I Believe Its True Stays Hot at Maywood
From: Mike Paradise, director of publicity

   MELROSE PARK, IL—I Believe Its True had little trouble staying the hottest horse at the Maywood Park meeting. The four-year-old state bred rambled to his fourth consecutive victory in Friday night's $11,500 feature race by four open lengths with Dave Magee in the bike.

  The 1:53.3 winning mile as the third consecutive new lifetime mark for the four-year-old son of Cole Muffler for owners Larry Baron Horsham (PA) and VIP Internet Stable (Piscataway (NJ) who took I Believe Its True out of a $25,000 claiming race at The Meadowlands on January 13.

   Unlike last Friday's first over victory, this time drive Dave Magee sent I Believe Its True out in a hurry from the two-slot and into a quick lead the bay gelding never relinquished.

   "It was either hustled him out and cut the fractions or take the pocket and try to get to get around Deville again, who can horse can be tough at times," said Magee." I thought it would be in our best interest to try and be ahead of him tonight.  My horse was good the whole mile. When I asked him for a little more he responded. John (trainer Butenschoen) has this horse really sharp right now."

  The 4-5 favorite I Believe Its True ($3.60) needed a :27.2 first quarter to maintain the lead and have the speedball Deville drop into the pocket.  Magee was able to have his pacer get away with soft middle quarters of :28.3 and :29 flat before I Believe Its True starting to pull away soon after  the 1:25 three-quarter pole. The winner came home in :28.3 without much urging, four lengths ahead of the 7-2 second choice Caps Classic, who came from eighth and last at the half.  Deville held on for third, another three-quarter of a length behind.

   With the Illinois bred allowance, I Believe Its True earned $6,640 in the race for $27,500 to $32,500 claimers and now has banked $23,681 on the current season.