State-bred pacing colts headlined the action on Friday, November 20 at Balmoral Park as a field of six freshmen were sent postward in a $7,980 Xpressbet Stake.
When the smoke cleared from this battle it was Caffeine Kid who proved victorious, notching a three-quarter-length victory in 1:55 for owner Peter Karras and trainer Rodney Freese.
Confidently handled by driver Mike Oosting, the gelded son of Sportsmaster—Rachel Hanover ranged up first over on the final turn, drawing right along the pacesetting Eddie Eddie Eddie (Sam Widger) as the field turned for home.
After watching a hard-charging Party Falls (Brian Carpenter) scoot past the top two in the center of the track, a game Caffeine Kid, who was making just his third lifetime start, gamely battled back like a seasoned veteran regaining the lead in the final 50 yards and drawing clear in the shadow of the wire for his second lifetime victory. Longshot Trixsen Gram (Chris Loney) shook loose late to rally for the place money while Party Falls held on for third.
Sent off as the 9-5 second choice in the wagering, Caffeine Kid returned $5.60, $3.60 and $2.60 to his backers.
Live racing continues on Saturday, Nov. 21 at Balmoral Park. Once again, all the action gets underway at 7:10pm on Saturday night and, as always, the $1 Pick 4 (races nine through 12) features a $20,000 guaranteed pool. The 10-cent Hi Five (race 12) also features a guaranteed pool of $15,000. The live racing action will be headlined by older ICF pacing distaffers as a field of seven are scheduled to go postward in the $8,060 Fox Valley Memory Stake, which goes as race three on the 12-race program.
(With files from Balmoral Park)