Just as he had done in seven of his nine previous career starts Shirley LeVin’s Park Lane Deputy paid yet another visit to the winner’s circle on Saturday night
as he simply overwhelmed nine rivals to take the $56,700 final of the Cardinal Stake for Illinois conceived and foaled three-year-old pacing colts.
Leaving from post position six driver Dale Hiteman sent the son of Sportsmaster-Darling Katherine away from the gate in quick order. After taking a very brief tuck Hiteman had his colt on the move as My Boy Luke and Grandma Jans Max battled through an opening quarter in :27.3. Heading down the backside Park Lane Deputy continued on his mission for the lead finally wrestling control away from Grandma Jans Max as the pair reached the half-mile mark in :55.1.
“Even though we had been out a long way I wasn’t really that concerned,” said driver Dale Hiteman. “This colt has done everything I’ve ever asked him to do and he felt very strong right from the time we left the gate tonight.”
Heading around the final turn the non-stop action continued as last week’s fastest elimination winner, Henry Gram, came powering up to challenge and take command.
“That wound up working out perfectly for us,” explained Hiteman. “All along I was hoping to follow Henry Gram up. We were going at a pretty good clip but getting some cover around that turn really helped to keep my horse fresh.”
With Park Lane Deputy sitting right on his helmet Warren and Henry Gram sped by the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:22.3. After watching a first over bid from Smellthecolornine stall as the field moved into the stretch Hiteman elected to move Park Lane Deputy to the outside instead of waiting for the passing lane.
“At that point my colt was about ready to crawl into the bike with Todd so I figured I better let him pace on and not wait any longer,” Hiteman said.
Exploding like he was shot out of a cannon the Homer Hochstetler trainee blew right by the pace setting Henry Gram, quickly opening up with an eighth of a mile to go. The issue was never in doubt from there as Park Lane Deputy left his rivals in his wake cruising home to win by more than five lengths in a career best of 1:50.1. Filthy Rich, the longest shot on the board at 80-1 rallied from ninth at the top of the stretch to finish second while Henry Gram held on for third.
In the winner’s circle trainer Homer Hochstetler continued to marvel at his colt’s development.
“He had only two starts last year before we had to stop with him because of a hairline fracture in his knee,” said the proud conditioner. “I knew he was a fast horse who had plenty of talent but you just never know how they’re going to come back after something like that. In one of his training miles this winter day he wound up coming home in :26 in a jog cart and that’s when I knew he had a chance to be something special.”
Hochstetler said tentative plans call for a trip to Maywood Park for Park Lane Deputy to compete in the prestigious Maywood Pace. Elimination’s for that race are scheduled for June 19 with the $100,000 final being contested on June 26.
Sent off as the 3-2 favourite of the betting public Park Lane Deputy ran his career record up to a sparkling 7-1-0 in 10 starts with earnings of $59,065.
(Balmoral Park)