'Chalk' players were forced to sweat out the result of Wednesday’s $10,200 Betzotic Stakes for two-year-old ICF trotting colts at Balmoral Park, but in the end 1-5 favourite Jake Quaider finally prevailed, getting up in the last stride to win by a head in 1:58.1 for driver Casey Leonard.
Jake Quaider was unhurried while sitting fourth in the seven-horse field as Powerful Above All (Mike Oosting) and RT Habenero (Dave Magee) traded blows on the front through opening splits of :29.4 and :58.1.
Heading around the final bend, Leonard tried to follow a hard-charging Captain Greedy (JD Finn) as that colt made a powerful move to the top taking the field by the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:27.2.
Desperately trying to reel in the leader who was trotting along nicely with a two and a half length advantage at the mid-stretch call, the Nelson Willis-trained son of Photo Color—Grace Elizabeth finally found his best stride with 100 yards to go.
Gobbling up ground as a leg weary Captain Greedy tried to fight through a stiff headwind, Jake Quaider finally poked his head in front in the last stride to win for the fourth time this season. Captain Greedy was forced to settle for the runner-up role while RT Habenero was third.
With the win, Jake Quaider now boasts a fine record of 4-2-2 in nine starts with earnings of $61,660 for Quaid Racing LLC. The winner returned $2.60, $2.20 and $2.10.
(With files from Balmoral Park)