Dover: Dandy Ideal wires field in Matron for freshman pacing males

Supplemented by his connections to the tune of $20,000, Dandy Ideal brought a three-race winning streak into Thursday's (Nov. 14) $178,900 Matron Stakes for 2-year-old male pacers at Bally's Dover. And the American Ideal-OK Heavenly gelding did not disappoint, making good on his owners' risk with a lifetime best-equaling 1:50 3/5 victory.

Dandy Ideal and driver Tim Tetrick sprinted to a clear lead over Thirsty Thursday (driven by Matt Kakaley) and was in complete control through early splits of 27 2/5 and 56. Up the backstretch, Knockout Round (Andy McCarthy) began a first-over ascent from third and offered mild pressure into Dandy Ideal to three-quarters in 1:23 3/5. Dandy Ideal shrugged off his outside rival off the home turn and was driven out to a 1 3/4 length win over Thirsty Thursday, giving trainer Hunter Oakes a sweep of the exacta. Knockout Round protected third after leveling off.

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Dandy Ideal, a five-time winner with $137,475 in the bank, is owned by Flying A Racing Stable, Thaddeus Wier and Alan Johnston. He paid $3.20 to win as the 3-5 favorite.