by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — The 2010 stakes season kicked off on Saturday, April 3, at Balmoral Park as a pair of state-bred events for 3-year-old pacers shared top billing on the 14-race program.

A field of eight sophomore pacing fillies started the action as they were sent to battle in the $10,000 Direct Balance Stake. When the smoke cleared it was the Obermeir and Quaid Stables’ promising youngster Reilly’s Daughter who emerged with an easy 3-1/4 length triumph in a career best of 1:53.4.

Reilly’s Daughter had no trouble disposing of seven rivals in Saturday’s $10,000 Direct Balance Stake.

Taking advantage of an inside starting spot driver Marcus Miller had the daughter of Sportsmaster-Indepedence Ball perfectly positioned in the pocket as stablemates Leanmean Normajean (Hans Schulfer) and Cole Blue (Robert Smolin) took turns on the front end as the field moved through splits of :28.2, :55.3 and 1:24.1.

Full of pace after saving ground throughout the mile, Miller found room for the Roger Welch trained miss and she responded beautifully as she stormed home for her fourth win in seven starts this season. Cole Blue held on for second while Fox Valley Adios (Mike Oosting) rallied for third.

Bet to the near exclusion of her rivals Reilly’s Daughter returned $2.60, $2.10 and $2.10 while running her career record to an eye catching 5-4-2 in 11 trips postward.

A field of nine colts and geldings were next to face the starting gate as they slugged it out in the $10,000 Taurus Bomber Stake.

Balmoral Park photos

The Roman Conquest gave driver Marcus Miller a sweep of Saturday’s stakes events.

Once again it was driver Marcus Miller who toted home top honors as he guided Robert McCormick and the Ervin Miller Stable’s The Roman Conquest to a half-length triumph in a lifetime best of 1:53.2.

Employing similar ground saving tactics Miller left alertly from post position four and then settled into the pocket as a hard charging Southern Sport (Kristopher Reynolds) stormed to the front. Leading the field through fractions of :27.4, :56 and 1:25.3, Southern Sport continued to show the way into the lane.

Skillfully moving his charge into a clear path, Miller had the son of Art’s Conquest-Theocracy in high gear as he flew home in :27.3 to notch his second win in six starts. Southern Sport held on well to finish second while 31-1 outsider Art’s Dance (Todd Warren) came on to finish third.

The second choice in the wagering, The Roman Conquest returned $7.60, $3.40 and $2.60.

There will be no live racing at Balmoral Park on Sunday, April 4, due to the Easter holiday. Live racing resumes at the Crete oval on Wednesday, April 7. Post time is 7:10 p.m. (CDT).