Two of the elite aged pacers in the nation, Tune Town and MasterBarney, distinguished themselves with elimination victories Saturdaynight at Balmoral Park, but local favorite Falcon Dakota stayed inthe hunt for a third consecutive American National victory.
In the first $30,000 heat, Tune Town - the 1997 aged pacer ofthe year - made the front early and catchdriver Dale Hiteman slowedthe pace. The half went in 57 2; 5, downright pedestrian for pacersof this caliber, which allowed Tune Town to have plenty in reserve inthe stretch. He needed it to hold off the first-over bid of FalconDakota and the passing-lane charge of West Coast wonder LittleSteven, who finished second.
A 26-second final quarter allowed Tune Town to pace the milein 1:51 4; 5. Falcon Dakota hung on gamely for third and the $3,600payday moved the 9-year-old gelding to within $5,019 of $1 million incareer earnings. Others moving into next Saturday's $225,000 finalwere Firm Belief and millionaire Dream Away.
In the second elimination, driver Dave Magee sent odds-onfavorite Master Barney three wide, driving past Hi Ho Silverheels andTulane to win in 1:50 4; 5. Master Barney, the division's leader inthe first three months of 1998, broke the Balmoral record for a4-year-old pacer. Tulane, who raced wide throughout and dueled Hi HoSilverheels from the half-mile pole, was a neck behind the winner.Hi Ho Silverheels finished third, while Whittingham and The Big Dogalso advanced.
Illinois State Fair: Taser Gun became the secondIllinois-conceived-and-foaled pacer to break the 1:50 barrier,battling Joe Anderson trainee Sportswolf throughout before winning bya neck in 1:49 3; 5 in one of two eliminations in the colt pacedivision of the Illinois State Fair Colt Stakes for 3-year-olds.
The first sub-1:50 standardbred in Illinois history, Big Tom,won his heat by 5 1/4 lengths in 1:50 2; 5, setting up what should bea sizzling duel in the $50,000 final Wednesday in Springfield.Driver-trainer Anderson put Big Tom in the lead early and controlledthe fractions before pacing the final quarter in 26 2; 5 seconds.Other notables advancing include Sportswolf, who also was creditedwith a 1:49 3; 5 clocking, Ill Wind, Austen John and Telewacken.
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