Four rich Matron Stakes for three-year-olds headline a top 13-race program at Dover Downs set for Thursday, November 16.
On the excellent undercard is a $30,000 Preferred pace and a $25,000 Open, among other contests. First post will be at 4:30 p.m.
The $210,000 Matron colt pace for the glamour boys is led by $1.9-million winner Downbytheseaside, who will be driven by former Dover regular Chris Page. The colt has been the favourite in most of his races since late summer. He finished a close second in his Breeders Crown final for trainer Brian Brown and owners Rich Lombardo, Joe Sbrocco, Country Club Acres and Diamond Creek Racing. Little Brown Jug winner Filibuster Hanover and driver Yannick Gingras drew the rail for Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi, J&T Silva Stables and Joe DiScala. New York Sire Stakes king Funknwaffles and Corey Callahan, who finished second in the Jug, will start from Post 2.
What The Hill, who was taken down after having finished first in the Hambletonian, swept his Breeders Crown category, but will have to overcome the outside Post 8 in the $201,900 Matron three-year-old colt trot. Hall of Famer David Miller will handle the reins for Burke Racing, Deo Volente Farms, J&T Silva and Our Hrs Cents stables. Devious Man and Andy Miller have finished on the board in 14 of 16 starts and have won almost $1-million this season. What The Hill races for Story Inc. and Andy Miller Stable.
In the $186,600 Matron for three-year-old trotting fillies, Ice Attraction, who finished second in the Breeders Crown and was a winner last week in the Crossroads at Hoosier Park, is trained and driven by Ake Svanstedt, who owns the well-bred trotter with Mal and Janet Burroughs, Little E and Georgetown, Del.’s Doug Sipple. She has won nearly $400,000 this year with six wins and 12 times in the money in 19 races. Dream Together finished third in the Breeders Crown for Determination of Montreal and drew the rail in Thursday's Matron. She will driven by Daniel Dube for trainer Luc Blais. Jimmy Takter starts Thats All Moni with Yannick Gingras piloting for Marvin Katz, Al Libfeld, and Brittany Farms. Another Delaware-owned candidate is Fine Tuned Lady with Corey Callahan driving for M&L of Delaware and William Wiswell.
Early season standout Idyllic Beach and Yannick Gingras drew the rail in the $182,700 Matron sophomore filly final. The $1.1-million lifetime winner is owned by Christina Takter, John Fielding, Marvin Katz and Brixton Medical Inc. Starting from the outside is Jugette winner and Breeders Crown runner-up Caviart Ally, owned by Caviart Farms. Another $1-million winner, Agent Q gets David Miller in the bike.
Dover Downs now features a 50-cent Pick 5 wager starting with the second race through the sixth. A late daily double is carded for the 12th and 13th races.
(with files from Dover)