The Herman Wheeler-owned and trained Fox Valley Qatar made it eight straight wins to open his career, as the youngster cruised to a three and a half-length victory over nine other Illinois-conceived and foaled two-year-old trotting colts in Sunday’s $10,000 Lincoln Land Stakes elimination at Balmoral Park.

Fox Valley Qatar’s win time was 1:57.4.

Placed mid-pack after having floated away from Post 7 for driver Todd Warren, the gelded son of Pizzazzed—Armbro Bahrain worked out a picture-perfect journey. He moved up second over as the diagonally-gaited youngsters moved around the far turn.

Sitting just three-lengths off the leaders as the field turned for home, Fox Valley Qatar unleashed a :28.3 final quarter, stormed down the centre of the racetrack and keep his unblemished record intact. RT Habanero (driven by Dave Magee) used a nice ground-saving trip to finish second, while Captain Greedy (John Finn) rallied from far back to be a distant third, seven and a half lengths behind the winner. Also gaining spots in the final were Powerful Above All, Vick Valor, Cruisin Valor, Arcs Conquest and Beginning Balance. They will be joined by Southerncomfortzone and Jake Quaider in next Sunday’s $97,000 final.

Courtesy of the win, Fox Valley Qatar, who returned $3.00, $2.20 and $2.10 across the board, now boasts career earnings of $65,375.

(Balmoral Park)