by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — The start of Dover Downs’ 2015-16 season is around the corner. The 98-day meet kicks off on Monday (Nov. 2), beginning another six-month long campaign ending on April 7, 2016.

The meet features top horses, top stables, top drivers and 15-races a day four days a week in November and December with Friday, Saturday and Sunday being dark days. Post time is 4:30 p.m.

In January and February, Sunday racing is added to the weekday schedule. Sunday post time is 5:30 p.m. In March and April, only weekday racing resumes, through April 7.

In addition to the usual outstanding racing, on Monday (Nov. 30), track patrons will receive the new Hap Hansen Progress Pace hat.

A star-studded, $4 million in purses will be headed by the track’s signature event, the $400,000 Hap Hansen Progress Pace, which highlights an outstanding 18-stakes program. North America’s top horses and drivers headline the ‘Novemberfest of Racing.’

Stakes action is plentiful in November. On Thursday (Nov. 5), all four 2-year-old Matron Stakes will be featured. The top Matron 3-year-old pacers and trotters meet on Nov. 12.

Later in the month, $30,000 Hap Hansen Progress Pace eliminations on Nov. 23 set the stage for the $300,000 final on Nov. 30.

Also in November, the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund program for First State-sired 2-year-olds gets underway on Nov. 5 with the first of two $20,000 preliminary legs, culminating with four $100,000 finals.

In April, DSBF prelims and finals for 3-year-olds are scheduled.

Corey Callahan, leading driver at the track for the last six meets, heads a strong driver colony while Dylan Davis seeks a second consecutive leading trainer crown.

There is no charge for admission or parking at Dover Downs. Fans can dine and watch racing from the Dover Downs Winner’s Circle Dining Room. Reservations are suggested, call 302.674.4600.