Town Pro, the 1990 2-year-old Pacing Filly of the Year, made her Chicago debut in Saturday night`s $181,000 American National Stake at Sportsman`s Park and came away with a victory that left no doubt she owns championship form as well.
After wresting command from Bruce`s Lady after the first quarter pole, Town Pro went on to make winning look easy in spite of fast fractions, beating runner-up Instand Rebate by 2 1/2 lengths in 1:55 2/5.
Bruce`s Lady and Walter Paisley held on for third.
The winner, driven by Doug Brown, returned $2.80, $2.20 and $2.10 as the heavy 2-5 favorite.
”My filly raced real handy,” Brown said. ”She is so strong, the farther she goes in the mile, the stronger she gets. She can get a little sleepy on the lead sometimes, but all I have to do is speak to her and she kicks in again.”
Town Pro made the American National her fourth victory of an undefeated 1990 campaign. She won 12 of 13 starts as a 2-year-old, including the prestigious Breeders Crown, to win the juvenile filly championship of North America.
The winner held a 1 1/4-length lead at the half in :58 1/5, a one-length lead at the three-quarters in 1:27 3/5. She used a blazing :27 4/5 last quarter to clinch the victory.
– The American National action continues Monday night with the $185,000 American National Stake for 3-Year-old filly trotters. A field is 12 will go postward.
