Illinois-bred trotters closed out the Southland Festival of Racing action on Wednesday, July 31 at Balmoral Park as two-year-old fillies battled in the $50,000 Fox Valley Flan Stake while their male counterparts slugged it out in the $50,000 Plesac Stake.
The Fox Valley Flan was a study in patience from driver Kyle Wilfong as he avoided early traffic problems caused by a breaking horse, then chiseled out a perfect ground saving trip aboard Vienna to win by a length in 2:00.4.
After getting away in the perfect spot, Wilfong deftly managed to avoid early leader BS Casino Cowgirl (Phil Knox) as that filly went off stride just before reaching the quarter in :31.2.
Positioned in the pocket the rest of the way as Baileys Wish (Dave Magee) carved out middle splits of 1:01.4 and 1:31.4, Wilfong patiently awaited racing room as the youngsters moved through the stretch.
Diving into the passing lane as soon as the opportunity presented itself, the daughter of Banderas Hall and Talcott Lori scooted past the pacesetter with 100 yards to go for her second win in seven career starts. Baileys Wish held on for second while a “green” Fox Valley Lotus (John Roberts) finished third despite bobbing and weaving her way through the lane.
The 6-5 favourite returned $4.40, $3.00 and $2.80 while upping her career bankroll to $30,042 for owner-trainer Robert Phillips.
The Plesac Stake turned into a stroll in the park for Rocco Ruffolo, William P. De Long, William C. De Long and Gordon Wright’s recent acquisition, Bobby B Breeze, as the good-looking youngster lived up to his name by breezing to an effortless six and three-quarter length romp in 1:59.1 for driver Todd Warren.
Hustled away from post position eight by Warren, the son of Southwind Breeze and Lindys Fireball had no trouble reaching the top and was comfortably in front as he led the field through an opening quarter in :29.3.
Continuing to cruise along on the front end through middle splits of 1:00.1 and 1:30.1, the Roger Welch trainee was still full of trot as the youngsters turned for the money.
Sealing the deal in fine fashion, Bobby B Breeze coasted home in :29 to post his first win in his second lifetime start. Tour Hall (Dave Magee), the even-money favourite in the race, rallied from the back of the pack to finish second while Big Bad Bob (Dale Hiteman) was third.
Bobby B Breeze returned $10.40, $4.60 and $3.00 to his backers while boosting his lifetime earnings up to $27,500 for his happy connections.
Stakes action continues on Saturday night as Grand Circuit racing headlines a fine 13-race program. A pair of Hanover Stakes will share top billing that night as two-year-old colt pacers and two-year-old filly pacers slug it out. Post time on Saturday is 7:10 p.m. (central).
(Balmoral Park)