University of Illinois-bred Ryleigh’s Lilly wins Lorna Propes Championship on Super Night at Balmoral Park

Sunday, September 13, 2015 – excerpted from “Super Night Championships produce star studded efforts” by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Ryleigh’s Lilly, the daughter of Western Hero and Fox Valley Chosen defeated a field of 10 older mare pacers in the $95,000 Lorna Propes Championship on Super Night, Saturday, September 12th at Balmoral Park.

As she’s done so often this season John Barnard’s Ryleigh’s Lilly overpowered her rivals in the late going as she went sailing past them in the stretch to win by two-lengths in 1:52.4 for driver Casey Leonard.

Confidently handled by her red-hot pilot the 5-year-old daughter of Western Hero was positioned in mid-pack while the lead changed hands several times through opening splits of 28.0, 55.4 & 1:24.2.

“It looked like there was going to plenty of speed to keep things honest up front and it certainly worked out that way tonight,” Leonard explained. “I didn’t want to go three-wide quite as early as I did but I wasn’t about to let those front horses get away from us.”

Zooming by her rivals in the lane, Ryleigh’s Lilly was on cruise control through the final sixteenth of a mile as she reported home with her 19th career victory. Just By Design (Dale Hiteman) shook loose late to rally for the place money while Rev Me Up (Brian Carpenter) was third. The overwhelming 2-5 favorite returned $2.80, $2.40 & $2.10 while hiking her career bankroll up to $173,968.

Tom Kelley, Publicity Director, Balmoral Park

SUPER NITE WAS A SUPER NIGHT for the UNIVERSITY OF IL HORSE FARM STALLIONS!

U of I stallions sired the winners of 8 of the 12 Super Nite ICF races, including:

3 by DUNESIDE PERCH 
UNLOCKED -Winner of the $146,000 Langley Memorial by 11 1/2 lengths.
SILVER DEVIL -Winner of the Maurello Cons.
DUNESIDE PERTTIE -Winner of the filly Orange & Blue Cons.

2 by SAGEBRUSH 
THE SLEAZY PRINCESS -Winner $142,000 Grandma Ann
THE BIG SLEAZY -Winner of the colt Orange & Blue Cons.

2 by SOUTHWIND BREEZE
BIG BILL BREEZE – Winner of the $100,000 Sumac Lad
BAILEY’S WISH – Winner $100,000 Lady Ann Reed

1 by DROPPINTHEHAMMER 
AL’S HAMMERED – Winner of the $112,000 Maurello Final, his third Super Nite win.

Plus they sired these runners-up:

DUNESIDE PERCH 
DUNE IN RED – Second in the $118,000 Progress
UNCLE SI – Second in the Orange & Blue Cons.
OVERLOADED – Second in Langley Cons.

SOUTHWIND BREEZE
BOBBY B BREEZE – Second in the $100,000 Sumac Lad
LORA LEE BREEZE – Second in the $100,000 Lady Ann Reed

Thanks to all the breeders and owners for making this Super Nite happen. We’re looking forward to offering you the first crop by CASSIS 3,1:52.4, the Cantab Hall son that won the fastest elim. of his Hambletonian. See them at next year’s yearling sales.

Silver Devil Streaks to Upset in Friday’s Cardinal Stake at Maywood

Melrose Park, IL — Taking advantage of a mid-race speed duel, driver John De Long slid 24-1 longshot Silver Devil to the outside of horses on the backstretch the final time, then rallied sharply in the lane to post a half-length upset in Friday’s (May 30) $34,380 Cardinal Stake for older state-bred pacers at Maywood Park. The final time was 1:53.3.

Using post position two to perfection, De Long positioned the handsome roan son of Duneside Perch along the pylons while Elkhorn Damien (Todd Warren) and Crankin’ It Up (Kyle Wilfong) battled through a :27.3 opening quarter. After letting the field settle into position through that opening split, driver Casey Leonard sent 4-5 favorite Fort Silky on his way from fifth as the field headed into the stretch the first time, prompting some strong urging from Warren with Elkhorn Damien. With these two quickly engaged in a speed duel the dominant Fort Silky made a very uncharacteristic break as the field moved to the half-mile mark in :56.1.

Quickly righting the ship with Fort Silky, the top two continued to battle tooth and nail as the field raced by the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:24.3. By this point De Long had slipped to the outside with Silver Devil and had the 4-year-old gelding powering up three wide around the top pair as the field moved into the final turn. Sweeping around the tiring leaders as the field turned for home, the Nick Giberson trainee paced home in :28.3 for his first win of the season, holding off a big late move from another longshot, Fancy Creek Elusiv (Ryan Anderson), who made a huge four-wide surge around the last bend. Elkhorn Damien held on for third.

