by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — A compact field of six Illinois bred 3-year-old colt pacers were sent to the gate for Saturday’s (Nov. 25) $16,480 ISOBA Stake. With the shortage of entries and the overwhelming favoritism of Shirley Le Vin’s My Boy David, only win and exacta wagering were offered on the event.

The “chalk” players never broke a sweat in this one as My Boy David stormed to the front and proceeded to make every call a winning one in 1:52.2.

My Boy David was an easy winner for Ryan Anderson.

Confidently driven by Ryan Anderson, the bay gelding charged away from post position five and was comfortably in front by the time the field hit the midway point of the first turn. Skimming over the Crete oval with the greatest of ease, My Boy David rolled through an opening split of :28.3.

Cruising down the backstretch this year’s Langley Memorial winner was on an uncontested lead as he moved by the halfway station in :56.

Despite the lack of challengers My Boy David continued around the final bend with a full head of steam, hitting the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:23.3.

Setting sail for home the issue was never in doubt as the Homer Hochstetler trainee continued to widen the advantage he enjoyed over his five foes. Completely wrapped up by Anderson, My Boy David still reported home with a 3-3/4 length victory. Isn’t That Crazy (Sam Widger) edged out Crawdad (Dave Magee) for the place money after a stretch long duel.

Enjoying a huge second season, My Boy David now boasts a record of 4-9-4 in 23 starts with earnings of $609,000. The son of Cole Muffler also sports career earnings of more than $865,000.

The 1-5 favorite of the betting public returned $2.40 for the win.

Free For All pacers were also in action on Saturday night as a field of seven went postward for a purse of $21,500 in Race 10.

Although there was plenty of good young talent in this group it was the game old veteran Abouttolosecontrol who emerged with a 2-1/4 length triumph in a snappy 1:51.1.

Balmoral Park photos

Abouttolosecontrol teamed up with driver Brent Holland to knock off a field of FFA foes in 1:51.1.

After sitting second through an opening quarter in :28.2 the pride of the Brandy Pinske Stable popped from the pocket on the backside and quickly took control of the race.

Cruising through middle splits of :55.2 and 1:24 for driver Brent Holland, the 7-year-old son of Camluck maintained a one length advantage as the field turned for home.

In the lane the durable Nelson Willis trainee was never seriously threatened as he rolled to his sixth win in 30 starts this year.

Brown Bottle Flu (Todd Warren) turned in a solid effort to finish second in his first trip into the FFA ranks. AB’s Beach Boy (Dale Hiteman) turned a ground saving trip into the show dough.

Abouttolosecontrol returned a healthy $10.80, $7.60 and $5.00 while running his career bankroll up to $416,383.