Illinois-bred trotters were the focus of attention on Wednesday, July 25 at Balmoral Park as a pair of elimination battles for the Fox Valley Flan and Plesac Stakes were contested. Both of Wednesday’s events for two-year-olds carried a purse of $10,000.
In the Fox Valley Flan elimination, the Mike Brink-owned and trained Trot Fudge Sundae continued to impress as she scored for the second time in three lifetime starts, knocking off nine other two-year-old trotting fillies by three and a quarter lengths in 1:59 to earn a spot in next week’s $54,500 final.
The good looking daughter of American Native-What A Joy left alertly from post position seven for driver Dave Magee, tucking in fourth as Elegant Rosie (Dale Hiteman) carved out early splits of :29.3 and :59.2.
Moving first over on the far turn, Trot Fudge Sundae was looming boldly just off the shoulder of Hiteman as he led Elegant Rosie by the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:30.3.
In the stretch a patient Magee edged Trot Fudge Sundae to the front with an eighth of a mile to go and the issue was never in doubt from that point on as she reported home with an easy score. Just For Fun (Marcus Miller) turned a ground saving trip into a second place finish while Elegant Rosie held on for third.
The top nine finishers in the race will be joined by Little Miss Chrissy for next week’s final.
On the colt side of the docket, the Ronnie Gillespie owned-trained and driven Show Stopin Monkey completely annihilated nine rivals scoring by a “shut-down” four lengths in 1:57.3.
Speeding right to the front from their inside starting spot, Gillespie and the son of American Native-Savory Hall quickly opened up a six length advantage as they rolled by the quarter in :28.
The margin would continue to swell to seven lengths and then 12-lengths as the bay colt continued to speed through middle splits of :57 and 1:26.4.
With only the minor spoils in doubt, Show Stopin Monkey continued to cruise home as he scored for the third time in four lifetime starts. Powerful Poe (Todd Warren) finished second while Skyline Road (Marcus Miller) was third.
Once again, the first nine finishers will be joined by King Mufassa in next week’s $54,500 final.
(Balmoral Park)