Delaware River leads every step

Delaware River was allowed to set a slow early pace and led wire to wire in the $74,250 Willy Wank for Pennsylvania-breds at Presque Isle Downs on Friday evening.

Trained by Bill Campbell, Delaware River set fractions of 25.72 seconds, 50.90, and 1.14.84 in the

1 1/8-mile race before drawing clear to win by a length under jockey Ryan Fogelsonger.

Captain Ernie closed ground late to run second, 2 1/4 lengths ahead of favored Tejanos Eliminator in third.

Under Dale Beckner, the leading rider at the meet, Tejanos Eliminator rallied to duel with the winner after a half-mile, but weakened and dropped back. Delaware River was timed in 1.51.95 over the Tapeta surface, a track record for the seldom run distance at the relatively new track. Delaware River returned $6 to win in the field of six.