Despite coming into Sunday’s $56,900 final of the Violet Stakes at Balmoral Park sporting a perfect four-for-four record in 2009, Kay Willis and Richard Beere’s Native Hotspur still wasn’t getting the respect she deserved, as she was sent off as the third choice among the field of 10 Illinois-conceived and foaled filly pacers.

That figures to change dramatically after Sunday’s impressive win as she reported home with a one-length decision in a career best of 1:52.2 for driver Sam Widger.

Using his filly’s quick turn of speed to get away from the gate, Widger pointed the daughter of Ft Apache Hanover---Broadway Charisma right for the top from Post 6 and she was on an uncontested lead as she passed the opening station in :28.1.

“I knew my horse could leave out of there as fast as you want her to,” said Widger. “Once we made the front in easy fashion I kind of had a feeling we were going to be in for a golden trip.”

With Widger slowing things down a bit on the backside, driver Tyler Buter pulled Honey B Skipalong from fifth and that filly quickly rushed into the lead, as the field reached the half-mile mark in :56.4.

Heading around the far turn, Honey B Skipalong continued to show the way as a first-over Smashy Cerise (driven by Brandon Simpson) came calling with bid. Native Hotspur continued along patiently in the pocket, while heavily-favoured Fox Valley Topaz (Mike Oosting) circling horses three and four-wide as the field reached the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:24.3.

Through the stretch, Honey B Skipalong put away the first-over challenge of Smashy Cerise, but Widger knew he still had the pace setter right where he wanted her.

“Even though I had my filly keyed up to leave at the start of the race, she had no problem relaxing while she sat in the pocket the rest of the way around the track,” he explained. “I knew the passing the lane was coming and I knew she still had plenty left.”

Scooting through along the inside of the leader, Native Hotspur came home in a very respectable :27.3 to notch her fifth straight victory. Honey B Skipalong held on gamely to be the bridesmaid, while 41-1 outsider Shes A Pegase (Josh Sutton) finished third. Last season’s champion, Fox Valley Topaz, faltered in the stretch and wound up a disappointing sixth as the 3-5 favorite after a tough trip.

After the race, a very happy Widger had nothing but praise for both Native Hotspur and her conditioner, Nelson Willis.

“She chased Fox Valley Topaz all year during their two-year-old seasons and Nelson’s done a great job in getting her ready for a big three-year-old campaign,” said Widger. “With her speed she’s always going to be in good position and she’s just as handy on a small track which is going to give her plenty of chances to make some big money this year.”

Sent off at odds of 5-1, Native Hotspur returned $12.20, $4.60 and $7.20 while keying a 6-4-1 trifecta payout of $1,560. The win was her eighth in 20 career starts.

(With files from Balmoral)