After an impressive 11-win campaign in his first season of action in 2013, Silver Devil, who returned $50.80, $20.40 and $7.40, now boasts career earnings of nearly $105,000 for the ownership group of Amy Giberson, Stephanie Winship, Carl Lacy and Monty Thompson.

John De Long guided the good looking Silver Devil to an upset score in Friday's $34,380 Cardinal Stake at Maywood Park. (Maywood Park Photo)

Tom Kelley, publicity director, Maywood Park

Bailey’s Wish Takes Violet Stake in Thrilling Fashion

Crete, IL — State-bred trotting fillies were the focus of attention on Sunday (May 25) at Balmoral Park, as a field of 10 3-year-olds went toe-to-toe in the $47,600 Violet Stake as part of a big Memorial Day weekend of festivities at the Crete oval.

Proving that she will once again be a force to be reckoned with in this division, James Bafia and Eugene White’s Bailey’s Wish reported home with a hard fought neck decision in a career best 1:57.3 for driver Dave Magee.

After leaving quickly from post five Magee elected to let the hard charging Macie Rae (Ryan Anderson) and Say No Mo (John De Long) battle it out through splits of :29, :57.2 and 1:27.1.

After carving out a perfect pocket sitting journey while those two fillies battled tooth and nail, Magee showed his Hall of Fame skills as he slipped to the outside of Macie Rae as the field straightened for the money. Gradually wearing down the pacesetter, the Dirk Simpson trained miss gamely moved to the front with a sixteenth of a mile to go and then held off a late charge from longshot Rollette (Dean Magee) for her sixth lifetime victory. Macie Rae held on for third.

After starting this season with uncharacteristic breaks in two of her first three starts, the daughter of Southwind Breeze-Jen was as smooth as could be on Sunday night as she pushed her lifetime numbers to 6-4-2 in 18 starts with earnings of just over $129,000.

Bailey's Wish (inside) held off the late charge of longshot Rollette to win Sunday's $47,600 Violet Stake for 3-year-old trotting fillies. (David Baum photo)

Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Silver Devil Streaks to Victory at Maywood

Melrose Park, IL — The late season surge of Amy Giberson, Stephanie Winship, Carl Lacy and Monty Thompson’s Silver Devil continued on Friday (Nov. 22) as the handsome roan gelding completely dismantled five other Illinois conceived and foaled 3-year-old pacing colts in a 6-1/4 length romp while taking the $15,000 Cole Muffler Stake at Maywood Park. The final time was 1:54.

Taking full advantage of a nice inside draw and the defection of his main rival, Mystical Walter, who was a judges scratch, the altered son of Duneside Perch-Armbro Wahine swept from third to first after watching Golden Nugget (Jason Brewer) and Fox Valley Norman (John Roberts) battle through an opening quarter in :27.4.

In command of the proceedings the rest of the way the Nick Giberson trained sophomore rattled off middle splits of :56.4 and 1:25.4 while putting daylight between himself and his competition.

Leaving his rivals in his wake on the final turn, Silver Devil sealed the deal with a :28.1 final quarter to post his 11th win in 26 starts this season. Monopoly Man (John De Long) rallied to be second while Colechester (Sam Widger) finished a distant third.

Unraced as a 2-year-old, the 1-5 favorite of the betting public returned $2.40, $2.10 and $2.10 while upping his record to 11-2-1 in 26 lifetime starts with earnings of $84,614.

Silver Devil and Casey Leonard were all alone at the finish of Friday's $15,000 Cole Muffler stake at Maywood Park (Maywood Park photo)

Tom Kelley, publicity director, Maywood Park (reposted with permission)

Bailey’s Wish Cruises in Lady Lincoln Land Final

Continuing a nice late season surge towards divisional honors, James Bafia and Eugene White’s Bailey’s Wish completely dominated nine rivals in the year’s richest race for Illinois conceived and foaled two-year-old trotting fillies, winning Wednesday’s $105,000 Lady Lincoln Land Stake by 3 1/2 lengths at Balmoral Park. The final time was 1:59.4.

Given a perfect steer by driver Dave Magee, the daughter of Southwind Breeze-Jen was hustled to the front after landing in fourth through an opening quarter in 29.4.

“I knew we had to gain some early position since we were leaving from the eight hole,” explained Magee. “Once they started to slow down just a little bit on the front end I asked her to go and she moved up to the front very easily for me.”

Rolling through middle splits of 59.3 and 1:28.4, the Dirk Simpson trainee began to put daylight between herself and her struggling rivals as the field neared the top of the stretch.

On cruise control the rest of the way, Bailey’s Wish effortlessly trotted under the wire with her third win in her last four starts and her fourth win in 11 lifetime starts. Fox Valley Skylar (Dale Hiteman) rallied up the inside to finish second while Bands Pippa (Casey Leonard) was third.

