by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — On a speed-filled night of racing, Georgia Pacific lowered his own world record when he scored a dramatic 1:49¹ victory at 17-1 in the $236,314 Matron Stakes Final for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings at Dover Downs on Monday. In addition, Brian Sears drove six winners and 11 of the 15 races were won in 1:54 or faster.

Dover Downs photo

Georgia Pacific, obscured on the inside, lowered his own world record when he won the Matron Stakes Final on Monday evening

In the final Matron Stakes of 2004, John Campbell, the sport’s all-time leading moneywinning driver, who drove Georgia Pacific, took the lead following a blistering first half-mile. They then held off a powerful charge mounted by Holborn Hanover and scored their 1:49¹ victory and beat what was, arguably, the finest field of sophomore pacers assembled this year.

Geartogear, driven by Hall of Famer Cat Manzi, who was substituting for regular driver Kevin Wallis, who was unable to fly to Dover due to Canadian weather conditions, grabbed the early lead and took the quick field to the quarter pole in a stunning :25⁴. Geartogear, a 1:49⁴ Matron Stakes Elimination winner last week, and one of four Perfect World Enterprises-owned entrymates, led to the half-mile pole, reached in :53⁴, at which point Campbell called on Georgia Pacific — and as the field straightened out on the backstretch he took the lead.

Brian Sears, who drove six winners during the program, then sent Western Terror after the leader, and Holborn Hanover was right behind. A few steps later, George Brennan had ushered Holborn Hanover three-wide as they approached the three-quarter pole, which was passed in a fast 1:21, and then began to close stoutly and make up ground on the leader as they raced down the lane. Campbell and Georgia Pacific, however, had just enough left to hold off John Fielding and Canamerica Capital Corp.’s Holborn Hanover, who was the winner of the $345,900 Progress Pace last month, at the wire. The victory was confirmed after examination of the photo finish.

Two members of the entry, Timesareachanging (Ron Pierce) and Rapid Dialing (Daniel Dube) stormed down the lane and finished third and fourth respectively. A local favorite, Quik Pulse Mindale, owned by Lloyd Arnold of Hartly, Del. and driven by Tony Morgan, earned fifth place money.

“This was one of the most competitive fields I’ve seen,” said winning driver Campbell. “Last week (Georgia Pacific) was a little bullish when I drove him (racing off the pace), this week I knew I had to get him going at the half — and he did the rest.”

Georgia Pacific had a reputation of being good in eliminations for top stakes — but not at his best in finals.

“He’s certainly been unlucky all year in most of his big races,” remarked trainer Randy Bendis, who co-owns the gelding with Susan Castelli, John F. Campbell, and William Varney. “But he got the job done this time,” Bendis said as he smiled.

Georgia Pacific, an altered son of Western Hanover, has now won 10 times this year and has finished second seven times and third in three races and has won $705,546 of his career total earnings of $801,150 in 26 races this year. The winning time of 1:49¹ lowered the world record for a 3-year-old gelding that Georgia Pacific had set earlier this year at the Meadows.

In a $28,000 Preferred Handicap pace, Fred Hertrich III’s Riptide Hall, who was eighth at the three-quarter pole, closed strongly for Cat Manzi — it was the first of Manzi’s two winners — and caught Soho (Brad Hanners) in the final step and posted a 1:52¹ score. Bay Sign (Jon Roberts) sailed down the passing lane and finished third.

Bill Bignall’s BJ’s Breeze overcame starting from post position eight and notched a 1:52² triumph for Brian Sears and won a $27,000 Delaware Special. Crew Cut Zach (Brad Hanners) picked up second place money and last week’s winner, Jacksbrotherjoe (Jim Morand), finished third.

Laham, Franklin, and Crystal Ball Stable’s Crystal Ball won a $22,000 Open Handicap pace for the second straight week, but was overlooked at 7-1 odds. Jim Morand guided the 4-year-old Artsplace gelding to his third win of the year for the meet’s leading trainer, Steve LeBlanc. Racsan John (Steve Warrington) closed with a rush after breaking stride on the backstretch and rallied form nine and one-quarter lengths back at three-quarter pole, and finished within a neck of the winner at the wire. Cocky Cam Shark (Vic Kirby) finished third.

Wynfield Ownings, claimed this past October for $25,000 by Gary Wolf, scooted to a 1:50⁴, near wire-to-wire victory in an $18,500 Junior Open pace, which gave Brian Sears his sixth win on the program. A 16-1 shot, The Joking Man (Eddie Davis, Jr.), finished second, ahead of Bobnoxious (Tim Curtin).

Earlier, Sears drove Bill Emmons’ Alikeit to victory in 1:53² in a $30,000 claiming allowance. Mr Casino (Jim King, Jr.) finished second. Last Card Johnnie (Rick Murphy) finished third.

Sears won earlier when he drove Leroy Johnson and Teague, Inc.’s Chessy Rose to victory in 1:54 in a $25,000 fillies and mares Pace. Kayla Marie N (Ross Wolfenden) and Payton Place (Brad Hanners) finished second and third, respectively.

Sears’ first winner of the evening was Arnold Witkin and trainer Armand Bernard’s Old Melodies, who was a 1:54² victor. Hunka Hickling N (George Brennan) finished second in that race and Katmandu Kandu (Mike Cole) was the show horse.

Fred Hertrich III’s Decent Card, driven by David Miller, won the first of two $15,000 Delaware winners-over paces in 1:53¹, which was Decent Card’s third win row. Tons The Best (Kevin Sizer) was the er-up and Time Flies N (Brad Hanners), the only mare in the race, finished third.

Fifteenletters A closed in the passing lane for Brian Sears and posted a 1:54 victory in the second $15,000 Delaware winners-over pace. Lavros Orphan N (Eddie Davis) finished second and Mattazumma (Jim King, Jr.) finished third.

An 11-1 shot, Adam Zawicki’s Heart Bayama was best in the stretch for driver Sean Bier and recorded a 1:54¹ win in a $30,000 claiming allowance. Invader Hall (Travis Bowman) finished second and Hale Hylight (Brad Hanners) finished third.

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.