Matrons to be Deciding Moment for End of Year Honors

After the Breeders’ Crown, the stakes season begins to wind down with the grand circuit action at Balmoral and Maywood, but the end of stakes season is marked with the Matron and Progress Pace. Seven Matron divisions will be conducted on the Dover Downs surface, leading up to the $270,000 Progress Pace.

The two-year-old colt trot opens up the stakes card, holding a purse of $159,675. With top prospect in the Matron Dontyouforgetit out, we turn to a horse that did well in his elimination last week, San Donato. San Donato trotted behind tempo setter Sand Royal Blu for the entire mile, not trying to overtake him into the stretch but finished second. This week, he shouldn’t let Sand Royal Blu easily trot around the oval, he will put up a fight and be a great price.

Royal Assets winning at The Meadows

Up next is the frosh-filly trot, where Time To Kill has shown she will be a fierce competitor against the other four. We look away from her with the likely second choice Royal Assets. She trotted the entire mile behind Time To Kill, finishing a good second. Royal Assets is a much better trotter than Time To Kill and should unleash a furious mile like she did in the Merrie Annabelle. Royal Assets will likely attempt to dictate the tempo and should do well on the top if she does take the lead.

Somwherovrarainbow winning the 2yofp Breeders' Crown at
Woodbine Racetrack

The freshmen filly pace features the top horse in the division, Somwherovrarainbow. She paced leisurely around the track in the preview and should be prime for the final; there is no use picking against her. You would have better luck to be elected President of the United States than if you picked against Somwherovrarainbow.

The three-year-old filly trot is one of the best betting races of the night. We went against likely favorite Win Missy B, but have two horses to offer that have a good chance of winning. The first horse is Mystical Escapade. She shipped in from Indiana and finished a good third against these ranks and should get another great trip. She is a great bet if she is 6-1 or up approaching post time.

The second betting opportunity is with a horse we have followed for most of the season, D’orsay. She is always a big price in races of this caliber and Callahan finds a way to give her a good trip. She will likely get away mid-pack, then pick up cover second over and from there, she’ll use her late kick. She’s a good bet if she is 9-1 or up approaching post time.

The freshmen colt pace Matron was blown wide open, as a 44-1 shot won the preview for fun, Sir Cary’s Z Tam. His stable mate Sir Richard Z Tam has a better chance this week. He shouldn’t be as far off the pace as he was last week, having to close and finish a disappointing second. Under him, we’ll use Dedi’s Dragon and Teresa’s Beach for a trifecta. Dedi’s Dragon set the pace as he left from post 8 in the preview. He draws the rail this week and shouldn’t have to work hard to get the lead. Teresa’s Beach sat the pocket around the entire oval, coming up the passing lane to finish third. She should get that same trip this week and be a good price as well.

Googoo Gaagaa winning at the Meadowlands

The sophomore colt trot is headlined by the eliminations favorite, Uncle Peter. Uncle Peter returned after a horrible race in the Hambletonian in the Oliver Trotting Classic, where he lost to stable mate Upfront Billy. Our eyes are on the ‘ugly duckling’ of the trotters, so to speak. We like Googoo Gaagaa in this event. He was far off the pace in the eliminations, as he had to come from the second tier. He draws post 7 this week and should be more aggressive in this mile.

We’ll also go with My Mvp underneath for an exacta. He had to go first over to chase down Little Brown Fox, which did not have a good result. My Mvp finished fifth, as he wanted to save something for the final. He should be ready tonight and a good price.

The final Matron is the three-year-old filly pace. Darena Hanover headlines the race after a win in the preview. We will take a shot with an oddball, Marty Party. She came from post 8 in the preview and got away second, fading through a :26 and change opening quarter. This race was after scratching sick from the Breeders’ Crown. This is her second start off of being scratched sick, draws a better post and is in the perfect position to upset.

Bettor's Edge winning his Breeders' Crown
elimination

The feature on the card, the Progress Pace, is sure to be a tough mile, as foes will attempt to beat Breeders’ Crown winner Heston Blue Chip. One pacer in this field has been super consistent within the last few months, but was disappointing in the preview; finishing sixth. Bettor’s Edge is our horse to beat Heston Blue Chip. He draws a better post this week and should not let Heston Blue Chip go right to the lead. Bettor’s Edge will put up a fight that in the end, he will win. His 10-1 morning line is very deceiving, as he will probably go off at 15 or 20-1. If you are confident in beating Heston Blue Chip, then Bettor’s Edge is the horse you want to put your $2 on to win. 

