by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — Despite competing in only one of the two preliminary legs of the Incredible Finale series because of an illness, Don Freese’s Richess Emperor managed to gain a spot in the final after winning a division of leg two action last week.

Balmoral park photo

Dean Magee piloted Richess Emperor to a three-quarter length victory in Saturday’s Incredible Finale series at Balmoral Park.

That win definitely caught the eye of the betting public as the gelded son of Richess Hanover was dispatched as the heavy favorite in Saturday’s (Dec. 17) $9,550 final at Balmoral Park and he did not disappoint his legion of backers as he rolled to a three-quarter length victory in 1:55.

After getting away fifth through an opening quarter in :28.3, driver Dean Magee rolled the handsome brown 3-year-old to the front where they overtook pacesetting Bill’s Boy (Todd Warren) as the two battled through the half-mile mark in :57.2.

Heading around the final turn the Freese owned and trained gelding opened up a 1-1/4 length advantage as he cruised by the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:26.

Through the stretch a game Richess Emperor continued to hold his nine rivals at bay as he paced under the wire with his third win in five lifetime starts. Bill’s Boy held on for second while Colemanandthesea (Marcus Miller) rallied to be third.

Sent off as the 4-5 favorite, Richess Emperor returned $3.80, $2.60 and $2.40 while upping his career bankroll to $11,810.