by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs
DOVER, Del. — Almond Joy and Mystical Sunshine used similar come-from-behind tactics to secure victories in two $32,513 Matron Three-Year-Old Filly Trot elimination divisions on Wednesday, Nov. 10 at Dover Downs.
Almond Joy took a sweet victory in the opening Matron elim. Jacquie Ingrassia, one of the top women drivers in the sport, bided her time until reaching the homestretch then called on Almond Joy. The Enjoy Lavec filly responded by sweeping up on the outside to score a 1:56.4 triumph. Invincible Dream, owned by 50-12 Stable, took second honors for trainer-driver Jimmy Takter nipping Steve Anderson’s Rant N Rave, with Ross Wolfenden. The final qualifying filly was Menhammar Stuteri-leased In The Shell, piloted by Cat Manzi.
Arden Homestead Stable and Mrs. Ingrassia own the winner of $62,474 this campaign, who now has earned more than $106,924 in her two seasons of racing. The win was Almond Joy’s fourth in a row and fifth of the season.
After getting the lead at the start, Mystical Sunshine gave it up to L&L DeVisser’s Olympics (John Campbell) at the quarter. Eric Ledford then quickly followed, rushing James Jesk’s supplemented Bramasole (Eric Ledford) to take over on the clubhouse turn. Bramasole led until after the three-quarters when Ron Pierce took Mystical Sunshine out of third to engage the leader in a duel around the final turn. Mystical Sunshine then eased away to a 1-length victory in 1:56. Bramasole held on for second. Olympics was third. Menhammar Stuteri-leased Ivy Swinger, driven by David Miller, took the fourth and final qualifying spot for next Wednesday’s final.
The victory was the ninth in 19 races this season for Mystical Sunshine who is owned by Alvin Jacobson and Sidney Korn. The filly has been in all but three of her 2004 starts. She has now won $421,617 this season and $453,267 in her career.
Village Crusader N scored the fastest of two $40,000 Claiming paces on the undercard. Owned by Don Hawk, John Hynansky and trainer Dan Warrington, The winner was driven by Steve Warrington in 1:54.1. Butter Free (Bret Brittingham) was second in front of Mattnifesto (Ross Wolfenden).
David Miller got Wynfield Owings to the front and sped away from eight opponents for an easy 1:55.1 decision in the other $40,000 claimer. Bonn Rocket N (Brad Hanners) edged Dream About Me A (Ross Wolfenden) for second.
Sam Jacobs and Eltrita Annett’s Triple The Money, reined by Ross Wolfenden, made his last step count overtaking front-pacing Mr. Socks (Jim Morand) at the wire for a 1:55 win in an $11,000 conditioned pace. Crystal Bliss (Ron Pierce), the early leader finished third.
In another photo finish, Forrest Bartlett’s Marlars Trump Card won the stretch battle in 1:55 beating Tina’s Son (Mike Cole) and Dream Forever (Travis Bowman) in the other $11,000 pace.
Bill Emmons’ Bluechip Hanover A, overlooked at 7-1, notched the fastest clocking of the day, a 1:53.4 win in a $30,000 Claiming Pace. We’reanamericanpan (Ron Pierce) and Watch Hill (Vic Kirby) were second and third respectively.
Two $38,868 Matron trots, $22,000 Open trot on Thursday The Breeders Crown winner Yankee Slide and Justice Hall will head a pair of $38,868 Matron Stakes Eliminations for 3-year-old colt trotters at Dover Downs on Thursday, November 10, and the undercard will be topped by a $22,000 Open trot. First post will be at 4:30 p.m. (EST). Yankee Slide, owned by Joe Pennacchio of Highland Beach, Fla., came into his own when he scored as a 39-1 longshot, in 1:544, with Brian Sears at the controls in the Breeders Crown two weeks ago. The Yankee Glide colt will take on Ken Klein and Old Block Stables’ Al Dente Hanover, a $261,179 winner this year, who will be driven by David Miller. Classical Man, owned by Shootout and Four Starzzzz Stables, will be reined by Hall of Famer Michel Lachance. Another Hall of Famer, John Campbell, will pilot Double Down Stables’ Southwind Elian, and Manacuda, owned by M&L of Delaware who, like Southwind Elian, is also a First State-owned entrant. Covenant Standardbred’s Slick Agent will leave from the rail with Dave Palone in his sulky. Bottom Dollar Stable’s Coyote Creek, to be driven by Steve Smith; Ted Gewertz and American Viking Stable’s ENS Crescendo; Adkins, Scheelar, Kelk’s, Inc., and driver Ray Schnittker’s Armbro Barrister; and Al Libfeld’s homebred Jailhouse Joey, to be handled by Ron Pierce, will be the other starters. The second $38,868 elimination will be led by Justice Hall (John Campbell), owned by Mary Katz, Kevin Thomas, Berto Stable, and Nathan Fink, and by Arlene and Jules Siegel’s Show Me The Monet (Cat Manzi). They will be joined by several stakes-seasoned rivals. Local hopes center on Rocky Balboa, a mid-Summer purchase by Doc and Me, Inc. and Rojan Stables of Wilmington, Del.; Solomon Blue Chip (Trond Smedshammer); and Dream Photo Kosmos (Dave Palone), a $25,000 supplemental entry owned by Bill and Leslie Zendt. The rest of the field includes Alain Durivage’s De Retour (Pat Lachance), Mazzoni, Bauslaugh, DiCenzo, and Night Rouge Stable’s Amesbury (Steve Smith), Mike Davis’ Tremendous Hit (Brian Sears), Vern Devine and Doug Morton’s Omega Angel (Michel Lachance), and Dreamland Farms’ Dreamlands Big C (David Miller). Jake’s Nordic (Tim Curtin) will return from Freehold Raceway, where he has dominated feature trots. Dan and Tom Courtemanche’s Michigan-bred gelding has won 15 of 28 races this year and has banked $135,596 in purses. Two starters have two race wins streaks: John Lohnes Mic Mac Jack (Jim King, Jr.) and Trillium Racing’s Rickie (Jim Raymer). Tony Poliseno and Frank Ambrose’s local favorite Zizi’s Comet (Jim Morand) will make his first start since last spring at Dover. 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.