Pekoe Fashion Gives Tetrick Hat Trick of Matron Wins

DOVER, DE— Pekoe Fashion closed out the night, winning the $116,175 Matron Stakes at Dover Downs on Saturday, November 12. Southwind Austin finished second, Delano was third and Gym Tan Laundry finished fourth.

Delano, Pekoe Fashion and Gym Tan Laundry all left the gate with speed. Delano cleared the lead around the first turn. Gym Tan Laundry applied pressure and went off stride. Pekoe Fashion inherited the second spot and Fashion Astral was in third. Delano took them by the quarter in :27.4.

Fashion Astral came first over from third heading to the half. Delano was in front, with Pekoe Fashion in second and Fashion Astral was first over in third. Delano took them by the half in :57 (:29.1).

Fashion Astral settled in the third spot heading to three-quarters. Delano had the lead and Pekoe Fashion was in the pocket second. Southwind Austin came first over and so did Gym Tan Laundry in the back of the field. Duluth attempted to go two wide but was interfered and went off stride. Delano took them to three-quarters in 1:25.3 (:28.3).

Delano lead the way into the stretch. Pekoe Fashion circled out from the inside and Southwind Austin closed hard and came up the passing lane. Delano was under pressure. Pekoe Fashion and Southwind Austin both passed him Pekoe Fashion on the outside was able to beat Southwind Austin by a neck. Delano was third and Gym Tan Laundry finished fourth.

Pekoe Fashion is a two-year-old colt by Broadway Hall out of the mare Orange Pekoe by at Donerail. He has earned $168,813 this year. He is owned by the Fashion Farms LLC, trained by Jim Campbell and Tim Tetrick was in the back to win his third Matron on the card in 1:56.1.

“Last week was the first week I drove him, tonight he responded and he got the job done. He gets a little excited and he’s willing to go anytime you ask him,” driver Tim Tetrick said.

“Timmy gave him a great drive and it worked out great. He has shown more speed and made more money, so he was the stronger of the two entries. He was great from the beginning, trained with no problem, we can’t be any happier with him,” trainer Jim Campbell said.

Heston Blue Chip Equals Track Record in Matron Stakes

DOVER, DE— Heston Blue Chip equaled the track record to win the $177,275 Matron Stakes at Dover Downs on Saturday, November 12. Allstar Legend finished second, Steelhead Hanover was third and Divulge finished fourth.

Steelhead Hanover, Allstar Legend and Heston Blue Chip all left the gate with speed heading to the first turn. Steelhead Hanover cleared the lead by the quarter in :26.2. Allstar Legend was in second and Heston Blue Chip was in third.

Heston Blue Chip came first over and cleared the lead heading to the half. Steelhead Hanover was in second and Allstar Legend was in third. Hurrikane Kingcole came first over from fourth at the half in :54.1 (:27.4).

Hurrikane Kingcole was wheel to wheel with Steelhead Hanover in second. Heston Blue Chip was untouched approaching three-quarters. Heston Blue Chip took them by three-quarters in 1:21.3 (:27.2).

Heston Blue Chip had the lead in the stretch. Allstar Legend came onto the outside and Steelhead Hanover came up the passing lane. Hurrikane Kingcole was fading fast and Divulge came from nowhere into fourth. Heston Blue Chip was able to hold off Allstar Legend for the win. Allstar Legend finished second, Steelhead Hanover was third and Divulge finished fourth.

Heston Blue Chip is a two-year-old colt by American Ideal out of the mare Shot Togo Bluechip by Cam’s Card Shark. He has earned $287,013 this year. He is owned by Kenneth Jacobs, trained by Linda Toscano and Tim Tetrick was in the bike to win his second Matron on the card in a track record equaling time of 1:50.4

“He raced really well in the race. He’s a good horse and he has proven he is a good horse. I take none away from the other horse [Hurrikane Kingcole], he worked hard to get my horse,” driver Tim Tetrick said.

