by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — Last season’s Orange & Blue champion Dutch Richman continued to draw the attention of Illinois racing fans as he rolled to a two length decision in a blistering 1:51.3 in Saturday’s (June 4) $54,500 Cardinal Stake Final for 3-year-old state bred pacing colts at Balmoral Park.

Balmoral Park photo

Marcus Miller and the highly regarded Dutch Richman overpowered nine rivals in 1:51.3 to win the $54,500 Cardinal Stake final for 3-year-old colt pacers on Saturday night.

Hustled away from post position six by driver Marcus Miller, the son of Richess Hanover-Fox Valley Estella wound up dueling for the early lead with stablemate A Cool Card who left quickly from post position eight as the Ervin Miller trainees rolled by an opening quarter in :27.4.

“I knew most of the better horses in the race were outside of me tonight so I didn’t want to take a chance and wind up being too far back,” said driver Miller. “His lines really don’t show it but he can leave in a hurry when you want him to just like he did in last year’s Orange & Blue elimination.”

Content to sit right on the back of A Cool Card the stablemates rolled by the half-mile mark in :55.4.

The action started to heat up on the far turn as a first over Fox Valley Yukon (Dale Hiteman) came calling to challenge A Cool Card while first over. A patient Dutch Richman was enjoying a pocket sitting journey in third while the highly regarded Rockin Rumble (Mike Oosting) began circling horses while three and four wide as the field reached the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:25.

Asked if he had any concerns as the field began to bunch up at the top of the stretch Miller was as cool as a cucumber.

“I knew A Cool Card was good tonight and I figured that he would carry me all the way to the passing lane,” he explained. “My horse relaxes so easily when he’s in a hole and you can basically just drive him with two fingers around there.”

Through the lane A Cool Card was still clinging to a short lead with Fox Valley Yukon right alongside in second. Dutch Richman had moved into the passing lane and was starting to gobble up ground while Rockin Rumble remained in fourth.

“Dutch Richman can switch gears in a heartbeat and that’s exactly what he did tonight once we found clear sailing down in the passing lane,” said Miller. “He was very good tonight and he’s such a smart horse that he basically just took me down there and then went on about his business until he hit the wire.”

Cruising effortlessly through the closing yards Dutch Richman reeled off a wicked :26.2 final split to seal the deal for owners Leland Mathias, Harvey Eisman and the Ervin Miller Stable. Fox Valley Yukon was second while A Cool Card held on gamely to finish third.

With the win Dutch Richman now boasts six wins in eight career starts with earnings of $159,371. Hammered at the windows by the betting public the gelding returned just $2.80, $2.60 and $2.20.

John Roberts guided a fast closing Dr Alfonso to a 1:52.3 victory in Saturday’s Cardinal Stake consolation.

Pick-4 and High-5 pools estimated at $40,000

When 56-1 longshot Strawberry Scoop crossed the line first in the Saturday finale at Balmoral Park, he literally blew up the toteboard. The 6-2 exacta paid $1,131 and the winning 6-2-8 trifecta paid $4,554 for a deuce.

The Pick-4 and 10 cent High-5 went unclaimed, creating an exciting double carryover on the final four races on Sunday.

Race 7 kicks off the Pick-4 wager. The Sunday Pick-4 has a guarantee of $25,000 which will be surpassed easily because of the rollover. The minimum bet is a buck and the Pick-4 has a 15 percent takeout. The estimated Sunday Pick-4 pool is $40,000.

The tenth and final race gives everyone the unique opportunity to bet into a $40,000 pool that has a 10 cent minimum. The object of the High-5 is to select the top five finishers in exact order. The carryover for the Sunday High-5 is $13,257.