Illinois-bred trotting colts took center stage on last night at Balmoral Park, as a total of 16 three-years-olds squared off in a pair of $7,500 Cardinal Stakes eliminations. The top five finishers in each split will return next week to slug it out in the $50,200 final.

In the opening split, Definer overcame the outside starting spot in the field of eight to record a front-stepping one-length victory in 1:57.4.

The second division featured Claude Powers division champion Southern Rocketop. The son of Psychic Spirit-Summer In The City continued to keep his place atop the division, as he toyed with his seven rivals in route to a 10-length romp in 1:55. He has now won 11 of 16 career starts with earnings of $162,720.

(With files from Balmoral)