by Tom Kelley

Melrose Park, IL — The 2009 stakes season at Maywood Park gets underway Friday night as an overflow field of 10 Illinois conceived and foaled 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers square off in the $15,000 Sportsmaster Stake.

Leading the way in what appears to be a wide open race is Jim Edgar, Jim Reynolds and Terry & Judith Rathgeber’s Rich N Flashy who is fresh off a convincing 3-1/2 length romp in a division of the Taurus Bomber Stake at Balmoral Park. The gelded son of Richess Hanover overcame traffic problems at the top of the stretch in his victory as he stopped the clock in 1:54.4 while winning his second straight start. Trained by Kristopher Reynolds Rich N Flashy will be looking for his third win in six starts this season as he starts from the second tier.

Another to keep an eye on is Kay Willis and Sawgrass Farms Fox Valley Seth. This altered son of Incredible Finale is no stranger to the winner’s circle here at Maywood Park taking the Cardinal Stake consolation here during a fine 2-year-old campaign that saw him put together a record of 4-4-1 in 14 starts with earnings of almost $58,000 for conditioner Nelson Willis.

Shelly Graham’s Henry Gram will be making his 2009 debut but this good looking homebred son of Henry Clay appears to be ready for a big effort after two sharp qualifying races at Balmoral Park. The Tom Graham Jr. trained and driven sophomore really blossomed toward the end of his 2-year-old season closing out the year with a nice third place finish in the Cardinal Stake Final and a win in the Sarah Myers Stake at Balmoral Park.

Rounding out the field for the Sportsmaster Stake are Captain Kid, Teheros, Fort Silky, Aztec Nick, Successfully Rich, Fox Valley Ruler and Drama Party.