Alsace Hanover favored in Progress Pace
November 10, 2011,by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications
Freehold, NJ — Stakes action at Dover Downs on Sunday (Nov. 13) sees Adios champion Alsace Hanover as the 6-5 morning line favorite in the $330,000 Progress Pace for 3-year-olds.
He has won eight of 16 races this year, including his Progress Pace elim by a nose over Rock To Glory in 1:50.1, and earned $791,170. He will start from post three with driver Ron Pierce for trainer Tony O’Sullivan.
Fashion Delight won the other Progress elim, beating Avenue Hanover by one length in 1:52.1. He drew post seven for driver George Brennan and trainer Jim Campbell.
The remainder of the field is Samandar, Mr Tommy Fra, Westwardho Hanover, and Lookinforadventure.
Chapter Seven drew post No. 3 in Sunday’s $174,940 Matron Stakes for 3-year-old male trotters. Hambletonian winner Broad Bahn also is among the field’s eight horses, along with Pennsylvania Sire Stakes champion Opening Night.
Last weekend, Chapter Seven and driver Tim Tetrick won the Matron elim by three-quarters of a length over Broad Bahn in 1:53.4. Chapter Seven has won four consecutive races, including the Breeders Crown, for owners Richard Gutnick, Gary Cocco, Southwind Farm and Jerry Silva. For the year, he has five victories in nine starts and $676,657 in purses.
Rounding out the field are Big Rigs, Magnum Kosmos, I’m The Answer, Bambino Hall, and Big Sky Storm.
Breeders Crown winner Cedar Dove is the 6-5 favorite in the $151,990 Matron for 3-year-old trotting fillies. She won the elimination race by a half-length over Beatgoeson Hanover in 1:55.2. Cedar Dove starts from post six with Pierce driving for trainer Noel Daley.The rest of the field is Jezzy, Firstclassprincess, Love N Hate, Crys Dream, Hey Mister, and Martiniontherocks.
Drop The Ball is the 3-5 favorite in the six-horse $116,000 Matron for 3-year-old filly pacers. She won the event’s prep race by 2-1/4 lengths over Strike An Attitude in 1:51.4. Drop The Ball, who was second in the Breeders Crown, will be driven by Yannick Gingras for trainer Jeff Webster and start from post four.
The rest of the Matron field is Foxy Lady, Southwind Jazmin, Myluvmylife, and Hasty Pulse.