Frosh Matrons overflowing

Never in the history of the Matron Stakes, the oldest and one of the most prestigious stakes events in the sport, have 90 freshmen--the most in modern history--been entered in the elimination round of the $1 million stake. The qualifiers in the four 2-year-old division finals for colt and filly pacers and trotters will be decided in 11 elims this Saturday, Nov. 5 at Dover Downs.



Since its inception early in the 20th century, the Matrons have drawn many of the fabled young horses in harness racing, but at no time, has it been comparable to the 2005 eliminations.



The top eight finishers from each Matron elim division return next Saturday, Nov. 12, for lucrative finals. The colt pacers race for $240,675 while filly pacers meet in a $237,775 final. Colt trotters finalists vie for $227,900 while filly trotters race for a $218,400 purse.



In a surprising development in a $40,113 Matron colt pace elim, driver Ron Pierce chose to drive lightly-raced Took Hanover from the rail instead of Delaware's own Western Ace. Trainer George Teague picked Hall of Fame driver Cat Manzi to drive the gelding winner of nine of 10 races and $494,052. Leading challenger is $313,561 winner Palone Ranger, driven by Brian Sears.



In the other $40,113 Matron colt division, Artstanding, reined by Hall of Famer Mike Lachance, holds the only victory over Western Ace this campaign. The Artsplace colt has won $312,887 and is the one to beat in the second section.



The first of three $24,192 frosh pacing filly divisions is led by My Little Dragon, unbeaten in four starts, with Pierce. The Dragon Again filly has won $105,600. Armbro Dancer became eligible upon a $20,000 supplemental payment. She has won five of eight starts and $112,537.



A second $24,192 division features $432,106 winner Darlin's Delight with Yannick Gingras at the controls. He has won nine of 11 with two seconds. Lonesome Day (David Miller) has won five of seven with two second and $306,676 this season. Public Life (Manzi) is a $117,560 winning filly.



A pair of six-figure earners lead the third $24,192 filly pace. Knock Yourself Out (John Campbell) has won $183,023 in 2005, Mythical, driven by leading money winning driver of the year, Sears, is a $206,990 winner.



In $24,267 Matron freshman trots, Flamingo Bingo has won recent important stakes. Pierce will drive the five-time winner. Two other contenders are Gluteus Maximus, with Ray Schnittker, a New York Sire Stakes winner of $243,839 this season, and Wherley, a winner of $121,706 with Campbell to drive.



Another $24,267 Matron filly trot elim is led by Quick Credit, who has seven wins in 11 starts and $272,271 in earnings. Also, Celebrity Sweedie, a winner of $234,067 this year, finds Sears driving.



The richest fillies in the final $24,267 elim have drawn inside posts. Campbell steers Arlanda Hanover, a $254,166 winner from the rail with Macaria Hanover and Palone starting alongside, fashioning three straight stakes wins topping a four-wins-in-five-starts record winning $109,660 in purses.



The colt trotters vie for $23,100 in three divisions. In one, Make You Mine (Lachance) has won $123,830. Matchstick Man, with Schnittker, has banked $121,291.



Another section is led by highly rated RC Royalty with trainer-driver Dan Daley and Global Glide (Pierce) who has won $266,951. A $20,000 supplement made Here Comes Herbie (Lachance) eligible to start.



The final Matron $23,100 colt trot elim section features driver Schnittker's Frank The Hands, sporting a seven-win-in-nine-races record and $130,103 in purse earnings. (Dover Downs)

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