Sophomore stars will be out in full force this Thursday at Dover Downs as the oval plays host to a quartet of Matron Stakes finals for the three-year-old set.
With divisional titles still on the line in some cases, there will be some important tilts coming up on the rich card of racing.
Here’s a preview of what fans can expect in each of those match-ups:
$148,550 Matron Stakes Three-Year-Old Filly Trot
Bella Bellini is the 2-1 morning line favourite in the first of the four finals as she totes a two-race winning streak into the contest for trainer Richard ‘Nifty’ Norman. The daughter of Bar Hopping-Bella Dolce swept through the Breeders Crown with the greatest of ease, and on Thursday she’ll be aiming for her 11th win of the season for owner David McDuffee. Dexter Dunn is slated to driver the career winner of $1,043,198.
$156,300 Matron Stakes Three-Year-Old Colt Trot
In Range is the 2-1 morning line choice for trainer Marcus Melander, who had to be pleased with the rallying effort his filly turned in when she finished a fast-closing third in the Breeders Crown on October 30 at The Meadowlands. She’s two-for-16 on the year for AMG Stable Inc., Kenneth Kjellgren and Rick Wahlstedt, and she’s banked just shy of $400,000 this season. To date, she’s banked over $806,000. Tim Tetrick is listed to drive the speedster from Post 7.
The hottest horse coming into the contest, however, is Swingforthefences. The Melanie Wrenn trainee has reeled off five straight scores including a 1:53.3 triumph on November 5 in the Carl Erskine at Hoosier Park. Peter Wrenn will be paired up with the photogenic performer from Post 6.
$129,000 Matron Stakes Three-Year-Old Filly Pace
Test Of Faith has faced the starting gate 15 times this season, and she has yet to finish worse than second. That resume has earned her the faith of the odds-maker who has labelled the Brett Pelling trainee as the 9-5 choice in the rich affair. David Miller will work his magic from Post 2 with the daughter of Art Major-Cannae Cammie who is owned by Melvin Segal, Kentuckiana Racing Stable and Eddie Gran. She’s riding a four-race winning streak with her latest triumph coming in resounding fashion in the $600,000 Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Filly Pace. She’ll be looking to add to a bankroll that stands at just over $1.5 million.
$164,750 Matron Stakes Three-Year-Old Colt Pace
Charlie May has established himself as one of the most consistent campaigners in the Glamour Boy division this season, and as a result he’s been listed as the 2-1 favourite for trainer Steve Carter and driver Brett Miller. Departing from Post 7, the son of Mcardle-Stipple Hanover will take aim at his 10th win of the season for owner/breeder Don Tiger of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. The career winner of $1,085,652 enters the tilt fresh off a runner-up effort to Perfect Sting in the $600,000 Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Colt Pace.
Here are the fields for Thursday’s finals:
$148,550 Matron Stakes Three-Year-Old Filly Trot
1. Illuminata
2. Moni For Lindy
3. Bella Bellini
4. Iteration
5. Darlene Hanover
6. You Ato Dream
7. May Karp
8. Herculisa
$156,300 Matron Stakes Three-Year-Old Colt Trot
1. Capstone
2. Tangled Love
3. Ethan T Hanover
4. Incommunicado
5. Zenith Stride
6. Swingforthefences
7. In Range
8. Mon Amour
$129,000 Matron Stakes Three-Year-Old Filly Pace
1. Scarlett Hanover
2. Test Of Faith
3. Grace Hill
4. Thebeachiscalling
5. So Irresistible
6. Chase Lounge
7. Blue Diamond Eyes
8. Fire Start Hanover
$164,750 Matron Stakes Three-Year-Old Colt Pace
1. Lous Pearlman
2. Rockyroad Hanover
3. Chase H Hanover
4. Southwind Gendry
5. Ill Drink To That
6. Whichwaytothebeach
7. Charlie May
8. Abuckabett Hanover