Sophomore pacing colts were front and centre on Friday night at Maywood Park, with Roger Welch trainees stealing the show by sweeping the top three spots in the track's signature event, the $36,000 Maywood Pace.

Topping the Welch threesome, division leader Earndawg reported home with a three-quarter-length victory in 1:54.2 for driver Todd Warren.

Confidently handled as a 1-5 favourite should be, the son of Sportsmaster—Pacific Sister K settled early before sweeping past the other Welch trainees, Rockin Cassinova (Ridge Warren) and Gifted By Nature (Pat Curtin), as the field moved by an opening quarter in :28.3.

In control of the field the rest of the way, the bay gelding strolled through middle splits of :57.2 and 1:26 while fending off a first over bid from Lucpark (Mike Oosting).

“I went into the race not necessarily wanting to be on the front end, but once things started to slow on the backstretch the first time I figured I better head for the top,” said Warren. “I wasn’t looking to slow things down once I got there because I know what my horse can go so I wanted to keep the splits honest enough to keep those trailers at bay.”

After repelling the challenge of last week's elimination winner, Earndawg began to draw clear around the final bend, opening up a two-length advantage as the field turned for the money.

With nothing but open space between themselves and the wire, the pride of owners Bo and Pat De Long and Ernest Miller set sail for home, sealing the deal with a :28.2 final quarter to notch his third win in six starts this season. Rockin Cassinova shook loose at the head of the stretch to rally for the place honours while Gifted By Nature turned a perfect trip into the show dough.

After yet another big victory with last year’s Orange & Blue and Abe Lincoln Stakes winner, Warren was singing the praises of the gelding in the winner’s circle.

“I definitely think he’s still the best in this division and I don’t believe we’ve even come close to seeing his best yet,” said the jubilant reinsman. “He hasn’t had that much work this year and there’s been some times that he hasn’t really had the back-to-back starts that can get him as sharp as he can be. Let’s just say I think there’s much more to come from this guy when the 'screws' get tightened up on him. He’s so versatile and talented that he’s going to be hard to stop.”

Earndawg now boasts a record of 11-5-3 in 23 starts with earnings of $248,325. The overwhelming favourite in the wagering returned $2.40, $2.20 and $2.10.

(With files from Maywood Park)