Stealing the thunder from his highly regarded entrymate, H.W. Wright and Mystical Marker Farms' King Mufasa made his sophomore debut a winning one on Wednesday night at Balmoral Park as he trotted to a half-length victory in the $12,000 Iggy Magoo Stake for Illinois conceived and foaled three-year-old colt trotters.
The final time of 1:55.4 was a new life mark for the Mike Brink trainee.
Sitting near the back of the pack after starting from post position eight as stablemate Powerful Poe (Todd Warren) led the field through splits of :29.2, :58, and 1:27.4, driver Mike Oosting began circling rivals while three-wide on the final turn with King Mufasa.
Moving into contention as the field turned for the money, the altered son of Powerful Emotion-Foxy N Diamonds began picking off one rival after another. Finally drawing alongside of his entrymate with 100 yards to go, the brown gelding continued his charge to the wire swallowing up Powerful Poe in the final strides thanks in part to a wicked :26.4 final quarter-mile. Fox Valley Dubai (Dave Magee) was third, four and three-quarter lengths behind the winner.
The win was the third in nine lifetime starts for King Mufasa, who also has a second-place finish to his credit.
Coupled in the wagering with Powerful Poe, the winner returned just $2.40, $2.40 and $2.10.
(With files from Balmoral Park)