by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Maywood Park

Melrose Park, IL — Illinois’ top sophomore pacing colts will face the starting gate for Friday’s (Nov. 27) 11th race as a field of nine 3-year-olds square off in the $15,000 Cole Muffler Stake.

Maywood Park photo

Park Lane Deputy figures to be a heavy favorite in Friday’s $15,000 Cole Muffler Stake at Maywood Park.

Shirley LeVin’s Park Lane Deputy has been at the top of the division since the word ‘go’ in 2009 and this Sportsmaster colt has been installed as the 9-5 morning line favorite as he guns for his 15th victory of the season.

The Homer Hochstetler trainee has been battling veteran company in the Open at Balmoral for the past two weeks, finishing a close up second and third as the favorite among some very rugged older foes. In his last appearance at Maywood Park the good looking bay colt sped right to the front for driver Dale Hiteman and proceeded to make every call a winning in a $14,705 ISOBA Stake split.

Park Lane Deputy’s biggest score of the season came on Super Night at Balmoral Park when he toted home top honors in the $185,000 Langley Memorial, stopping the clock in 1:51.3.

Sporting a record of 14-4-2 in 24 starts this season, Park Lane Deputy has earned $214,952. As always Dale Hiteman will be at the controls as Park Lane Deputy leaves from post position three.

Harvey Eisman’s Grandma Jan’s Max has been installed as the 5-2 second choice by the odds-maker after drawing post position four.

The Ervin Miller trained son of Richess Hanover has had his share of bad luck and tough trips this season, resulting in only one win in 19 starts, but he is always dangerous in these state-bred events. During a spectacular 2-year-old season, the brown gelding racked up six wins, two seconds and two thirds in 15 starts while earning almost $180,000.

In his most recent outing Grandma Jan’s Max uncorked a wicked :26.2 final quarter, rallying from ninth to second in a conditioned event at the Crete oval. Brandon Simpson gets the call to handle the driving duties on Friday.

Others who figure to garner some attention at the betting windows include the Erv Miller trained What It Means, who finished fifth in last week’s Windy City Pace and was the winner of this year’s Maywood Pace; the Roger Welch trainee My Boy Luke who has hit the board in 18 of 26 starts while earning $117,425 in his second season; and Fort Silky, who posted an impressive wire-to-wire victory here last week in 1:55.4 for driver Marcus Miller.