3YO trotters take first two openers on Balmoral Super Night

Balmoral Park played host to Super Night Saturday, when the best horses in Illinois viyed for $1.5-million in purses.  The program opener went to Before He Cheats, who posted a 1:55 mile in the $120,000 Su Mac Lad Championships for three-year-old trotters.

Starting from post position five, Before He Cheats got away eighth and was parked the rest of the mile.  Posting a :27.1 last quarter, the Valley Victor gelding won by two lengths over Mystical Banker (Brandon Simpson) and the pace setting No Jokin’ (Andy Miller).

Driven by Jason Dillander, Before He Cheats lowered his personal best, which he took last week in the eliminations.  The Dirk Simpson trainee is now 13 for 19 this year after not starting as a two-year-old.  Sam Bowie owns the colt bred by Earl York of Illinois.

Star Swagger and Dale Hiteman bested eight other three-year-old filly trotters in the $100,000 Lady Ann Reed.  Also starting from post five, the filly in the bright red buxton got away fourth, pulled at the three-quarters and held on to win by half a length.  Lady Marmalade and Tim Tetrick finished second with Filly Hotspur and Doug Hamilton getting up for third.  With a 1:57.4 win Star Swagger boosted her lifetime earnings to just over $100,000 for owners Brianna Walton and Paula Smith.  The Joel Smith trainee previously won her State Fair Final in Springfield.

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