Vivians Dream, Earthwindfire battle in $156,500 Matron

In what was billed as the best matchup of the $564,100 Matron Stakes for two-year-old trotters and pacers Thursday (Nov. 3) at Bally’s Dover, Vivians Dream and Earthwindfire did not let any harness racing fans down.

The 4^th race Matron contest for two-year-old pacing fillies for a purse of $156,500, Vivians Dream was able to hold off race favorite Earthwindfire in a classic stretch drive. Both fillies are sired by American Ideal.

Sanders Hanover (Art Stafford, Jr.) was first on the lead to the opening quarter in :27.1. Then it was Vivians Dream with driver Brian Sears already on the move. They took off command after the first quarter and led the field to the half mile in :57.

Then it was Earthwindfire and driver Tim Tetrick coming first over heading into the backstretch and those two were able to move their way up to second place on the outside against Vivians Dream by the three-quarters in 1:25.1.

By the top of the stretch, Vivians Dream had a two-length lead over rival Earthwindfire, who sliced that margin down to just a half a length at the finish with Vivians Dream holding on to win in 1:52.3. Extreme Z Tam (Scott Zeron) closed for third place.

VIVIANS DREAM REPLAY

It was the seventh win on the season for Vivians Dream. She is trained by Cory Mumford for owner Forrest Bartlett of Shiloh, NC and paid $5.80 to win.

The 10^th race $155,600 Matron Stakes for two-year-old pacing colts saw the Downbytheseaside colt, Act Fast, and driver Dexter Dunn go down the road and they never had to look back.

Leaving from post five, race favorite Act Fast shot to the lead with Cant Stop Lou (David Miller) sitting the two-hole trip to the first quarter in :26.1.

By the half mile in :55, Ervin Hanover (Yannick Gingras) started up first-over but never was able to challenge the race leader, as Act Fast did just that, pulling away to a three-length advantage at the three-quarters in 1:22.

Holding the field at bay, Fast Act went on to win by three and one-quarter lengths in 1:50.3. Cant Stop Lou was second with Why Not Now (Brian Sears) third.

ACT FAST REPLAY

Trained by Ron Burke, it was the third win this season for Act Fast. He is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Knox Services and Rich Lombardo Racing. He paid $4.20 to win.

In the 1^st race $129,400 Matron Stakes for two-year-old trotting fillies, Brunella (Father Patrick) continued her winning ways for the Nancy Takter Stable.

With Yannick Gingras in the sulky, Brunella led from start to finish, just holding off the pocket-sitter and race favorite Quick Stop (Tim Tetrick) to win by a neck in 1:54.4. Knickknack Hanover (Steve Smith) was third.

BRUNELLA REPLAY

It was a lifetime mark for Brunella, her second straight win and third victory of the year. Trained by Nancy Takter, Brunella is a homebred filly, bred and owned by Goran Falk and Christina Takter.

There was also a $122,600 Matron division for two-year-old trotting colts that because of only four horses in the field, it was held as an early, non-wagering event.

Winning with ease was Kimmeridgian (Walner) with driver Yannick Gingras as they led from start to finish in 1:54.3, scoring by two open lengths over the pocket-sitting Crown (Brian Sears) with Father Stosh (David Miller) third.

It was the maiden triumph for Kimmeridgian after eight tries for trainer Nancy Takter. He is bred in part and is owned by Knutsson Trotting, Inc. with Young Guns.

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink