Sophomore trotting colts were on display on Wednesday night as a field of eight diagonally gaited state-breds were sent postward in a $12,000 Betzotic Stake, which was contested as a non-wagering event prior to the start of Balmoral Park's regular 10-race program.
Fresh off a victory in the Iggy Magoo Stake to open his 2013 campaign, H. W. Wright and Mystical Marker Farms' King Mufasa looked very sharp once again as he trotted to a half-length victory in a career-best clocking of 1:55.1 with driver Mike Oosting at the controls.
Placed in mid-pack as Powerful Poe (Todd Warren) led the way through an opening quarter in :30.1, Oosting then elected to rush his colt up first over on the outside of horses as Powerful Poe hit the half-mile mark in :59.1.
Drawing alongside the pacesetter as they sped by the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:27.1, King Mufasa was just a head behind the leader as the two sophomores readied for a showdown similar to the one they engaged in last week in the Iggy Magoo.
Just as he did the previous week, the Mike Brink-trained son of Powerful Emotion-Foxy N Diamonds overtook the leader down the stretch, eventually drawing clear in the closing yards to win for the second time in as many tries this season. Powerful Poe was forced to settle for the runner-up role again while Fox Valley Camo (Jamaica Patton) was third.
The win was the fourth in 10 lifetime starts for King Mufasa, who now boasts $21,542 in career earnings.
(Balmoral Park)