Sneaky upset at Maywood

June 09, 2007

It�s not often you'll see a overwhelming 1-9 favorite get beat in a $100,000 stakes, especially leaving from the rail on a half-mile track, but that's exactly what happened to Home Bed Advantage in Friday night's $100,000 Maywood Pace Final for state-bred 3-year-old colts and geldings as Sneaky B Skipalong sprung the upset.

Pushed from start to finish, Home Bed Advantage--the fastest 2-year-old pacer (1:50.1) in the sport�s history--was overtaken by the 20-1 longshot Sneaky B Skipalong, nicely handled by driver Dale Hiteman. The Nelson Willis-trained winner nailed the heavy public's choice in deep stretch and posted a one length triumph, in 1:52.

Home Bed Advantage never got any type of breather. It was Brother Vinny getting ahead of him before a bruising :26.1 first quarter. Driver Ryan Anderson then came around and retook command, only to have Booze Cruzin (Todd Warren) push Home Bed Advantage to a fast :54 half-mile time, with Sneaky B Skipalong racing second-over.

On the backside, Sneaky B Skipalong powered up three wide and had a three-quarter lead while parked out at the 1:22.3 three-quarter pole, when Home Bed Advantage dug-in, took back the lead through the last turn, but then got leg weary in the lane, finishing one length behind Sneaky Skipalong ($40.60), owned by Brandy Pinske Stables and Cynthia Kay Willis. One Park Place had another game effort to grab third, another one-half length behind.

"Sneaky B Skipalong really impressed me here tonight," winning driver Dale Hiteman said. "His first start of the year was two starts back, and it was his first ever on this oval, and he showed he could race here well. Last week, in the elimination, his hobbles were a little loose and he took a bad step and made a break. Tonight, I had him three wide and he just kept on coming and coming. He was really strong."

"Home Bed Advantage got run around the track the entire mile-he never caught a break," his driver, Ryan Anderson, said.

There was no surprise in the $100,000 Maywood Filly Pace--once Sportsfancy powered to the front end. The 1:54.2 winner only had to work hard for the first quarter of her mile.

Dave Magee sent number four, Fox Valley Sarong, out in a hurry at the start, parking-out the heavy favorite Sportsfancy through most of a quick first quarter. However, once Sportsfancy got there, the talented Sportsmaster filly went unchallenged through very slow, consecutive :29.4 middle quarters.

The 6-1 third second choice, Faith Leigh, who made a break before the start, came back to be fourth, 2 1/2 lengths behind at the 1:26.3 three-quarter marker, however Anderson then let out a notch on Sportsfancy ($2.80) and she drew away from the field, pacing a :27.4 last panel.

"Sportsfancy is just an awesome filly," Anderson said. "She's probably the best 3-year-old filly out there right now. There's not much that can touch her right now. She's very handy and won this race tonight very easily."

The victory was Sportsfancy's fifth in a row for HBH Standardbreds (Bonnie and Joy Hutchinson and trainer Homer Hochstetler). The pocket horse, Fox Valley Sarong, was second-best, beaten by 1 3/4 lengths. Colette, another Hochstetler trainee owned by the Hutchisons, came on for the show spot, five-plus lengths behind.

The $50,000 winner's share of the purse propelled Sportsfancy's second-season earnings to $92,880. After 22 career starts the filly has pulled down $227,078. (Maywood Park)

« Back