by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — All eyes will be upon the speedy Captain Greedy in Saturday night’s (Sept. 12) $74,000 Su Mac Lad Trot for 3-year-old colts and geldings at Balmoral Park.

A winner of $117,026 lifetime, Captain Greedy is a homebred son of Yankee Valor and is the first foal out of the Armbro Tropicana mare Tropical Trixie. He was foaled at Brownstown, Ill., on March 6, 2012 and is co-owned by trainer-driver JD Finn and partner Charles Doehring and was bred by Cary and Kimberly Doehring.

David Baum photo

Captain Greedy will be looking for his seventh win of the year in Saturday’s $74,000 Su Mac Lad Stake on Super Night at Balmoral Park.

“He was just super from day one, and had a ton of natural ability,” Finn reported. “He rates right up there with some of the best I’ve trained and driven, including Koochie.”

As a freshman, Captain Greedy was a terror on the Illinois County Fair tracks, winning two Big Ten Colt stakes; at Newton in 2:06 and at Altamont in 2:03.3 when he stormed to victory by an astonishing 36-1/2 lengths with his trainer at the lines.

“It’s difficult for me to say which of his races has impressed me the most,” Finn said. “He’s given me so many good efforts and outstanding races that it’s really tough for me to choose.”

Captain Greedy’s first pari-mutuel victory as a freshman came on July 9 at Balmoral, when he trotted in 1:59.4. His other 2-year-old triumphs include a 2:05.1 victory in the Downstate Classic at Lincoln, before taking the $30,000 Illinois State Fair Stake at Springfield in 1:58 — his best effort as a 2-year-old. He followed that up with a 1:59.3 mile in the $17,000 Darn Safe at Du Quoin. He wrapped up the season with a 9-2-3 record from 17 starts, with earnings of $60,953.

This season, the now 3-year-old Captain Greedy scored a trio of second-place finishes before scoring his first win on July 13 at Balmoral in 1:56.1. He also won the $7,706 Downstate Classic at Carrollton in 2:04.1; the $20,600 Hanover at Balmoral in 1:56.2; and the $6,800 Pronto Don at Du Quoin — when he was timed in a career best 1:55.4 for the one mile test.

“He’s become even more of a Cadillac this year,” Finn offered.

Captain Greedy finished a strong second in his Su Mac Lad prep here one week ago to Tricky Nick, timed in 1:56.3. In just 13 starts this year he’s amassed six wins, six seconds and a third in 13 trips postward with seasonal earnings of $56,433.

“I really can’t say much about him except that he’s one of the most naturally talented horses I’ve ever driven,” Finn concluded. “Trotting fast just is part of his make-up.”