by Marv Bachrad, Dover Downs Publicity Director

Dover, DE — Village Jolt and Arts Day, fresh from impressive victories in $35,000 elims last week, head a field of eight in the richest-ever $394,120 Progress Pace Final in its 10th edition on Sunday, November 13 at Dover Downs. Post time is 5:30 p.m.

Rocknroll Hanover, the sport’s leading moneywinning horse this season, earning $1.8 million in purses, and Village Jolt, the top freshman pacer of 2004, drew side-by-side posts one and two, respectively. They are each owned in part by Jeffrey Snyder and trained by Brett Pelling and will race coupled in the wagering. The eight starters were the horses finishing in the first four in last week’s eliminations for the track’s signature event.

Village Jolt, with Hall of Famer Ron Pierce at the controls, powered to a 1:50.4 career fastest win for owners Jeff Snyder and partners Arlene and Jules Siegel.

In the other elim, Rocknroll Hanover was not as successful as a three race win streak came to an end with a third place finish. Rocknroll Hanover has banked $1,834,727 for owners Jeff Snyder and Lothlorien Equestrian Center.

In their elim, Rocknroll Hanover, reined by Brian Sears, and Three Point Acres’ Gryffindor, with David Miller, dueled early through a :25.3 opening quarter before Rocknroll Hanover finally took the lead before the clubhouse turn. At that point, Arts Day moved to the outside, becoming the challenger as the field rolled to the backstretch. The duo then raced head-to-head at the three-quarters and around the last turn, until straightening out in the stretch. Eric Ledford then urged Arts Day to the front by mid-stretch. In the lane, Doug Brown drove Gordon Bryan’s Excapable Beaux strongly on the far outside, striding to within three-quarters of a length of Arts Day at the wire in 1:51.3. Rocknroll Hanover held on to finish third with Gryffindor fourth by two lengths.

In the other elim, Village Jolt was a convincing winner in a career best 1:50.4 mile. Starting from post seven, Ron Pierce finally moved Village Jolt into the lead after a :26.3 opening quarter and then was in total command from there. Stonebridge Regal, owned by Robert Kauffman, Angie Stiller, Robert McIntosh and W Springtime Stable, and driven by Jack Moiseyev, finished second with Roddy’s Bags Again, bred and owned by Bob Messick of Milford, Delaware and piloted by Daniel Dube, third. Sleep Easy, with George Brennan, was fourth for Jerry Silva, Deena Frost, TLP Stable and Sampson Street Stables.

Eight three-year-olds who raced in eliminations will take part in the $35,000 Progress Pace Consolation.

Dawn Ofa New Day (David Miller), owned by Norman and Gerald Smiley and Ted Gewertz, the richest colt in the field with $340,163 earned this season, drew outside post eight. Perfect World Enterprises’ Speed Demon (Ron Pierce), winner of last year’s Matron freshman colt pace, raced gamely in his elim and drew post three. Neptune Stable and MJG Racing’s John Adams (Cat Manzi) is an eight time winner this season, while Victory Hill Farm’s Glittering Beaches (Brian Sears) has won six times. Up Front Jerry (Brad Hanners), a recent acquisition by Rodney Mitchell of Camden, Delaware starts from the rail. Weiss Hanover (Sean Bier), is a new addition to the Three Point Acres Stable.

Also starting are Dana Irving’s homebred He’s Determined (Ben Stafford, Jr.), a half-brother to famed pacer Red Bow Tie, and I Zee (John Campbell), owned by Clifford Grundy, Paul Ysebaert, CSX Stable and trainer Bob McIntosh.

For the first time, a $50,000 claiming allowance has been carded on the program. Nine will start in the 13th race.

Saturday and Sunday racing begins at 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday post time is 4:30 p.m. There is no charge for admission or parking. Reservations are suggested for the Winner’s Circle Restaurant. Call (302) 674-4600.

The $394,120 Progress Pace – Race 9
Head number – post – horse – driver – morning line
1 – 1 – Rocknroll Hanover (Brian Sears) – 9-5
1A – 2 – Village Jolt (Ron Pierce) – 9-5
2 – 3 – Escapable Beaux (Doug Brown) – 10-1
3 – 4 – Arts Day (Eric Ledford) – 4-1
4 – 5 – Gryffindor (David Miller) – 9-2
5 – 6 – Sleep Easy (George Brennan) – 15-1
6 – 7 – Stonegate Regal (Jack Moiseyev) – 5-1
7 – 8 – Roddy’s Bags Again (Daniel Dube) – 10-1

1-1A = Jeffrey Snyder owned-Bret Pelling trained entry