Melvin G, the heavy 1-20 favourite, delivered a career-best performance in 1:57.2, claiming his fifth consecutive victory during the second of two $27,778 Delaware Standardbred Breeders' Fund (DSBF) first-round preliminary heats for two-year-old male trotters on Tuesday, November 12, at Bally's Dover.
Guided by Jim Morand, Melvin G surged from post seven at the start, effortlessly overtaking Chex Check, driven by Tony Morgan, to lead after a :28.3 opening quarter. From there, the E L Platinum-Jersey Punk gelding remained unchallenged, building a lead of 4-1/2 lengths through middle splits of :57.4 and 1:27.3. At the wire, he secured a 2-3/4-length victory over Chex Check, while Yale, piloted by Art Stafford Jr., rallied late to take third.
Trained by Les Givens, Melvin G has now won five of his eight starts, amassing $132,297 in earnings for owners Legacy Racing of Delaware and Nanticoke Racing. He rewarded backers with a $2.10 win payout.
The first division saw Wolfpack Cheddar, driven by Corey Callahan, earn his maiden victory in 2:00.2, outpacing runner-up Bucky Highway, with Delaware Xactly finishing third. Trained by Nick Callahan, the Anders Bluestone-Filly Cheese Stake gelding races for Stuart Chambers Racing, BCJM Inc., and Divine Horse Racing, paying $2.40 to win.
Bally's Dover continues its DSBF series today, November 13, with three $20,000 first-round divisions for two-year-old pacing fillies. The 15-race card kicks off at 4:30 p.m. EST, promising more excitement on the track.