Anderson sweeps Sarah Myers for freshman pacing colts

Illinois top 2-year-old pacing colts were on display Saturday night as a total of 18 youngsters squared off in a pair of $23,120 Sarah Myers Stake splits.

In the first division Shelley Graham’s homebred Henry Gram stormed away from the gate and proceeded to make every call a winning one in 1:54.2. Given a confident steer by driver Ryan Anderson this son of Henry Clay-Lexie Graham took advantage of post position two as he rolled right to the front. Rattling off splits of :27, :55.1 and 1:24.1, the bay gelding was relatively unchallenged throughout his journey.

 Turning for home with a two-length advantage the Tom Graham Jr. trainee never left any doubt as to who was the best on this night as he strolled to an easy three-quarter length verdict. Fox Valley Seth (Dan Noble) overcame some traffic problems in the final turn to rally for the place money while the pocket sitting The Classic Z Tam (Sam Widger) wound up third.

With the victory Henry Gram now sports a record of 7-2-2 in 18 starts with earnings of $36,341. The second choice in the wagering returned $6.00, $4.60 & $2.60.

The nightcap provided a clean sweep for driver Ryan Anderson as he guided Harvey Eisman’s Grandma Jan’s Max to a two-length victory in 1:54.2.

Unhurried away from the gate Anderson found himself in third as American National Stakes winner Doubletrouble (Dave Magee) took the field through an opening quarter in 28.3. Not content to sit for long, Anderson hustled the son of Richess Hanover-Jan’s Julie Too off the pylons as the field headed up the backstretch. Rolling up on the outside of horses Grandma Jan’s Max was in high gear as he led the field through a half mile in :57.2. Continuing to cruise along on the front end Grandma Jan’s Max was a length in front of Doubletrouble as they reached the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:26.2.

Through the lane the Erv Miller trained gelding continued to hold the field at bay. Receiving only mild urging from his pilot Grandma Jan’s Max was seriously threatened as he paced home in :28 to lock up his sixth victory of the season. Doubletrouble was forced to settle for second while Pure Defiancy (Dale Hiteman) found room late to finish third.

The winner of this year’s Abe Lincoln Stake at Maywood Park is enjoying a fine first season on the track with a record of 7-2-2 in 15 starts. The winner’s share of $11,560 helped push this highly regarded youngster over the $177,000 mark in seasonal earnings. Pounded at the windows Grandma Jan’s Max returned $3.00, $2.20 & $2.10 to his legion of backers.

Sarah Myers Stake action continues on Sunday night with two-year-old pacing fillies taking center stage. Carded as the 10^th race on the Sunday card a field of 11 young ladies will slug it out for a purse of $39,540. (Balmoral Park)

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