Illinois-conceived and foaled stakes action continued on Sunday, June 14 at Balmoral Park, as a full field of 10 two-year-old pacing fillies made their career debuts in the $4,000 Misty Misty Misty Stake.
After a heated battle it was Ron Phillips and John Carver’s highly regarded youngster Foxvalleytiramisu who wound up with a neck in front at the wire, as she prevailed in 1:56.3 after a thrilling stretch drive.
Confidently handled by driver Robert Smolin, the daughter of Sportsmaster—Theladyappealstome shot right to the top from Post 6 and carved out very evenly rated splits of :29.0, :59.1 and 1:27.4 for the recent member of the 1,000-win club.
As a host of foes began to close in on her through the stretch, the full sister to such Illinois-bred stars as Fox Valley Topaz, Fox Valley Appeal and Fox Valley Escort dug in gamely and turned aside bids from the favoured pocket-sitting Fox Valley Addison (driven by Todd Warren) and the late-rushing longshots Lexington Lady (John De Long) and Char N Marg (Casey Leonard).
With the fillies spread four across the track, the Robert Phillips trainee managed to keep her neck in front while down at the pylons, thus making her career debut a winning one for her proud connections.
Lexington Lady, a $2,500 yearling purchase, overcame Post 9 to finish a fast-closing second, while Fox Valley Addison held on for third. Char N Marg also turned some heads as she flew home in :27.1 to wind up just a half-length back at 28-1.
Sent off as the second choice in the wagering after having posted a win and a second in her preps leading up to Sunday’s debut, Foxvalleytiramisu returned $7.20, $4.00 & $2.60 while opening her bankroll.
(Balmoral Park)