by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — Richard Balog’s dominant 2-year-old pacing filly Pardon continued to completely overpower her state-bred rivals with a big 2-1/2 length come from behind victory in Sunday’s (Oct. 24) $24,520 ISOBA Super Sales Stake at Balmoral Park.

Pardon rolled to her 13th win in 14 career starts in Sunday’s $24,520 ISOBA Super Sales Stake.

Handled by Hall of Famer Dave Magee the long striding daughter of Richess Hanover-Rose Dawson stopped the clock in 1:53.3.

Placed in mid-pack as Little Maeve (Del Chupp) and Mystical MJ (Marcus Miller) battled through opening splits of :27.3 and :55.2, the Dirk Simpson trained miss then worked her way into a live outer flow as the field moved around the final turn.

Moving up to third as Nina Coleada (Todd Warren) grabbed command from the outside, Magee maneuvered his filly to the outside where she proceeded to uncork a :28.2 final quarter while effortlessly blowing right by her rivals. Fox Valley Touche (Dale Hiteman), the only horse to beat Pardon this season, rallied from ninth to finish a big second while Bigdreamsnhihopes (Mike Oosting) was third.

The victory was the 13th in 14 starts this season for Pardon who is making a big case for Horse of the Year here in the Prairie State. Sent off as the 1-2 favorite Pardon returned $3.00, $2.40 and $2.10 while upping her career bankroll to $183,308.

Balmoral Park photos

Muscatine cruised to an easy front stepping victory in Sunday’s $14,850 ISOBA Stake.

Trotters were also in action in a $14,850 ISOBA Stake for 3-year-old colts on Sunday night and it was Miranda Lyon and Paula Smith’s Muscatine who toted home top honors in this event with a 2-1/2 length front stepping score in 1:56.4.

Confidently handled by driver Dale Hiteman the gelded son of Tequila Spur-Star Slinger swept to the front after an opening quarter in :28.2. Cruising through middle splits of :56.3 and 1:26.3 the Joel Smith trainee was on cruise control through the lane as he effortlessly held his rivals at bay for his seventh win in 22 starts this season.

Showmeyourstuff (Steven Halford) sat on the winner’s back but was forced to settle for the runner-up role while Fox Valley Solomon (Mike Oosting), the other half of the Joel Smith trained entry, finished a distant third.

Enjoying a fine sophomore season Muscatine boasts seven wins, one second and six thirds in 22 starts with earnings of $92,404. With the field reduced to just five betting interests because of scratches of Super Sonic Flash and Powerful Speed, Muscatine returned just $3.60, $2.20 and $2.10.