Sawgrass Farms' Fox Valley Norman returned ready to roll for his sophomore debut cruising to an easy two and a quarter length triumph in 1:54 while knocking off eight other Illinois conceived and foaled three-year-old pacing colts in Friday night’s $12,000 Gosox Stake at Maywood Park.
Sent right to the front by driver John De Long, the gelded son of Yankee Skyscaper-Lake Hills Nan rattled off splits of :28, :57 and 1:24.3. After repelling a first over bid from Big Brad (Robert Smolin) as the field headed into the final turn, the Perry Smith trainee confidently drew away from the rest of the field and was on cruise control through the lane as he opened his 2013 season in grand fashion. Big Brad was a hard fought second while Middle Aged Crazy (Casey Leonard) shook loose late to finish third.
The win was the second in 15 career starts for Fox Valley Norman, who also has three seconds and three thirds to his credit with earnings of $39,572. Part of a three-horse Sawgrass Farms entry, Fox Valley Norman returned $2.80, $2.10 and $2.10.
(Maywood Park)