by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — Stakes races at Dover Downs in November and December could determine a number of the sport’s trotting and pacing divisional titles.

Following opening day this Saturday (Oct. 29), the first weekend in November will showcase many of the sport’s top juvenile pacers and trotters.

On Saturday (Nov. 5) four Matron Stakes eliminations for 2-year-olds will be held and the Sunday (Nov. 6) card will feature three Matron Stakes 3-year-old divisions, as well as the $30,000 Progress Pace eliminations. The top eight in each of the elims return the next weekend for rich finals.

The Matron 3-year-old colt pace elims are set for Nov. 20 with a Nov. 27 final.

First State-sired 2-year-olds begin the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund events on Saturday (Nov. 19) and Sunday (Nov. 20) with the first of consecutive-week $20,000 preliminaries. The $100,000 DSBF finals for filly and mare trotters and pacers will be on Saturday (Dec. 3) with their male counterparts racing on Sunday (Dec. 4).