Balmoral Park and Maywood Park

Contact: Tom Kelley
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American Nationals Attract Top Sophomores

Behindclosedoors and John Campbell are seen here nosing out Ultimate Cameron in last year's American National for two-year-old trotting fillies. The two will continue their rivalry in Saturday's $131,500 American National for three-year-olds fillies.

A pair of American National Stakes for three-year-old trotters share top billing on a big 14-race card on Saturday, August 28 at Balmoral Park. Each tussle has attracted a full field of 10 with the colts battling for a purse of $150,000 in race six while their female counterparts slug it out for $131,500 in race four.

In the colt event the Julie Miller-trained Mystery Photo has been accorded the 3-1 morning line favoritism as he starts from post position five. The son of SJ’S Photo was a runner-up in his Hambletonian elimination but wound up victimized by a tough trip while finishing sixth in the final. A model of consistency in this his first full season of racing, the $25,000 Lexington sale purchase has amassed $161,801 while racking up three wins, three seconds and three thirds in 12 starts this year. Marcus Miller gets the call to handle the driving duties on Saturday night.

Wishing Stone was a fast-closing third in this year’s “Hambo” and the good looking son of Conway Hall is the leading money earner in the field with over $456,000 to his credit, despite being winless in his sophomore season. The Dewayne Minor-trained colt was a $63,000 Lexington Select purchase and the 4-1 second choice has drawn post position six while employing the driving services of Hall of Famer Dave Magee.

Rounding out the field are: this year’s Hanover Stake winner Great Emancipator; Big Sky Revenue; Thro Time; Coco Lindy; Run And Tell Pap; Premier Hanover; Powerful Speed; and Sailaway Dream.

The filly test has drawn a bevy of talented ladies with Ultimate Cameron, this year’s Elegant Image winner, and the runner-up in the Hambletonian Oaks leading the way from her inside starting spot. The Bob Stewart-trained daughter of Yankee Glide comes into this race off a disappointing effort in the Moni Maker at The Red Mile, but she still sports four career victories and more than $751,000 in earnings for Diamond Creek Farms. The 3-1 morning line favorite will have Trace Tetrick at the controls.

Another who merits strong consideration is the close 7-2 second choice, Springtime Volo, who captured this year’s Delvin Miller Memorial at The Meadowlands. The royally bred daughter of Classic Photo has been on the board in six of her seven starts this year and is part of a powerful duo that trainer Jan Johnson will send to Balmoral for this bout. Dave Magee gets the call to handle the driving duties.

Completing the field are Behindcloseddoors, who nosed out Ultimate Cameron in the two-year-old American National last season; Glide Power; Bramalea Hanover; Cantab It All; Secret Magic; Jesse’s Messenger; Levi’s Lady; and Action Broadway.