After watching their female counterparts battle in a Betzotic Stake last night at Maywood Park, it was time for the Illinois conceived and foaled three-year-old colt pacing set to grab the spotlight on Friday night as a field of six lined up behind the gate for their share of a $12,700 jackpot.
With the scratch of 6-5 morning line favourite and division leader Als Hammered (sick), Friday’s battle turned into a wide open affair and that became apparent as the sophomores hit the finish line with 15-1 outsider SS Tommy Turner prevailing by a neck in 1:54.4 for driver Mike Oosting.
Leaving from post position two, Oosting masterfully positioned the gelded son of Cole Muffler-Snitch in fourth and was content to watch early on as Uncle Smoothie (Brian Carpenter) and NJs Big Deal (Dave Magee) battled through an opening quarter in :27.1.
With NJs Big Deal finally gaining control after the opening panel, Magee slammed on the brakes allowing Oosting to move the Tom Simmons-trained SS Tommy Turner to the outside as the field moved by the half-mile mark in :57.1.
Heading up the backstretch, NJs Big Deal, who was hammered down at the betting windows to the tune of half-money after the defection of the division leader, continued to show the way with a game SS Tommy Turner drawing to within three-quarters of a length as the field moved into the final bend.
Those two continued to slug it out around the turn and into the stretch with SS Tommy Turner finally gaining the upper hand in the final 50 yards. Digging in determinedly, the bay sophomore edged his way to the front where he held off one final charge up the passing lane from a pocket-sitting Uncle Smoothie to notch his fourth win of the season. Uncle Smoothie finished second while NJs Big Deal was forced to settle for third.
After going winless in just three starts as a two-year-old, SS Tommy Turner has put together a record of 4-3-2 in 17 starts this season with earnings of $28,391 for the partnership of owners Bart Seales and Luke Gaule.
Overlooked at the windows, SS Tommy Turner returned a handsome mutuel of $32.40, $12.40 and $4.80.
(Maywood Park)