Delaware County Fair: Dunn sweeps Buckette contests

Dexter Dunn was the victorious driver in both $41,100 Buckette divisions for 3-year-old filly trotters on Wednesday afternoon at the Delaware County Fair, taking Caviart Eva and Spoiled Princess to the winner's circle.

In the opening split, Dunn and Caviart Eva yielded to sit in the two-hole behind Hannah (Andy Miller) before the 28 1/5 opening quarter and bided their time in that the second position through a half of 57 1/5 and a three-quarters of 1:25 4/5. Dunn angled Caviart Eva to the outside passing three-quarters, and the Nancy Takter-trained Caviart Eva advanced up quickly to join Hannah on the front-end on the final bend. Caviart Eva then surged by the leader in the lane before she pulled clear to win by two lengths in 1:54. Hannah held second, and Skyway Tinacious (Peter Wrenn) came in third.

"First time I've driven her, but I've raced against her all season. She's put in some big miles. Obviously the question was getting around the half, but she got around here really good," said Dunn. "I think Nancy decided to put a gaiting pole on her after she warmed her up around here, and it really worked for her around here. She was very strong at the finish."

Caviart Farms bred and owns Caviart Eva, a daughter of Trixton. This was her fifth career win, and she has now earned $124,040. She was the 2-5 favorite and paid $2.80 to win.

The roles between Dunn and Miller were reversed in the other grouping as Miller and Queen Of The Hill gave way to follow Dunn and Spoiled Princess prior to the 28 4/5 quarter. Dunn then backed down the tempo to 58 3/5 at the half and 1:27 3/5 at the three-quarters. Miller gave his charge her cue going to three-quarters, but she went backwards after tipping out, allowing Deswanslittlelorie (Aaron Merriman) to inherit the pocket position around the final bend.

Merriman then vacated the pylons in the lane to take a run at Spoiled Princess, but Spoiled Princess was too tough after the easy pace, holding sway to prevail by three-parts of a length in 1:55 2/5. Caviart Giulia (David Miller) finished third but was off-stride when she went across the wire. After an inquiry, she was placed back to fifth, elevating Queen Of The Hill from fourth to third.

"She's raced good all season. She's raced against top fillies and done a really good job," remarked Dunn. "She's got a really big, long stride on her, and she got around pretty good. She was just a little shaky on the first and third turn here. I don't know if she was looking at the paddock gate there or not, but we just talked to her a little bit, got her through it, and she went a good half."

Spoiled Princess, another filly by Trixton, is trained by Nifty Norman for owners/breeders Robert McNerney and Hauser Bros Rcng Ent LLC. She now has a record of 6-0-3 from 18 lifetime efforts, and she has now pocketed $136,086. She was the 6-5 second choice and returned $4.60 to win.