by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — State-bred trotters headlined the Wednesday night (Oct. 21) action at Balmoral Park as the Violet and Cardinal Stake Finals for diagonally bred 2-year-olds grabbed top billing on the 11-race program.

In the $49,250 Violet Final for the “girls” Powers Farms continued their amazing run with Illinois bred trotters as their speedy filly Southern Maebelle cruised to a 2-1/4 length decision in 2:00.1.

Southern Maebelle and driver Tyler Buter had things all their own way as they cruised under the finish line in Wednesday’s $49,250 Violet Stake Final.

Using the inside to full advantage driver Tyler Buter saved ground with Southern Maebelle, trotting along comfortably in third, as Fox Valley Click (Dale Hiteman) led the field through an opening quarter in :30.1. With a strong wind at their backs Buter and Southern Maebelle then set sail for the front shortly thereafter. Grinding their way to the top at a comfortable clip Southern Maebelle was on top by 1-1/4 lengths as the field hit the half in :59.

Around the far turn Southern Maebelle continued to show the way as her main rival Fox Valley Luxury (Dave Magee) came storming up on the outside to challenge. Unfortunately disaster struck for the second straight week with Fox Valley Luxury as she went off stride midway around the turn leaving Southern Maebelle all alone on the lead as the field reached the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:29.2.

Through the lane the issue was never really in doubt as the daughter of High Falls-Summer In The City rolled under the wire with her third win in 10 starts this season. Fox Valley Click turned in a nice effort to finish second while Vapor Girl (Dean Magee) overcame an early miscue to finish a distant third, 10-3/4 lengths behind the winner.

Dispatched as the overwhelming 3-5 favorite from the pole the Robert Taylor trainee returned $3.40, $2.60 and $2.60 while pushing her career bankroll up to $104,700.

The heavy favorite did not fare as well in the $47,750 Cardinal Final however as 4-5 choice Run And Tell Pap made a very uncharacteristic break while sitting in the two-hole on the far turn, leaving the door open for 10-1 shot Showmeyourstuff to rally for a thrilling neck decision in 1:58.

Balmoral Park photos

Showmeyourstuff (far outside) prevailed in a thrilling three horse photo to win the $47,750 Cardinal Final.

Things seemed to be going just as the public expected as Run And Tell Pap led the field through an opening quarter in :29. Yielding to a hard charging Rock Hollywood (Dave Magee) as the field neared the half, the division’s top two colts were beginning to draw away from the field as they sped by the half-mile marker in :56.3.

But just as it did in the Violet the midway point of the final turn proved to be disastrous as the pocket sitting Run And Tell Pap made a break. That miscue left Rock Hollywood with a 2-1/2 length lead. Muscatine (Dale Hiteman) had moved up along the inside to take over the second spot while Showmeyourstuff and driver Marcus Miller trotted into third on the outside as the field hit the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:27.

Through the lane a determined Rock Hollywood was all out to hold on to his advantage while Showmeyourstuff pulled closer on the outside and a patient Muscatine awaited room in the passing lane. With the three trotters spread out across the track for the final sixteenth of a mile, Showmeyourstuff was finally able to get his neck in front in the final strides to pull off the upset. Muscatine came through along the inside to nip Rock Hollywood for the place spot in the blanket finish.

The gelded son of Armbro American-Pine Bough has been plagued by breaks at inopportune times this season but Wednesday’s victory still managed to push his record up to 3-1-2 in 13 starts with earnings of $64,900 for owner/trainer Jerald Viviani and partner Sue Phillips. The third choice in the wagering returned a healthy $22.80, $6.00 and $4.40.