Dover: Kodack Black, Paleface victorious in Tuesday's DSBF races

Kodack Black lived up to his prohibitive 1-20 favoritism in the second of two $20,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders' Fund (DSBF) first round preliminary events for 3-year-old male trotters on Tuesday (Nov. 28) at Bally's Dover by way of a commanding 1:58 3/5 score, while Paleface rode the pocket to score in the other division.

Kodack Black, who won the summer DSBF series title at Harrington Raceway in July, looked strong in kicking off his quest for a second DSBF title, sprinting to the early lead in line to Montrell Teague before yielding control briefly to Perfect Twenty (driven by Victor Kirby) and immediately retaking for the top after a 29 2/5 first quarter. With a lap to go, Perfect Twenty broke stride, enabling Royal Mistake (Justin Vincent) to inherit second, but Kodack Black maintained a clear lead on his four rivals through middle splits of 59 and 1:28 3/5. The gelded son of Kodak Lindy-Love On Broadway drew 9 1/4 lengths clear to record his ninth win of the season. Hespookshescores (Russell Foster), who saved ground the entire journey, lifted up the open stretch to collar Royal Mistake for second in the final 50 yards.

Kodack Black, a 12-time winner with $197,979 in career earnings, is trained by Clyde Francis for George Teague Jr. Inc., David Collins and Lakiyah Teachey. He paid $2.10 to win.

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The first division, conducted as a non-wagering event, saw Paleface and trainer-driver Ross Shand sit behind Reddy Fox (Art Stafford Jr.) through splits of 30, 1:00 2/5 and 1:30 4/5 before emerging out of the pocket turning for home. The Anders Bluestone-Victory Starburst gelding reeled in Reddy Fox in mid-stretch and edged clear by 1 1/4 lengths to win in 2:01 2/5. Youngbuck (Corey Callahan) finished third after his brief first-over challenge stalled off the far turn.

Paleface, a seven-time winner, has earned $74,712 for owner-breeder Shirley Shand.

Wednesday's (Nov. 29) DSBF action features 3-year-old pacing fillies squaring off in a pair of $20,000 first round preliminary events, scheduled at the top of a 15-race card. First post is 4:30 p.m. (EST).

--press release (DSBF)--