A parade of sophomore stars was on display Thursday at Dover Downs as the oval hosted a quartet of rich Matron Stake events.

Bella Bellini demolished her competition in the $148,550 Matron Stakes for three-year-old trotting fillies. Sent off as the 2/5 choice in the field of seven, Bella Bellini was positioned in mid-pack for the opening quarter of :27.3 posted by You Ato Dream (Jeff Gregory) and :56 half hung up by Moni For Lindy. Dunn right-lined Bella Bellini down the backside, and she responded with a brisk brush to the front. Clearing to the lead just after the 1:23.4 third station, Bella Bellini widened her win margin at will turning for home and cruised to a comfortable 1:52.2 decision. You Ato Dream and Iteration (Brian Sears) rounded out the top three.

"The elimination and the final of the Breeders Crown is probably the best she's felt," said Dunn in the winner's circle. "Tonight, again, is probably the best she's felt all season.

"The speed was hot enough in that first quarter and first half for her. Once I moved her down the back she was ripping to get into it."

A daughter of Bar Hopping - Bella Dolce, Bella Bellini is owned by breeder David McDuffee of Rye, N.H. and trained by Richard 'Nifty' Norman. She picked up her 11th win of the season to boost her sophomore record to 11-6-0 in 18 starts with $1,113,075 in earnings. The trotting filly has most assuredly locked up divisional honours stateside, but don't expect her to return for an older campaign.

"She's going to be bred at the end of the year, I think," revealed Dunn. "There might be one more race for her, depending on what they do but she's had a great season and it's been a pleasure to be a part of it."

Bella Bellini paid $2.40 to win.

Swingforthefences made every pole a winning one for driver Peter Wrenn in the $156,300 Matron Stake for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings.

The son of Swan For All-Sunday Yankee marched to the lead from Post 6 and after carving out fractions of :27, :56.3 and 1:24.1 he used a closing quarter of :28 to win handily over Incommunicado in 1:52.1. Race favourite In Range had to settle for the show dough.

“I didn’t have to have the lead but it worked out well for us,” said driver Peter Wrenn. “He’s got a couple more stakes at Hoosier and then we’ll talk about it and see what we’ll do with him.”

Melanie Wrenn trains the 14-time winner who now owns an 11-3-3 record from 18 trips postward this season. David McDuffee and L And L Devisser LLC share ownership on the career winner of $644,040.

He paid $6.40 to win.

Test Of Faith toted a four-race winning streak into the $129,000 Matron Stake for three-year-old pacing fillies, and she easily pushed that number to five thanks to her dazzling score in 1:49.1 for driver David Miller.

The daughter of Art Major-Cannae Cammie tucked into an early three-hole while Scarlett Hanover roared to the top and threw down a wicked first quarter clocked in :25.4. She was still in charge at the mid-way point in :55, but big time pressure came at her in the third quarter when Miller activated Test Of Faith first over.

Test Of Faith and Scarlett Hanover sprinted past the three-quarter pole in 1:21.2 before Test Of Faith rocketed home to win in going away fashion over Blue Diamond Eyes. Scarlett Hanover weakened late and settled for third.

Brett Pelling trains the 22-time winner for Melvin Segal, Kentuckiana Racing Stable and Eddie Gran. The win improved her 2021 record to 14-2-0 from 16 tries and the lion’s share of the purse boosted her overall bankroll to $1,569,739.

She paid $2.60 to win.

Charlie May marched to the lead from Post 7 in the $164,750 Matron Stake three-year-old colt and gelding pace, and despite facing late pressure he dug down deep for driver Brett Miller and posted a 1:49.2 winning effort.

Miller blasted his charge to the top and together they led the field through fractions of :27, :56.2 and 1:22.3. Lous Pearlman was first-over for quite some time, and despite racing his eyeballs out he was forced to settle for the runner-up award behind an equally game Charlie May. Lous Pearlman was next best, with Abuckabett Hanover going a big trip of his own to finish third.

“It seems like Dover is a speed favouring track most of the time, and I just wanted to get away in the top three,” said driver Brett Miller. “He is a horse that gives you anxious moments because he takes care of himself. He’s smarter than me. He’ll let a horse get close, but he usually doesn’t let them by.”

Steve Carter trains the homebred son of Mcardle-Stipple Hanover for owner/breeder Don Tiger of Canonsburg, PA. After going 7-for-9 as a rookie, Charlie May now owns a 10-6-0 record from 20 trips to the track this season. The victory pushed his career earnings to $1,168,027.

He paid $4.00 to win.