by Mike Paradise, publicity director, Maywood Park

Melrose Park, IL — Adams Mate A went seven weeks in between starts, however the 7-year-old import nonetheless effortlessly extended his winning streak to three in a row in Friday night’s (May 25) $12,300 feature race at Maywood Park. The 7-1 longshot was almost eight lengths the best in a 1:52.1 mile; not bad for a horse “that is still a little short.”

Maywood Park photo

Adams Mate A (Mike Oosting) was much the best in Maywood Park’s Friday night feature.

Mike Oosting patiently had Adams Mate A in fifth, some 11 lengths behind when the 4-5 favorite Falcatraz (number one, Sam Widger) was pushed to a bruising :26.4 first panel by Jo Pa’s Bench Mark (number eight, Dave Magee). After a :55.2 first half, Adams Mate A zipped past on the backside for what turned out to be a dominating victory for trainer Brad Moffitt, who shares ownership on the Australian bred with S & P Racing Stable of Chicago.

“I was told he had an abscess in his foot and that’s why he was off that long,” said Oosting after guiding his third of five winning horses on his 45th birthday.

“They were winging out of there but the rail horse (Falcatraz) should be able to go those kinds of fractions around this track but he wasn’t right tonight and that helped our case,” continued Oosting. “When my horse got alongside of him he just blew past and kept right on going. Brad (trainer Moffitt) said after the race he thought the horse was still a little bit short but he felt real good out there. He thinks he’s something right now.”

After dropping his first three starts of the season in March, Adams Mate A had back-to-back winning performances of 1:53.3 and 1:54.3 at Maywood on March 30 and April 6 before he was sidelined. The Village Jasper offspring gave way in deep stretch in his 1:55.3 qualifier on May 16 at Balmoral but he certainly was ready Friday night.

“He felt good out there,” said Oosting, who raced the winner first-over, some 6-3/4 lengths off the pacesetter at the half-mile marker. “I was content to be first up,” said the Michigan native. “This is a nice horse and he has versatility as well.”

Odds On B P (Robert Smolin) rallied to be a distant second, beaten 7-3/4 lengths. It was two more lengths to the third place finisher Marti’s Arti (Del Chupp).