by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Maywood Park

Melrose Park, IL — One of Maywood Park’s signature events, the $35,600 Filly Maywood Pace, will put a field of eight Illinois conceived and foaled 3-year-old pacing fillies in the spotlight as they do battle in race eight on Friday (June 12).

David Baum photo

Lex is the 9-5 favorite in the Filly Maywood Pace.

Leading the way in here is this year’s Violet Stake winner Lex who comes into this tussle off a third place finish while facing the top older distaffers on the grounds at Balmoral Park last time out.

The Nelson Willis trained miss earned a bye into Friday’s final, giving the daughter of Lexington Legend a week off to freshen up for this tussle. Sporting a career record of 7-4-3 in 15 starts with earnings of nearly $85,000 for owner Kay Willis, Lex has been installed as the 9-5 favorite as she leaves from post four. Kyle Wilfong is scheduled to handle the driving duties.

Southern Girl (4-1) turned some heads with a big come from behind victory in last week’s elimination and the Homer Hochstetler trained miss could make it two in a row if she’s able to uncork another closing move like that.

Unraced as a 2-year-old the daughter of Sportsmaster began her career this spring by reeling off a couple of sharp wins before running into stakes company. After a couple of even efforts the good looking brown filly regained her form last week, exploding through the final sixteenth of a mile to pick up her fourth win in 10 career starts. Southern Girl will start from post two as she teams up with driver Travis Seekman again.

Last week’s elimination favorite Sportsmuffler was victimized by a tough trip from post eight and this ultra-consistent filly also figures to make her presence felt as she starts from post six on Friday. The Jesse De Long owned and trained miss has put up a sparkling record of 8-3-3 in 15 lifetime starts with earnings of just over $75,000. Installed as the 5-2 second choice in the morning line odds, Casey Leonard will handle the driving chores.

The “boys” will also be in Friday evening as a field of eight ICF sophomore pacing colts will battle in an $8,000 elimination for next week’s Maywood Pace. The top six finishers will move on to the final where there will be joined by Earndawg and Dixie’s Boy in the $36,000 final.