Matron Stakes spotlights two-year-old talent

Dover, DE — Three harness racing divisions of the Matron Stakes for two-year-olds are set to headline a packed Thursday night (Nov. 6) program at Bally’s Dover, showcasing some of North America’s brightest young pacing and trotting prospects.

The first of the feature events, the $104,900 Matron Stake for Two-Year-Old Filly Pacers (Grade 2), goes as Race 8 with an estimated post time of 7:06 p.m.

Leading the field is I’m A Lou Lou, the daughter of Sweet Lou, who owns the fastest mark in the lineup — 1:49.3 — recorded at Lexington’s Red Mile. The filly has already banked more than $225,000 this season but will need to overcome the outside draw from post eight.

Massachusetts standout Two Twenty Swift enters in career-best form, winning five of her last six starts and boasting over $210,000 in earnings. Consistent filly Existential also looms as a major contender, hitting the board in her last eight appearances.

The 12th race brings the $122,600 Matron Stake for Two-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Pacers (Grade 3), which features a deep and talented field.

Among the headliners is Frantic Hanover, a Stay Hungry colt who finished fifth in the Breeders Crown at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The speedy colt has paced multiple sub-1:50 miles this season and leads the group in earnings with more than $530,000. His main threat appears to be Melillo, the fastest in the field with a 1:48.4 mark and an ultra-consistent record, hitting the board in 11 of his last 12 starts. Estimated post time is 8:30 p.m.

The evening concludes with Race 14, the $110,300 Matron Stake for Two-Year-Old Trotting Fillies (Grade 2), scheduled for 9:12 p.m.

Top filly Atlantic Summer headlines the trot, carrying a bankroll of over $350,000. The daughter of Atlantic Balance finished fourth in the Breeders Crown and earlier captured the $464,400 Doherty Memorial at Hoosier Park, cementing her as the one to beat.

The Bally’s Dover undercard features three divisions of DSBF two-year-old stakes, along with the $28,500 Blue Hen Open for Delaware-owned or bred aged pacers, which adds further depth to the night’s action.

Live racing continues Monday through Thursday at Bally’s Dover with a 4:30 p.m. first post.

For complete race entries, click here: US Trotting entries

by Alex Kraszewski, for Bally’s Dover