All divisions of two-year-olds hit the track at Dover Downs on Thursday night (Nov. 3) for the Matron Stakes, with a single non-wagering dash and three finals on the wagering card.
Kimmeridgian took the $122,600 Matron Two-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Trot in a non-wagering event. Yannick Gingras piloted the Ake Svanstedt trainee to a front-stepping victory off fractions of :28.2, :58.3 and 1:27.1 to stop the clock in 1:54.3. Crown finished second, beaten two lengths, off a pocket trip with Father Stosh third and Bar Keep De Vie completing the field.
The victory broke Kimmeridgian's maiden and added to an account now worth $119,297. Knutsson Trotting Inc. and Young Guns own the colt by Walner.
In the first race on the wagering card, Brunella followed suit with a front-stepping score in the $129,400 Matron Two-Year-Old Filly Trot. With Yannick Gingras in the bike, the Father Patrick filly pushed for the lead from the pylon post and kept control through splits of :29.2, :58.3 and 1:26.4. Pocket-sitter and 3-5 favourite Quick Stop launched a late bid in the stretch but came a neck short of victory in a 1:54.4 mile. Knickknack Hanover finished third and Canterbury Hanover took fourth.
Nancy Takter trains Brunella for owners Goran Falk and Christina Takter. She won her third race from eight starts, has now earned $134,193 and paid $5 to win.
Speed similarly held in the $156,500 Matron Two-Year-Old Filly Pace with Cory Mumford trainee Vivians Dream seizing control and holding firm to a 1:52.3 win. Brian Sears slid to the front with the American Ideal filly after a :27.1 first quarter and cruised through middle fractions of :57 and 1:25.1 to then spin for home and withstand a late bid from Earthwindfire by a half length. Extreme Z Tam took third and Ute Blue Chip settled for fourth.
Forrest Bartlett owns Vivians Dream, a seven-time winner in 11 tries and an earner of $336,425. She paid $5.80 to win.
Driver Dexter Dunn followed suit in the last to take his competition coast to coast with Act Fast in the $155,600 Matron Two-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Pace. The Downbytheseaside colt fired a :26.1 first quarter and maintained his speed through a :55 half and three-quarters in 1:22 to seal the deal by 3-1/4 lengths in 1:50.3 over pocket-sitter Cant Stop Lou. Why Not Now closed for third and Cannibal took fourth.
Ron Burke trains Act Fast for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC, Knox Services Inc., Rich Lombardo Racing LLC and Beasty LLC. He won his third race from 10 starts and added to an account now worth $212,264. He paid $4.20 to win.