Lookin for Bala triumphs in Jim Edgar Illinois Futurity

Veteran southern Illinois-based trainer Eddie Essenpreis won his first stakes race since 2018 when Lookin for Bala captured the $63,500 Jim Edgar Illinois Futurity by 1 1/2 lengths Saturday at Hawthorne.

Second by 1 1/4 lengths behind Rivzonaroll in the Nov. 19 Sun Power Stakes, Lookin for Bala attracted surprising betting support in the Jim Edgar, going off as the even-money favorite over 3-2 Rivzonaroll.

The money was smart. Sitting just behind Rivzonaroll through splits of 23.01 and 46.09, Lookin for Bala and jockey Chris Emigh took command in upper stretch as Rivzonaroll tamely capitulated, fading to fifth. Fever Nation loomed a threat at the quarter pole but could make no late progress and settled for second, one length in front of Chi Town Hustler.

Lookin for Bala was timed in 1:17.90 for 6 1/2 furlongs over a “good” track and paid $4. Essenpreis, who opened a public stable in 1984, trains the gelding for his wife, Shellye Essenpreis, who co-bred Lookin at Bala with Ben Barnow. Lookin for Bala is by Bal a Bali out of Look Who’s Here, by Shaniko.

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