by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Maywood Park

Melrose Park, IL — State bred pacing colts will take center stage on Friday night (May 22) at Maywood Park as a field of eight 3-year-olds battle in the $12,000 Gosox Stake which has been carded as race eight on the 14-race program.

Maywood Park photo

Rich N Flashy (#8) is the favorite in Friday’s Gosox Stake at Maywood Park.

Rich N Flashy has already taken the Sportsmaster and Taser Gun Stakes at Maywood Park this season and from the inside starting spot the Kristopher Reynolds trained gelding has been installed as the 5-2 morning line favorite. The son of Richess Hanover saw his four race winning streak come to an end in an ISOBA Stake at Balmoral Park last time out but with the inside starting spot he figures to have a big chance to get back on the winning track for driver Tyler Buter.

Fort Silky was the runner-up to Rich N Flashy in the Sportsmaster and Taser Gun Stakes and the 3-1 second choice figures to give the favorite another heated battle in this event. The John Prentice trained son of Ft Apache Hanover was victimized by a tough trip while facing older in his last start but he has made great strides in his first season of racing. Sporting a record of three wins and three seconds in 10 starts this year, Fort Silky will have the services of driver Robert Smolin while leaving from post position three.

Smellthecolornine will make his seasonal debut after a fine freshman campaign in which he posted five wins, six seconds and one third in 19 starts while earning more than $67,000. Under the tutelage of conditioner Ervin Miller the gelded son of Cole Muffler tuned up for his sophomore debut with a pair of sharp qualifying efforts over the one-mile oval at Balmoral Park. Marcus Miller will handle the driving duties for Smellthecolornine who is the third choice in the morning line at 7-2 after drawing post position two.

Rounding out the field are Hot Shot, AJS Delight, Fox Valley Ruler, Timewell and Filthy Rich.