Matron finals on tap

The 2005 Matron Stakes for 2 year olds at Dover Downs come to a close on Saturday, Nov. 12, with $1 million on the line in four division finals.



The colt pacers race for a $240,675 purse. Cat Manzi will be back to pilot Western Ace, a winner of 10 of his 11 career starts and $514,108 for Delaware-owners Teague Inc. and Kovach Stables.



Mike Lachance will guide Jim Switlynk and Bob Gorney's Artstanding, who has never finished worse than second in eight races. The colt conditioned by Tom Fanning is the only horse to own a win against Western Ace.



The likely favorite in the $237,775 Matron Filly Pace final is My Little Dragon, who scored a 1:52.3 victory in only her fourth lifetime start last week, equaling the fastest time ever for her age, gait and gender with three others. The Dragon Again filly will be driven by Ron Pierce for owner Adam Victor & Son Stable.



Lonesome Day, winner of one of the Matron elims was not entered in the final while Darlin's Delight was scratched "sick."



In the Matron freshman trot finals, colts vie for a $227,900 purse. Ray Campbell Jr.'s RC Royalty drew post seven with trainer-driver Dan Daley driving the winner of six wins in a row and seven-for-10 lifetime. Make Your Mine, who broke the longest track record at Dover Downs, the 2-year-old gelding record, scored in 1:59 in his elim. Mike Lachance will drive the Self Possessed gelding trained by Ron Gurfein. Let It Ride Stable's Winbak Adam and driver Pierce won the other elim in 1:57.1.



The filly trotters race for a $218,400 finale. The Kelley Racing and Bill Weaver's Valley High Stable's Quick Credit, a winner of eight of 12 with $283,404 earnings, including a 1:57.1 triumph with John Campbell, is coupled in the wagering with Weaver's Macaria Hanover, second a week back, driven by Dave Palone.

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