from the Balmoral Park Publicity Department

CRETE, IL – Little Pedro, an 11-1 longshot handled by driver Sam Widger, held off a strong challenge by the 4-5 favorite Mucho Sleazy and went on to capture Balmoral Park’s $50,000 Sarah Myers stake for state-bred freshman males in front-end fashion with a career best 1:51.3 mile.

Trained by Bruce Pacitti, who shares ownership of the son of Park Place with fellow Illinois residents Owen Brennan and William De Cicco, Little Pedro ($25.60) shot away from the five-slot in the seventh race nine horse field, grabbed the lead, and despite being pressured most of the way, posted his fourth win in 13 starts.

Mucho Sleazy left from the two-slot and was dropped into fourth by driver Mike Oosting. The recent winner of the American National was some eight lengths behind when Little Pedro hit the first quarter marker in: 27.4. Oosting took Mucho Sleazy after the pacesetter and the public’s choice was third, three lengths behind after Little Pedro paced another: 27.4 quarter, stopping the half-miler timer in: 55.2.

The key to the race was the third quarter. Mucho Sleazy was on all cylinders going after the leader but when Widger asked Little Pedro for more, the youngster responded, digging in with a quick :26.4 third panel to keep Mucho Sleazy on his outside.

At the finish it was Little Pedro by two full lengths over the game Mucho Sleazy. Chevie Classic Rod (Dave Magee), who raced second over behind Little Pedro, took the show spot, another quarter of a length behind.

The $25,000 winner’s share of the purse propelled Little Pedro’s first season earnings from $38,844 to $63,844.