Freshmen pacing fillies hogged the spotlight on Thursday, July 9 at Maywood Park, as a total of 12 state-bred youngsters squared off in a pair of $6,000 divisions of the My Metallica Stake.
In the first division, the Nelson Willis-trained Aunt Ethel took full advantage of the inside starting spot, as she grabbed command right from the word ‘go’ and made every call a winning one with a three-length victory in 1:57.3.
Confidently handled by driver Mike Oosting, the homebred daughter of Sportsmaster—Miller Creek Ethel shot to the top where she put up splits of :29, :57.4 and 1:28. When called upon on the final turn by Maywood’s leading reinsman, the bay filly responded with a :29.3 final panel while drawing away from her rivals. Burry Me Inthesand (driven by Gary Rath) turned a nice inside trip into a second-place cheque while Thetis (Ridge Warren) rallied to finish third.
The win was the first in two lifetime starts for Aunt Ethel who is owned by Rick, Erwin and Vernon Barbre.
In the second division the Hosea Williams owned and trained Lexington Lady continued to impress, as she cruised to an easy open-length, front-stepping score in 1:55.4 for driver Brian Carpenter.
Flashing her high octane gate speed, the daughter of Lexington Legend—Stephie Kay zipped right to lead effortlessly and posted the fractions in :28, :58 and 1:27.1 while rolling along unchallenged on the front.
With plenty still in reserve, Lexington Lady left her rivals in her wake on the final bend, pacing home in a snappy :28.3 for her third straight ICF stake score. Fox Valley Addison (Todd Warren) finished in the runner-up spot while longshot Our Miss Cami (Mike Oosting) nabbed the show dough.
The 1-5 favourite who was a $2,500 bargain buy as a yearling now boasts three wins and a second in four lifetime starts with earnings of $9,000.
Live racing continues on Friday, July 10 at Maywood Park with two divisions of the Fox Valley Barzgar Stake for ICF two-year-old pacing colts sharing top billing on the card. Those battles will go as Race 4 and Race 6 on the 12-dash program which also features a $10,000 guaranteed pool in the Pick 4 (Races 9-12) and a new $15,000 guaranteed pool on the 10-cent Hi-Five wager (Race 12). Post time for the first race is 7:30 p.m. (Central).
(Maywood)