by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — Last season’s champion 2-year-old pacing filly and Horse of the Year in Illinois, Pardon, returned to action on Wednesday night (May 4) at Balmoral Park and the good looking filly picked up right where she left off, posting her 15th career win in 16 starts with a 3-1/4 length triumph in 1:53.2 while capturing the $9,000 Crestwood OTB Stake.

Balmoral Park photo

Pardon and driver Dean Magee were on cruise control as they captured Wednesday’s $9,000 Crestwood OTB Stake at Balmoral Park.

Handled like she was much the best the daughter of Richess Hanover-Rose Dawson sped right to the front from post position five and quickly opened up a 2-1/2 length lead as she sped by the opening quarter in :28.4.

“She could have gone down to the quarter in whatever speed she wanted,” said winning driver Dean Magee. “We actually went a little faster than we needed to but I knew she was so much the best that I just let her continue to roll.”

Unchallenged through middle splits of :56.2 and 1:25 the Dirk Simpson trained miss maintained a two length advantage as she continued to cruise along effortlessly. In the stretch last year’s American-National winner proceeded to leave her rivals in her dust, quickly opening up a 4-1/2 length lead at the mid-stretch call while under very little urging from her pilot.

“She’s such a nice horse and she gets over the ground so well that you don’t even realize how quickly you’re pulling away from everyone,” said Magee. “She absolutely knows what she’s doing out there and is just a pleasure to drive.”

On cruise control the rest of the way the 3-5 favorite of the betting public sped under the wire with a 3-1/4 length victory as she upped her career bankroll to $231,508 for owner Richard Balog. Mystical MJ (Marcus Miller) rallied late to finish second while Just By Design (Mike Brink) finished third.