Sophomore pacing colts kicked off the 2015 stakes action at Maywood Park on Friday, May 15 as a compact field of six Illinois three-year-olds met in the $8,000 Gosox Stake.
The youngsters showed some rust early on in their first foray over the half-mile oval, but when the smoke cleared it was Rocco Ruffolo’s Lucpark, the even-money choice in the wagering, who emerged with a half-length triumph in 1:55.2 for driver Mike Oosting.
Leaving from the outside post in the field of six, Lucpark actually wound up in a decent spot as Oosting guided him over to the pylons in fourth as both Dixies Boy (Casey Leonard) and Casey At Bat (Tim Curtin) committed early miscues. That left Rockin Cassinova (Todd Warren) to stroll through leisurely early splits of :29.1 and :59.1.
The action began to heat up as the field moved onto the backstretch for the final time with Oosting rushing the Erv Miller trainee up to engage Rockin Cassinova. These two were head and head for the lead as they began to separate from the pocket-sitting Dakota Roadster (Robert Smolin) while charging by the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:27.3.
Around the final turn, Lucpark managed to poke a head in front of the pacesetter eventually putting that one away as the field turned for home.
The gelded son of Sportsmaster—Treasure The Best was not out of danger yet though as Dixies Boy, who spotted the field 11 lengths at the opening station because of his miscue behind the gate, came charging up four-wide to throw a scare into the “chalk players.” But the wire came just in time for Lucpark as he held on for his first win in three starts this season. Dixies Boy was an impressive second considering his journey while Dakota Roadster finished third.
Lucpark now boasts a career record of five wins, two seconds and three thirds in 16 trips to the gate with earnings of $82,480 for his proud owner. He returned $4.20, $2.40 and $2.10 at the betting windows.
(With files from Maywood Park)