Continuing an amazing comeback after an injury limited his five-year-old season to just one start, Shirley Le Vin’s Park Lane Deputy dominated seven other Illinois conceived and foaled pacers
as he cruised to a two and three-quarter length victory in 1:51.1 for driver Mike Oosting in Saturday’s $17,000 Rambling Willie Stake at Balmoral Park.
Floated away in fifth as Well To Guru (Casey Leonard) and Fort Silky (Brian Carpenter) battled through an opening quarter in :27.2, Oosting had the six-year-old son of Sportsmaster on the move as the field straightened up the backstretch.
Sweeping from fifth to first, Park Lane Deputy grabbed control of the proceedings and seemed to be well within himself despite facing a first over challenge from Thisbigdogwillfight (Todd Warren) as he rolled through middle splits of :56 and 1:23.4.
After turning back the bid from Thisbigdogwilfight, Park Lane Deputy then stepped away from the pocket-sitting Well To Do Guru, sealing the deal with a :27.2 final split to notch his second win in three starts this year. Special Joe (Marcus Miller) rallied to finish second while heavy favourite Well To Do Guru was forced to settle for a third place cheque on this night.
A winner of more than $300,000 in his first three seasons on the track, the Nelson Willis trainee returned $8.80, $4.80 and $3.00 to his backers.
For the second straight week, the Kim Rinker-trained So Be It teamed up with driver Dean Magee to take the $17,000 Invitational Pace, stopping the clock in 1:52 this time out.
The five-year-old Western Ideal gelding employed his usual late rushing tactics charging by his rivals in the lane for his fourth win of the year. Four Starzzz Z (Travis Seekman) finished second while St David Hanover (Marcus Miller) was third.
(Balmoral Park)