by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

DOVER, Del. — The top sophomore pacers of the 2004 season are set for the flagship event of the prestigious Matron Stakes, the Matron Three-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Pace at Dover Downs on Monday, Nov. 29. There are two $35,218 elims with six contenders in each division. A powerful undercard features a $29,000 Preferred Handicap, a $26,000 Delaware Special, a $23,000 Open Handicap, an $18,500 Jr. Open and three $15,000 second round DSBF elimination divisions. Post time is 4:30 p.m. ET.

In the first Matron elim, John Field and Canamerica Capital Corp.’s Holborn Hanover, an upset winner for George Brennan in world record time of 1:49.3 in the $345,900 Progress Pace. Six days later winner of the $258,190 James B. Dancer Memorial at Freehold. Holborn Hanover meets the potent Perfect World Enterprises entry of Western Terror, driven by Brian Sears, and Geartogear, the fastest Ontario-bred colt, with driver Kevin Wallis. A beaten favorite finishing third in the Progress Pace, Western Terror was supplemented to last week’s $350,000 Windy City at Maywood where he scored a 1:53.4 win over a sloppy track.

The other starters in the 12th race Matron are Bendis, Campbell, Castelli and Varney’s Georgia Pacific, winner of the Windy City elim and second in the final, Jeff Langfelder, Norm and Gerald Smiley and TLP Stable’s fast leaving Metropolitan, a winner of $850,837 this year, who will be driven by Cat Manzi, and Squaw’s Fella, owned by Carol Pilger and Marland Dulaney who has the services of David Miller.

Two races later, a pair of Delaware-owned colts meet another Perfect World Enterprises’ owned entry, of $1 million winner Timesareachanging, with Ron Pierce in the bike, and Rapid Dialing, handled by Kevin Wallis. Quik Pulse Mindale, owned by Lloyd Arnold of Hartly, Del. drew the rail with top Chicago driver Tony Morgan driving. Art Director, recently purchased by Kovach Stables of Milford, Del. will have John Campbell driving. Peter Pan Stable’s The Preacher Pan, reined by Daniel Dube, and Ted Gewertz, the Franks and trainer Joe Holloway’s Driven To Win, with David Miller, complete the other elim division.

The first four finishers in each Matron elim return on Monday, Dec. 6 for a $210,000 final.

On a standout undercard Monday is the $29,000 Preferred Handicap Pace. Schoor-Racing and Val D’or Farms’ Soho (Brad Hanners) won an impressive 1:51.2 victory last week edging Fred Hertrich’s big-hearted Riptide Hall (Cat Manzi). Sam Jacobs and Charles Burris’ Cambest Prince (Ross Wolfenden) and Walter Hight, Tom Dillon and Crystal Ball Stable’s Ashlee’s Big Guy (Tim Curtin), winner of this event two weeks ago, head the nine horse field.

Jeff Franklin’s Clinton Debriefed (Travis Bowman) is the one to beat in the $26,000 Delaware Special. Morris and Christine Williams’ My Cap N (Brian Sears) closed fast to finish second with Crew Cut Zach, owned by Gary and Barbara Iles, finishing third last week. Helen Looney and JoAnn King’s Lamaze Hanover (Jim King Jr.), winner of this event two weeks ago, and Bruce Fisher and Lindsay Green’s Jacksbrotherjoe (Jim Morand) lead a strong group of rivals.

Also on the exceptional 15-race program is a $23,000 Open Pace. Laham, Franklin and Crystal Ball Stable’s Crystal Art (Jim Morand), Graham Grace Stables’ Instigator (Jon Roberts), Ron MacArthur’s Cocky Cam Shark (Vic Kirby) and Kilowatt (Mike Cole), owned by Rojan Stable and Doc&Me Inc. are in the nine horse lineup.

Again this week, there are three $15,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) elimination divisions. Chester and Deborah Lebo’s Wireless Hanover (Jim Morand), and Adam Victor & Son Stable’s Oozie’s Bad Boy, elim winners last week, look tough in the first division. Open Shot (Jim Morand), leased by Joe and JoAnn Thomson, John Celii and Erv Miller, and KDK Standardbreds’ Valerin K (Brian Sears) lead the second $15,000 DSBF elim. The third division is a toss up with Gloria Myers’ Pinehaven Lucky (Bobby Myers), Scott Woogen’s Winsmith Buddy (Vic Kirby) and Jack Molesworth’s Badlands Hunter (George Dennis) among the eight contenders. The top eight point getters in DSBF elims return on Wednesday, Dec. 8 for a $100,000 final.

Monday through Wednesday post time is 4:30 p.m. No live racing Fridays. Saturday and Sunday races start at 5:30 p.m. There is no charge for parking or admission. Reservations are suggested for the Winner’s Circle Restaurant – 302-674-4600.

Race 12 – $35,218 Matron elimination
No. Colt PP Driver ML odds
1 Geartogear 1 ` Kevin Wallis 4-5
1A Western Terror 5 Brian Sears 4-5
2. Georgia Pacific 2 John Campbell 3-1
3. Holborn Hanover 3 George Brennan 5-2
4. Squaws Fella 4 David Miller 15-1
5. Metropolitan 6 Ron Pierce 12-1

Race 14 – $35,218 Matron elimination
1 Timesareachanging 2 Ron Pierce 7-5
1A Rapid Dialing 5 Kevin Wallis 7-5
2 Quik Pulse Mindale 1 Tony Morgan 4-5
3. Art Director 3 John Campbell 12-1
4. The Preacher Pan 4 Dan Dube 15-1
5. Driven To Win 6 David Miller 10-1