“We thought we could win this race [with Heston]. We thought we should give him a chance,” owner Kenneth Jacobs said.

“He is a good horse and a pleasure to be around. He is a nice and calm horse. I had confidence that he wasn’t overdriven last week. I thought he would be a little sharper tonight,” trainer Linda Toscano said.

Destiny’s Chance Holds on to Win the Matron Stakes

DOVER, DE— Destiny’s Chance held off Four Starzzz Girl and Notreadytobenice to win the $126,600 Matron at Dover Downs on Saturday. Four Starzzz Girl finished second, Notreadytobenice was third and Frontierpan finished fourth.

Destiny’s Chance, Four Starzzz Girl and Notreadytobenice all left the gate with speed heading around the far turn. Destiny’s Chance cleared the lead at the quarter in :26.2.

There was no change in order down the stretch approaching the clubhouse turn. Southwind Johanne came first over, supplying cover to Frontierpan and Four Starzzz Girl. Destiny’s Chance lead the field by the half in :56.2 (:30).

Southwind Johanne and Destiny’s Chance were in a full on duel around the far turn. Frontierpan was coming off cover, going three wide. Four Starzzz Girl was tracking her. Notreadytobenice was starting her bid four wide.

Destiny’s Chance lead the way in the stretch. Notreadytobenice and Four Starzzz Girl were full of pace. Destiny’s Chance had enough left to hold off Four Starzzz Girl and Frontierpan in a 1:53 mile. Four Starzzz Girl finished second, Notreadytobenice was third and Frontierpan finished fourth.

Destiny’s Chance is a two-year-old filly by Four Starzzz Shark out of the mare Four Starz Sands by The Panderosa. She has earned $223,798 this year. She is owned by Randy Ringer, trained by Ron Burke and David Miller was in the bike.

“She’s out to get real sharp and I can’t ask for her to get any better. I left last week to get the front and I tried to do that again this week. It almost cost her the race. She raced very game to the wire, I didn’t give up on her she kept on going, driver David Miller said.

Check Me Out Blows Away Field in Matron

DOVER, DE— Check Me Out overcame a big miscue in the first turn to win the $129,050 Matron at Dover Downs on Saturday, November 12. Voluptuous Ronda finished second, Exercise To Go was third and D’orsay finished fourth.

D’orsay, Paris Kentucky and Blue Muscles all left the gate with speed. Check Me Out settled in fourth. Heading to the quarter, Paris Kentucky cleared the front, with D’orsay in second. Check Me Out went off stride from fourth and was behind by about 12 lengths. Blue Muscles settled in third. Paris Kentucky took the field by the quarter in :27.4.

Paris Kentucky was unchallenged heading to the half. D’orsay was in second and Blue Muscles was in third. Voluptuous Ronda circled two wide and started her first over bid. Exercise To Go was gapping cover at the inside. Paris Kentucky lead the way at the half in :58.1 (:29.2).

Voluptuous Ronda cleared the lead heading to three-quarters. Paris Kentucky was in second and D’orsay was buried at the rail in third. D’orsay found a spot and came second over. Exercise To Go rushed to the outside and sat third over. Check Me Out started closing three wide around the far turn. Voluptuous Ronda had a length advantage at three-quarters in 1:27.4 (:29.3).

Voluptuous Ronda lead the way in the stretch. Check Me Out was on the outside and D’orsay came off cover and was closing four wide. Exercise To Go barreled to the inside and was gaining. But Check Me Out was able to regain 20 lengths to win. Voluptuous Ronda finished second, Exercise To Go was third and D’orsay finished fourth.

Check Me Out is a two-year-old filly by Donato Hanover out of the mare Illusion Bi by Toss Out. She has earned $836,094 this year. She is owned by Ray Schnittker and Charles Iannazzo. Ray Schnittker is the trainer and Tim Tetrick drove her to a 1:58 victory.   

“I just tried to be nice to her, she trotted to the eighth pole good. She overcame my mistake in the first turn. I should of parked everybody to make it easier for her,” driver Tim Tetrick said.

“We’ll bring her back mid-February. We wil make sure she stays healthy, co-owner and trainer Ray Schnittker said.