Dover: Confederate, Twin B Joe Fresh shine in Matron 3YO paces

Confederate and Twin B Joe Fresh were expected to win their respective Matron Stakes tilts for 3-year-old pacers on Thursday night at Bally's Dover and didn't disappoint.

In the $170,850 flight for the colts and geldings, Confederate (Tim Tetrick) ducked into fourth ahead of El Rey (Dexter Dunn) on the first turn after floating out from post seven, but Tetrick elected to move off the pylons with Confederate early on and moved up to take the lead away from Cannibal (Yannick Gingras) past the 26 1/5 opening quarter.

From there Confederate got to the half in 54 3/5 and the three-quarters in 1:22 1/5, then accelerated away from his rivals through the stretch, tallying by two lengths in 1:49. Cannibal held second, while Ken Hanover (David Miller) was third following a first-over try. El Rey rode Ken Hanover's cover and wound up fourth, followed by Fulton (Scott Zeron).

"I just wanted whatever the best trip I could get. I knew we had the stablemate on the front, so I just wanted to be in control of it," Tetrick offered. "This track is more of a speed track most of the time, and if I didn't go, I was going to have to be first-up maybe at the half. I just thought I'd go ahead and take charge. I thought I had the best horse and I did.

"He's done it consistently all year. He's not lost a step in his speed and we didn't pull the plugs. He's a cool animal. I can't say enough good things about him."

Trained by Brett Pelling for breeder Diamond Creek Farm and their racing operation, the victorious Sweet Lou colt has 18 wins, two seconds and a third from 21 career starts, has banked $2,074,054 and paid $2.20 to win as the 1-9 choice.

"He's just been an absolute treat. He's just super happy all the time, and he never gives you any trouble. He's so keen to get out there and do what he wants to do. I think he knows he can kick butt," stated Pelling. "I don't think we've even seen the bottom of (his speed). I just feel all the time that he's really untested. As long as he can be healthy. Health is the key. A lot of traveling around and it's getting late in the year and everything, but everything about him - his mechanics, speed and soundness - it's just all fabulous."

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Back in the $117,550 event for fillies, Zanatta (Joe Bongiorno) led the way through fractions of 27, 55 1/5 and 1:22 3/5, but Twin B Joe Fresh (Dunn) made a first-over move out of third past the half that carried her into the top spot on the final bend. Once she took charge, Twin B Joe Fresh got separation on the field and went on to tally by a geared-down length and a quarter in 1:50 3/5. McSeaside (Gingras) closed well after getting shuffled back in the pocket and was a closing second and Always B Naughty (Andy McCarthy) collected third. Rec Time (Tetrick) and Zanatta rounded out the top five.

"It was just one of those deals, playing it by ear and seeing how the race unfolded. We got away in a good spot. It was a bad drive for me last start in the Breeders Crown," said Dunn. "The tempo was good enough. She's got a pretty good brush in her, and she felt great tonight.

"She still had the plugs in and stuff. Once she cleared, she knows her job and she's was doing it pretty good to the line."

Trainer Chris Ryder also co-owns Twin B Joe Fresh, a daughter of Roll With Joe bred by Brittany Farms, with Dunn and their partners Peter Trebotica and Barry Spak. This was her 18th win from 26 lifetime starts, she has now earned $1,352,703, and she paid $2.60 to win as the 1-5 favorite.

"The story has been told before. She's an exciting filly," remarked Ryder. "The $1.3 million speaks for itself. She's had just a couple of races where she hasn't gotten a check, but the rest of the time, she's been, if not first, right there. She's been a terrific filly from Day One and it's terrific to have her.

"As long as she's healthy, which she is, we intend to race next year."