Dover: Pebble Beach, Niki Hill shine in Matron 3YO Paces

Pebble Beach and Niki Hill, both sent off as odds-on choices, didn't disappoint in winning the Matron finals for sophomore pacers on Thursday night at Bally's Dover Casino Resort.

The colts and geldings went for a purse of $158,200, and their Matron was named in honor of the late H.E. "Hap" Hansen, the long-time track president at Brandywine Raceway and then Dover's representative in Harness Tracks of America.

Andy and Todd McCarthy left for control of the race with I Did It Myway and Pebble Beach, with I Did It Myway and Andy leading at the quarter in 25 4/5 but then yielding to Todd and Pebble Beach after they pulled out of the pocket to take charge en route to the 54 3/5 half. Pebble Beach, coming off a romping win in the Breeders Crown last time out, would remain in charge through a 1:22 4/5 three-quarters, and a 28 3/5 kicker got him to the wire for a 1:51 2/5 victory.

It was a calvary charge behind Pebble Beach, with I Did It Myway holding off Energetic Hanover (David Miller) for second, three-quarters of a length off the winner. Mad Max Hanover (Tim Tetrick) wound up on excess cover and had to settle for rallying from eighth to fourth, and Fourever Boy (Dexter Dunn) collected fifth.

A Downbytheseaside colt bred by Brittany Farms, Pebble Beach has won 16 times from 27 career starts, and he has now earned $1,685,799. Owned by Patricia Stable, Joe Sbrocco, Country Club Acres, and Laexpressfoderadeovolente, Pebble Beach paid $3.20 to win as the 3-5 favorite.

It was announced earlier in the week that Pebble Beach will soon be concluding his racing career, as he will be joining the stallion ranks at Diamond Creek Farm in Kentucky next year. He is eligible to the Progress Pace, also at Dover, on November 23.

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Niki Hill, who was second to Treacherous Dragon from post ten in the Breeders Crown final most recently, got away in fourth in the $123,950 final for the fillies while Silver Label (James MacDonald) went to the top from post seven and led through a 26 1/5 quarter and a 55 2/5 half. Driver Dexter Dunn would send Niki Hill first-over before the latter marker, and she would join Silver Label heading to the 1:22 3/5 three-quarters, then blow by her beyond that station.

It was all Niki Hill from there as she drew away to the wire, winning by 3 1/2 lengths in 1:49 4/5. Boudoir Hanover (T. McCarthy) angled out from the pocket on the last turn and wound up second, with Wickedly Innocent (Mark MacDonald) gaining spots to take third. Silver Label faded to fourth, followed by Always Gonna B You (D. Miller).

"I didn't want to rush her too much into that first turn. There was a bit of speed from [James and Todd] out wide. We got away fourth. Probably if we'd gotten away third I'd might have moved her to the front, but since we got away fourth I just took my time," Dunn said about his trip. "She felt so good tonight. She couldn't have done it any better. She was pretty amazing actually.

"On the female side she's right up there with Party Girl Hill. She missed most of the season. She came back late, and her runs have been amazing for me. I'm looking forward to her next year."

By Always B Miki and bred by Dr. Stephen Dey III, Niki Hill is trained by Chris Ryder for owner Tom Hill. Niki Hill has compiled a record of 12-3-0 from 16 career starts, pushed her earnings to $1,278,617, and paid $2.40 to win as the 1-5 choice.

"What you saw tonight was Niki Hill. She's done it plenty of times, and I think she's getting better as she's getting older," remarked Ryder. "She's a big filly and she's getting strong. She's really blossoming now really. We'll continue it next year."