by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — Continuing a red hot start to her 3-year-old season, Dixie Sue Graham and Steve Poore’s Powerful Connection had no trouble dispatching of seven other diagonally gaited state-bred fillies as she rolled to a one length victory in a career best of 1:58.2 while taking Sunday’s (May 1) $9,000 Koochie Stake at Balmoral Park.

Balmoral Park photo

Driver Brian Carpenter takes a peak over at runner-up Bonnie’s Star as he guides Powerful Connection to her third straight victory in Sunday’s $9,000 Koochie Stake.

Confidently handled by driver Brian Carpenter the daughter of Powerful Emotion-Alpine Queen was reserved in the early going, trotting along in fifth, some 9-1/2 lengths away from Drinks On Me (Jamaica Patton), who led the field through opening splits of :29.and :58.1.

Following the live cover of race favorite Bonnie’s Star (Mike Brink) as the field moved around the far turn, Carpenter had Powerful Connection in perfect striking position on the outside of horses as Bonnie’s Star swept into command just before reaching the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:27.1.

In the stretch the Gerald Hansen trained Powerful Connection continued to cut into the margin of Bonnie’s Star while under minimal urging from Carpenter. Sticking a head in front with less than an eighth of a mile to trot Powerful Connection began to draw away from her main rival with long fluid strides, eventually drawing clear for her third win in as many tries this season. Bonnie’s Star held on gamely to finish second while Drinks On Me was a distant third, seven lengths behind the winner.

The victory was the seventh in 16 career starts for the good looking brown filly who now boasts $14,950 in earnings. Sent off as the second choice in the wagering Powerful Connection paid $4.80, $2.60 and $2.20.