$598,600 Matron Stakes draws stars

On Thursday, November 11, Veterans Day, many of harness racing’s star performers will be at Dover Downs for the $598,600 Matron Stakes for three-year-old trotters and pacers.

Featured will be Test Of Faith, the #1 horse in the national Top Ten Poll. Test Of Faith headlines the 10^th race $129,000 Matron for three-year-old pacing fillies.

Starting from post 2 for driver David Miller, Test Of Faith is gunning for her 14^th win this season in just 16 starts for trainer Brett Pelling. The Art Major filly will again best tested against rivals Scarlett Hanover (post 1), winner of the Jugette, Grace Hill (post 3), Blue Diamond Eyes (post 7) and Fire Star Hanover (post 8).

Hambletonian Oakes winner Bella Bellini leads the 6^th race $148,550 Matron for three-year-old trotting fillies.

Bella Bellini is fresh off her impressive Breeders Crown victory last week and starts from post 3. The Bar Hopping daughter sports ten wins this season and earnings of more than $1 million. She is taking on Herculisa (post 8) and May Karp (post 7).

The top three-year-old pacing colt, Charlie May, comes to Dover Downs for the $164,750 Matron. The world record holder, sired by McArdle, comes into the race off a tough second place finish to Perfect Sting in the Breeders Crown. He is the 2-1 morning line favorite from post seven for driver Brett Miller.

Taking on Charlie May are Little Brown Jug winner, Lou’s Pearlman (post 1), Abuckabett Hanover (post 8), Southwind Gentry (post 4) in what will be a great contest.

The trotting colts are featured in the $156,300 8^th race where In Range (post 7) is the slight favorite over Swingforthefences (post 6).

In Range comes off a game third place finish in the $650,000 Breeders Crown. He has only two wins this year, but $363,278 in earnings racing against the best colt trotters in the sport. He will be driven by Tim Tetrick.

Swingforthefences is coming off a major triumph last week in the $165,000 Carl Erskine Trot at Hoosier Park. It was the son of Swan For All’s fifth straight win.

Also in the field are Incommunicado (post 4), Mon Amour (post 8) and Capstone (post 1).

Race 6 $148,550 Matron Stakes 3 yr. Old Fillies Trot
1. Illuminata A.Svanstedt
2. Moni For Lindy Y. Gingras
3. Bella Bellini D. Dunn
4. Iteration B. Sears
5. Darlene Hanover To. McCarthy
6. You Ato Dream J. Gregory
7. May Karp T. Tetrick
8. Herculisa B. Miller
Race 8 $156,300 Matron Stakes 3 yr.old C/G Trot
1. Capstone A. Svanstedt
2. Tangled Love B. Sears
3. Ethan T Hanover D. Miller
4. In Communicado Y.Gingras
5. Zenith Stride To. McCarthy
6. Swingforthefences P. Wrenn
7. In Range T. Tetrick
8. Mon Amour D.Dunn
Race 10 $129,000 Matron Stakes 3 yr.old Fillies Pace
1. Scarlett Hanover T. Tetrick
2. Test Of Faith D.Miller
3. Grace Hill To.McCarthy
4. Thebeachiscalling B. Sears
5. So Irresistible An.McCarthy
6. Chase Lounge Brt. Miller
7. Blue Diamond Eyes Y. Gingras
8. Fire Start Hanover D. Dunn
Race 12 $164,750 Matron Stakes 3 yr. Old C/G Pace
1. Lou’s Pearlman Y Gingras
2. Rockyroad Hanover D.Dunn
3. Chase H Hanover T. Tetrick
4. Southwind Gendry D. Miller
5. I’ll Drink To That B. Sears
6. Whichwaytothebeach To McCarthy
7. Charlie May B. Miller
8. Abuckabett Hanover A. McCarth

First race post time on Thursday is 4:30 pm. For complete entries click here.

By Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink