Sophomore pacing fillies took center stage on Thursday night as a total of 12 Illinois conceived and foaled three-year-olds battled in a pair of $10,600 Betzotic Stake splits.
As can often be the case on a half-mile oval, speed and the inside post are often a winning combination and it certainly turned out to be on this night as both pole-sitters scored in wire-to-wire fashion.
In the first division the Rick Schrock trained MJs Bid had no trouble knocking off five rivals as she strolled to a deceptively easy three-quarter length victory 1:55.3 for driver Mike Oosting.
After allowing a fast leaving Dianas Cancan (John De Long) to briefly take the lead in the first turn Oosting immediately sent the 1-5 favourite back to the front where she carved out splits of :28.1, 58 and 1:26.4. Turning aside a first-over bid from Hostess Lisa (Ryan Anderson) as the field moved into the final turn, MJs Bid then proceeded to step away from her foes and the issue was never in doubt as she cruised to her third win of the season. Dianas Cancan held to be second while The Face Of Love (Marcus Miller) parlayed a ground-saving trip into the show dough.
The daughter of Cole Muffler-Rons Girl returned just $2.40 to win while upping her career bankroll to an impressive $176,754 for owner Jodi Siamis.
In the nightcap John Carver’s No Respect showed that she was the boss right from the start making every call a winning one as she reported home with a 1-1/4 length triumph in 1:54.4 with Todd Warren at the controls.
Charging right to the top from her inside post the daughter of Sportsmaster-Justalittlerespect cruised through leisurely splits of :28.2, :57.4 and 1:26.2. After putting away a first over Sleazy Does It (Mike Oosting) as the field reached the final turn the Donna Lee Ozment-trained miss was never in danger as an expected challenge from the pocket sitting 4-5 favourite, Fox Valley Hermia (Marcus Miller), never materialized, leaving No Respect to stroll home with her fourth win of the season in 15 starts. Fox Valley Hermia was forced to settle for the bridesmaid role while Sleazy Does It was third.
Sent off as the 9-5 second choice in the wagering, No Respect returned $5.80 to win. A model of consistency throughout her first two seasons on the track No Respect now boasts a record of 8-5-5 in 26 starts with earnings of just over $182,000.
(Maywood Park)