Joe Holloway hopes this year does not provide the last word on Closing Statement’s disposition.
Closing Statement has won five of 12 races and earned $226,939 in purses this season despite being “a work in progress.” In his most recent start, the colt finished third in the Breeders Crown. On Thursday, he faces seven foes in the $211,300 Matron Stakes for two-year-old male pacers at Dover Downs.
“The horse has got high, high speed, but he’s a little difficult,” Holloway said. “He’s a good colt this year, but you also have to have manners. That’s what we’re working on. Hopefully next year he matures. He’s going to need (better manners) next year.”
Closing Statement is a son of Somebeachsomewhere out of the mare Ideal Newton. He was purchased under the name Ian Hanover for $125,000 at last year’s Standardbred Horse Sale. He is a full brother to three-year-old female pacer Inverse Hanover, who also was a Breeders Crown finalist, and his family also includes stakes-winner Newborn Sassy.
The colt, owned by Val D’Or Farms, Rojan Stables and Ted Gewertz, is the 7-2 second choice on the Matron morning line. He will start from post seven with driver Brian Sears.
Shnitzledosomethin, who was supplemented to the race for $20,000, is the 3-1 favourite. He will start from post five with Peter Wrenn driving for trainer Dylan Davis. Shnitzledosomethin finished second in the Breeders Crown and Indiana Sire Stakes championship.
The race also features Nutcracker Sweet (4-1), This Is The Plan (5-1), and Karpathian Kid (6-1). This Is The Plan and Karpathian Kid were also Breeders Crown finalists.
“The way the draw shook out, it’s kind of tough,” Holloway said. “But I don’t know if I’d feel a whole lot better if I had (an inside post) because it’s such a speed track and you’re going to have to go. It’s not like you’re leaving and protecting the rail with that group of horses. It’s a good race for being in November.
“Hopefully we’re the last one to the front and hold from there. Brian gets along with him, he’s got a quiet set of hands, so we’ll hope for the best.”
Dover Downs also hosts Matron Stakes for two-year-old female pacers and two-year-old male and female trotters on Thursday.
Breeders Crown champion Youaremycandygirl, from the stable of trainer Ron Burke, is the 8-5 morning-line favourite in the Matron for female pacers. Jimmy Takter’s Wolfgang is the 2-1 favourite in the event for male trotters and Ake Svanstedt’s Plunge Blue Chip is the 5-2 pick for female trotters.
The fields for the Matrons appear below.
$203,900 Matron Stakes (Two-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Trot) (Race 2)
(Post – Horse – Driver – Trainer – Morning Line Odds)
1 – I Know My Rights – Tyler Buter – Todd Buter – 7-2
2 – Rich And Miserable – Andrew McCarthy – Todd Buter – 4-1
3 – Samo Different Day – Jimmy Takter – Jimmy Takter – 5-2
4 – Banker Twentyfive – Matt Kakaley – Rich Gillock – 6-1
5 – Sonofamillionaire – Ake Svanstedt – Ake Svanstedt – 5-1
6 – Wolfgang – Yannick Gingras – Jimmy Takter – 2-1
7 – Checkmate Hill – Donald Dupont – Marie Dupont – 8-1
$173,000 Matron Stakes (Two-Year-Old Filly Trot) (Race 6)
(Post – Horse – Driver – Trainer – Morning Line Odds)
1 – Perfect Summer K – Andrew McCarthy – Andrew Harris – 5-1
2 – Lucky Ava – Brian Sears – Ake Svanstedt – 6-1
3 – Natalie Hanover – Matt Kakaley – Ake Svanstedt – 8-1
4 – Swing It Cathy – Jimmy Takter – Jimmy Takter – 7-2
5 – Bella Glos – Yannick Gingras – Jimmy Takter – 8-1
6 – S M S Princess – Tim Tetrick – Ake Svanstedt – 4-1
7 – Island Town – Corey Callahan – John Butenschoen – 8-1
8 – Plunge Blue Chip – Ake Svanstedt – Ake Svanstedt – 5-2
AE1 – Big Checkmate – Donald Dupont – Marie Dupont
AE2 – Pack N Play – Tim Tetrick – Joseph Columbo
$174,700 Matron Stakes (Two-Year-Old Filly Pace) (Race 8)
(Post – Horse – Driver – Trainer – Morning Line Odds)
1 – Cuts Like A Knife – Tim Tetrick – Bruce Saunders – 8-1
2 – Python Blue Chip – Brian Sears – Ake Svanstedt – 6-1
3 – Sarpa Hanover – Corey Callahan – Brett Bittle – 5-1
4 – Youaremycandygirl – Yannick Gingras – Ron Burke – 8-5
5 – Aims Whisper – Peter Wrenn – Kevin Lare – 8-1
6 – Majorsspeciallady – Matt Kakaley – Ron Burke – 3-1
7 – Michelles Jazz – Andrew McCarthy – Joseph Columbo – 10-1
8 – Strong Opinion – David Miller – Ron Burke – 9-2
AE1 – Aldine Hanover – Marcus Miller – Erv Miller
AE2 – Mean Leen – Andrew McCarthy
$211,300 Matron Stakes (Two-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Pace) (Race 10)
(Post – Horse – Driver – Trainer – Morning Line Odds)
1 – Karpathian Kid – David Miller – Erv Miller – 6-1
2 – Lather Up – Montrell Teague – Clyde Francis – 8-1
3 – This Is The Plan – Andrew McCarthy – Chris Ryder – 5-1
4 – Springsteen – Simon Allard – Rene Allard – 10-1
5 – Schnitzledosomethin – Peter Wrenn – Dylan Davis – 3-1
6 – Wes Delight – Yannick Gingras – Mark Harder – 8-1
7 – Closing Statement – Brian Sears – Joe Holloway – 7-2
8 – Nutcracker Sweet – Tim Tetrick – Jimmy Takter – 4-1
AE1 – Taste Of History – Corey Callahan – Michael Hall
AE2 – Ideal Flip – Marcus Miller – Erv Miller
This story courtesy of Harness Racing Communications, a division of the U.S. Trotting Association. For more information, visit www.ustrotting.com.