Getting the pocket trip he needed following a month’s layoff, Fox Valley Armor charged through the Lightning Lane to capture Monday’s $22,500 Preferred Pace at
The Meadows — his eleventh victory this year.
Although Fox Valley Armor hadn’t competed since Sept. 13, Tony Hall sent him toward the front, where he settled in behind War Boots, who cut ambitious fractions of :26.1, :54.3 and 1:22.3. Fox Valley Armor blew by in the stretch to prevail in 1:51, matching his career best.
The ground-saving Pedro Island finished second, 2-3/4 lengths back, while War Boots saved show. Andy Rickert trains Fox Valley Armor, an eight-year-old Sportsmaster-Sew With Silk gelding who now has won 46 races and $464,969, for Bethie Murdock. It was one of three wins on the 15-race card for the Rickert/Murdock team.
With his show finish, War Boots vaulted over $400,000 in lifetime earnings. Ray Paver trains and drives the six-year-old gelded son of Memphis Flash-Fancy Boots for Shirley Mitchell.
Hall and Brett Miller each enjoyed a driving triple.
(The Meadows)