by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — Obermeier & Quaid Stables’ Maevey Gravy provided the fireworks on Wednesday’s Independence Day program at Balmoral Park as the 3-year-old filly knocked off six other diagonally gaited state-breds in the $12,000 Sorce Ann Stake.

Balmoral Park photo

Marcus Miller and Maevey Gravy knocked off six rivals in Wednesday’s Sorce Ann Stake at Balmoral Park.

Leaving alertly from post position five for driver Marcus Miller, the daughter of Northern Kid-Grace Elizabeth found a seat in third as Star Of Victory (John Roberts) led the field through leisurely opening splits of :30.4 and 1:01.

With the action beginning to heat up on the far turn, Miller maneuvered his filly to the outside where she picked up live cover from a first over B Fly McQueen (Robert Smolin) who had pulled right alongside of Star Of Victory as they reached the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:31.1.

In the stretch B Fly McQueen quickly swallowed up the pacesetting Star Of Victory, opening up a 1-1/2 length advantage. Unfortunately for the chalk players, the 3-5 favorite could not hold off the tenacious bid of Maevey Gravy who zipped by in the closing yards to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:59.3. B Fly McQueen was forced to settle for the bridesmaid role while Powerful Star (Dale Hiteman) rallied well to be third.

With the win the Erv Miller trained miss now sports a record of 2-1-3 in seven starts this season with earnings of $21,587. Sent off as the second choice in the wagering, Maevey Gravy returned $5.60, $2.40 and $2.10.