“She was doing that all on her own,” said the Hall of Famer. “I don’t like to pressure her if I don’t have to. She just trotted right away from them and glided home with no urging from me whatsoever.”

The 8-5 co-favorite in the race returned $5.40, $3.20 and $3.00 while upping her career bankroll to $93,383.

Bailey's Wish and driver Dave Magee rolled to a 3 1/2 length victory in Wednesday's $105,000 Lady Lincoln Land Stake - See more at: http://www.barntowire.com/2013/BPnotes131002.html#sthash.BQaMR0rn.dpuf

Tom Kelley, Balmoral Park (reposted with permission)

Divination Upsets in Fox Valley Evita Stake

Picking up right where he left off after posting seven wins, including four stake victories, on Saturday night’s card, driver Mike Oosting continued to dominate the Southland Festival of Racing action. guiding Derek Jacobus and Kevin Kline’s Divination to a three-quarter length score in Sunday’s $45,000 Fox Valley Evita Stake for Illinois conceived and foaled 3-year-old trotting fillies at Balmoral Park.

Confidently handled by Balmoral’s leading reinsman, the daughter of Southwind Breeze-Hocus Pocus was an unhurried fifth through the early stages as the Robert Taylor owned and trained entry of Little Ms Chrissy and Just For Fun (Casey Leonard) led the field through opening splits of :28.4 and 57.3.

Flushing out cover from a first over Trot Fudge Sundae (Dave Magee) as the field moved around the far turn, Oosting had Divination in a perfect second over striking position as Little Ms Chrissy showed the way by the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:26.4.

“I knew it was time to go before those fillies up front got away from us,” said Oosting. “I needed to make the leaders go on because I didn’t know if my filly could out trot them from where we were. Getting cover was just an added bonus for us.”

Through the stretch a hard charging Divination took dead aim on a leg weary Little Ms Chrissy. Cruising down the center of the racetrack the five-time winner in 2013 swallowed up the pacesetter with a sixteenth of a mile to go and quickly drew clear for the victory. Little Ms Chrissy held on for second while Just For Fun was third.

“This filly is really starting to find her best stride right now,” said the red-hot Oosting. “She has always been right there with this group but she’s had a tough time getting by them. Nick (Prather) has done a great job getting her to come around at just the right time and it could be a very nice summer for her.”

With the win Divination now boasts a career record of 6-8-2 in 25 starts with earnings of $61,930.

Tom Kelley, Balmoral Park (reposted with permission)

State Bred Stakes Highlight Friday Card

The USTA’s Back To The Track weekend kicked off on Friday night and along with food, fun and some great giveaways, Maywood Park celebrated the event with a pair of state-bred stakes events featuring both the young and older stars of the Illinois Conceived and Foaled circuit.

In the night’s first event Megan Rogers’ recent acquisition, Unlocked made it four in a row to open his career, taking the $12,000 Fox Valley Barzgar Stake by 2 ¼ lengths in 1:56.3 for driver Dave Magee.

Just as he did in his victory in the Enzo The Baker Stake last week, driver Magee ducked off the gate with the son of Duneside Perch-Miss Major Power, getting away sixth as 75-1 longshot Marty Rucker (Dale Hiteman) led the field through an opening quarter in 29.0.

Moving first over as the field rolled by the stands for the first time Unlocked continued to draw closer to the pace setter, moving into third on the outside as the two-year-old colts reached the half-mile mark in a leisurely 58.2.

Finding his best stride as the field moved down the backstretch for the final time, the Nick Prather trainee was about to swallow up Marty Rucker as the two moved past the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:27.3.

Quickly drawing away from that rival on the final turn the undefeated colt was on cruise control the rest of the way, effortlessly keeping his entrymate The Fiscal Cliff (Mike Oosting) at bay through the lane. Fox Valley Nico (Casey Leonard) wound up finishing third, 5 1/2 lengths behind the winner.

With that perfect four-for-four record Unlocked now has career earnings of $22,500. Bet as though defeat was out of the question, the bay colt returned just $2.10 and $2.10. There was no show wagering on the race.

Some of the state’s top older pacers were in action n the night’s eighth race as an overflow field of 10 gathered for the $30,000 Cook County Stake

The USTA’s Back To The Track weekend kicked off on Friday night and along with food, fun and some great giveaways, Maywood Park celebrated the event with a pair of state-bred stakes events featuring both the young and older stars of the Illinois Conceived and Foaled circuit.

In the night’s first event Megan Rogers’ recent acquisition, Unlocked made it four in a row to open his career, taking the $12,000 Fox Valley Barzgar Stake by 2 ¼ lengths in 1:56.3 for driver Dave Magee.

Just as he did in his victory in the Enzo The Baker Stake last week, driver Magee ducked off the gate with the son of Duneside Perch-Miss Major Power, getting away sixth as 75-1 longshot Marty Rucker (Dale Hiteman) led the field through an opening quarter in 29.0.

