Illinois-conceived and foaled trotters were back in the spotlight on Wednesday, June 22 at Balmoral Park, as a field of seven diagonally-gaited three-year-old colts battled in the $9,000 Niles OTB Stakes.

As has been the case throughout the first six months of the 2011 season, Anthonyskywalker proved to be too much for his foes, as he trotted away with a one-length victory in 1:55.4 for driver Kyle Wilfong.

Perfectly positioned by Wilfong, who was sitting behind the son of Powerful Emotion-Queen Jamie for the first time, the bay gelding took advantage of a pocket-sitting ride as Detailer (driven by Robert Taylor) whizzed through splits of :27.4, :57.3 and 1:27.2.

Fit and fresh off the perfect trip, the Homer Hochstetler trainee then proceeded to blow right by the pacesetter in the lane. He sealed the deal with a 28.1 final quarter to notch his sixth win in seven starts this season. GJ Photo Victory (Marcus Miller) rallied from far back to finish a fast-closing second, while Powerful Charger (Kyle Husted) used a ground-saving journey to nab the show dough.

After going winless during his two-year-old season, Anthonyskywalker has still managed to push his career earnings up to $59,127 with the outstanding start to his sophomore campaign.

Freshmen pacing fillies were also in action on Wednesday night, as a field of seven youngsters squared off in the $11,000 Incredible Tillie Stakes.

Despite a slight miscue in the late going, Mystical Marker Farms, Mark Anderson and John Carver’s MJs Bid made every call a winning one in her career debut, as she paced to a half-length victory in 2:00.

Using the inside starting spot to his full advantage, driver Marcus Miller hustled the daughter of Cole Muffler--Rons Girl away from the gate. In command of the proceedings throughout splits of :30.1, 1:00.3 and 1:31.3, MJs Command then sprinted home in :28.2 to pick up the victory. Sleazy Does It (Robert Taylor) finished second while Constant Cheers (Robert Smolin) rallied to be third.

(Balmoral)