Jubilation quickly turned to heartbreak in a pair of trotting events at Balmoral Park on Wednesday as a pair of diamond gaiters looked to be home free only to have late miscues cost them what looked to be sure victories in these state-bred stake events.
In what looked like it was going to a replay of their last two encounters Macie Rae (Ryan Anderson) carved out splits of :28, :58.1 and 1:27.3 and appeared to be holding firm to the wire before going off stride with less than a sixteenth of a mile to go. That allowed the pocket-sitting Baileys Wish and driver Dave Magee to capitalize on their good fortune as they zipped right on by for the victory in the $10,000 Fox Valley Diva Stake for state-bred three-year-old trotting fillies. Macie Rae settled for the place spot, while Lora Lee Breeze (Matt Krueger) was a distant third.
The three-quarter-length triumph in a career best of 1:56.1 pushed the daughter of Southwind Breeze—Jen’s career record to 7-6-3 in 22 starts for owners James Bafia and Eugene White. The good-looking brown filly has also banked a hefty $151,983 while under the guidance of conditioner Dirk Simpson who is zeroing in on the 1,000 victory plateau.
In the first of two $5,000 divisions of the Psychic Spirit Stake for ICF two-year-old trotting colts, Southrncomfortzone (John De Long) looked to be home free after a pocket-sitting journey behind Captain Greedy and driver-trainer J.D. Finn. That’s when disaster struck for that colt as he “jumped it off” allowing Captain Greedy, who had put up splits of 29.3, 1:00.2 & 1:31.2 to reclaim the lead and cruise to a six-length triumph in 1:59.4. Cardinal Yankee (Mike Brink) rallied to be second while Pizzalicious (Dale Hiteman) was moved from fourth to third because of the disqualification of Southrncomfortzone.
The win was the third in four starts for the son of Yankee Valor—Tropical Trixie who now has $6,692 in career earnings.
The second division of the Psychic Spirit proved to be far less dramatic as the Herman Wheeler-owned and trained Fox Valley Qatar made it three-in-a-row to open his career posting an impressive victory by 2-3/4 lengths in a career best of 1:58.3.
After saving ground while Allpowernoemotion (Ronnie Gillespie) put up splits of :30.1, 1:00 and 1:29.2 Warren eased Fox Valley Qatar through the passing lane and the gelded son of Pizzazzed—Armbro Bahrain responded beautifully as he charged right by the tiring pace setter for an easy score. Allpowernoemotion held on for second while RT Habenero (Robert Taylor) rallied to be third.
Fox Valley Qatar now sports career earnings of $5,625 and looks like he’ll be the one to beat heading into the State Fair Stakes at Springfield in August.
(Balmoral Park)