by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Maywood Park

Melrose Park, IL — The 2010 Maywood Park stakes schedule continues on Friday night (April 23) as a field of nine 3-year-old Illinois conceived and foaled pacing fillies will square off in the $14,000 Desperate Lady Stake which has been carded as race 11 on the 14-race program.

The Roger Welch trained Reilly’s Daughter has been installed as the 3-1 morning line favorite in this tussle as she seeks her second straight ICF stakes victory. The daughter of Sportsmaster-Independence Ball is off to a very nice start in her second season of action, putting up four wins, three seconds and one third through her first eight starts of the year. Included in those victories was a very impressive 3-1/4 length romp in the $10,000 Direct Balance Stake at Balmoral Park where she stopped the clock in a career best of 1:53.4. This versatile filly has been on the board in all 12 career starts while earning almost $20,000 for the Obermeier & Quaid Stable of Evergreen Park, Illinois.

Trainer Mike Schulfer sends out the entry of Leanmean Normajean and Cole Blue and this pair are the close second choice at 7-2 in the morning line. The former was the victim of a tough trip in her last start at Balmoral after finishing fifth while making her seasonal debut in the Direct Balance in her previous start. The latter was second behind Reilly’s Daughter in the Direct Balance and wound up as the bridesmaid once again in her most recent trip to the gate at Balmoral.

Another to consider in here is the leading moneywinner in the field, Things Left Unsaid, who will be making her sophomore debut for owners Robert and Taylor Rietveld on Friday. The Nelson Willis trained daughter of Cole Muffler-Would I Lie put together a very solid 2-year-old season as she posted a record of 2-6-3 in 16 starts with earnings of more than $64,000. After closing out her freshman campaign with a victory in the $28,000 ISOBA Sale Stake, Things Left Unsaid was given a six month rest before coming back with a nice qualifying effort on April 14 at Balmoral Park.

Rounding out the field for the Desperate Lady Stake are Fox Valley Naomi, Kennans Nancy Lee, Moochiesmoneymaker, Delta Dawson and Makena Cat.