by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — It was only fitting that a stake named for a rugged Erv Miller trained filly was taken by another Miller trainee on Sunday night (June 29) at Balmoral Park as Quaid Racing’s My Little Bit hung on gamely to record a head decision in the $10,000 Mystical Victress Stake for ICF 3-year-old pacing fillies. The final time was 1:53.2.

David Baum photo

My Little Bit (inside) held on gamely to knock off a hard charging M A Duty in Sunday’s $10,000 Mystical Victress Stake at Balmoral Park.

Confidently handled by driver Casey Leonard, the daughter of Sportsmaster-Parade Of Love was sent to the front but quickly relinquished the top spot to a hard leaving Cuzimalegend (Dean Magee) as the field moved by the opening split in :26.4.

Showing the confidence he had in his filly, Leonard quickly moved the Miller trained miss back to the top where she put up middle splits of :56 and 1:24.1.

After repelling the challenge of a first over Molly Go Lightly (Brian Carpenter) as the field turned for home, My Little Bit drew off to a two length advantage in the lane. All out as the distaffers made their way to the wire, My Little Bit dug in gamely to fight off the bid of M A Duty (Kyle Wilfong), who had been saving ground throughout the mile, to post her second win of the season. M A Duty was a hard fought second while Party Hangover Two (John De Long) rallied from far back after being shuffled out of contention early to finish third.

With the victory My Little Bit now boasts a record of 7-3-2 in 17 career starts with earnings of $149,260 for her connections. Coming off her second place finish in the Filly Maywood Pace, My Little Bit was heavily backed at the betting windows, returning just $3.80, $2.80 and $2.80.

Live racing continues at Balmoral Park on Wednesday (July 2), with a nine-card card getting underway at 7:10 p.m. (CDT). The Wednesday Pick-4 will have a $10,000 guaranteed pool and will entail races six through nine. Past performances for the Pick-4 races, courtesy of TrackMaster and the USTA, can be found at www.ustrotting.com.