Illinois-bred trotters took centre stage at Balmoral Park on Wednesday, June 1 as a full field of 10 diagonally-gaited sophomores slugged it out in the $42,600 final of the Cardinal Stakes.
After having a three-race winning streak snapped while facing older conditioned rivals in the slop last week, Anthonyskywalker returned to his winning ways with a wire-to-wire win by three-quarters of a length in 1:56.1.
Confidently handled by driver Dean Magee, the gelded son of Powerful Emotion took advantage of the inside starting spot to grab command right from the word 'go.' Trotting comfortably on the front end for Magee, the gelding cruised through the opening quarter in :29.2.
Moving down the backside, GJ Photo Victory (driven by Mike Oosting), the heavy favourite in the race, came charging out from fourth. Magee, however, was intent on keeping his charge on the front end, and he quickly asked Anthonyskywalker for a bit more, thus allowing Oosting and GJ Photo Victory to tuck in right behind him as the field reached the half-mile mark in :58.4.
Moving around the final turn, Anthonyskywalker continued to show the way while a first-over Fox Valley Iliad (Kyle Wilfong) moved up first over to challenge in second. GJ Photo Victory was still looming boldly in the pocket while third as Fox Valley Arrow (Casey Leonard) began to tip three wide from fourth as the field passed the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:28.3.
Flashing the form which netted him three wins and a second through his first four starts of the season, Anthonyskywalker then proceeded to uncork a powerful 27.3 final quarter while holding firm on the lead to secure his fourth victory of the season. GJ Photo Victory used the passing lane to rally for the second place money while Fox Valley Iliad gave trainer Homer Hochstetler a big payday by finishing third.
Sent off as the second choice in the wagering Anthonyskywalker returned $6.00, $2.80 and $2.40.
(Balmoral)