Upsets prevail in DSBF

Both upset winners of the $110,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) 3-year-old trotting championships are owned by Nanticoke Racing and partners on an upset-filled closing night of the Dover Downs meet on Thursday. The leading trainer award ended in a tie between defending champion Josh Green and Chuck Crissman.

The first upset came in the $110,000 final for colt and gelding trotters with lightly raced Nanticoke Snazz getting the lead at the start and never faltering en route to a lifetime-best 1:59.2 victory in only his third career race. Brandon Givens drove the winner trained by his dad, Les Givens, holding off a strong stretch effort from Powerful Committee and art Stafford Jr. Penn State Fan, with Tony Morgan, was the third finisher.

Odds-on Swissonian, the 2-year-old DSBF champion, was startled at the start when Secret Agent blew a tire when the starting gate folded. Tim Tetrick got Swissonian away seventh and made his way into fourth at the finish line.

The same owner, trainer and co-owners Ed Maas and driver Givens returned to the winner's circle after the $110,000 filly final. Twilight Mist, one of the pre-race favorites, was scratched "sick" and the prohibited favorite Ms. Virginia broke stride at the start while Devilish Miss took command early taking the lead from Neverenough Rusty and Brad Hanners.

The 20-year-old Givens then cut out the fractions in a 2:01 victory fighting off Neverenough Rusty, second and Ms. Virginia, after Morgan righted the filly and brought her from far back to finish third after being far back for most of the raced.

Sammi Punk, owned by Kurt Kilstock, Sherrill and Marvin Meyer, proved much the best for Tetrick in a 2:00.1 victory in a DSBF soph filly consolation trot. Star Commando (Morgan) was next with Shelbster (Ross Wolfenden) the show finisher. (Dover)

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