by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Maywood Park

Melrose Park, IL — Thursday’s (July 9) $7,500 My Metallica Stake splits at Maywood Park each provided thrilling finishes as Kennans Nancy Lee and Rolldownthehiway rallied in the final strides to take their respective divisions of this 2-year-old state-bred stake.

In the opening division Kennans Nancy Lee looked like a seasoned veteran as she overcame early traffic problems, then stormed up first over heading to the three-quarter-mile mark for driver Tyler Buter before wearing down the pacesetting Vegas Date to win by a nose in 1:58.4.

The Joel Smith trained daughter of Richess Hanover-Lake Hills Nancy has now been victorious in two of her three career starts for owner-breeder Kenneth Spurlock.

In the nightcap Ervin Miller and Tanah Merah Farms’ Rolldownthehiway continued her impressive start as she reeled in the favored Echoes In My Soul while first over, then held off a late move from Fox Valley Naomi to win by a hard fought nose in 1:59.1 for driver Marcus Miller.

The daughter of Cole Muffler-Cambridge Lane has shown a real affinity for the half-mile surfaces, posting three wins and two seconds in five career starts, all of which have come over half-mile racetracks.