It was a big Saturday, November 7 for driver Ron Pierce who drove three of the four Matron Two-Year-Old elimination winners at Dover Downs. Native Doll, Costa Rica and Break The Bank K were Pierce winners while All Heart Gal took the other division
.
Pierce continued his recent domination in Matron Stakes events with another big day as the track began its stakes racing program. An avid outdoorsman, Pierce, whose favourite pastime when not driving horses is hunting and fishing, spent the early day in Maryland where using bow-and-arrow, he got a 14-point Buck. "I really had to work at it," Pierce said. A few hours later he went to town driving three of the four Matron elimination winners.
In the first Matron elim for freshman filly pacers, Native Doll sat continently third until approaching the three-quarter pole when Ron Pierce pulled the Allamerican Native daughter to the outside to engage leader Casino Nights and Corey Callahan. On the far turn Native Doll edged to the front and midway through the lane pulled off to a 1:52 victory, her fourth in 10 career starts for trainer Sal Capone and owners Michael Butler and Samir Tawil. Rockaroundthetrack closed fast for Andy Miller to pick up second money with Casino Nights third and Lady Ann Christine (Jim Morand) fourth.
Ron Pierce completed a daily double sweep driving Costa Rica to victory in 1:58.1 in a $52,600 Matron Preview. The Jimmy Takter-trained Muscles Yankee filly won easily for her ninth win in 15 races, only one off the board for Christina Takter and John and Jim Fielding. Spicy Wings closed well for John Campbell to finish second in front of Jettalady and Corey Callahan. All seven starters return for next week's final.
Break The Bank K was Pierce's third winner, in an upset to win the $55,000 Matron Colt Trot. A son of European stallion Revenue S, Break The Bank K, a 5-1 shot, surprised odds-on favourite Lucky Chucky, driven by John Campbell. With a strong stretch drive, Break The Bank K overtook the favourite in the final strides to win in 1:55.4. Trained by Rich Gillock for breeder/owner Bob Key, Break The Bank K posed his sixth win in 13 appearances this season. Take My Picture with Andy Miller was the show finisher.
Jim Morand piloted the other $33,213 Matron filly elim winner, All Heart Gal, to a 1:53.1 score. It was the fifth victory this season for the Allamerican Ingot filly owned by Luis Alberto and Angela Porfilio. A And Gs Princess finished second with Andy Miller in the bike. Skinny Dip and Corey Callahan was third. The other qualifier was Full Picture (Richard Silverman) fourth.
In addition to his three Matron wins, Pierce won another on the regular card to finish with a grand slam. Corey Callahan and Jim Morand had driving doubles.
The Progress Pace and Matron Stakes events for sophomores highlight the Sunday card. Post time is set for 5:30 p.m.
(With files from Dover Downs)