by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Maywood Park

Melrose Park, IL — Freshman pacing fillies were front and center on Thursday (July 9) at Maywood Park as 12 state-bred youngsters squared off in a pair of $6,000 divisions of the My Metallica Stake.

In the first division, the Nelson Willis trained Aunt Ethel took full advantage of the inside starting spot as she grabbed command right from the word go and made every call a winning one with a three length victory in 1:57.3.

Confidently handled by driver Mike Oosting, the homebred daughter of Sportsmaster-Miller Creek Ethel shot to the top where she put up splits of :29, :57.4 and 1:28. When called upon on the final turn by Maywood’s leading reinsman the bay filly responded with a nice :29.3 final panel while drawing away from her rivals. Burry Me Inthesand (Gary Rath) turned a nice inside trip into a second place check while Thetis (Ridge Warren) rallied to finish third, 5-1/4 lengths behind the winner.

The win was the first in two lifetime starts for Aunt Ethel who is owned by Rick, Erwin and Vernon Barbre.

Maywood Park photo

Lexington Lady teamed up with driver Brian Carpenter for her third straight victory in the second division of the My Metallica Stake.

In the second division the Hosea Williams owned and trained Lexington Lady continued to impress as she cruised to an easy 4-1/4 length front stepping score in 1:55.4 for driver Brian Carpenter.

Flashing her high octane gate speed the daughter of Lexington Legend-Stephie Kay zipped right to the lead, effortlessly posting fractions of :28, :58 and 1:27.1 while rolling along unchallenged on the engine.

With plenty still in reserve Lexington Lady left her rivals in her wake on the final bend, pacing home in a snappy :28.3 for her third straight ICF stakes score. Fox Valley Addison (Todd Warren) finished in the runner-up spot while longshot Our Miss Cami (Mike Oosting) nabbed the show dough.

The 1-5 favorite, who was a $2,500 bargain buy as a yearling, now boasts three wins and a second in four lifetime starts with earnings of $9,000.

Live racing continues on Friday (July 10) at Maywood Park with two divisions of the Fox Valley Barzgar Stake for ICF 2-year-old pacing colts sharing top billing on the card. Those battles will go as races four and six on the 12-race program which also features a $10,000 guaranteed pool in the Pick-4 (races nine-12) and a new $15,000 guaranteed pool on the 10 cent Hi-Five wager (race 12). Post time for the first race is 7:30 p.m. (CDT).