Illinois’ top sophomore pacing fillies renewed acquaintances again on Friday night at Maywood Park as a field of eight second year distaffers went postward in one of the season’s biggest events on the half-mile oval, the $35,600 Filly Maywood Pace.
Taking advantage of a bye into the final of this event, a fit and fresh Lex stormed right to the front and made it look easy as she cruised home with an effortless three-length victory in 1:54.2 for driver Kyle Wilfong over a track listed as fast despite day long rains and temperatures in low 50’s.
Sent right to the front from post position four by Wilfong, the daughter of Lexington Legend—I Bet U had things her own way as she strolled through opening splits of :28 and :56.4.
A first over bid came from Sportsmuffler (Casey Leonard) as the field moved onto the backstretch for the final time, but Lex dug in gamely as she continued to lead the field by the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:25.
After turning aside the challenge of Sportsmuffler, the Nelson Willis-trained miss seemed to find another gear, quickly drawing away from the pocket-sitting Fox Valley Kit (Pat Curtin) and a tired Sportsmuffler to secure her fourth win in seven starts this year. Fox Valley Kit, a 17-1 outsider, turned that perfect two-hole trip into a nice second-place cheque while another longshot, Duneside Perttie (Brian Carpenter), shook loose late to finish third at odds of 32-1.
Lex, who also captured this season’s Violet Stake at Balmoral Park is enjoying a very nice start to her second season boasting a record of 4-2-1 in seven starts while adding another $37,363 to her bankroll. For her career, the ultra-consistent homebred sports a record of 8-4-3 in 16 tries with earnings of $102,163 for proud owner Kay Willis.
Bet as though defeat was out of the question, Lex returned $2.60, $2.40 and $2.10 to her legion of backers.
The “boys” were also in action on Friday night as a field of eight sophomore pacing colts squared off in their Maywood Pace Stake elimination. The top six finishers will return next week where they will be joined by Earndawg and Dixies Boy in the $36,000 final.
Using the inside starting spot to perfection, driver Mike Oosting put heavily favoured Lucpark right on the “engine” and the gelded son of Sportsmaster—Treasure The Best was never seriously threatened as he strolled home with a two and a half length verdict in 1:55.1.
With the exception of a mild first over bid from Gifted By Nature (Todd Warren) as the field neared the three-quarter pole, the Erv Miller-trained Lucpark was relatively unchallenged while putting up splits of :29, :58.3 and 1:26.1.
Off the mild fractions, Lucpark had plenty in reserve, sprinting away from his rivals in the lane for his second win in six starts this season. Rockin Cassanova (Ridge Warren) sat on the winner’s back every step of the way to grab the second-place cheque while Frosty Dune (Kyle Wilfong) shook loose late to finish third after a ground saving trip. Also gaining spots in the final were Gifted By Nature, Dupages Z Tam and Getter Done Dune.
With the win, Lucpark now boasts career numbers of 6-3-3 in 18 starts with earnings just shy of $90,000 for owner Rocco Ruffolo.
The 3-5 favourite in the wagering returned $3.40, $2.20 and $2.10.
(Maywood Park)