by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — With victories in five of his last six starts, Mystical Marker Farms and Jack and Peggy Hood’s Powerful Poe figured to be a huge favorite in Wednesday’s (Nov. 7) $12,700 Betzotic Stake for 2-year-old trotting males at Balmoral Park.

Balmoral Park photo

Todd Warren and Powerful Poe teamed up for an easy win in Wednesday’s $12,700 Betzotic Stake for ICF 2-year-old trotting males.

The good looking youngster lived up to that billing, never giving his legion of backers an anxious moment as he stormed to the front and made every call a winning one while cruising to an easy 1-1/2 length victory in 1:58 for driver Todd Warren.

Pointed for the top from post position three by his pilot, the gelded son of Powerful Emotion-Fox Valley Poetry was comfortably in front as he cruised by the quarter in a leisurely :30.

Facing no opposition whatsoever from his five rivals, the Dirk Simpson trainee then rolled through middle splits of :59.4 and 1:29.2.

With plenty of horse left, Warren let Powerful Poe trot a bit and the long striding youngster responded nicely, rolling home in :28.3 to post his seventh win in 15 starts. Fox Valley Camo (Jamaica Patton) followed the winner’s every move to be the runner-up while Powerful Valor (Jared Finn) was a distant third.

With the victory Powerful Poe now sports a record of 7-1-3 in 15 trips postward with earnings of $155,814. Sent off as the 1-9 favorite, Powerful Poe returned $2.10 and $2.10. Show wagering was not allowed.