by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Maywood Park

Melrose Park, IL — Once again Illinois conceived and foaled pacing fillies took center stage on Thursday night (July 8) at Maywood Park as a total of 13 2-year-olds squared off in a pair of $7,000 Mi Metallica Stake splits. And just as they did in last week’s Juxtaposition Stake, Little Miss Henry and Fox Valley Dublin emerged victorious for Curtis Rice and Johnny Rice, respectively.

In the opener the Curtis Rice owned and trained Little Miss Henry really turned some heads as she charged right to the top and proceeded to leave no doubt as to who was the best in this group, cruising to a 7-3/4 length victory in a career best of 1:56.2.

Confidently handled by driver Casey Leonard the daughter of Henry Clay-One Sure Thing rolled through splits of :28, :58.1 and 1:27.3 as she continued to increase her margin at each call. Finishing things off with a :28.4 final quarter Little Miss Henry was all alone at the wire as she scored for the second time in six career starts. Katie Mack (Terry Skinner) finished second while Primrose Path (Trenton Watson) was third.

In the nightcap driver Terry Skinner gave Fox Valley Dublin a textbook steer as he saved ground throughout the mile before rallying late to win by a widening two length margin in a lifetime best of 1:57.

Positioned perfectly in the pocket as the heavily favored Tuff Rose (Brian Carpenter) cruised through splits of :28.2, :57 and 1:27, the daughter of Incredible Finale-Duncan’s Sister shook loose late and proceeded to effortlessly blow right by the pacesetter en route to her fifth win in seven lifetime starts. Shake That Thing (Marcus Miller) rallied to be the bridesmaid while Run Tell Dat (Mike Cox) finished third.

The state-bred stakes action continues on Friday night (July 9) at Maywood Park as a total of 11 2-year-old colt pacers meet in a pair of $7,000 Fox Valley Barzgar Stake splits. The first division will go as a non-wagering event at 6:45 p.m. while the second division has been carded as race two on the 14-race program.