Despite getting off to a nice start in her sophomore season Paula Smith, Lucas Smith, James Runyan and Kathleen O’Neill’s Fox Valley Amanda was a bit overlooked at the betting windows in Friday’s $89,000 Filly Maywood Pace for ICF three-year-olds at Maywood Park.
The home-bred filly wound up making her “doubters” pay though as she parlayed a perfect pocket-sitting trip into a half-length victory in a career-best of 1:55.1 with Dale Hiteman at the controls.
Taking advantage of post position two, Hiteman positioned the daughter of Yankee Skyscaper—Thongundrcolrsoops right on the back of My Little Bit (Casey Leonard) as that filly led the field through splits of :27.3, :56.4 and 1:25.1.
After being softened up by a first over bid from Molly Go Lightly (Ryan Anderson), a game but leg weary My Little Bit could not hold off the open stretch move of Fox Valley Amanda as she powered home in :29.3 to post her fourth win in nine starts this season. My Little Bit held to be the bridesmaid while Molly Go Lightly finished third, three lengths behind the top filly.
Dispatched as the 5-1 third choice in the wagering, the Joel Smith-trained Fox Valley Amanda returned $12.80, $3.60 and $2.20 while running her career record to 5-7-3 with earnings of nearly $139,000.
State-bred pacing colts were in action as well on Friday night as a field of eight squared off in a Maywood Pace elimination. The top seven finishers will be back next Friday (June 20) to join Unlocked in one of the track's signature events.
Despite a tough trip, Megan Rogers Stables' Beach Boy Brody posted an impressive two and a quarter length victory for driver Dave Magee in 1:53.1. He will be joined in the final by Uncle Ugly, PQ Three, R Duneshine, Fox Valley Cupid, Fox Valley Van and Traffic Cop.
The 20-cent Pick 6 wager went unclaimed for a third straight card, so thanks to a carryover of $4,283, there will be a Guaranteed Pool of $15,000 for Thursday, June 19.
(Maywood Park)