by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

Dover, DE — In The Arsenal fired early, taking the lead from longshot Lyons Levi Lewis as the field came off the first turn, and never looked back on his way to winning Thursday’s $193,200 Matron Stakes for 2-year-old male pacers by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:51 over a track rated ‘good’ at Dover Downs.

Lyons Levi Lewis, sent off at odds of 99-1, finished second and Bet You was third.

In The Arsenal scored in 1:51 for driver Brian Sears in the Matron 2-year-old colt pace.

The victory by In The Arsenal and driver Brian Sears snapped a Matron Stakes win streak by driver Yannick Gingras, who won the night’s three prior stakes events for the 2-year-old trotters and pacers.

“He’s got a lot of go, a real big engine,” Sears said about In The Arsenal. “He’s a little green at times, he’s a little ornery, but he’s starting to figure it out.

“He really wants to throw it in gear and you’ve just got to try to ration him out a little bit. Sometimes he fights you a little bit, but lately he’s been able to understand what we’re trying to accomplish out there.”

In The Arsenal (American Ideal-Ladyotra), who was the 7-5 favorite in the Matron, has won six of nine races and $268,318 for trainer Kelvin Harrison and owner White Birch Farm. It was In The Arsenal’s fourth consecutive triumph.

$199,600 2-year-old filly pace

Sassa Hanover led a sweep of the top three spots by trainer Ron Burke in the $199,600 Matron Stakes for 2-year-old female pacers, besting Bettor N Better by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:52.3. Well Hello There finished third.

Starting from post eight, Sassa Hanover and driver Yannick Gingras pushed to the front in an opening quarter-mile of :26.2. They repelled the first-over challenge of Ideal Nuggets at the halfway point and cruised to victory at 3-1 odds.

A daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven-Sayo Hanover, the filly has won nine of 11 races and earned $354,341. She is owned by Burke Racing Stable, The Panhellenic Stable Corp., Weaver Bruscemi LLC, and Larry Karr.

“I had my options open; I knew I wasn’t going to get away last,” Gingras said after starting his night with three consecutive wins in the Matron Stakes events. “I left the gate and it looked like they were crossing over pretty easily up front, so I decided the move to make was to go for the front.”

$237,500 2-year-old male trot

Habitat moved from second on the pylons to the outside coming off the final turn and won the $237,500 Matron Stakes for 2-year-old male trotters by a half-length over Muscle Diamond in 1:54.2. Cruzado Dela Noche, who led for much of the race, finished third.

Fotowon photos

Habitat was a narrow winner in the Matron 2-year-old colt trot.

Yannick Gingras drove Habitat, the 2-1 second choice to favorite Uncle Lasse, for trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable, Our Horse Cents Stables, and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.

A son of Conway Hall-Habit’s Best, the colt has won seven of 11 races and earned $491,907.

“He’s a very consistent colt, he does everything well,” Burke said. “Last (start), he kind of bounced (in the Valley Victory). We were a little disappointed; he was a short third. I was glad to see Yannick get covered up today and get a chance to get a trip. He’s solid. He’ll be very competitive in the Breeders Crown. He’s having a very good year so far.”

$203,800 2-year-old filly trot

Wild Honey won the $203,800 Matron Stakes for 2-year-old female trotters by a half-length over Bright Baby Blues in 1:55.2. Smexi finished third.

The start of the race, the first on the card, was delayed 32 minutes because of stormy weather and the track was downgraded from good to sloppy.

Sent off at odds of 1-9, Wild Honey and driver Yannick Gingras took the lead from post seven on the opening turn and were unthreatened the rest of the way.

Wild Honey has won nine of 10 races and $427,203 for trainer Jimmy Takter and owners Christina Takter, John Fielding, Herb Liverman, and Jim Fielding. A daughter of Cantab Hall-U Wanna Lindy, she is unbeaten since losing by a head in her career debut.

“She’s just a fantastic horse,” Takter said. “This is not ideal weather conditions, but it looked like she was on cruise control in this mile.”