Moving first over as the field rolled by the stands for the first time Unlocked continued to draw closer to the pace setter, moving into third on the outside as the two-year-old colts reached the half-mile mark in a leisurely 58.2.

Finding his best stride as the field moved down the backstretch for the final time, the Nick Prather trainee was about to swallow up Marty Rucker as the two moved past the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:27.3.

Quickly drawing away from that rival on the final turn the undefeated colt was on cruise control the rest of the way, effortlessly keeping his entrymate The Fiscal Cliff (Mike Oosting) at bay through the lane. Fox Valley Nico (Casey Leonard) wound up finishing third, 5 1/2 lengths behind the winner.

With that perfect four-for-four record Unlocked now has career earnings of $22,500. Bet as though defeat was out of the question, the bay colt returned just $2.10 and $2.10. There was no show wagering on the race.

Some of the state’s top older pacers were in action in the night’s eighth race as an overflow field of 10 gathered for the $30,000 Cook County Stake.

Using the inside post on the half-mile oval to absolute perfection, driver Kyle Wilfong guided Fox Valley Yukon to a three-quarter-length triumph in 1:53.2 for the partnership of Rob Ritoff, Gail Sanders, M. De Vience and The Auglyn Corporation.

Leaving quickly from the inside starting spot Fox Valley Yukon grabbed early command then elected to let second tier starter, and 3-5 favorite Fort Silky (Casey Leonard), grab control of the proceedings as the field stormed by an opening quarter in 27.0.

Positioned perfectly in the pocket as Fort Silky led the field through middle splits of 55.4 and 1:24.1, Wilfong patiently waited for room for Fox Valley Yukon while Fort Silky was forced to fend off a first over bid from Gibbs (Robert Smolin).

Swinging to the outside as the field moved through the stretch the five-year-old son of Sportsmaster gradually wore down Fort Silky, eventually getting by the division leader in the final 100 yards with a 28.4 closing panel. Fort Silky was forced to settle for the runner-up role on this night while 35-1 longshot Sports Fanatic (Dean Magee) rallied to finish third.

The win was the third in 17 starts this year for Fox Valley Yukon, who now boasts career earnings of $220,842 while under the guidance of conditioner Rob Ritoff. Sent off as the second choice in the field of 10, Fox Valley Yukon returned $13.40, $4.40 and $4.00.

Tom Kelley, Maywood Park (reposted with permission)

Western Dame Provides Fireworks In My Metllica Stake

Showing that a little experience can go a long way, Bruce and Mary Alexander’s Western Dame rebounded from a break in her career debut to post a resounding 5 1/4 length romp over seven other Illinois conceived and foaled two-year-old pacing fillies in Thursday’s $12,000 My Metallica Stake at Maywood Park. The final time was 1:57.1.

Storming up from first over from fourth as 1-5 favorite April May Dune (Brian Carpenter) rolled through quick opening splits of 27.4 and 58.2, a confident Casey Leonard swept up to grab command with Western Dame as the field headed by the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:28.0.

The issue was never in doubt from that point on as the daughter of Sagebrush-Dixie Dame began to put daylight between herself and the rest of the field, pacing home in 29.1 to secure her maiden breaking score. Ineverkissandtell (Ronnie Gillespie) turned a perfect ground saving trip into a second place finish while Party Hangover Two (John De Long) finished third.

Dispatched at odds of 9-1 after that troubled trip in her debut, the Gary Rath-trained miss returned $21.80, $7.00 and $4.40 to her backers

Tom Kelley, Maywood Park (reposted with permission)

Little Ms Chrissy Scores Again In Sorce Ann

Flashing the form that made her one of the best two-year-old filly trotters in the Prairie State last season, Robert and Donnie Taylor’s Little Ms Chrissy notched her second straight stakes score in 2013 as she parlayed a perfect pocket sitting trip into a 1 ½ length victory in Wednesday’s $12,000 Sorce Ann Stake. The final time of 1:54.4 was a new life mark for the daughter of Southwind Breeze-Fox Valley Shiraz.

Settling neatly into the two hole as the favored Sara The Spy (Todd Warren) carved out splits of 28.2, 57.0 and 1:26.1, driver-trainer Robert Taylor was perfectly content to save ground until the stretch drive.

Gamely wearing down the leader with less than a sixteenth of a mile to go, this six-time winner in 2012 trotted home in 28.2 to notch her second win in five starts this season. Sara The Spy was forced to settle for the bridesmaid role on this night while Trot Fudge Sundae (Dave Magee) was third in the field of six.

Sent off as the second choice in the wagering after her entrymate Just For Fun was scratched sick, Little Ms Chrissy returned $6.60, $2.80 and $2.40 while upping her career bankroll to an impressive $148,845

Tom Kelley, Balmoral Park (reposted with permission)