Going Platinum showed no mercy as it triumphed in the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) late closer for three-year-old fillies on the trot at Bally’s Dover on Monday night, March 25, crossing the finish line in 1:58.2 and seizing the winner's portion of the $68,986 purse.
Rapid out of the gate, Going Platinum left competitors Laurieshappylinsy and FD Pure Platinum trailing as they were both forced to trot alongside, struggling to keep pace towards the quarter pole. Establishing dominance early on, Going Platinum maintained a swift pace, clocking in fractions of :29 flat to the quarter.
Driver Corey Callahan strategically slowed the pace to a :59.2 half, granting a brief respite with a :30.2 breather. Platinum Proposal made a move, shifting off the pylons to pursue Going Platinum first over down the backstretch. The three-year-old trotters remained neck and neck as they reached the three-quarters marker in 1:28.2.
As they entered the stretch, Going Platinum surged ahead, ultimately clinching victory by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:58.2, marking a new lifetime record. The victory came at odds of $3 for the win. Platinum Proposal secured second place, with Starfish finishing third.
Trained by Nick Callahan and owned by Breakaway Racing of Greenwood, Delaware, Going Platinum (E L Platinum-Nitroglide Hanover) continues her winning streak, remaining undefeated at three-for-three this year in the DSBF late closer. This achievement follows her impressive rookie campaign, where she secured a six-figure victory in a DSBF championship at Harrington Raceway.
As the Dover meet approaches its conclusion, this marks the final week of live harness racing. Bally’s Dover hosts races from Monday through Thursday, with post time set for 4:30 p.m.