by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — With an overflow field of 11 Illinois conceived and foaled trotters sent to the post for Sunday’s (June 24) $12,000 Betzotic Stake, the race figured to be a hotly contested affair from start to finish. It proved to be just that as John Barnard’s recent acquisition, B Fly McQueen, came flying down the stretch to win by a head in a career best of 1:56.1. Just four lengths separated the top six finishers in the race.

Balmoral Park photo

Robert Smolin gave B Fly McQueen a perfect steer as the 3-year-old filly rallied in the final strides to win Sunday’s $12,000 Betzotic Stake.

Despite starting from the far outside post in this match-up of diagonally gaited sophomore fillies, the daughter of American Native-Blank Check smartly settled in sixth as Rubys And Pearls (Rick Schrock), Powerful Rosie (Brian Carpenter) and Fox Valley Helen (Todd Warren) slugged it out through tough opening splits of :27.and :57.4.

After swinging to the outside nearing the half-mile mark, driver Robert Smolin was able to pick up live cover for B Fly McQueen and the nice outer flow march continued around the far turn, putting the Bill Crone trainee in a perfect spot.

Following fellow stakes winners Rubys And Pearls and Divas Photo (Casey Leonard) around the bend, B Fly McQueen had moved up to third, just 2-1/2 lengths behind the dueling Rubys And Pears and Divas Photo, as those two trotted by the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:27.3.

Swinging three deep for the stretch drive, Smolin continued to urge his filly towards the front, eventually gobbling up a game Divas Photo in the final strides for her fourth victory of the season. Divas Photo was a gallant second while Ants Iner Pants (Steve Searle), who followed the cover of B Fly McQueen, rallied to finish third, just 1-3/4 lengths behind.

With the win the good looking brown filly now boasts a record of four wins, three seconds and one third in 11 starts this year with earnings of $24,510. Overlooked at the betting windows because of her outside starting spot, B Fly McQueen returned $16.80, $6.00 and $5.00 to those lucky enough to back the late rushing filly.