The 2009 stakes season at Maywood Park gets underway tonight, as an overflow field of 10 Illinois-conceived and foaled three-year-old colt and gelding pacers square off in the $15,000 Sportsmaster Stakes.
Leading the way in what appears to be a wide open race is Jim Edgar, Jim Reynolds and Terry & Judith Rathgeber’s Rich N Flashy who is fresh off a convincing three and a half-length romp in a division of the Taurus Bomber Stakes at Balmoral Park. The gelded son of Richess Hanover overcame traffic problems at the top of the stretch in his victory as he stopped the clock in 1:54.4 while winning his second straight start. Trained by Kristopher Reynolds, Rich N Flashy will be looking for his third win in six starts this season as he starts from the second tier.
Another to keep an eye on is Kay Willis and Sawgrass Farms' Fox Valley Seth. This altered son of Incredible Finale is no stranger to the winner’s circle here at Maywood Park taking the Cardinal Stake consolation here during a fine two-year-old campaign that saw him put together a record of 4-4-1 in 14 starts with earnings of almost $58,000 for conditioner Nelson Willis.
Shelly Graham’s Henry Gram will be making his 2009 debut, but this good looking homebred son of Henry Clay appears to be ready for a big effort after two sharp qualifying races at Balmoral Park. The Tom Graham, Jr.-trained and driven sophomore really blossomed toward the end of his two-year-old season closing out the year with a nice third place finish in the Cardinal Stake Final and a win in the Sarah Myers Stakes at Balmoral Park.
Rounding out the field for the Sportsmaster Stake are Captain Kid, Teheros, Fort Silky, Aztec Nick, Successfully Rich, Fox Valley Ruler and Drama Party.
(Maywood)