by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — Sophomore pacing colts kicked off Saturday’s (April 25) stakes action at Balmoral Park with a field of seven lined up behind the gate for the $8,000 Betzotic Stake.

Dixie’s Boy and driver Casey Leonard teamed up for a front stepping score in Saturday’s $8,000 Betzotic Stake for 3-year-old pacing colts.

This battle wound up being nothing more than a stroll in the park for James and Teri Blackmon’s Dixie’s Boy as he posted a decisive 3-3/4 length, front stepping score in 1:54.1 over the “good” surface.

Getting away fourth as Dakota Roadster (Robert Smolin) led the field through an opening quarter in a pedestrian :30, driver Casey Leonard moved Dixie’s Boy to the front as the field settled onto the backstretch.

Gliding along comfortably on the lead through middle splits of :59.2 and 1:27.2, the gelded son of Duneside Perch-Dingy’s Model had plenty in reserve for the stretch drive, cruising home untouched in :26.4 to secure his fourth career win in start number 17. Last year’s divisional leader Earndawg (Todd Warren) finished up well to edge Dakota Roadster in a tight photo for the place money.

The Joel Smith trained bay returned $8.40, $3.80 and $3.00 while upping his career bankroll to $19,814.

Older pacers were next on the docket as a field of six veterans renewed acquaintances in the $14,000 Rambling Willie Stake.

David Baum photos

Ice Scraper stopped the clock in a blistering 1:50 for driver Brian Carpenter as they captured the $14,000 Rambling Willie Stake.

As he’s done so many times over the years, James Behrendt’s Ice Scraper managed to get loose on the lead and there was no catching the speedball on this night as he reported home with a three-quarter length victory in a snappy 1:50 on the wet and chilly evening.

Gunned to the front by Brian Carpenter, the 6-year-old son of Yankee Skyscaper rattled off splits of :26.3, :55.2 and 1:22.1 while going along unchallenged on the engine.

After widening his advantage at the top of the stretch the Mike Brown trainee gamely dug in through the lane, sealing the deal with a :27.4 final panel to post his fourth victory of the season. Big Brad (Robert Smolin) rallied nicely to finish second while the pocket sitting Fort Silky (Casey Leonard) was forced to settle for the show dough.

The win was the 26th of this gelding’s illustrious career and with Saturday’s payday Ice Scraper now boasts career earnings of almost $310,000. The third choice in the wagering in his return to the local scene, Ice Scraper returned $7.80, $3.60 and $2.60 to his backers.

A number of last season’s top freshman pacing fillies were also in action on Saturday night’s third race.

Renewing the rivalry they established last season, Kay Willis’ Lex wound up getting the best of last season’s champ Mr Leland’s Filly, posting a 4-1/2 length, wire-to-wire victory in 1:53 over a track listed as ‘good.’ The win was the fifth in 11 career starts for the Nelson Willis trained miss. Mr Leyland’s Filly was a late charging second while Galley Wench was third in this prep.

Live racing continues on Sunday (April 26) at Balmoral Park with a 10-race card getting underway at 7:10 p.m. (CDT). Sunday’s $1 Pick-4 features a guaranteed pool of $25,000. The state-bred stakes action will also continue on Sunday with a field of seven sophomore trotting fillies slugging it out in the $8,000 Koochie Stake which goes as race two.