Pampered Princess upset in Matron elim

November 05, 2007

Artzina and Artist's View scored victories in the Progress Pace eliminations Sunday night at Dover Downs, splits that were without Southwind Lynx, who had been scratched earlier in the day. Besides the two elims for 3-year-old colt pacers, Matron eliminations were also held.

In the first of two $35,000 Progress Pace elims, Artzina, trained by Dylan Davis, winner of the Matron at two last fall, was on the engine for Hall of Famer John Campbell, roaring to a 1:51.1 triumph for Kal Liebowitz of New York City and Marc Rubach of West New York, N.J. Forensic Z Tam (Pat Lachance) was runner-up with Sutter Hanover (David Miller) taking third. Proven Lover (Yannick Gingras) made next week's final by finishing fourth.

The second Progress Pace elim was without locally owned $1.3 winner Southwind Lynx via an early day scratch. A 10-1 shot, Artist's View, driven by Yannick Gingras for owners Bill Rufenacht of Archbold, Ohio and DM Stables of Naples, Fla., scored an upset also clocked in 1:51.1.

Kenneth J (Ron Pierce) left from post eight as the prohibitive wagering choice and led until Rusty's For Real (Tony Morgan) rolled up on the outside to offer a serious challenge. The Real Artist colt took command heading down the stretch until a fresh Artist's View came on strongly to take the lead deep in the lane. Ghee's House (Brian Sears) was third and fast finishing Arts Mattjesty (Jody Jamieson) took fourth.

The rest of the nine stakes program belonged to Matron Stakes elims. Vulcanize, a Muscles Yankee filly, came from far back to overtake a spread-out field in mid stretch and charge past odd-on favorite Pampered Princess (Campbell) for a 1:55 victory in the first of three Matron filly trots. Steve Condren drove the filly for trainer Bob McIntosh and owners Lothlorien Equestrian Center of Mississauga, Ont.

Pampered Princess had led from the start and weathered a challenge on the backstretch fro Ms. Virginia (Morgan). Turning for home six horses fanned out in the lane with Vulcanize coming fastest of all to score her ninth win of the year raising her earnings to $569,949, all won in 2007. Vanity Plates (Tim Tetrick) finished third.

Next, Canada's winningest driver Jamieson piloted Pippiwhitestockngs into the lead and the pair had just enough to hold off streaking down the stretch Loch Katrine (Cat Manzi) by a short nose in 1:56.1. Danae, after breaking stride before the start, caught up to field at the start and moved into third along the inside as the race enfolded. Tetrick pulled the Hambletonian Oak-winner to the outside after the half and she trotted roughly on the leaders flank and held on for third. Race favorite Gerri's Joy (Gingras) had to settle for fourth.

The third $25,480 Matron filly trot elim was won impressively in 1:56.3 by Godiva Hall, trained and driven by Trond Smedshammer for owners the Oldfords of Michigan and North South Partners 2 of Atlanta, Ga. Pembroke Spice (George Brennan) had late trot to finished second. Early leader Southwind Serena (Gingras) was third.

Up Front Larry won the first of two $36,725 Matron colt trot elims as Tetrick guided the son of Andover Hall home easily in 1:55.4 for Ed Mullinax, of Amherst, Ohio, and Jean Cloutier of Derby Line, Vt. Photo Maxx (Marcus Johansson) closed with a rush to finish second in front of Manfinity (Brennan). Race favorite Mythical Lindy (David Miller) cut out most of the mile before fading to fourth. Program favorite Green Day was scratched.

Sears drove L&L DeVisser's Great Success to a 6-1 victory in a second colt trot section. The Self Possessed colt overtook Prayer I Am (Campbell) in mid stretch on the way to his first win this season and lifted his seasonal bankroll to $280,146. Ogham (Miller), the public choice was third with Standpoint (Trond Scmedshammer) fourth.

Adam Victor & Son Stable's Little Miss Dragon gave Campbell the first of his two wins steering the 1:51.2 victory. Campbell wheeled the Dragon Again distaff to the outside at the three quarters to ovetake Tidewaterdragonfly (Sears) on the final turn and then held off Hana Hanover (Brennan) for the win. Art's Fantasy (Morgan) was third with Before Dawn (Pierce) fourth.

Keith Oliver, an Ontario regular, took Alexis Hall right to the front and never looked back negotiating the mile in 1:52.1 to win a $29,031 Matron filly pace. Owned by Alan Wallace of Troy, Ont., the victory was the fifth in a row and 12th this season in 16 races for the Cambest filly. Isabella Blue Chip (Miller) stalked the winner from the start and finished second with Whycantiforgetyou (Jamieson) finished third. Lislea Phia (Pierce) was fourth.

All four lucrative Matron 2-year-old finals are set for next Saturday, Nov. 10, with the $350,900 Progress Pace finale and three Matron 3-year-old championship settled on Sunday, Nov. 11. (Dover Downs)

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