by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — With spring in the air and temperatures in the uppers 70’s on a beautiful night, it was time again for the Illinois stakes program to get rolling. On Tuesday night, Balmoral Park played host to the first big test of the year for three-year-old trotting colts as a field of eight state-breds were sent postward in a $17,020 ISOBA Stake.

After going winless in 11 starts as a two-year-old, Merrill and Marcia Anderson and Gertrude Crowley’s CC Chargin Home continued to impress in his sophomore campaign as he rolled to a two length triumph in a career best of 1:58.3.

Chrissy Koeppen Photo

CC Chargin Home and driver-trainer Stephen Waller rolled to a two length triumph in Tuesday’s $17,020 ISOBA Stake.

Eased away from post position three by driver-trainer Stephen Waller, this son of Armbro Charger was able to save ground through a leisurely opening quarter of :30.2.

With the 3-5 favorite Victrola strolling along on the front end, Waller decided he had seen enough and pulled CC Chargin Home from fourth. Gobbling up ground while first over, CC Chargin Home moved to within three-quarters of a length of last year’s Two-Year-Old Trotting Colt of the Year as the field reached the halfway point in :59.4.

Continuing to grind away at the pacesetter as the field trotted around the far turn, CC Chargin Home was right alongside the leader as they cruised by the three-quarter station in 1:29.1. Bear Claw (Tim Tetrick) was also looming boldly in the pocket after enjoying the garden trip from the word go.

Heading through the stretch a tiring Victrola tried valiantly to hold off the determined charge of CC Chargin Home. Bear Claw was still right there with the top two as he searched for a way around the tiring favorite. In the final sixteenth of a mile CC Chargin Home seemed to find an extra gear as he drew away for his second win in four starts this season. Bear Claw secured room late and came on to be second while Vanished (Rick Schrock) rallied for the show dough. Victrola wound up a tired fourth, three and three-quarter lengths behind the winner.

Bet down to 4-1 off a 10-1 morning line after posting a big come-from-behind win at Hoosier Park last week, CC Chargin Home looks like he could be a major player in this year’s sophomore ranks with two wins in his first four starts of the season.