It was only fitting that a stakes event named for a rugged Erv Miller-trained filly was taken by another Miller pupil on Sunday night at Balmoral Park.
Quaid Racing’s My Little Bit hung on gamely to record a head decision in the $10,000 Mystical Victress Stake for ICF three-year-old pacing fillies. The final time was 1:53.2.
Confidently handled by driver Casey Leonard, the daughter of Sportsmaster—Parade Of Love was sent to the front, but quickly relinquished the top spot to a hard-leaving Cuzimalegend (driven by Dean Magee) as the field moved by the opening split in :26.4.
Showing the confidence he had in his filly, Leonard quickly moved the Miller-trained miss back to the top where she put up middle splits of :56 and 1:24.1.
After repelling the challenge of a first-over Molly Go Lightly (Brian Carpenter) as the field turned for home, My Little Bit drew off to a two-length advantage in the lane. All out as the distaffers made their way to the wire, My Little Bit dug in gamely to fight off the bid of M A Duty (Kyle Wilfong) to post her second win of the season. M A Duty was a hard-fought second while Party Hangover Two (John De Long) rallied from far back to finish third.
With the victory, My Little Bit now boasts a record of 7-3-2 from 17 career starts and has earnings of $149,260 for her proud connections. Coming off her second-place finish in the Filly Maywood Pace, My Little Bit was heavily backed at the betting windows and returned just $3.80, $2.80 and $2.80 across the board.
Live racing continues at Balmoral on Wednesday, July 2, as a nine-race card will get underway at 7:10 p.m. (Central).
(Balmoral)