by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs

Dover, DE — Something unusual happened on the way to the Matron 2-year-old colt and gelding pace, with 169 freshmen paying all their stakes fees to remain eligible, but only three colts dropped in to race in the Saturday, Nov. 7, feature.

The three entries were Delmarvalous, High Def Z Tam and Nova Artist, who will each receive one-third of the purse. It was estimated that the purse for the event final would be around $265,000.

This Saturday, the Matron 2-year-old eliminations will consist of two $33,213 filly paces and one $55,600 trotting colt and one $52,600 trotting filly.

Last Fall, If I Could Dream set a world record of 1:51.1f, since broken, and a track record in winning the Matron 2-year-old colt pace.

Three Matron 3-year-old divisions are scheduled for entries this Sunday, Nov. 8. The Dover Downs entry box is open from 10 a.m. until 12 Noon. The entry fee is $1,000 payable to The Hambletonian Society.