by Tom Kelley, Balmoral Park Publicity Department

North America ‘s top rated pacing mare, Loyal Opposition, will be in search of her 14th win this season when she lines up behind the starting gate to face five rivals in the $70,000 Fairy Godmother Stake for Aged Pacing Mares.

This amazing state-bred five-year-old comes into this race sporting career earnings of $2,487,388 for owner Daniel Waxman and she will become the richest Illinois bred in the history of the sport with a first or second place finish in this event.

Fresh off a front stepping score here at Balmoral in 1:52 last week, this daughter of Cole Muffler has been installed as the 4-5 favorite in this race as she leaves from post position three. The Ervin Miller trained miss is currently riding a six race winning streak that includes scores in the Breeders Crown and Milton Stakes at Mohawk, the Ann Vonian here at Balmoral, and the Allerage at The Red Mile.

Just named the Horse of the Month for October by the United States Trotting Association Loyal Opposition has 43 wins in 72 lifetime starts and like a fine wine she continues to improve with each passing year. Andy Miller will handle the driving duties on Saturday night.

Martin Scharf’s Stonebridge Kisses has been tackling the top distaffers in the country for most of the 2005 season and she’ll be looking to knock off the heavy favorite as she starts from the inside post in this battle.

The five-year-old daughter of Artiscape unleashed a powerful closing burst to finish second behind Loyal Opposition last time out after qualifying here in 1:53.2 on Oct. 19 th . Under the guidance of conditioner Jim Meade while here in Chicago , Stonebridge Kisses owns a mark of 1:50.2 which was taken at Mohawk earlier this season. A nine-time winner in 2005, this mare will have the services of Eric Ledford as she looks to add to a career bankroll of $468,728.

Another Illinois bred standout, Parklane Powerful, is part of a Homer Hochstetler trained entry and this mare can never be taken lightly on her home turf.

The six-year-old daughter of Sportsmaster is the fastest female pacer in the history of Balmoral Park with a mark of 1:49.3 which she took here on Sept. 9, 2004.

Sporting 14 wins over the past two seasons, the pride of the Fighting Major Stable has amassed almost $740,000 in career earnings. Tim Tetrick will handle the driving chores in this encounter and Parklane Powerful will be coupled in the wagering with stablemate Nu-Diamond Star who is zeroing in on the $500,000 mark in career earnings.

Also going postward in this battle are William Huggins Valley Electric, a seven-time winner this season who boasts a career bankroll of $506,161 and JML Stables Stormies Girl who tuned up for this race with a very sharp wire to wire victory here on Tuesday night.