The first Illinois Standardbred Owners and Breeders Association Stakes event of the season was contested last night at Balmoral Park, and it was Frank Baldachino and Earl Smith’s Rev Me Up who made her return to the Prairie State a triumphant one, as she knocked off nine rivals in 1:54 to take her $17,720 event.
Coming off a very successful start to her sophomore season in which she has been first or second in eight of 10 starts including a victory in the $46,900 final of the Hopeful Series at Yonkers, the daughter of Park Place--Turbonium was made the overwhelming 3-5 choice by the betting public. With the win Rev Me Up now boasts a record 5-4-1 in 11 starts this season and the victory helped push her career earnings up to $104,369.
Trotters were featured on the undercard, as a field of nine diagonally-gaited three-year-old colt and geldings met in the $9,000 Iggy Magoo Stakes. The favourite also prevailed in this tussle, as Showmeyourstuff and driver Marcus Miller uncorked a wicked closing burst to blow by entrymate Leaveitonthetrack (Robert Smolin) and Wolf Creek Pass (Brian Carpenter) to win in a career best of 1:56.2.
The victory was the second in three starts this season for Showmeyourstuff who now boasts a career bankroll of $73,386.
(With files from Balmoral)