by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs
Dover, DE — A pair of two-year-olds with strong state of Delaware ties turned in explosive victories as the Matron Stakes Finals began on Saturday, November 13 at Dover Downs. Fast Ruffles breezed to a track record 1:52.4 victory in one of the two Matron two-year-old filly finals while Ladymatic pulled a stunning upset in the other. First State-owned campaigner Ladymatic, owned by M & L Of Delaware, moved three wide for George Brennan after the three-quarters and around the final turn and then wore down heavily favored Solveig before pulling away to a surprisingly easy 1:57.4 victory in the $189,450 Matron Final for freshman filly trotters. The victory was a memorable career first for the daughter of Muscles Yankee after two seconds and two thirds in her previous eight races. Solveig, a six-time winner in 10 starts, owned by Christina Takter, Jon Fielding and Anderberg Stable, finished second with David Miller driving, after cutting out most of the mile from after the opening quarter. Bluestone Farms’ Flawless Bluestone, with John Campbell, raced evenly to finish third. The other starters receiving checks were Twin B Senorita (Ray Schnittker), leased by Jim Burke, John Hamilton and Blue Chip Partners, and Lindy Racing Stable’s lightly raced Nana’s Best (Brian Sears), fourth and fifth respectively. There was no doubt in the $189,225 Matron for two-year-old filly pacers as Fast Ruffles, owned by Lew Arno and Fred Hertrich, paced to a track record 1:52.4 conquest, coming within a fifth of a second of the world record for age, gender and gait. Ron Pierce drove the Western Hanover-sired bay into the lead at the quarter and then bid adieu to her six rivals after Taport Erin was scratched. Piermont Farms’ Crystal Slipper and Cat Manzi got as close as three lengths at the top of the stretch, but Fast Ruffles’ :28 final panel made the distance four and three-quarter lengths at the finish. Another Delaware-owned distaff, Lloyd Arnold’s homebred Arts Bid, after taking a shot at Fast Ruffles after the half, raced gamely for Andy Miller to finish third. Born Storyteller, off at 46-1, was in contention early for Jon Roberts, and then settled for fourth in front of The Cheyenne Gang’s Cheyenne Adrienne, with David Miller, who secured fifth place. It was a good night for Ron Pierce, who in addition to Fast Ruffles, drove another winner, Slick Lil Juno in an $11,300 Delaware Owned Pace. Other drivers with doubles included Steve Warrington, one with an 11-1 shot Homeward Ironstone, Eddie Davis, who guided Reachforthestars home at 37-1, and Jim Morand, the track’s defending dash winner, who steered the last two winners on the card. Big Sunday at Dover The biggest day of the early 2004-2005 Dover Downs season is set for Sunday, November 14 with the $345,900 Progress Pace Final plus the $204,550 Matron two-year-old colt trot Final topping the 15 race card. First post is 5:30 p.m. In the eighth renewal of the Progress Pace, its second highest purse of $345,900 is on the line as eight of the finest colts of the season tangle. Ironically, both winners of $35,000 Progress Pace elims last week form a two-horse entry. Western Terror, Breeders Crown winner, driven by Brian Sears, and $1 million winning gelding Timesareachanging, the richest three-year-old pacer of the season, driven by Ron Pierce, are both trained by Brett Pelling and owned by Perfect World Enterprises. Last Sunday, they registered 1:50.3 and 1:53 victories respectively. A second entry is owned by John Fielding and Canamerica Capital Corporation. Holborn Hanover, winner of the $1 million Meadowlands Pace, with driver George Brennan, and a budding star, Crombes Last Laugh, is also owned by E. Stephen Scarff. Brendan Johnson drives the Kentucky Sires Stakes Final winner. Not to be overlooked is Quik Pulse Mindale, owned by Lloyd Arnold, who leaves from post one with Chicago racing’s perennial leader, Tony Morgan driving. In September, Quik Pulse Mindale equaled the world record of 1:48 for a three-year-old pacing colt on a mile track. Other fast contenders are Jay Langfelder, TLP Stable, Norman and Gerald Smiley’s Messenger Stakes winner, Metropolitan, driven by John Campbell, Squaw’s Fella, a New York Sires Stakes champ owned by Carol Pilger and Marland Dulaney, and New Jersey Futurity winner All My Life, owned by Deena Frost and Sampson Street Stables, with Jim Morrill, Jr. driving. The second major event is the $204,550 Matron freshman trot final. Last week, Strong Yankee, a lightly raced son of Muscles Yankee, scored his first career win in only his fourth start, drawing off to a wire-to-wire 1:57.2 victory in the elim. Trainer-driver Trond Smedshammer handles the colt for the Strong Yankee Stable. Have A Dream Stable’s Green Dot, with Dave Palone in the bike, and Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund champion Med Vac, driven by John Campbell for owners Adam Victor and Son Stable, each paid a $20,000 supplement to start. Seal Stable and driver Ray Schnittker’s Clearaway, Penn Stix, leased by Ole Bach Nielsen and piloted by Ron Pierce, Christina Takter and Lindy Racing Stable’s Manopoly, David Miller, Bill Solomon and Emposimato Stable’s Mr Dream OM, reined by Jim Doherty, and Bob Key’s homebred American Explorer, with Brad Hanners, are the other starters. Weekend racing begins at 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday post time is 4:30 p.m. There is no charge for admission or parking. Reservations are suggested for the Winner’s Circle Restaurant. Call (302) 674-4600.