by Tom Kelley, Balmoral Park Publicity Department

Not one, not two, but three high class pacing and trotting match-ups highlight the strongest Thursday night card of the season at Balmoral Park.

Filly and Mare pacers get the non-stop action underway in race six as a field of nine will line up behind the gate for the $15,250 Missel Renvaeh Open-Handicap.

Leading the way in here is the pride and joy of Fighting Major Stables, Parklane Powerful, who will be making her first start on the local circuit this year. After knocking heads with the top distaffers in the country at the Meadowlands, the Homer Hochstetler trained miss returns to the scene of her biggest mile ever. On Sept. 9, 2004, the daughter of Sportsmaster became the fastest female pacer in the history of Balmoral Park as she tripped the timer in a blazing 1:49.3. A career winner of $669,056, this six-year-old will have the services of Ron Marsh as they leave from post position eight on Thursday night.

Martin Rudicil & Linda Marckel’s prize mare Midnight Jewel returns to the local scene after winning her seventh straight start of the season in the F&M Open at Hoosier Park last week. This daughter of Keystone Raider was victorious in this event at Maywood Park on March 25 and again here at Balmoral Park on April 2 during her current streak. Sporting an amazing 21 wins over her last 44 starts, Midnight Jewel now boasts career earnings of $603,596. Dave Magee gets the call to drive as Midnight Jewel starts from post position nine.

SOPHOMORE’S BATTLE IN DIRECT BALANCE STAKE

A field of eight Illinois conceived and foaled three-year-old pacing fillies will face the starting gate in Thursday night’s seventh race, the $18,000 Direct Balance Stake.

Lester Banks and Bruce Johnson’s Sensuous Woman has been a different horse in her second season on the track and she will be looking to make it three for three to start off her sophomore campaign. After going winless in seven starts as a two-year-old, the Robert Sanders trainee returned from a winter in Florida with a pair of stirring come from behind victories. Her latest triumph came in last week’s prep for this event as she scored by a head in 1:53.4 with a 26.3 final split. Dave Magee will be in the bike once again as Sensuous Woman leaves from post position two.

Others to keep an eye on in here include Wayne Puckett’s Swarde, who was the tough-luck bridesmaid in last week’s prep; Shirley & Arthur Le Vin’s Major Shirley, a five-time winner already this season; and Banks Standardbreds Maxcine Gram, who has been first or second in eight of her 13 starts this year.

MILLION DOLLAR BYE LOOKS TO CONTINUE HIS DOMINATION OF THE TROTTING RANKS

Trotters will close out this trio of great races as seven diagonally gaited specialists meet in the ninth race the $15,250 Magician Open Trot.

Anderson Racing and Tom Lewandowski’s Million Dollar Bye has been nothing short of spectacular this season and he will look to keep his victory march going on Thursday. The nine-year-old son of Armbro Charger has won eight of his 10 starts in 2005 adding another $59,000 to a bankroll which now stands at $1,107,633. After making just five starts in 2004 because of injury problems, this gelding has come back strong under the watchful eye of driver-trainer Joe Anderson and he has proven that he will be a force to be reckoned with in all of our major trotting events.