Balmoral Park

Contact: Tom Kelley
(708) 672-1414

Pardon Looks to Remain Perfect in Filly Orange & Blue

Pardon and driver Dave Magee remained undefeated in nine career starts as she proved victorious in a Filly Orange & Blue Stake elimination.

Fresh off her ninth straight victory in last Saturday's elimination action, Richard Balog's Pardon figures to be an overwhelming favorite in Saturday's $218,000 Filly Orange & Blue Stake Final.

The long-striding daughter of Richess Hanover-Rose Dawson made it look very easy in her elimination victory, as she stormed to the front just after the quarter for driver Dave Magee and never looked back en route to a 4 1/4-length victory in 1:53.4.

"She's been on the lead after the quarter in her last five starts, but this filly is very versatile and can get the job done any way you want her to," said Magee after her latest triumph.

Under the watchful eye of conditioner Dirk Simpson, Pardon has been perfect in her first season of action, even knocking off "open" company in a Hanover Stake here at Balmoral Park on July 17. Among her other big triumphs are victories in the $63,500 Loyal Opposition Stake, the $17,500 Directors Award Stake in DuQuoin, and the $35,000 State Fair Stake Final in Springfield where she took her lifetime mark of 1:52.2.

With the exception of her Loyal Opposition elimination win in which she rallied to win by a neck, most of her victories have come by open lengths and without much urging from her Hall of Fame pilot.

"She has wound up on the front end so many times because the leaders have been trying to shut it down and I don't want to get her jammed up," explained Magee. "I've never really had to ask for all that much because she does it so willingly, and I really believe that this filly still has plenty left to show us this season."

Among those who will be trying to put a stop to Pardon's perfect season include elimination winners Fox Valley Touche, who posted a come-from-behind victory in 1:54.2, and the lightly raced Ervin Miller trainee Juxa Sister, who is a full sister to Illinois champion Juxtaposition, the winner of this race back in 1998.

Saturday’s Super Night card will have a special post time of 7:00 pm. Tickets are available for Illinois’ biggest night of racing by calling (708) 672-1414 or by visiting www.balmoralpark.com.