The final spots for Illinois' biggest night of racing, Super Night 2008, were up for grabs on Sunday night at Balmoral Park, as sophomore trotters battled in Lady Ann Reed Stakes and Su Mac Lad eliminations.

Some of the state's top older pacers battled in eliminations for the Ann Vonian and Tony Maurello Stakes, formerly known as the Dan Patch. Another day of rain led to another 'sloppy' surface but that did not slow things down as the state-breds battled tooth and nail for starting spots on next Saturday's Super Night program.

Sophomore trotting fillies kicked off the action on Sunday night with a total of 14 diagonally gaited ladies battling for starting spots in the $120,000 (est.) Lady Ann Reed Stakes. The top five finishers in each division will get the opportunity to contest next week's rich final.

In the first elimination Obermeier & Quaid Stables' Victoria Hall showed no signs of rust after missing a month of action as she cruised to a two and half-length victory in a career best of 1:59.1.

Confidently handled by the red-hot Brent Holland this daughter of Valley Victor-Graceland Hall, made a bold first-over move nearing the half-mile mark. Handily rolling to the front midway around the bend the Roger Welch-trained miss was never seriously threatened the rest of the way as she trotted to her fourth win in 23 starts this year. Fox Valley London, the 6-5 favourite in the race driven by Dale Hiteman, turned in a solid effort to finish second, while Fox Valley Sommer (driven by Dave Magee) finished third. Itzalusive (Andy Miller) was fourth while Plenary (Tyler Buter) was fifth.

In the second elimination for the Lady Ann Reed, division leader Fox Valley Shannon rewarded the legion of backers who bet her down to 3-5, as she flew by her rivals in the lane to win by two and a quarter lengths in 1:58.2.

In her usual fashion, the daughter of Vaporize--Betty Irene trotted in mid-pack through the opening half-mile. After moving to the outside as the field moved around the far turn, driver Brandon Simpson was able to pick up live cover and the Robert Taylor trainee was just two and three-quarter lengths behind the leader as the field turned for home. Flashing the big late kick that has earned her more than $85,000 this season for owners Robert Taylor and Kevin Dixon, Fox Valley Shannon then proceeded to leave her rivals in the mud as she rolled to her sixth win in 14 starts this year. Rainbow Victoria (Mike Oosting) took advantage of the inside starting spot to take the place money while Guilty Pleasures (Andy Miller) was a distant third, 7 1/4 lengths behind the winner. International Red (J. Duke Sugg) finished fourth while the final spot in the final went to fifth place finisher My Birthday (Jamaica Patton).

A total of 15 three-year-old trotting colts were dropped into the box for the Su Mac Lad eliminations necessitating a pair of splits. Once again, the top five finishers in each elim will be back on Super Night to compete for a $120,000 (est.) jackpot.

As expected, the opening split was taken by Turndorf Racing's Maxter, as he continued to dominate the division with an easy four and a quarter-length romp in 1:59.2.

Pointed right for the top by driver Brent Holland, the altered son of Valley Victor--Oprah cruised through very easy fractions as he made every call a winning one. The Roger Welch trainee has now racked up an amazing 19 victories in his first two seasons while pocketing more than $320,000. Our Priority (Sam Widger) passed tiring horses in the lane to finish second while Fox Valley Love Ya (Dale Hiteman) was third. Also gaining spots in the final were Chip Marshall (Andy Miller) and Like Victor (Doug Hamilton).

Another Welch trainee toted home top honours in the second division, as Stanley Crowe's Mood Man made it look easy with a three and a half-length romp in 1:58.3.

Taking advantage of a perfect two-hole trip, driver Todd Warren pulled from the pocket with the son of Valley Victor--Moody Beach as the field moved around the far turn. Quickly seizing control of the situation, Mood Man opened up an insurmountable six and a half-length advantage by the mid-stretch call and was on cruise control the rest of the way, notching his fourth win in 17 starts this season. Mystical Account (Brandon Simpson) shook loose late to finish second while Mr C Becker (Mike Brink) was third. Two Black Clouds (Dave Magee) overcame poor striking position to finish fourth while Fox Valley Summit (Mike Oosting) was third.

The view the charted lines from Balmoral, click here.

(With files from Balmoral)