Dover Downs will kick off its 49th season on Monday, October 30 with a month-long parade of major stakes. The near six-month long meet will end on March 29, 2018.
As is customary, the Dover Downs meet features top horses, top stables and top drivers during four-days-a-week racing, Mondays through Thursdays. Weekday racing this season begins at 4:30 p.m.
Dover Downs signature event, the 21st Hap Hansen Progress Pace (HHPP) highlights a month-long stakes-heavy November acing program. The $350,000 (estimated) event for three-year-old colts showcases the top eight money-winning sophomores meet in $35,000 eliminations on Wednesday, Nov. 22.The top eight finishers then vie for top honours in the rich HHPP final on Thursday, Nov. 30. A $25,000 consolation is also carded.
On that same Nov. 30 program, all eight $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) stakes for two-year-old filly and colt pacers and trotters join the Dover Downs 2017 stakes line-up. DSBF finalists are determined after two $20,000 preliminaries with the top eight point-getters qualifying.
The prestigious Matron Series, the sport’s oldest continuous stakes events for juvenile colts and filly trotters and pacers will again be highlighted in early October. First, the four divisions for two-year-old colt and filly trots and pacers meet on Thursday, Nov. 9. The following Thursday, Nov. 16, the spotlight beams on the three-year-old male and female events for both gaits.
Among a star-studded roster of top drivers, trainers and horses at Dover Downs this season, both the defending driver Corey Callahan and Dylan Davis, trainer champions, head an impressive lists on performers.
At Dover Downs, there is no charge for admission or parking but. Reservations are suggested for the popular Winner’s Circle Harness Racing Buffet in the Clubhouse Restaurant by phoning 302-764-4600. Due to strong weekend bookings at the 4-Star Dover Hotel, horsemen desiring to stay overnight are urged to make reservations.
Daily simulcasting of North American harness and thoroughbred racing and three-game parlays of NFL games are available in the Dover Downs’ Race and Sport’s Book located in the Colonnade.
(Dover Downs)