Delaware County Fair: Fighting Evil, Treasure Gems K shine in Standardbred

A pair of Standardbred events for 2-year-old fillies of both gaits took place on the undercard of the Jugette on Wednesday afternoon at the Delaware County Fair, with wins going to pacer Fighting Evil and trotter Treasure Gems K.

In the $39,406 Standardbred pace, Always B Laughin (Andy Miller) zoomed to the early lead from post two, but Fighting Evil (Mike Wilder) popped out of the pocket and took over control before the 27 4/5 opening quarter. Wilder backed the tempo down to just 58 seconds at the half, then had to pick it up again as Tava (Tim Tetrick) moved up first-over out of fourth.

Tava advanced into second at the 1:26 3/5 three-quarters and was able to keep plugging away around the far turn and through the stretch drive, but Fighting Evil dug in on the lead and kept her at bay, scoring by a neck in 1:54 2/5. Always B Laughin found a seam on the inside in the lane and was third.

"It's fantastic, especially with a little filly like this," said winning co-owner Jason Ash. "They've done a great job bringing her along slowly, and I'm super happy for the whole team involved."

Trainer Danielle Snyder also co-owns Fighting Evil, a daughter of Sweet Lou. Fighting Evil has a record of 4-2-1 from eight starts, and she has earned $81,023. She paid $2.40 to win as the 1-5 favorite.

Rookie trotting fillies went after a purse of $43,506 in their Standardbred tilt, and Queen Of All (Doug Rideout) put up fractions of 28 3/5, 59, and 1:28 4/5, with Treasure Gems K (Chris Page) making headway in the first-over position after coming out from third, and pocket-sitter Just Joshing (Andy Miller) angling out to follow her cover on the final bend.

Treasure Gems K forged her way past the tempo-setter in the lane and was able to get to the wire before a three-wide Just Joshing could reach her, tallying by a head in 1:59. Queen Of All faded to third.

Paul Reid trains Treasure Gems K, a daughter of Encore Encore, for owner/breeder Robert Key. Treasure Gems K broke her maiden in her seventh opportunity, and she has now pocketed $43,428. Dispatched at 7-1, she returned $14.40 to win.