by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — Living up to his name Mark and Stephanie Winship and Amy Giberson’s Playin For Keeps was doing just that as he flew by his rivals in the late going to record a three-quarter length victory in 1:53 while taking Saturday’s (Oct. 23) featured $24,520 ISOBA Super Sale Stake for Illinois conceived and foaled 2-year-old pacing colts at Balmoral Park.

Balmoral Park photo

Playin For Keeps scored in 1:53 in Saturday’s $24,520 ISOBA Super Sales Stake.

Getting away last in the field of seven from his outside starting spot the gelded son of Cole Muffler-Panfastic was unhurried as Fox Valley Libero (Todd Warren) led the field through an opening quarter in :28.2.

After watching Little Gus (Del Chupp) rush from fifth to first on the backstretch as he took the field through a half-mile in :56.1, driver Mike Oosting moved Playin For Keeps to the outside where he wound up sitting right on the back of 3-5 favorite He’s So Hot (Dale Hiteman), who came away slowly from the inside after making a brief miscue just after the start.

Cruising into contention with live cover as the youngsters moved around the final bend Oosting had the Nick Giberson trainee perfectly positioned while second over just 3-3/4 lengths behind the pacesetting Little Gus as the field reached the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:24.

Tipping off his cover with an eighth of a mile to go Playin For Keeps began swallowing up rivals as he paced home in :28.1 to notch his fifth win in 13 starts this season. Longshot Quality Sport (Travis Seekman), who was shuffled to last turning for home, unleashed a big rally to finish second while He’s So Hot turned in a game effort to finish third.

Never out of the money in 13 lifetime starts this full brother to superstar 3-year-old Power Of A Moment now boasts $134,047 in earnings for his connections.

Sent off as the second choice in the wagering Playin For Keeps returned $4.80, $4.20 and $2.10.

Fans failed to hit Saturday’s $1 Pick 4 wager. That means Sunday’s pool will have a carryover of $6,579.60. Balmoral Park management estimates that Sunday’s Pick 4 pool will now be in excess of $30,000. The Pick 4 is held on races 7 through 10 each night.