by Mike Paradise, publicity director, Maywood Park

Melrose Park, IL — It’s showdown time. The leading money earners in the first two legs of the Incredible Finale Series for 3-year-old ICF colts and geldings tangle in the $10,000 final, carded as Maywood Park’s ninth race on Thursday night, Dec. 20.

The first round of the sophomore series was raced on December 6 at Maywood Park with opening leg splits captured by Rob Us and Fox Valley Con Man. Rob Us drew the pole position Thursday for driver John Roberts and will open as the 5-2 morning line favorite.

Roberts expects a solid effort from the late blooming 3-year-old, who finished a game second in last Wednesday night’s second leg at Balmoral, beaten one length by Tropical Joe.

“Last week in the stretch Rob Us fought gamely three different times,” said Roberts. “He really gave me a big effort.”

Rob Us joined the Ronnie Roberts Stable early last month and the horse has had one win, one second and two thirds in four starts since John’s dad took over as the trainer.

“The owner (Keith Liddicoat) breeds all his own race horses. Ed Cockcroft broke Rob Us and trained him a few times but he didn’t want to travel in the winter so we took the horse in September and he’s been real good for us. He’s very green and we don’t yet (know) just how fast he is but he wants to go out and compete.

Jason Dillander, driver of Fox Valley Con Man, will leave from post four with the John Butenschoen trainee. “Fox Valley Con Man is a pretty honest horse and he gets around a half-miler real well.”

Here’s the field for Thursday’s $10,000 final in post position order: Rob Us (5-2), Parker N Driver (3-1), Itchy Pickle’s (5-1), Fox Valley Con Man (4-1), Wands Banjo (15-1), Apache Jake (8-1), Double XL (20-1) and Tropical Joe (6-1).

The eight leading money earners for both Thursday’s 3-year-old showdown and Wednesday evening’s (Dec. 19) freshman series final at Balmoral are eligible to return next Thursday night, December 27, for a $12,000 (est.) championship.