After posting open lengths scores in his first two starts in 2011, South Of The Tracks Racing’s Anthonyskywalker figured to be the one to beat in Wednesday night’s $9,000 Niles OTB Stake
at Balmoral Park.
Sent off at odds of 1-9, the gelded son of Powerful Emotion-Queen Jamie did not disappoint his legion of backers, once again making it look easy as he cruised to a four-length victory in 1:57 for driver Dean Magee.
Hustled away from the outside post in the field of five, the Homer Hochstetler trainee strolled through leisurely splits of :29, :59 and 1:29 while under no pressure whatsoever from his state-bred rivals.
Turning for home, the bay gelding kicked it into high gear as he trotted home in :28 to notch his third straight victory. Fox Valley Arrow (Casey Leonard) turned a pocket-sitting trip into a second place cheque while Detailer (Robert Taylor) finished third.
After going winless in 10 starts last season, Anthonyskywalker now boasts three wins and four thirds in 13 lifetime starts with earnings of $35,375. The win was the 3,993 of driver Dean Magee’s career as well.
(Balmoral Park)