by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — Kay Willis and Brandy Pinske Stable’s Fools Gold continued his impressive 4-year-old campaign on Saturday night as he knocked off seven rivals in a blistering 1:48.4, making him the fastest pacer of the year here in the Prairie State.

Balmoral Park photo

Fools Gold defeated seven rivals in 1:48.4, the fastest mile of the year in the state of Illinois.

The Nelson Willis trained son of I Am A Fool was content to watch Fort Silky and Mattoutflying battle through tough early splits of 27.4 & 54.4.

With driver Marcus Miller putting the long striding pacer into action on the backside Fools Gold quickly charged right by the leaders as the field moved around the final bend.

Showing the way by the three-quarter-mile station in 1:21.2, Fools Gold looked to be well within himself as he paced away from his rivals to win by two lengths. Well To Do Guru (Casey Leonard) finished second while Four Starzzz Z (Travis Seekman) was third.

The win was the ninth in 13 starts this year for Fools Gold who has only been out of the money one time in 2011. Sent off as the 1-2 favorite he returned $3.00, $2.40 & $2.10 while running his career bankroll up to $93,239.