After heavy rains turned the track into a sea of mud for Wednesday’s Balmoral Park card, Fox Valley Camo came splashing through the stretch to rally for a neck decision in Wednesday’s featured $12,000 Speedy Rodney Stake for Illinois conceived and foaled three-year-old trotting colts.

The final time was 1:59.3 over the sloppy surface.

Sitting near the back of the pack as Powerful Valor (Jared Finn) led the field through splits of :29.3, 1:00.3 and 1:29.2, driver Jamaica Patton maneuvered Fox Valley Camo into the outer flow as the field turned for the money.

The gelded son of Vaporize-Racy Roz then began to take aim on the pacesetter, who was starting to get a bit leg weary after fending off a first over bid from Powerful Yield (John Roberts).

Picking off one rival after another, the Nick Giberson trainee showed no signs of being rusty after being away since last November as he rolled home in :28.4, eventually collaring the leader in the final strides to open his sophomore campaign on a winning note. Powerful Valor held on gamely to finish second while Powerful Commander (Dean Magee) was third.

Overlooked in the wagering after being scratched sick for his scheduled start on April 10, Amy & Ethan Giberson and Mark & Austin Winship’s Fox Valley Camo returned $24, $10.40 and $3.60 while pushing his career bankroll up to $31,190 with his second win in 12 career starts.

No one was lucky enough to nail Wednesday’s 50-cent Pick 5 at Balmoral Park. With a carryover of $5,868, Balmoral Park and the USTA Strategic Wagering Program will guarantee Saturday’s Pick 5 pool at $20,000. The Pick 5 is on races two through six each night at Balmoral Park.

(Balmoral Park)