by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs
DOVER, Del. — Yankee Slide and Justice Hall won their respective $38,868 Matron Three-Year-Old Colt Trot eliminations, setting the table for next week’s $258,214 final on the Veteran’s Day co-feature races at Dover Downs on Thursday, Nov. 11.
Joe Pennacchio’s Yankee Slide proved his recent Breeders Crown win was no fluke. Brian Sears drove the son of Self Possessed to a 1:54.2 track record in one of two $38,868 elims. Sears guided Yankee Slide into the lead and then set the entire tempo in his record mile. Al Libfeld’s Jailhouse Joey closed for Ron Pierce to take second money. ENS Crescendo, owned by Ted Gewertz and American Viking Racing and trained and driven by Trond Smedshammer, finished third. The fourth qualifying spot was taken by Al Dente Hanover, owned by Ken Klein and Old Block Stables, with David Miller at the controls.
In the other $38,868 elim, Justice Hall, who has raced in all the top trotting events this season, recorded his fifth victory of the year in the first Matron elim. John Campbell rushed the Garland Lobell colt into the early lead then fought off a determined bid from Arlene and Jules Siegel’s Show Me The Monet piloted by Cat Manzi from the half to mid-lane. Justice Hall then pulled away, with the Ron Pierce-driven local entry Rocky Balboa, owned by Rojan Stables of Wilmington, Del. and Doc & Me Inc. of Camden, Del getting up for second. Einari Kalle Vidgren’s Solomon Blue Chip closed to finish third for Trond Smedshammer in front of Bill and Leslie Zendt’s Dream Photo Kosmos, handled by Dave Palone.
The first four in each elim return next Thursday for the $258,214 Matron Final.
David Miller’s second win came steering Mary Witko’s Passing Point, who had just enough to hold on for a 1:57.2 victory in the $22,000 Open Handicap Trot. Rickie (Jim Raymer) closed with a rush to within a half-length at the wire to finish second. Zizi’s Comet (Jim Morand) came on strong for third money.
Post 8 was no trouble for Ed and George Hobbs’ Love You Most. Eddie Dennis left fastest of all with the Yankee Glide five-year-old mare to get the lead before the first turn and then bid farewell to six rivals en route to a 1:56.2 triumph in a $16,000 Winners-Over Trot. Bullville Sue (Daryl Bier) was second in front of Meadowagogo (Hal Belote).
In a $25,000 Claiming Pace, Pat and Doug Whaley’s Best Of Luck got up in the final strides for Eddie Davis Jr. to edge Primus Sammy (Kevin Sizer) at the wire in 1:54.3. Torben (George Dennis) was a close third.
Two $189,000 Matron Stakes Eliminations on Saturday The magic number is $189,000; that’s the approximate purse being offered in each of two Matron Stakes Finals for 2-year-old fillies, to be raced back-to-back in races eight and nine on Saturday. First post will be at 5:30 p.m. (EST). The Matron Stakes Final for 2-year-old filly trotters will offer a purse of $189,450. Last week, Solveig, owned by John Fielding, Cristina Takter and Anderberg Stable, notched a wire-to-wire, 2:001 victory in a $63,150 Matron Elimination. For Solveig, it was her sixth win in nine races this year, which included the Champlain Stakes and Oakville Stakes in Ontario, and the International Stallion Stakes and Kentucky Sire Stakes in Kentucky. David Miller, last year’s leading moneywinning driver will again team with Solveig, in what will be her final start of the yeawr. The challengers will be led by the second place finisher in Solveig’s elimination, Ladymatic, owned by M&L of Delaware and to be driven by George Brennan, and the New York Sire Stakes Final winner Twin B Senorita, with Ray Schnittker in the bike. Lindy Racing Stable’s Nana’s Best, with Brian Sears to drive, drew the rail, and Sole Mate and driver Steve Smith will start alongside the former. John Campbell will drive Bluestone Farms’ Flawless Bluestone. Bob Key’s Tana Star, to be handled by Brad Hanners, and Let It Ride Stables’ Color Coded, shackled with post position eight, will be driven by Ron Pierce. A purse of $189,225 will be up for grabs in the Matron Stakes Final for 2-year-old filly pacers. Last Saturday, Ron Pierce drove Fast Ruffles, owned by Lew Arno and Fred Hertrich III of Seaford, Del., and overpowered 10 opponents and won a $63,075 Matron Stakes Elimination, in which Piermont Farms’ Crystal Slipper (Cat Manzi) streaked from seventh at the half-mile and finished second at 55-1. Schwartz, DeLucia, Wallace, and the Minkoff Estate’s Artistic Hanover (George Brennan) finished third in the elimination, but must start from the outside, post position eight, in the final. The rest of the starters will be the Cheyenne Gang’s Cheyenne Adrienne (Brad Hanners); the locally owned Arts Bid, who will have Tony Morgan driving for Lloyd Arnold of Harley, Del.; and Jill Roland and LaExpress Stable’s Tarport Erin (John Campbell), who should benefit leaving from the rail. Charles Krippendorf and Pine Creek Stables’ Western Moon (Sam Beegle) and Ron Mario’s Born Storyteller (Jon Roberts), who has had poor racing luck in his last two starts, will complete the starting lineup. Dover Downs has added a Pick 4 to its wagering format, and it will be featured on the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh races each day, and a fifth Superfecta has been added to the track’s daily, six-day-a-week, 15 race schedule. Superfectas will be offered on the third, fifth, ninth, 13th, and 15th races. Simulcasting from major harness and Thoroughbred tracks is featured daily, from noon until midnight (EST). Again this year, Dover Downs will race on Saturday and Sunday, beginning at 5:30 p.m., and on Monday through Thursday, post time will be at 4:30 p.m. There is no charge for parking and admission. Reservations are suggested for the Winner’s Circle Restaurant. Call (302) 674-4600.