by Mike Paradise, publicity director, Maywood Park

Melrose Park, IL — The Ken Rucker Stable may have another budding star to add to its always powerful contingent of pacers and trotters. He’s I Believe Its True, the 7-5 favorite in Thursday night’s (Dec. 21) $10,100 Incredible Finale Series Final for state-bred 3-year-old colts and geldings at Maywood Park.

Acquired on November 8 by the Rucker Stable (Beecher, Ill.), Engle Stable (Buffalo Grove, Ill.), Centaur Stable (Oak Lawn, Ill.) and Jordon Sklut (Chesterton, Ind.), I Believe Its True has put together back-to-back dominating performances after Rucker put the Cole Muffler offspring on lasix at the end of last month.

After drawing off by 13 lengths racing on the bleeder medication with a 1:57.2 mile in a November 29 qualifier at Balmoral, the gelding posted a romping 13-1/2 length victory (1:57.1) here at Maywood Park in the December 7 first leg of the Incredible Finale series. Last Friday, I Believe Its True didn’t let this track’s eight post with its diminutive 4.5% winning clip keep him from breezing again, this time in a career best time of 1:56 flat against open company pacers.

On Thursday, I Believe Its True leaves from post two when he opens up as the 7-5 first flash choice in the sixth race feature with driver Sam Widger. His six challengers are Whatafinale (4-1, Ross Leonard), Harmony Oaks John (6-1, Brandon Simpson), Bell Valley Banker (20-1, Ryan Anderson), Buckhorn Major (12-1, Joshua Sutton), Buster B Skipalong (7-2, Todd Warren) and Fraherhillmagician (5-1, Ron Marsh).

Leaving from post six is the second leg beaten favorite Buster B Skipalong, who driver Sam Widger calls: “A racehorse who likes his job. And he’s quick from the gate.”

Widger guided the Kyle Jones trainee to a 1:57.2 front stepping victory in the first series leg. It was Buster B Skipalong’s third win in his last four starts on our half-miler. Todd Warren will guide Buster B Skipalong Thursday after Widger chose to handle I Believe Its True.

Widger is enjoying his finest season on the Chicago driving circuit. The 43-year-old native of Canton, Ill. had 438 dash winners heading into Tuesday’s Balmoral card. Horses he has driven in ’06 have won over $3.26 million, a career high for Sam as well.

I Believe Its True went 1-for-13 in his freshman season and dropped his first 16 decisions as a sophomore before turning things around in the last few weeks. However, a look at the youngster’s family tree shows the potential has been there for the son of Cole Muffler to succeed as a solid racehorse.

I Believe Its True is the eighth foal of the Big Towner dam Would I Lie. The broodmare had three other sons who campaigned in 2006: Chevie Silverardo (1:52.3, $336,241), Honest Lawyer (1:52, $374,212) and the freshman pacer Grand Junction Co (1:54).

Other Would I Lie offsprings no longer racing who took marks below 1:56 were Cody Stallone (1:51.2), Political Promise (1:55), Are My Lips Moving (1:55.4) and This Much is True (1:52.1).

Her yearling, The Voice Of Truth, sold for $30,000 at the 2006 Cottonwood Farm Sale.