Illinois conceived and foaled freshmen shared top billing on Wednesday, June 18 at Balmoral Park as a pair of stakes events once again showcased both pacers and trotters from the state-bred ranks.

A full field of 10 two-year-old pacing fillies were dropped into the box for the $10,000 Incredible Tillie Stake. With a wicked lighting storm approaching the Crete oval, which eventually wound up delaying the races right after the finish of this event, Peter Dora’s Lyrics Fall turned in an electrifying effort scoring by a neck in wire-to-wire fashion while stopping the clock in 1:56.2 over a “good” racetrack.

Speeding away from post position six for driver Ronnie Gillespie, the bay daughter of Yankee Skyscaper—Fox Valley Evelyn put up splits of :29.2, :59 and 1:28.3 while rolling along unchallenged on the front end. After opening up a four-length advantage by the mid-stretch call, the $1,800 yearling purchase was all out to hold off the late charge of Gracie On My Mind (Dave Magee), who came flying home in :27.1 to finish second. Fox Valley Redhead (Dean Magee) also uncorked a big late move to wind up third.

A field of six trotting fillies went postward in the $5,000 Star Slinger Stake and when the smoke cleared it was Cynthia Demarlie and Jason Ward’s Bi Polar Rose that emerged victorious, scoring by one and a half lengths in 2:02 over a track listed as “good.”

Sent right to the top by Travis Seekman, the daughter of Polar Winner—I Still Owe rattled off splits of :31.2, 1:03.3 and 1:33.1. After repelling a first over bid from Fox Valley Macy (Ronnie Gillespie) at the top of the lane, the Rod Allums Jr.-trained miss trotted home in a sharp :28.4 to make her debut a winning one. Persuasive Look (Dave Magee) overcame a miscue behind the gate to rally for the bridesmaid spot while Patient I D (Dale Hiteman) followed the winner’s every move while garnering the show dough.

(Balmoral Park)