by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — Fans of the state-bred set had their first look at some of this season’s 2-year-old colt pacers on Sunday (June 2) at Balmoral Park as a field of six Illinois conceived and foaled freshmen battled in the $6,000 Jimmy Sunshine Stake.

Balmoral Park photo

Art Gregory, Jr. steered Wimpy Doodle to a victory in his career debut.

After a heated battle that saw lead changes at each marker, O’Toole Racing and Bruce Pacitti’s Wimpy Doodle finally emerged victorious with an impressive 3-3/4 length score in 1:58.4.

Getting away at the back of the pack as Fox Valley Nico (Jimmy Daniel) led the field through an opening quarter in :31.3, driver Art Gregory, Jr. moved Wimpy Doodle to the outside where he picked up live cover from a hard charging Diddy Dune (Todd Warren).

That colt cleared to the front as the field hit the half-mile mark in 1:02, leaving Gregory in a first over spot with the gelded son of Sportsmaster-Wimpie Hanover.

The $4,700 yearling purchase continued his march to the front as the field moved around the far turn, facing immediate pressure from Fox Valley Nico who elected to pull from the pocket as the field reached the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:31.

In a sprint to the finish line as the field turned for home, the Bruce Pacitti trainee proved best, rattling off a nice :27.4 final split to open his career on a winning note. Fox Valley Nico was forced to settle for the runner-up role while Diddy Dune finished third.