Four Classic finals drawn

Four surprisingly small but exceptional fields of the star older trotters and pacers converge on Dover Downs for $250,000 finals, all over a distance of 1 1/4 miles on Million-Dollar Monday, Nov. 27.

Five will start in the $250,000 Trotting Classic led by Todd Shadel and trainer-driver Roger Hammer's Vivid Photo, a winner of three of his last four starts including last week's preliminary leg at the Meadowlands. Adam Victor & Son's Mr. Muscleman finished second with Ron Pierce while August Miedel's Sand Vic and Brian Sears was third. Sir Perseverance, unbeaten in all his three career appearances at Dover Downs, with George Brennan, completes the quality lineup with $1.1-million winning local favorite JM Vangogh, owned by John Mello and Dover Downs' trainer Paul Chambers. Tony Morgan will be drive from the rail.

Five is also the number of all-star pacers in the $250,000 Pacing Classic. With Casimir Comotion laid up with a leg injury, reigning event champion Boulder Creek, who won last week's third and final prelim, at the Meadowlands, will again be driven by Daniel Dube. Boulder Creek is coupled in the betting with Spirit Of A Shark and Cat Manzi drivng for the Siegels, Lee Wasserman and John Fodera, who own the duo. World champion Holborn Hanover, with regular driver Brennan piloting for John Fielding and Canamerica Capital Corp. leaves from the rail with Kauffman, Stiller, W. Springtime and Robert McIntosh Stables' Stonebridge Regal and reinsman Pierce alongside. Richard Annunziata's Hop Sing, David Miller driving, completes the line up.

The Class Distaff showcases a quintet of fast female pacers. Marvin Rounick's Glowing Report and driver David Miller, seek to get back on the winning foot. The 5 year old finished third last week ending a six-race win streak. Last Saturday, Daniel Dube drove Daniel Plouffe's Marnie Hall to a 1:50.4 surprise victory. Defending event champion Burning Point was a close second racing for Cuzzins Stable, a nose back with Pierce. Completing the select distaff field are Katherine Bardis' Easton Alliance N and Manzi starting from post one and Bill Gregg and Andray Farm's Vysoke Tatry with Sears steering.

There are seven starters in the $250,000 Classic Oaks. Peter Kleinhans' Lavec Dream was a 21-1 upset winner last week, driven by Brennan. Mystical Sunshine and Pierce finished second for owners Alvin Jacobson and Sid Korn. Soveig, owned by Christina Takter, Fielding, Fred Hertrich and Anderberg Stable, was the third-place finisher for trainer-driver Jimmy Takter. The other talented lady contestants are White Creek Stable's Three Little Words with Miller from post one, flanked by Terry and Clarence Devos' Snazzy Millie and driver Sears. Also starting are Ticket To Glide, owned by Angie Stiller and Mentally Stable Inc. with Manzi at the helm and Lindy Racing Stable's Nana's Best, driven from outside post seven by Yannick Gingras. (Dover Downs)

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