by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — The Illinois conceived and foaled 2-year-old stakes action continued on Sunday night (June 14) at Balmoral Park as a total of 13 pacing colts squared off in a pair of $5,000 divisions of the Bingo Johnnie Stake.

Balmoral Park photo

Speakrightomyheart and driver Tyler Buter put up a national season’s mark of 1:55.2 while taking the first division of the Bingo Johnnie Stake.

In the first division the Darcy Pletcher trained Speakrightomyheart turned in a game performance as he battled tooth and nail for a three-quarter length decision in a national season’s best of 1:55.2.

Sent right to the top by driver Tyler Buter, this son of Cole Muffler-Winbak Pam set splits of :30, 1:00.2 and 1:28. Despite being headed briefly at the top of the lane by a first over Wheresmeluckycharms (Todd Warren), Speakrightomyheart showed he had plenty of heart as he flew home in :27.2 to get his first victory. Charlie Beans (Dave Magee) turned a pocket sitting journey into the place check while Just Call My Name (Mike Oosting) rallied to finish third.

In the second division Iris Horowitz’s Fort Hamilton uncorked a big final quarter to rally for a 1-1/2 length triumph in 1:57.1.

Using a pylon skimming trip to perfection as Commercial Grade (Todd Warren) strolled through splits of :29.2, 1:00.4 and 1:30.1, driver Josh Sutton secured room in the late going for Fort Hamilton and this long striding son of Sportsmaster-Bensonhurst did the rest as ripped off a :26.4 final quarter to get his first win in career start number two. Apache Renegade (Brian Carpenter) was a game second while Tarr (Dave Magee) came on late to finish third.