Four lucrative Matron Stakes for two-year-olds will highlight the start of the 2016-17 season at Dover Downs. The Delaware capital city five-eighths mile track will begin its 48th meet on Monday, October 31.

On Monday morning, from 10 a.m. until 12 noon, the entry box will open for the four Matron two-year-old trots and paces. Next week, the Matron three-year-olds will race.

The richest of the Matron freshman stakes is the $161,700 (estimated) colt and gelding pace. The filly pace will have a $145,000 (est.) purse, while both trots will be raced for roughly $140,000 apiece.

Monday’s opening 15-race card features a $30,000 Preferred-Open Handicap pace. The tilt is headlined by Dancing Yankee, Mel Mara and Mustang Art. The program also includes an $18,000 Open pace and two $15,000 paces.

On Tuesday, Australian-invader Nike Franco N and Scandalicious headline the $20,000 female pacing feature, while Theresademoninme, Somebody AS, Il Mago and Maestro Blue Chip will tangle in the $20,000 Open Handicap trot.

Also getting underway during opening week is the first of two preliminary legs of the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund series for two-year-old trotters and pacers.

Later in November, the track will feature the $330,000 (est.) Hap Hansen Progress Pace, the track’s signature event that sees some of the top three-year-old male pacers go head to head.

Please note that Dover Downs’ remaining first-week draw schedule is Monday, October 31 for Thursday, November 3, including all four Matron two-year-old paces and trots. The entry box will close at 12 noon.

The regular draw-schedule then becomes:

• Monday for Sunday
• Tuesday for Monday
• Wednesday for Tuesday
• Thursday for Wednesday
• Sunday for Thursday

(With files from Dover Downs)