One of Maywood Park’s signature events, the $35,600 Filly Maywood Pace, will put a field of eight Illinois-conceived and foaled three-year-old pacing fillies in the spotlight as they do battle in Race 8 on Friday, June 12.

Leading the way is this year’s Violet Stake winner Lex who comes into the tussle off a third-place finish while facing the top older distaffers on the grounds at Balmoral Park last time out.

The Nelson Willis-trained miss earned a bye into tonight’s final, giving the daughter of Lexington Legend a week off to freshen up for the tussle. Sporting a career record of 7-4-3 from 15 starts with earnings of nearly $85,000 for owner Kay Willis, Lex has been installed as the 9-5 morning line favourite and she will start from Post 4. Kyle Wilfong is scheduled to handle the driving duties.

Southern Girl (4-1) turned some heads with a big come-from-behind victory in last week’s elimination, and the Homer Hochstetler-trained miss could make it two in a row if she’s able to uncork another closing move like that.

Unraced as a two-year-old, the daughter of Sportsmaster began her career this spring by reeling off a couple of sharp wins before running into stakes company. After a couple of ‘even’ efforts, the good-looking brown filly regained her form last week, exploding through the final sixteenth of the mile to pick up her fourth win in 10 career starts. Southern Girl will start from Post 2 as she teams up with driver Travis Seekman again.

Last week’s elimination favourite Sportsmuffler was victimized by a tough trip from Post 8. The ultra-consistent filly also figures to make her presence felt. She will start from Post 6 on Friday.

The Jesse De Long-owned and trained miss has put up a sparkling record of 8-3-3 from 15 lifetime starts with earnings of just over $75,000. Installed as the 5-2 second choice on the morning line, Casey Leonard will handle the driving chores.

The boys will also be in Friday evening, as a field of eight ICF sophomore pacing colts will battle in an $8,000 elimination for next week’s Maywood Pace. The top six finishers will move on to the final where they will be joined by Earndawg and Dixies Boy in the $36,000 final.

(Maywood)