by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — Illinois conceived and foaled filly and mare pacers will be highlighted on Thursday night at Balmoral Park as a field of seven head postward in the $18,000 Golden Miss Stake, which has been carded as race nine on the card.

Fighting Major Stable’s Parklane Powerful is fresh off a big, come-from-behind score in last week’s Filly and Mare Open and she figures to be a heavy favorite in this tussle. The six-year-old daughter of Sportsmaster stopped the clock in a blazing 1:52.2 last week as she rallied from eighth at the top of the stretch to get the victory by a thrilling head.

The Homer Hochstetler-trained miss is the fastest filly or mare pacer in the history of Balmoral Park with a mark of 1:49.3 which she took last September.

Sporting a record of 3-1-0 in 10 starts this season, Parklane Powerful comes into this test with a career bankroll of over $680,000. As usual Ron Marsh will be at the controls here as Parklane Powerful starts from post position three.

The James Rowney owned and trained Lou Annie has been at the top of her game lately and she figures to have the best shot at knocking off the chalk. This homebred six-year-old set all the fractions in last week’s action before getting nipped in the final strides by Parklane Powerful. Back on April 21 this daughter of Doc’s Hop edged out Parklane Powerful by the slimmest of margins as she snuck through the passing lane to win in 1:52.2.

Enjoying a big start to her 2005 campaign, Lou Annie checks into this battle with a record of 5-4-0 in 15 starts. She has also added another $58,000 to a career bankroll which now stands at just over $400,000. Andy Miller gets the call to drive as Lou Annie leaves from post position two.

Rounding out the field are Ashley Mack, a five-time winner this year; Rhonda, who won here in 1:54.2 earlier in the season; Nasti Nicki, a tough luck bridesmaid last week in 1:52.2; Kan Wheel, who will be making her four-year-old debut after earning more than $126,000 as a sophomore; and Harmony Oaks Gigi, who sports a record of 8-2-3 in 17 starts this season.

$7,500 ISOBA Stake goes as non-wagering event

Sophomore trotting fillies will also be in action on Thursday night as a field of five battles in a $7,500 ISOBA Stake which will be a non-wagering event at 7:10 p.m.

Turndorf Racing’s Arcola, last season’s Two-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year in Illinois, looks to be the one to beat after a big second place finish in the Iggy Magoo Stake last week. The Roger Welch-trainee fell a neck short that night but it was a gallant effort considering the fact that she had been off for more than five months before that.

Another Welch trainee, Victor’s Pursuit, was the 3-5 favorite in that race but never had a chance after an uncharacteristic miscue in the first turn. This daughter of Valley Victor was unraced as a two-year-old but she burst onto the scene in the early stages of 2005 with four consecutive wins to open her career.

Completing the field will be Silhouette Star, The Glimmer Girl and Pa-High.