Confederate easily wins $170,850 Matron Stakes

The prestigious Grand Circuit came roaring into Bally’s Dover Thursday (Nov. 9) with four Matron Stakes for harness racing three-year-old trotters and pacers with purses totaling $557,250.

$170,850 Matron Stakes 3YO Colt Pace

With a strong brush to the lead before the half mile marker, Confederate (Sweet Lou) and driver Tim Tetrick had little trouble winning their 12th race division of the Matron Stakes.

Cannibal (Yannick Gingras) left quickest of all off the starting gate and worked his way to the lead over Ken Hanover (David Miller) by the first quarter in :26.1. Then it was Confederate’s turn to shine as Tim Tetrick sent the colt to the front before the half mile in :54.3.

As they came to the three-quarters in 1:22.1, Ken Hanover came first-over with El Rey (Dexter Dunn) second-over, but they could not catch Confederate who held a three-length lead at the top of the stretch. Cannibal tried to come after the 1/9 race favorite, but Confederate was too strong, winning by two and one-half lengths in 1:49. Cannibal was second with Ken Hanover third.

CONFEDERATE REPLAY

“I never had to pull the ear plugs,” said Tim Tetrick after the drive.

It was the eleventh straight win for Confederate and his 13th win in 14 starts this year. Trained by Brett Pelling for owner-breeder Diamond Creek Racing, Confederate paid just $2.20 to win.

$117,550 Matron Stakes 3YO Filly Pace

Zanatta (Joe Bongiorno) was first on the lead in the 10th race with McSeaside (Yannick Gingras) getting the two-hole trip with 1/5 race favorite Twin B Joe Fresh (Roll With Joe) and driver Dexter Dunn getting away in third place. The first quarter went in :27.

Content with no making a quick brush to the lead, Dunn sat third with Twin B Joe Fresh until they reached the half mile in :55.1 as Always B Naughty (Andy McCarthy) came first-over and flushed Twin B Joe Fresh to the outside.

Down the backstretch Twin B Joe Fresh took her time getting by pacesetter Zanatta after the three-quarters in 1:22.3. Once in command Twin B Joe Fresh opened up on the field and eased to the finish wire a winner by one and three-quarter lengths in 1:50.3. McSeaside was second with Always B Naughty third.

TWIN B JOE FRESH REPLAY

“We got away in a good spot,” Dunn said after the race. “She felt great tonight.”

Trained and co-owned by Chris Ryder with Dexter Dunn, Peter Trebotica and Barry Spak, it was the 10th win in 16 starts this year for Twin B Joe Fresh. She paid $2.60 to win.

$127,400 Matron Stakes 3YO Colt Trot

Driver Yannick Gingras sent 4-1 Point Of Perfect (Walner) to the front early and barely held on at the wire to win the Matron Stakes for trotting colts.

Starting the 8th race from post five, Gingras sent Point Of Perfect to the early lead with Khaosan Road (Ake Svanstedt) taking the two-hole spot to the first quarter in :27.1. They raced single file heading to the half mile when Dire Straits (David Miller) came first-over and race favorite Air Power (Mattias Melander) tried to get second-over but was nudged out for second-over by Calderone (Joe Bongiorno) at the half mile in :57.

Forced three-wide in the backstretch, Air Power then went off-stride as Point Of Perfect led the field to the three-quarters in 1:24.4. As they started down the stretch it seemed that everyone was coming on the outside and inside trying to beat Point Of Perfect, but Gingras put a drive on the colt to the wire to win by a head in 1:55. Khaosan Road was second with Dire Straits third.

POINT OF PERFECT REPLAY

“He’s so quick out of the gate,” Gingras said. “I wanted to get good position. I just stepped on the gas a little more. In the stretch it was a battle, they were coming from everywhere and he dug in.”

It was the fourth win on the season for Point Of Perfect. He is trained by Ron Burke and is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, J&T Silva Stables and Knox Services. He paid $10.40 to win.

$141,450 Matron Stakes 3YO Filly Trot

Call Me Goo (Googoo Gaagaa) and driver Dexter Dunn powered their way to the lead and never looked back in capturing the 6th race Matron Stakes for three-year-old trotting fillies.

Helpoftheseason (Yannick Gingras) was first out of the gate followed by Blonde Bombshell (David Miller) and on the outside was Call Me Goo. Helpoftheseason was on top at the quarter in :28, but Call Me Goo was on the move and cleared to the lead before the half mile in :57.1.

Heading into the backstretch, Quick Stop (Tim Tetrrick) came first-over, giving cover to Heaven Hanover (Brian Sears) but no one was able to head Call Me Goo at the three-quarters in 1:25.2.

Coming down the stretch, Call Me Goo held the field at bay, winning by two and one-quarter lengths in 1:53.2. Quick Stop was second with Helpoftheseason third.

CALL ME GOO REPLAY

“I got to the front pretty good,” said Dexter Dunn. “And she raced good the rest of the way. She’s a lovely trotter. I only just sat behind her for the first-time last week, but she is beautiful to sit behind.”

It was the second straight win and 12th victory of the season in just 16 starts for Call Me Goo. She is trained by Jason Skinner and is owned by the Graham Grace Stables of Clifton, Virginia. She paid $4.20 to win.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink