by Mike Paradise, publicity director, Maywood Park

Melrose Park, IL — With the three betting favorites — Shiraz Matazz (3-2), Hogies Cam (5-2) and Missile Mike (3-1) — all sporting at least one recent Maywood Park triumph racing on the front end, a first quarter speed duel was expected in Friday night’s $14,900 feature race.

Maywood Park Photo

Berley (Ryan Anderson) rushed past to capture Friday night’s $14,900 feature race at Maywood Park.

And those who backed the late rusher Berley ($11.40) certainly were pleased that the early skirmish did materialize because it was their striking gray horse that came on to post a 1:53² victory in the third race for $40,000 to $50,000 claimers.

Driver Dave Magee gunned Hogies Cam out from the one slot, while Tony Morgan (Shiraz Matazz, post three) and Mike Oosting (Missile Mike, post seven) did the same with their horses. However, Hogies Cam had too much early speed for both foes. Shiraz Matazz dropped into the two hole, but Missile Mike made a speed break and pretty much was eliminated.

After a bruising :26² first quarter, Hogies Cam was given a :29³ second panel breather, prompting Ryan Anderson to take Berley out of the four hole and after the leader. The striking seven-year-old son of Laag raced outside of the pacesetting Hogies Cam through much of the third quarter but brushed past at the 1:24³ pole, while Shiraz Matazz got stuck behind the tiring one horse.

In the last turn Berley sprinted away from the field and his :28⁴ final quarter was more than enough to enjoy a three and one-quarter length victory over Roland John N (Dale Hiteman). Shiraz Matazz made a belated rally to be third, another quarter of a length behind.

“This is only the third time I’ve driven this horse,” said winning driver Ryan Anderson. “The last time I won with him we were covered up most of the mile and I kind of sling-shotted him out for the win.

“Tonight, when he got up alongside that other horse (Hogies Cam), he was kind of just being lazy out there and I had to get after him a little bit. He was waiting for a challenge. He raced absolutely awesome tonight and just kept digging in all the way to the wire.”

Berley won for the second time in three starts since joining the Guy Calvert Stable earlier this month for his Dumont, Colorado owners Port Byron Land and Cattle.