DOVER, Del.—- A 32-1 shot What's Going On with Hall of Fame harness racing driver David Miller rolled from last at the three-quarters to score a 1:55 upset in the $171,300 Matron Two-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Stake, one of four Matron Finals at Dover Downs on Thursday, Nov. 3, Ain't Three OK, won the filly pace while Fine Tuned Lady and Snowstorm Hanover took the trot finals. There were also four Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) 1st leg colt elims on the 5-race card.
It was catch-driver Miller's first effort behind What's Goin On, a son of Roll With Joe-Xclamation owned by Bob Phillips, Deena Frost, VIP Internet and trainer Mark Harder. Miller waited while Every Way Out and then race favorite Boogie Shuffle and Scott Zeron took the eight starters to the three quarters. Miller then moved What's Goin On to pass horses and beat Rock N Tony (Trace Tetrick) to the wire for his third win of the season. Boogie Shuffle held on for third. What's Goin On almost has now won $172,397, nearly doubling his lifetime earnings.
Another catch-driver, Hall of Famer Brian Sears piloted Canadian-bred Ain't Three OK to lifetime best 1:52.4 to win the $170,000 Matron Filly Stake. Steve Carter conditions the Chuck Grubbs leased daughter of Mach Three-Ain't Given Up to her fifth win in 11 races this year. She has now banked $282,224. Rockette picked up second money with Matt Kakaley in the bike. World Apart and Scott Zeron finished third.
Delaware was well-represented in the $148,700 Matron Filly Trot. Dover Downs leading driver Corey Callahan drove the 1:56.3 triumph for owner M&L Of Delaware, the nom-de-course for Ralph, Roz and Doug Paul and their partner Bill Wizwell. Ice Attraction was second for Ake Swanstedt with Winter Sweet Frost piloted by Scott Zeron third. The victory was the sixth of the campaign for the John Butenschoen-trained Fine Tuned Lady, a Cantab Hall-Poster Princess filly, now a winner of $438,340.
Matt Kakaley drove Snowstorm Hanover home in 1:55.1 to win the first Matron event for freshmen. The Muscle Massive-Snow Angel Hanover colt got going late in the mile to overtake Sortie with Andrew McCarthy in the final strides for win number four this year. Weaver Bruscemi, Baldachino, Colluri and Burke Racing own the winner of $178,719 in his rookie season. Southwind Cobra got up for third for Yannick Gingras.
There were four DSBF Two-Year-Old Colt paces on the stakes filled program. Automatic Drago (Vic Kirby) took the lead early on the way to a 1:54.3 victory in the first $20,000 event. Daylen (Montrell Teague) was runner-up with Suspinder (Allan Davis) third. Bobby Clark trains the Art Director-Dragon Woman gelding for Tina and Joe Clark.
Apple Heir and Jason Green took the second DSBF pace in 1:t6.3. Brian Wright trains and co-owns the Mr. Apples-Paris The Heiress gelding with Bill Hall. Unbroken Vision (Callahan) and Takeittotheface (Ross Wolfenden) were second and third respectively.
Montrell Teague guided Henry The Dragon to his fourth consecutive victory in his $20,000 DSBF prelim. Sired by Custer The Dragon from Surveille Hanover, the Clyde Francis-trainee is owned by George Teague Inc. Stay In Your Place (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was second. Bags To Riches (Art Stafford Jr.), third.
James Isaac with Tony Morgan driving for trainer Vick Keeler II and owner Dan Keeler posted a 1:53 conquest in the other $20,000 DSBF 1st leg pace. Hallie's Comet (Ross Wolfenden) was a strong second in front of Rat Tail (M.Teague).
Morgan, Vick Kirby, Allan Davis and Ross Wolfenden had two wins each.
Marv Bachrad