by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Maywood Park

Melrose Park, IL — Illinois conceived and foaled pacers kicked off the 2013 stakes season on Friday night (April 12) at Maywood Park as Sawgrass Farms’ Shotgun Shack easily disposed of five other 3-year-old colts, winning the $12,000 Sportsmaster Stake by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:56 for driver Mike Oosting.

Maywood Park photo

Mike Oosting and Shotgun Shack were all alone at the wire in Friday’s $12,000 Sportsmaster Stake.

After getting away fourth in the field as heavily favored Big Brad (Robert Smolin) and Party Cove (Mike Rogers) battled through an opening quarter in :28.2, Oosting then sent the gelded son of Lexington Legend-Waggle up to challenge the public’s choice as the field rolled by the halfway point in :57.

Moving down the backside with a full head of steam, Shotgun Shack powered right by the 1-2 favorite and was three-quarters of a length in front as he sped by the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:25.3.

The issue was never in doubt from there as the Nelson Willis trainee quickly opened up a two length lead heading around the final turn before putting it on cruise control through the lane en route to his second win in three starts this season. Big Brad was forced to settle for the runner-up role on this night while Innocent Victim (Kyle Wilfong) was a distant third, some 15 lengths behind the winner.

The win was the third in eight lifetime starts for Shotgun Shack, who returned $5.60, $2.10 and $2.10 to his backers.

The Pick-6 wager was not hit on Friday night so there will be a carryover of $1,343 into next Thursday’s (April 18) Maywood card.