Viviani horses 1-2 in Balmoral stakes

Sophomore trotting colts were the center of attention on Wednesday night at Balmoral Park as a field of six state-breds was sent postward in a $14,720 Illinois Standardbred Owners & Breeders Association Stakes.

 

Once again trainer Jerald Viviani’s charges dominated the action but this week it was Leaveitonthetrack, who bested stablemate Showmeyourstuff by 3 ½ lengths in a career best of 1:56.

 

Content to sit in the pocket as Showmeyourstuff (Marcus Miller) led the way through splits of :29.1, :59 and 1:28.2, driver Robert Smolin had the son of Tsunami Ranger-Get Groovin perfectly positioned as the field turned for home.

 

As a tiring Showmeyourstuff began to drift away from the pylons in the final eighth of a mile, Smolin asked his charge for trot and the bay gelding responded beautifully as he trotted home in :27.2 to pick up his second win in five starts this season. Showmeyourstuff was second while Muscatine (Dale Hiteman) finished third, 4 ¾ lengths behind the winner who is owned in partnership by Sue Phillips and Jerald and Donna Viviani. (Balmoral Park)