by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — The Matron Stakes continue with four lucrative 2-year-old finals on Saturday, Nov. 10, at Dover Downs. Post time is 5:30 p.m.

The Matron colt pace final offers a $266,950 purse. Last Saturday, Badlands Nitro equaled a 17-year-old record set by Artsplace in winning the 1990 Breeders Crown at Pompano Park when Wayne Long hustled the Badlands Hanover colt to a 13-1/2 length victory in his $37,825 Matron elim for breeder John Celii and Teague Inc.

The other colt elim went to the Real Artist gelding First Rate, owned by Pot Luck Stable, scoring his sixth consecutive win with Tony Morgan steering in wire-to-wire fashion in 1:53.1.

The second place finishers, Bob Key’s Dragoon K with Tim Tetrick, and Fred Monteleone Stable’s Dontloseyourdayjob, driven by George Brennan, will start from outside posts seven and eight, respectively.

Arterosa, driven by Corey Callahan for owners Kal Liebowitz and Steve Scarff, and Burke, Puliano and Chiovetta’s My Wagons Dragon, teamed with Yannick Gingras, finished third in their elims. Hutt Racing Stable’s Artic Stretch, Brian Sears driving, and Meant To Be Me, leaving from the rail with Ron Pierce, are the other contestants.

A field of eight Matron colt trotters vie for $244,024. James McAuliffe’s Lear Jetta and Tim Tetrick won for the ninth time in 10 races, taking their $37,338 colt trot elim. Arlene and Jules Siegel’s homebred Manhattan, handled by David Miller, was the winner of the second elim.

Takter, Fleming, Camara and Oweida’s Waterstone was the fastest second place finisher with Ron Pierce at the controls. Kjell Johansson’s Conway AS, driven by Tim Tetrick’s younger brother, Trace, also finished second. Third-place finishers were M&L Of Delaware’s Di Manggio, reined by George Brennan, and Yankee Matthew, owned by Scott Kurzrok, Stable 45 and trainer Mark Harder. Yankee Matthew will be teamed with Dave Palone, leaving from post eight. Ray Schnittker trains and drives Make It Happen for Adkins, Taylor, Eat My Dust and Daisy Acres Stables and WCB Racing Stable’s Little Moon Lake and Mike Lachance complete the lineup.

The $231,650 Matron filly pace is led by Peter Heffering, David Reid and trainer Mark Steacy’s Stylish Artist, winner of the fastest elim with George Brennan steering a 1:52.4 victory. The other elim went to Cheyenne Gang’s Cheyenne Trish and David Miller.

Lomangino Standardbreds’ Happy Dreamer and Ron Pierce and David Banks’ Artexpress with Tim Tetrick start from the outside posts while Ready To Win, third in the elim for Yannick Gingras, drew the rail. The other third-place finisher, Jason and trainer-driver Toby Lynch’s Thong, has post four. The other starters are Good News Lady, who is owned by Christina Takter, Brittany Farms and Val d’Or Farms, and will be driven by Mike Lachance, and Patricia Stable’s Chocolate Art, with Brain Sears.

The Matron filly trot carries a $194,550 purse. Mario Mazza’s Diana Hall won the fastest $32,425 elim with trainer Trond Smedshammer piloting a late finishing 1:57.3 decision. The Like A Prayer freshman drew the rail. Brian Sears steered Celebrity Farms’ Celebrity Tribute to an untested 1:59.3 win in the other elim.

Rodney and brother Kenny Mitchell, Bobby Myers and Teague Inc.’s Timeless Winner led until mid-stretch and settled for second with Yannick Gingras at the controls. The third finishing fillies were David McDuffee and Irving Liverman’s Berry Nice Muscles with Tim Tetrick, and Winbak Brat, driven by Ron Pierce for Martin Stembert and Alvin Katz. Tom Lail’s It’s Coast Time with Cat Manzi and Lindy Racing Stable’s Lindy’s Heiress and Mike Lachance complete the lineup.

The big Sunday, Nov. 11, program is headed by the $350,900 Progress Pace and three lucrative Matron finals for sophomores.

Weekend post times are 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday racing starts at 4:30 p.m. No racing on Friday. There is no charge for admission or parking. Reservations are suggested for the Winner’s Circle Restaurant. Call (302) 674-4600.