by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Maywood Park

Melrose Park, IL — Last week we saw the ladies meet in one of Maywood Park’s signature events, the Filly Maywood Pace, This Friday night (June 19) their male counterparts will step into the spotlight as a field of eight Illinois conceived and foaled 3-year-old pacing colts will slug it out in the $36,000 Maywood Pace which goes as race eight on the 12-race program.

Earndawg has been the “top dog” in this division in each of his first two seasons of racing and the Roger Welch trainee has been installed as the 9-5 favorite on Friday as he guns for his 11th win 23 career starts.

The gelded son of Sportsmaster received a bye into this battle and elected to use a conditioned event at Balmoral as his tune-up for Friday night’s showdown. Unfortunately he encountered some traffic issues that night and never had a chance to be a factor.

In his previous start against this type of company, last year’s Orange & Blue Stake winner looked like a winner in the Cardinal Stake at Balmoral as he unleashed a huge rally but wound up getting nipped at the wire by Dinky Dune who had slipped through along the pylons late in the mile.

Todd Warren will handle the driving duties behind Earndawg who will be looking to add to a career record of 10-5-3 ($230,325) when he leaves from post two.

Lucpark captured last week’s elimination in wire-to-wire fashion and the Ervin Miller trainee figures to garner plenty of attention once again despite drawing post position seven for Friday’s encounter.

The gelded son of Sportsmaster looked much the best in last week’s action, cruising through easy early splits before storming home with a 2-1/2 length verdict in 1:55.1. A model of consistency this year, Lucpark comes into this race with a record of 2-2-1 in six starts for owner Rocco Ruffolo. A six-time career winner who sports nearly $90,000 in earnings, Lucpark, the 3-1 second choice on the morning line, will have leading driver Mike Oosting in the bike when they leave from post seven on Friday.

If you are searching for a possible upset in Friday’s main event don’t overlook the chances of Dixie’s Boy who will have to overcome post position eight on Friday night. The Joel Smith trained son of Duneside Perch also received a bye into the final and will come into this event as a fresh horse after being away since May 30.

The long striding bay turned in a huge effort here at Maywood Park in the Gosox Stake back on May 15, finishing second behind Lucpark after spotting the field some 12 lengths after a miscue behind the starting gate. A three-time winner this season for James and Terri Blackman, Dixie’s Boy will be handled by Casey Leonard.

Rounding out the field are Gifted By Nature, Rockin Cassinova, Dupage’s Z Tam, Gett’er Done Dune and Frosty Dune.