Melrose Park, IL --- Despite an overflow field of 10 that was sent postward in the $83,000 Cinderella Stake for 3-year-old filly pacers on Friday night at Maywood Park, Bradley Grant’s Big Mcdeal avoided any traffic problems as the filly shot right to the front and made every call a winning one, gamely holding on to win by a nose in a stakes record 1:51.4.

Maywood Park photo

Big Mcdeal (inside) held off Eighthunrdolarbill to win the Cinderella Stake for 3-year-old filly pacers in 1:51.4 on Friday night at Maywood Park.

Zipped away from post position six by Jody Jamieson, the daughter of McArdle-Ideal Gal quickly grabbed control of the proceedings leading the field through an opening quarter in 27.3.

“She can scoot out of there when you need her to said,” said Jamieson. “But I did have to wrestle with her to relax a little bit once she made the front tonight.” 

Continuing to show the way through middle splits of 55.4 & 1:23.3 the Ben Wallace trained miss looked fit and fresh turning for home but there was still danger lurking as the pocket sitting Eighthunrdolarbill (David Miller) moved to the outside as the fillies hit the top of the stretch.

 “I knew the other horse was right there breathing down my back when we turned for home but I thought my horse still had enough left to hold her off,” said Jamieson. “She really dug down for all she had there at the wire and we were able to just hold the other one off. She showed tonight that she’s a pretty tough customer.” 

After prevailing in the spirited stretch duel Big Mcdeal now boasts a record of 5-5-4 in 19 starts this year with career earnings of more than $731,000. A slight favorite in the wagering Big Mcdeal returned $4.80, $3.00 & $2.40.

A fast closing Blackjack Princess (Dan Dube) finished third, just a neck behind the winner.