Fresh off the two biggest wins in his career, Jerry Graham’s Photo Surprise continued his late season surge towards divisional honours among the Illinois conceived and foaled two-year-old colt trotting set as he cruised to an easy three and three-quarter length victory in Wednesday’s $42,200 Cardinal Stake at Balmoral Park.
Confidently handled by driver Mike Oosting, the gelded son of Powerful Emotion—Gloria Wyoming was unhurried early from his inside post, content to trot along in third as Nino Marino (Dean Magee) and Tour Hall (Dirk Simpson) battled through an opening quarter in :30.
Heading up the backstretch, Oosting moved the Nelson Willis trainee to the outside where he made a steady advance to the front, finally taking command just as the field moved by the half-mile mark in :59.
Heading around the far turn, Photo Surprise continued to show the way past the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:28.4. Leaving the field in his wake as he splashed through the lane, this year’s Lincoln Land and Hanover Stake winner was on cruise control the rest of the way, widening his margin all the way through the wire while posting his fourth win in nine starts. Fox Valley Veto (John Roberts) rallied from far back to be a sharp second while Nino Marino held on for third.
The even-money favourite returned $4.00, $3.00 and $2.60 while upping his career bankroll to $96,825.
(Balmoral Park)