Some of the sport's biggest names are set to descent upon Bally's Dover on Thursday, Nov. 21 as a field of 11 sophomore pacing colts will compete in the $35,000 USD Progress Pace elimination.

Slated as race 10 on the 14-race card, the top eight finishers in the elimination will advance to the Progress Pace final on Wednesday, Nov. 27. The first eight starters will have their noses on the gate for the elimination, with three trailers from the second tier.

The field includes notable heavy-hitters in the glamour boy division, including Captain Albano, who won the Matron Stakes two weeks ago in 1:48.4 over the Dover Downs oval. The leading money earner in the field with more than $1.7 million made for trainer Noel Daley, Captain Albano looks to add to a resume that already includes wins in the Little Brown Jug, Adios and Max Hempt.

After finishing second to Captain Albano in the Matron Stakes, Breeders Crown champion Mirage Hanover will start from the second tier in post 11 in the elimination. With his 1:46.3 score in the Tattersalls at The Red Mile, the career earner of $1.2 million sports the fastest record of those entered in the Progress elim for trainer Jake Leamon.

Supplementing for $25,000 USD, North America Cup champion Nijinsky (pictured above) will start from post two in the elimination. Trained by Anthony Beaton, Nijinsky enters off of a 1:48.4 score in the Monument Circle at Harrah's Hoosier Park in his last outing to push his seasonal bankroll over $1.5 million.

$35,000 USD Progress Pace Elimination
Post - Horse - Trainer - Driver 
1. Gem Quality - Chris Ryder - Tim Tetrick
2. Nijinsky - Anthony Beaton - Louis-Philippe Roy
3. Captain Albano - Noel Daley - Todd McCarthy
4. Calicojack Hanover - Luc Blais - Daniel Dube   
5. Better Is Nice - Tony Alagna - Andrew McCarthy
6. Nuclear - Ron Burke - Yannick Gingras
7. Vandiemen Bluechip - Cameron Capone - George Napolitano Jr.
8. Captain Luke - Andrew Harris  - Scott Zeron
9. Wish You Well - Nifty Norman - David Miller
10. Its Saturday Night - Nifty Norman - Tyler Buter  
11. Mirage Hanover - Jake Leamon - Dexter Dunn

(With files from Dover Downs)