by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — With a total of 15 state-bred filly and mare pacers dropped into the entry box, Saturday’s Sue Fee Stake at Balmoral Park was split into a pair of $13,250 divisions. The stakes had been scheduled to go back on June 21 but was washed out when torrential rains caused the remainder of the card to be cancelled that evening.

REB Photo

Tim Curtin guided Dallas Jones to victory in the first division of the Sue Fee Stake on Saturday night at Balmoral Park.

In the opening split Paula Smith, James Runyan and Frank Pike’s Dallas Jones regained her early season form as she came charging through the lane to score by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:54.1 over a sloppy track for driver Tim Curtin.

Unhurried early as Just By Design (Dave Magee) and then Auniqueaquistion (Dale Hiteman) put up splits of :27.3, :56 and 1:25, Curtin moved from fifth at the half-mile pole.

Moving into a perfect second over spot in fourth as the field turned for home the Joel Smith trained 4-year-old set sail for the wire, quickly gobbling up the tired leaders while slicing through a strong headwind. In full flight, the daughter of Sportsmaster-Cams Bett confidently cruised under the wire with her sixth victory of the year. Just By Design shook loose late at the pylons to finish second while Whistle Pig (Casey Leonard) rallied for the show dough.

Sent off as the 9-2 choice in the wagering, Dallas Jones returned $11.00, $4.40 and $3.60 while running her record to 6-3-3 in 29 starts with earnings of nearly $47,000.

In the nightcap John Barnard’s Ryleigh’s Lilly came flying through the lane to post an impressive 1-3/4 length victory in 1:53 with Mike Oosting at the controls.

Ducked off the gate by Oosting, the 4-year-old mare settled in fifth as Party Hangover (Todd Warren) led the field through splits of :27.4, :56.2 and 1:24.1.

After getting caught up in a stalled outer flow as the field neared the top of the stretch, a confident Oosting tipped three and then four-wide around the tired challengers. Effortlessly picking off one rival after another the Bill Crone trained daughter of Western Hero-Fox Valley Chosen zipped past them all for her sixth victory of the season. State Street Liz (Robert Smolin) turned a ground saving trip into a second place check while Party Hangover held on for third.

Sent off as the second choice in the wagering, Ryleigh’s Lilly returned $5.20, $3.20 and $2.20 while moving her record to 6-3-6 in 29 trips postward with earnings of just over $41,000.

Live racing continues on Sunday (Nov. 23) at Balmoral Park with a 10-race card getting underway at 7:10 p.m. (central). Sunday’s $1 Pick-4 features a guaranteed pool of $25,000. With no racing on Thursday (Nov. 27) at Maywood Park (Thanksgiving), Balmoral Park will present an 11-race card on Wed. (Nov. 26) as well.