Matrons are One of Many to Close Out Stakes Season

Every year around this time, two-year-old and three-year-old standardbreds get ready for their next racing season or their retirement. But few horses stick around for the final stakes races of the year. Although that is so, the Matrons are filled with competition and promise to close out the year 2011.

Four Matrons for the two-year-olds will be held on Saturday, Nov. 12 and three for the three-year-olds on Sunday, November 13. In addition to the three-year-old Matrons is the $330,000 Progress Pace for three-year-old colt pacers. In all, $1,322,030 will be given away in purses.

In the two-year-old filly trot Matron Stakes, Check Me Out is unbeatable. If she is not a bet filled with value, spare your wagers.

In the two-year-old filly pace Matron Stakes, Destiny’s Chance is the likely betting interest after her victory in the Matron Preview. To the inside of her is a horse less likely to be bet. Although that’s so, she may also be the most enduring horse in the field. This is Southwind Johanne. She traveled a first over mile at 30-1 and finished fourth in the Matron Preview. Her post is not a big deal, but will let her leave the gate.

In the two-year-old colt pace Matron Stakes, the top two finishers in the Matron Preview, Heston Blue Chip and Hurrikane Kingcole, are the likely favorites. Although they paced a leisure mile, Steelhead Hanover showed what talent he had in this race. He traveled a first over trip and was able to hold on for third. He will need to pace a better trip for him to win.

In the two-year-old colt trot Matron Stakes, Gym Tan Laundry is the morning line favorite. The second choice, Delano, is the horse to watch. But here’s the catch, if he does not bring any value at his price, pass the race.

In the three-year-old filly pace Matron, Drop The Ball is the one to beat. If you find value in her, play her, if not pass.

In the three-year-old filly trot Matron, Cedar Dove will be the likely heavy favorite. But Jezzy is looking very sharp right now. She draws the rail and will be uncoupled, raising her odds. In the elimination, she sat second over and did not progress at the end, finishing fifth by 3 lengths. Also watch Hey Mister. She traveled a first over mile in the elim and finished sixth. She is likely to get a better trip this week.

In the three-year-old colt trot Matron, Chapter Seven is the likely betting interest after his victory in the elimination and the Breeders Crown. Broad Bahn was the runner up and is coming into this race fresh. "He was second last week and he's as good as he's been all year." Noel Daley said. "I don't know what they're doing to do with him but they're trying to find a place for him to stand stud. I'd like to see him at four but oh well," Noel Daley added. He was not used hard in the elim and should trot well in the final. Also watch Big Rigs. He raced very well in the elimination and looks good coming into the final.

In the Progress Pace, Alsace Hanover is the likely favorite. The other elimination winner, Fashion Delight, will be the second choice. Samander will be the horse to watch. He can close hard if there is a lot of speed up front. If anybody turns the race into a speed race, Samander will most likely be closing to win. Also watch Westwardho Hanover. He was first over at the quarter in the elim and took the lead. He ended up finishing third by a head.