Dover Downs: Bill's Man, Dream Together star in Matrons for sophomore trotters

Bill's Man and Dream Together were the winners of the two Matron finals for 3-year-old trotters on Thursday evening at Dover Downs, and both horses picked up new lifetime marks in their victories.

The colt trotters went for $201,900, and Yes Mickey (Ake Svanstedt) would take the group to the first quarter in 27 3/5 before he cut loose outside challenger and Breeders Crown winner What The Hill (David Miller). What The Hill would go on to hit the half in 55 3/5, and it was at that point that favored Devious Man (Andy Miller) came first-over out of the fourth spot. Bill's Man (Tim Tetrick) grabbed the cover and was positioned second-over.

What The Hill kept Devious Man at bay to the 1:24 1/5 three-quarters, but Devious Man surged by late on the final bend and was clear as he entered the stretch. Even though Devious Man had the jump on his pursuers in the lane, Bill's Man came to the outside off his cover, and he would go by the public choice late, winning by a head in 1:52 2/5. Top Flight Angel (Dan Dube) was up for third at 48-1, What The Hill had to settle for fourth, and Yes Mickey was fifth.

"I'd never had the opportunity to sit behind him, but Corey (Callahan) said he was really nice and talented. Today we just got a dream trip and it all worked out. It's very windy tonight, and he raced really well," offered Tetrick. "I wanted to try and get away as close as I could without hurting him, and if I could be first-up or second-over following a live horse I'd love my spot."

Bill's Man, a colt by Credit Winner, is trained by John Butenschoen for owners William Wiswell and M And L Of Delaware LLC. This was his seventh career victory, and he has now earned $524,887. A co-5/2 second choice with What The Hill, Bill's Man paid $7.20 to win.

The filly trotters, getting a break from chasing Ariana G, went for a purse of $186,600, and it would be Dream Together and driver Dan Dube winning in 1:53 2/5.

Evelyn (A. Miller) and Thats All Moni (Yannick Gingras) battled to the 26 3/5 opening quarter in the race before Evelyn released Thats All Moni to the point. Miller was right back out in search of the lead, though, and Evelyn regained the front prior to the 55 1/5 half-mile marker. Even-money favorite Ice Attraction (Svanstedt) rolled first-up out of fourth at that point, with Fine Tuned Lady (Callahan) second-over and Dream Together third-over.FotowonDream Together (#1) came out on the winning side of the tight finish

Evelyn held the lead to the 1:24 3/5 three-quarters and around the far turn, with Dube sending Dream Together three-high on the far turn. She would join Evelyn and Ice Attraction at the top of the lane, and the three fillies would battle all the way to the wire, with Dream Together getting by in the final stride to win by a nose over Evelyn. Ice Attraction came in third, Thats All Moni checked in fourth, and Fine Tuned Lady grabbed fifth.

"That's the way the race went," said Dube. "They went fast fractions, and she's more like a closer. (Trainer) Luc Blais is doing a good job, and he's got a really nice horse. They do the right things with her, and that's why pop up like that."

A daughter of Muscle Hill, Dream Together is trained by Blais for owner Determination. Dream Together is now a eight-time winner in her life, and she has banked $459,859. Dream Together was sent off at 3-1 and returned $8.60 to win.