Dover: Gaitway Guy, Marshal Dillon prevail in DSBF tests

Gaitway Guy ($2.10) maintained the top spot among Delaware-sired 3-year-old male pacers with a 1:55 win in his $20,000 first round division of the Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund (DSBF) series on Thursday (Nov. 30) at Bally's Dover. Marshal Dillon ($11.00) captured the other split in 1:56.

Driver Corey Callahan eased Gaitway Guy off the gate and settled him fourth behind 21-1 shot Delightinhisglory (driven by Tim Tetrick) on the first turn before brushing to control just past a 27 4/5 first quarter. The Delmarvalous-Brussels Hanover gelding coasted unchallenged through middle splits of 57 2/5 and 1:26 1/5 before keeping Delightinhisglory, who pulled the pocket in upper stretch, a length at bay at the winning post. Notte's Mist (Allan Davis) was a ground-saving third after stalking the top pair throughout.

Jeffrey Smith trains Gaitway Guy, an 11-time winner from 15 starts with $239,400 in career earnings, for owner-breeder GTY Stable.

In the other division, Marshal Dillon rode the pocket to victory in his debut for trainer Kevin Lare. Tony Morgan landed the Badlands Hanover-Eagle Molly gelding behind early pace-setter Night Terror (Davis) through a 27 4/5 first split, and the pair sat chilly while Night Terror contended with a first-over challenge from Georgy T (Montrell Teague) up the backstretch. Marshal Dillon wedged out of the pocket at the eighth pole and burst to the lead, downing Night Terror by a widening length. Cards A Flyin (Corey Callahan) swung three-wide off stalling cover turning for home and finished third.

Briskey Stables LLC. owns Marshal Dillon, who has won six times and earned $58,423 in his career.

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The second round of the Dover DSBF series for 3-year-olds will take place Dec. 4-7, with trotting fillies meeting Monday, male trotters Tuesday, pacing fillies Wednesday, and male pacers Thursday. The top eight point earners in each division after the second preliminary round will qualify for their respective $110,000 finals the following week.

--press release (DSBF)--