Welch trainees sweep Violet elims

Veteran conditioner Roger Welch has reason to be optimistic as the first “major” test of the Illinois-bred stake season draws closer after a pair of sophomore pacing fillies who hail from his barn captured both of Sunday’s $7,000 Violet eliminations. The top five finishers in each division will return on Sunday, May 23, to slug it out for a purse of $51,800. 

 

In Sunday’s first elimination, Welch's Park Place-Town Looker filly Ellamakailey took advantage of a perfect steer from driver Mike Oosting as she rallied through the passing lane to win by a length in a career best of 1:53.1. 

 

Content to sit right on the back of the favored Cotton Candy (Dave Magee) as that filly wheeled through splits of :28.4, :57.4 and 1:26.1 Oosting had Ellamkailey perfectly positioned for a spirited stretch drive.

 

With Magee all out to try and hold off the first-over bid of last year’s champion Fox Valley Oracle (Dean Magee), these three hooked up in a thrilling stretch duel with Oosting’s filly finally getting the best of things thanks to a :26.4 final split. Fox Valley Oracle was second while Cotton Candy had to settle for third. Also gaining spots in the final were Rolldownthehiway (Marcus Miller) and Makena Cat (Dale Hiteman).

 

The win was the second in three starts this season for Ellamakailey who flew under the radar last season hitting the board in 12 of 16 starts while earning almost $30,000 for owner Steven Leita.

 

In the second division driver Hiteman did a masterful job of stealing some soft early fractions, which allowed Reilly’s Daughter to come home with plenty left in the tank giving Welch a sweep of the Violet eliminations.

 

Using the inside post to perfection Hiteman had the daughter of Sportsmaster-Independence Ball under wraps as they strolled through splits of :29, :58 and 1:26.1. Seeming to find another gear midway around the final turn Reilly’s Daughter quickly opened up a three-length advantage on her rivals before coasting under the wire with a 1 ¼-length victory in a career best of 1:53.3.

 

Rev Me Up (Oosting), who endured a tough and troubled first-over trip, was forced to settle for the bridesmaid role as the 2-5 favorite while Fox Valley Dazzle (Dave Magee) shook loose late to rally for third. Also advancing to the final will be Leanmean Normanjean (Robert Smolin) and Kennans Nancy Lee (Casey Leonard), who were 58-1 and 79-1, respectively.

 

After a very light 2-year-old season for the partnership of the Obermeier and Quaid Stables, Reilly’s Daughter has racked up five wins in 11 starts this season including a victory in the Direct Balance Stake here at Balmoral Park. (Balmoral Park)