Booze Cruzin wins Windy City Pace in stakes record

Booze Cruzin took advantage of Maywood Park's coveted one-slot and went on to post a wire-to-wire victory in Friday night's $220,000 Windy City Pace in 1:51.3, a new stakes record for the 25th edition of the meet's showcase stake for three-year-olds colts and geldings.

The victory was driver Sam Widger's first in a Windy City Pace and Booze Cruzin became only the third Illinois bred to win the added money event. The 7-5 favorite Home Bed Advantage put in a game three-wide effort to be second, one and three-quarter lengths behind, while Glass Pack, a $30,000 late supplement was distant third, beaten eight lengths.

Booze Cruzin ($13.00) scooted to a quick: 26.3 first quarter however Widger was able to slow it down and get to the half-mile marker in: 55.1.

"Drawing the rail meant everything to this horse because he's best on the front end. It was my intention for sure was to have him on the front if all possible," said Widger. "While: 26.3 is fast, by all means, it really doesn't matter much to this horse if he's on the front end because he just holds his ground. I was pretty comfortable with the pace."

Anderson took Home Bed Advantage out in the third turn and the son of Cole Muffler powered his way three wide from sixth to second at the 1:23.2 third mile pole and by that time it was strictly a two-horse race.

"Home Bed Advantage was my concern," continued Widger. "I thought he looked real strong last week in his first start back after a long layoff. I was a little worried because my horse hadn't grabbed his bit but once I got after him in the middle of the last turn and called on him, he went on."

Booze Cruzin was well in hand at the finish and Home Bed Advantage of clearly second best.

Owned by Broekhuis Stables of Holland, MI, the Art's Conquest offspring won for the seventh time in 19 starts for trainer Joe Seekman. The Windy City pace triumph was worth $110,000, propelling Booze Cruzin's season purse earnings to $250,387.

Abe Lincolns to Lets Getit Started, Andy Roo

The first $75,000 division of the Abe Lincoln stake went to the pocket horse Lets Getit Started (Jason Dillander) who came up the open stretch and won in 1:53 flat. Brother Ray rallied for the place spot, one and one-quarter lengths behind while the front-stepping Littlebitoflife who did all the work was third, was beaten another quarter of a length.

Littlebitoflife shot out from the outside eight slot and grabbed the lead. After a tough :26.4 first quarter, the Shawn Nessa trainee had to battled the first up Omaha Survivor (Tony Morgan) to a :55.3 half and put him away before the 1:23.4 three-quarter pole but then got leg weary in the lane.

Letsgetitstarted's win was his third in nine starts for Illinois owners Desyllas Racing, William Beck and Carol Rieken. The son of Cole Muffler saw his earnings go from $40,845 to $78,345.

Driver Andy Miller got Genuwine to the front in relative good shape and after a: 28.2 first panel Miller was able to back the second quarter down to: 29.4. Genuine stepped it up with a: 28.2 third quarter but Anderson had plenty of horse and took the freshman out after the leader in the last turn and zipped past.

The Abe Lincoln win came in only the sixth career start for trainer Mark Fransen. The son of The Panderosa only had $8,123 on his card before banking the winner's share of $37,500. Andy Roo, the third choice in the wagering, paid $11.60.

"Before the race Mark (trainer Fransen) told me to be up close early, so that's what I tried to do," said Anderson. "That was a big effort for this youngster."

Sportsfancy is Cinderella Champion

Sportsfancy, the queen of the three-year-old state-bred ranks, also proved to be much the best when she humbled a field of open company sophomores with a 1:52.3 victory in the $75,000 Cinderella, a new stakes record.

Sportsfancy's win came in the filly's first start for her new connections. She was sold privately last week by BHH Standardbreds of Warrenville, IL to Larry Baron of Horsham, PA who got a quick $37,500 return on his new investment.

The 36-1 longshot Get A Cab (Dave Miller) fought hard to get to the front before the: 27 first quarter marker. Se had the lead to the: 56.2 half, parking out with Vaudeville Margie while Sportsfancy was right behind her. Anderson waited until after third turn to power up with a three-wide move, The winner cleared after the 1:24.1 three-quarter time and the race was over.

The winning margin was four and one-half lengths over Get A Cab. It was another half-length to the show horse Kiss Of Heaven.

She's So Hot Easily in the Violet

The $64,600 Violet stake saw She's So Hot roll to her tenth first season victory in 13 starts with Dave Magee, taking the two ICF stake by one and one-quarter lengths over the pocket pacer Party Paula. Parklane Pocket was third, beaten two lengths.

As expected Magee sent the 1-5 favorite to the lead and after a soft: 57.2 first half She's So Hit pretty much had this stake wrapped up. Party Paula made a move on the Rick Schrock trainee in the lane but Magee gave She's So Hot a tap and the home bred filly went into another gear and pulled away. (Maywood Park)

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