Mach Ten, Welchkin win Speedy Rodney divisions

The first trotting stake of the 2009 season for Illinois conceived and foaled sophomores was contested over a sloppy surface on Sunday night as a total of 14 diagonally gaited colts and geldings squared off in a pair of $11,500 Speedy Rodney Stake splits.

In the opener Doug Ackerman Stables homebred Mach Ten made his 3-year-old debut a winning one as he used the passing lane to perfection in a one-length victory. The final time in the muddy going was a very respectable 2:00.

After leaving alertly from post position five driver-trainer Homer Hochstetler then allowed a hard charging Sago (Tyler Buter) to grab command as the field reached the opening station in :30. Positioned perfectly on the back of the pacesetter as that gelding rolled through middle splits of 1:01 and 1:31.2, the son of International Chip-Meadowbranch Mary was fit and fresh as the field turned for home.

After patiently awaiting the passing lane, Hochstetler maneuvered his charge to the inside and Mach Ten responded beautifully as he rattled off a :28.1 final quarter to get the victory. Sago turned in a game performance to finish second while B Victorious (Brandon Simpson) was third.

Despite having just one start during his 2-year-old season and a winning qualifier in Pinehurst, N.C., this good-looking colt who hails from a very sharp trotting outfit was well backed at the windows returning $6.80.

In the nightcap, another lightly-raced youngster who appears to have a wealth of talent prevailed as Roger Welch and G&B Stables' Welchkin trotted away to a 3 ½-length victory in 1:59.3.

Fresh off a win in his career debut at Balmoral just four days ago this handsome chestnut son of Valley Victor-Miss Onree took full advantage of his inside starting spot  saving ground while third for driver Dave Magee as Thatswhatshesaid (Sam Widger) and Fox Valley Photog (Hochstetler) battled through opening splits of :30.2 and 1:00.

Following the cover of Fox Valley Photog who pulled from the pocket midway around the final turn Magee had his charge in perfect striking position as the field reached the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:29.4.

Welchkin quickly swallowed up Fox Valley Photog and was bracing for a strong challenge from a hard charging Justa Rebel (Merv Chupp) before that gelding made a break with an eighth of a mile to go. That miscue left Magee and Welchkin all alone as they cruised under the wire with plenty of room to spare. Victor’s Story (Dean Magee), the longest shot in the field at 50-1 shook loose late to finish second while Eger (Josh Sutton) rallied from far back to finish third.

With the rail and that impressive win in his debut on Wednesday, Welchkin was bet down to 6-5 returning $4.60. (Balmoral Park)

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