A pair of American National Stakes for two-year-old trotters shared top billing last night at Balmoral Park, as a total of 12 youngsters battled for top honors in the prestigious events.

D.R. Ackerman guided Creme De Cocoa to - an easy victory in the $71,000 American National Stake

In the $71,000 filly division, Ackerman Stables' Crème De Cocoa continued her successful juvenile campaign, as she cruised to a one and three-quarter-length triumph in a career best 1:56.3. With trainer/driver D.R. Ackerman in the bike, the filly was just one-fifth of a second off the track and stakes record, which is held by Creamy Mimi

Hustled away from Post 3, the homebred daughter of Chocolatier--Judge Judy hooked up in an early speed duel with a hard-leaving Migisi (driven by Mike Oosting). The two fillies rolled through an opening quarter in 28.1.

“I wasn’t surprised that we got some pressure leaving out of there even though it was only a six-horse field,” said Ackerman. “There were some good fillies in this race and they weren’t going to give us anything.”

After allowing Migisi to grab command, Ackerman had Crème De Cocoa back out and rolling, and the good-looking bay regained control of the proceedings as the field hit the half-mile mark in :57.1.

“I didn’t come into the race with a plan that I had to be on the lead,” Ackerman explained. “But my filly was a little wound up after that opening quarter and she was going along so smoothly that I figured it was best to let her trot back to the front.”

Scooting around the far turn, the previously-undefeated My Miss Caroline (Dave Magee) came calling on the outside as the fillies raced by the three-quarter-mile pole in 1:27.2.

Despite feeling pressure from My Miss Caroline, who had moved to the inside, and Caitrin Hall (Mike Cox), who was gaining ground on the outside, Crème De Cocoa held firm through the lane and went on to post her third win in seven lifetime starts. Caitrin Hall wound up second while My Miss Caroline was third.

After the victory, Ackerman seemed quite pleased with the way his filly had performed, especially after being off for nearly a month since her victory in the Kentuckiana Stakes at Indiana Downs.

“She really doesn’t need much training and you can’t over train her or she won’t perform at her best,” he explained. “In the lane she just kept her mind on her business and was strong all the way wire through the wire. Now it’s back to New York with her and then we’ll aim for the Breeders Crown eliminations at Pocono.”