by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — The first trotting stake of the 2013 season at Balmoral Park was contested on Sunday night (April 14) and when the smoke cleared it was the Dane May owned and trained Sara The Spy who took home top honors, winning the $12,000 Trotting Tilly Stake by a diminishing neck in 1:59.3.

Balmoral Park photo

Dean Magee guided Sara The Spy to a neck decision in Sunday’s Trotting Tilly Stake at Balmoral Park.

Nicely handled by driver Dean Magee, the daughter of Powerful Emotion-Sarabella was allowed to settle at the back of the pack after making a slight miscue leaving the gate. The bay filly then rushed by her four rivals after a slow opening quarter of :31.2 and was in control of the proceedings as she led the field through a half-mile in 1:00.3.

Heading around the far turn the Lady Lincoln Land Consolation runner-up began to put some daylight between herself and the rest of the field as she rolled by the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:29.3.

After opening up a 3-1/2 length margin at the mid-stretch call, Sara The Spy then dug in gamely to hold off the late charge of Powerful Goddess (Mike Cox) for her first lifetime victory. Powerful Goddess was forced to settle for the bridesmaid role while American Empress (Homer Hochstetler) finished third, 2-1/4 lengths behind.

The winner returned $6.60, $4.20 and $2.80 while posting her first win in nine tries.