Dover: Bettor's Wish shines again in Matron triumph

Bettor's Wish turned in a 1:49 2/5 mile to come out on top in the $248,350 Matron for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers on Thursday night at Dover Downs.

American Mercury (Tyler Buter), who beat Bettor's Wish in the Messenger final, left well from post three, but Bettor's Wish and driver Dexter Dunn moved up on the outside to challenge on the first turn, then took over past a 27 second opening quarter.

Breeders Crown champion Dancin Lou (Andrew McCarthy) started from post eight in tonight's race, and he tried to press on around Bettor's Wish in the second quarter, but Bettor's Wish latched on and gave Dancin Lou the cold shoulder, leaving him on the rim to the 53 2/5 half and the 1:21 3/5 three-quarters.

Dancin Lou's bid came to an end past three-quarters and he began to backpedal, leaving Bettor's Wish on a clear lead turning for home. He'd maintain control through the lane and to the wire, winning by a length and three-quarters over American Mercury. Aflame Hanover (Corey Callahan) was third, De Los Cielos Deo (Matt Kakaley) fourth, and Shake That House (Tim Tetrick) fifth.

"I thought there'd be a bit of action early. Horses with good gate speed that have been racing good were in play, so we sort of took our time there going to the first quarter," relayed Dunn. "Things were looking okay, and when Andy came at him there coming down the straight here, he sort of really grabbed on and wanted to race him hard. I was trying to release him, but Wish just wanted to keep going, so we ended up rolling on. He felt great the whole mile.

"He's had a great year. He's one of the guys who you'd like to take to the pub and have a beer with them. It's been a pleasure to be involved with him this year. He's had some tough beats, but he's done such a fantastic job. I think now it looks like he's going to race the older boys in the TVG final for his last race of the season. Do that and then obviously back next year would be great."

Trainer Chris Ryder also co-owns Bettor's Wish, a Bettor's Delight colt, with partners Bella Racing LTD., Fair Island Farm Inc., and Bettors Wish Partners. Bettor's Wish made his 18th appearance in the winner's circle, and he has now put away $1,832,676. He was the 3-5 favorite and returned $3.20 to win.