picked up third money. The win was the first of two for Davis.

M&M Harness Racing's Saint Johns Boy took to the front for Tim Tetrick and commanded a 1:55 victory in a $21,000 trot. Laser Lavec came on for Dennis to take second in front of Moneyball and Mike Cole. (Dover Downs)

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