By Kimberly Rinker for The USTA

Crete, IL — As expected, Mr Leland’s Filly made mincemeat of her competition on Saturday night at Balmoral Park, pacing in 1:53.2 to secure first prize in the $162,000 Orange & Blue Championship for freshman Illinois-bred pacing fillies on the Illinois Super Night card.

Balmoral Park photo

Mr Leland’s Filly was an easy winner in Saturday’s Orange & Blue Championship at Balmoral Park.

The daughter of Sportsmaster earned her sixth straight victory in rein to Casey Leonard for trainer Erv Miller, pushing her career earnings to $158,360 for owners Paymaq Racing of Long Grove, Illinois and Leland Mathias of Bethany, Illinois.

“When the draw came out, I couldn’t stop thinking of every possible scenario as to which way the race would go,” said Leonard. “It couldn’t have worked out any better for her. When they went the first quarter in :27.1, and I knew the race was just setting up perfectly for her.”

Mr Leland’s Filly won by half a length over Lex (Kyle Wilfong), while Sportsmuffler (John DeLong) picked up show honors. The filly used a :28.3 final panel brush for her sixth lifetime win in eight starts.

“I had asked Mike Anderson (co-owner) of Paymaq Racing if I could buy half of this filly last fall at the sale and he said sure, and then he told me that we were going to win the Orange & Blue with her,” Leland Mathias laughed. “I thought he was crazy at the time, but it turned out he was right!”

Leonard, who celebrated his 37th birthday on Thursday (Sept. 11) is currently Chicago’s leading driver and to date has steered the winners of more than $8.7 million.

Lady Ann Reed Championship

Balmoral Park photo

Dave Magee drove Bailey’s Wish to victory in the Lady Ann Reed Championship for 3-year-old trotting fillies.

Hall of Famer Dave Magee steered the Dirk Simpson-trained Bailey’s Wish to victory in 1:56.1 in the $100,000 Lady Ann Reed Championship for 3-year-old trotting fillies. The daughter of Southwind Breeze is owned by James Bafia and Eugene White of Chicago and pushed her career earnings to $237,898, notching her ninth lifetime victory in 26 starts. Lora Lee Breeze was second by a neck for Matt Krueger and Say No Mo (John Delong) picked up show honors.

Su Mac Lad Championship
Pulling off the Daily Double for the fans, Dave Magee steered Big Bill Breeze to win the second race, the $100,000 Su Mac Lad Championship for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings. Trained by Monte Gelrod, the son of Southwind Breeze was clocked in 1:56.1 for owner Donald J. Emond of Taunton, MA. Big Bill Breeze held off the hard-trying Bobby B Breeze, who finished second for trainer Roger Welch, while trainer Mike Brink guided his Tour Hall to a third-place finish. Big Bill Breeze pushed his career bankroll to $100,116 with the win, the 19th of his career.