Matron finals delivered at Dover
By Frank and Ray Cotolo
(BC) denotes Breeders Crown eligible
With one week until the eliminations for the Breeders Crown, Dover Downs hosted the finals for the Matron on Thursday, Nov. 6. Freshmen and sophomore pacers and trotters competed for nearly $1.5 million in purses.
Wild Honey & Yannick Gingras
Wild Honey (BC-Cantab Hall) went wire to wire in the $203,800 division for the two-year-old filly trotters, winning in 1:55.2f over a wet track. Owned by Christina Takter, John and Jim Fielding and Herb Liverman, trained by Jimmy Takter and driven by Yannick Gingras, she paid $2.20 to win.
Habitat & Yannick Gingras
Habitat (BC-Conway Hall) coasted behind pacesetter Cruzado Dela Noche (BC-Muscle Massive) and trotted by to win the $237,500 split for two-year-old colt trotters in 1:54.2f. Paying $6.20 to win, he is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Our Horse Cents Stables, and Weaver Bruscemi, trained by Ron Burke, and driven by Yannick Gingras.
Sassa Hanover & Yannick Gingras
Sassa Hanover (BC-Rock N Roll Heaven) led for a majority of the mile and progressed to a 1:52.3f victory over Bettor N Bettor (BC-Bettor’s Delight). Owned by Burke Racing Stable, The Panhellenic Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, and Larry Karr, trained by Ron Burke, and driven by Yannick Gingras, she paid $8.40 to win.
In The Arsenal & Brian Sears
In The Arsenal (BC-American Ideal) continued his rampage with a 1:51f victory in the $193,200 two-year-old colt pace over 121-1 shot Lyons Levi Lewis (BC-Well Said). Owned by White Birch Farm, trained by Kelvin Harrison, and driven by Brian Sears, he paid $4.80 to win, and the exacta returned $189.80 for $2.
Shake It Cerry & Ron Pierce
Shake It Cerry (BC-Donato Hanover) broke the track record in her 1:52.4f performance in the $160,950 three-year-old filly trot. Owned by Solveig’s Racing Partners, trained by Jimmy Takter, and driven by Ron Pierce, she paid $2.80 to win
Nuncio & John Campbell
With Father Patrick (BC-Cantab Hall) breaking at the start, stable-mate Nuncio (BC-Andover Hall) was sent towards the front, and soon brushed to command and advanced to a 1:54.1f victory in the $200,350 three-year-old colt trot. Owned by Stall TZ Inc, trained by Jimmy Takter, and driven by John Campbell, he paid $4.60 to win.
Big Boy Dream & Ron Pierce
Big Boy Dreams sat behind a hot pace set by Lyonssomewhere (BC-Somebeachsomewhere), Luck Be Withyou (BC-Western Ideal), and All Bets Off to sweep by them all around the far turn and pace to a 1:50.3 victory at 24-1 over Capital Account (BC-American Ideal) at 157-1. Owned by Dominick Rosato, trained by Ron Burke, and driven by Ron Pierce, he paid $50.40 to win, with the exacta paying $2,188.40.
Weeper & Ron Pierce
After setting fast fractions, Act Now (BC-Western Ideal) faltered on the lead and Weeper circled by to win the $179,200 three-year-old filly pace in 1:51 over Uffizi Hanover (BC-Well Said). Owned by Bay Pond Racing Stable, trained by Kelly O’Donnell, and driven by Ron Pierce, she paid $11.40 to win. Her connections have indicated they will supplement to the Breeders Crown weekend on Nov. 21 and 22.
