Two Longshots Win $20,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders' Fund Events

Overlooked at long odds, 26-1 longshot Franchesca and 16-1 choice Angel In Flight both came from behind to win their respective $20,000 first-round Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund preliminary events for 2-year-old trotting fillies on Monday, Nov. 9, at Bally’s Dover.

During the second division, driver Russell Foster steered Franchesca away from post six to settle into a third-hole position behind 8-5 second choice Daringly, steered by Corey Callahan, and 1-5 favorite Vamoose, driven by Eddie Dennis. Those two favorites previously finished one-two in the $110,000 DSBF Harrington series final on Oct. 14.

After drafting behind fractions of 28 1/5, 57 1/5, and 1:26 3/5, Franchesca mounted her winning rally off the turn for home. Advancing three-wide past pocket rival Vamoose, she powered through the final sixteenth to triumph by a growing half-length in 1:56 1/5, eclipsing her previous lifetime best by a full five seconds.

Vamoose vacated the pocket in the upper stretch to save second over Daringly, who finished a beaten third after controlling the tempo for most of the mile.

William Wyatt trains two-time winner Franchesca, a daughter of Southwind Frank-Stirling Charisma, competing as a homebred for Eric Foster. The filly paid $55.80 to win.

The first section of the preliminary events delivered an equally stark reversal of expectations. Angel In Flight sat fourth behind Diamond Advantage through splits of 29 3/5, 59, and 1:29 1/5.

With driver Corey Callahan in the sulky, the filly angled second-over behind even-money favorite Dassie on the final turn. She then fanned three-wide in the upper stretch before rallying to collar Dassie by a head in 1:59 4/5.

She Is Unstoppable finished a one-paced fourth from the pocket and was elevated to third over Diamond Advantage, who broke stride at the finish.

Trainer Tom Lail co-owns Angel In Flight with Linda Mowbray. The Top Flight Angel-Silent Blessings filly was bred by Winbak Farm and paid $34.40 for her maiden-breaking victory.

Driver Corey Callahan dominated the 15-race card by steering four winners, while Michael Cole and Tony Morgan each recorded doubles. Trainer Joe Columbo recorded a training double.

Racing returns to Bally’s Dover on Tuesday, Nov. 10. The upcoming 15-race card showcases a $25,000 Open Trot as race seven, alongside three $20,000 DSBF Dover series opening round contests for freshman male trotters placed in races one, two, and four.

Wagering interest centers on the 50-cent pentafecta in the final race, which carries a $3,906.32 carryover into a first post time of 4:30 p.m. (EST).

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