by Marv Bachrad, Publicity Director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — World champion Downbytheseaside eclipsed the $2 million mark with a victory in his $210,000 division of the Matron Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Thursday (Nov. 16) at Dover Downs. Joining the colt with their own Matron triumphs were Bill’s Man, who provided leading driver Tim Tetrick with the first of four wins, Agent Q in rein to Hall of Famer David Miller and Dream Together (Daniel Dube).

The passing lane was handy for driver Chris Page to collar front-pacing Filibuster Hanover (Yannick Gingras) in the final steps for a 1:50.1 victory on a chilly and windy night. Brian Brown trains the Somebeachsomewhere-Sprig Hanover colt, who is owned by Joe Sbrocco, Richard Lombardo, Country Club Acres and Diamond Creek Racing.

Bill’s Man wins over Devious Man in a new lifetime mark of 1:52.2 in his division of the Matron Stakes.

In what was his 12th win of the year, Downbytheseaside was placed in third by Page immediately after the pair left the starting gate and was content to allow Filibuster Hanover to establish the early fractions of :26.3, :55.4 and 1:23.1. Page kept the second betting choice in the pocket spot while Rock N Tony ranged up on his outside in second at the three-quarter pole.

As Rock N Tony retreated after his overland journey entering the stretch, his stablemate Eddard Hanover, one of three horses trained by Ron Burke in this race, paced into third position with Funknwaffles in hot pursuit. It initially appeared Page would steer Downbytheseaside to the outside to challenge Filibuster Hanover, but the colt’s driver opted for the rail route to down his rival by a neck in the shadow of the wire. Eddard Hanover (Tetrick) remained in third.

“(The) trip worked out well; a two-hole trip in the passing lane,” Page said in the winner’s circle. “I think this puts him over the $2 million mark so what else can you say?”

When questioned on whether North America Cup winner Fear The Dragon was superior to Downbytheseaside, trainer Brian Brown was quick to explain how pleased he is with both pacers prior to them facing one another in what may be the final career stakes appearance for each horse in the $35,000 eliminations for the Progress Pace on Wednesday (Nov. 22) at Dover Downs.

“Up until September there was a never a worry with either horse,” he said. “They were both good horses all year and always showed up, but then they just ran into some problems.

“I can’t tell you which one is better and they are completely opposite horses. Let the horses figure it out and we just hope post position and the trip doesn’t hurt either horse.”

M And L of Delaware, the nom de course for Ralph, Roz and Doug Paul, who are longtime harness patrons that usually have a propensity for pacers, now have a Matron trotting champion with their partner Bill Wiswell in Bill’s Man. Tetrick guided the horse from off the pace to score in a new lifetime best 1:52.2 over Devious Man (Andy Miller) with Top Flight Angel (Daniel Dube) in third in the $201,900 sophomore male trot.

Fotowon photos

Agent Q strides away from the field to capture her division of the Matron Stakes on Thursday evening at Dover Downs.

Breeders Crown champion What The Hill (David Miller) and Devious Man (Andy Miller) exchanged the lead prior to Bill’s Man closing with authority for his fifth win of the season. John Butenschoen conditions the son of Credit Winner-Silver Springs, who now has banked $454,446 this year.

David Miller and Agent Q came home first in the $182,700 Matron sophomore filly pace final. The daughter of Western Terror-Teenage Paige scored her 10th triumph of 2017 for Martin Scharf, Bob Muscara and Rochetti Cassar Racing. Aaron Lambert trains the winner of $1,137,620 lifetime. Idyllic Beach (Gingras) was runner-up with Tequila Monday (Brett Miller) in third. Agent Q stopped the clock in 1:51.

Determination’s Dream Together, handled by Dube, caught Evelyn (Andy Miller) at the wire by a nose to notch a 1:53.2 win for trainer Luc Blais in the $186,600 sophomore filly trot. The Muscle Hill-Danae 3-year-old won for the fourth time this year and this was the 13th occasion from 15 starts that she finished first, second or third. Race favorite Ice Attraction (Ake Svanstedt) finished third.

Mach It So, the oldest horse at age seven in the $30,000 Preferred Handicap, was a 1:50.3 winner. Jeff Bamond trains the Mach Three-Beach Dancer gelding for Bamond Stables. Sweet Rock (Vic Kirby) was second with Always At My Place (Gingras) in third. Ironically, Christen Me N was scratched after tying up and was actually born on this date.

Ken Wood, Bill Dittmar, Steve Iaquinta and Minisink Farms’ Cajon Lighting was at his best to win the $26,000 Open pace in 1:51.1 with Gingras in the bike. Arque Hanover (Corey Callahan) was a head back in second with Q’s Cruise (Tetrick) third.

Dover Downs now features a 50-cent Pick-5 wager starting with the second race through the sixth. A late daily double is carded for the 12th and 13th races.