by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — Picking up right where she left off, last year’s Illinois 2-year-old filly trotting champion Trot Fudge Sundae made her sophomore debut a winning one as she completely dismantled six other Illinois conceived and foaled sophomores on Sunday (April 28) at Balmoral Park, winning the $12,000 Koochie Stake by 6-1/4 lengths in a career best of 1:56.4.

Balmoral Park photo

Trot Fudge Sundae made her sophomore debut a winning one, posting an easy 6-1/4 length romp for driver Dave Magee in Sunday’s $12,000 Koochie Stake.

Confidently handled by driver Dave Magee, the daughter of American Native-What A Joy was allowed to settle into a comfortable spot from post position three. Sitting on the outside of horses in mid-pack as Sara The Spy (Dean Magee) led the field through opening splits of :28.3 and :59, the Dirk Simpson trained miss finally eased her way into command as the field wheeled around the final turn.

Cruising along effortlessly on the front end for Magee, last season’s champ opened up a 1-1/2 length advantage as she hit the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:27.3.

The issue was never in doubt from that point on as Trot Fudge Sundae began to put daylight between herself and her rivals. Widening her margin throughout the final sixteenth of a mile, the winner of more than $183,000 in 2012 turned this event into a laugher as she strolled under the finish line with her 11th win in 14 career starts. Sara The Spy held on for second while Fox Valley Roxy (Mike Oosting) was third.

Hammered at the betting windows despite being away since November, Trot Fudge Sundae returned $2.80, $2.40 and $2.10 while upping her bankroll to $189,210 for the partnership of Samuel Daddono, Eugene White and James Bafia.