Continuing her mastery over the Illinois-conceived and foaled three-year-old filly pacing set, Paula Smith and James Runyan’s Fox Valley Touche won for the fifth time in as many tries this season, as she easily knocked off nine rivals in last night’s $9,000 Ohyouprettything Stakes at Balmoral Park. The 1:52 was a career best for the filly.
The daughter of Sportsmaster--Thongundrcolrsoops changed tactics with driver Dale Hiteman during the dash. Despite gaining her last few victories on the front end, a patient Hiteman and Fox Valley Touche got away last in the field of nine, as Primrose Path (driven by Brian Carpenter) and Little Miss Henry (Robert Smolin) battled through an opening quarter in :27.1.
Moving to the outside, Fox Valley Touche joined a developing outer flow as the quick pace continued down to the opening half-mile marker. Just By Design (Kyle Wilfong) was in control over Little Miss Henry, as the ladies rolled by the half-mile marker in :54.3.
The non-stop action continued around the final turn with Bigdreamsnhihopes (Casey Leonard) putting a head in front of Just By Design as the field reached the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:23.2. At that point, Hiteman had a fit and fresh Fox Valley Touche sitting fifth while racing third over.
Bigdreamsnhihopes quickly drew away from Just By Design in the lane, but Fox Valley Touche had dead-aim on the leader. Gobbling up ground with the greatest of ease, the Joel Smith trainee reeled in her rivals with a :28 final quarter as she drew off to a two-length decision. Just By Design re-rallied to be the bridesmaid in a game effort while Bigdreamsnhihopes held on for third.
Fresh off her biggest win of the year in the Filly Maywood Pace, Fox Valley Touche showed no ill effects after missing three weeks of action. For her career, Fox Valley Touche now boasts a sparkling record of nine wins, four seconds and four thirds from 21 starts.
Sent off as the 4-5 favourite, Fox Valley Touche returned $3.60, $2.20 and $2.20 across the board.
Another highlight of the Sunday card was the $25,000 guaranteed Pick 4. With a whopping $43,602 pushed through the windows on the wildly popular 15 per cent takeout wager, a single winner took home a Balmoral Park record $36,688.70 on a $1 ticket. The winning combination was 7-8-3-3.
(Balmoral)