State-bred fillies grabbed the spotlight Thursday at Maywood Park as a field of eight sophomore pacers battled in the $12,000 Betzotic Stake.
As she’s done with regularity through her first two seasons on the track, John Carver’s Auniqueaquistion proved to be too much for this group as she rolled to a two-length victory in 1:54.3 with driver Dale Hiteman at the controls.
Getting away perfectly in the third spot despite starting in the second tier Hiteman sent the daughter of Cole Muffler-Shessoluvabull to the front after watching Feel Like Dancing put up an opening quarter of 28.
In control of the proceedings as she cruised through middle splits of :57.1 and 1:26.1, the Donna Lee Ozment-trained miss put away a first over bid from Thank You Doc on the final turn, eventually drawing clear with a :28.2 final quarter to notch her tenth victory of the season. Feel Like Dancing followed the winner’s every move from the quarter on, but was forced to settle for the bridesmaid role while Thank You Doc held on for third.
With the win, Auniqueaquistion now boasts career totals of 14 wins and five seconds in 23 starts with earnings of $336,155. The even-money choice in the race returned $4.00.
(Maywood Park)