Illinois conceived and foaled pacers were in the spotlight on Saturday night at Balmoral Park as the Crete oval played host to four stake races, which were fashioned for pacers who competed on Super Night.
Freshman pacing fillies kicked off the night’s action as a field of six youngsters battled for $11,700 in the Thrifty Way Stake.
After a tough first over trip got the best of her on Super Night, the Robert Phillips-owned and trained Fox Valley Gypsy avenged that loss with an impressive three and a quarter length, come-from-behind victory in 1:56.1 for driver Clifton Bell. Sassy Ellie (Robert Smolin) rallied to be second while Infatuated Love (Mike Oosting) finished third.
The winner, who is a daughter of Yankee Skyscaper—Genna Blair, was bet as though defeat was out of the question returning just $2.80, $2.40 and $2.10.
A total of 13 freshman pacing colts were dropped into the box for the Yates Eagle Stake, necessitating a split into a pair of $8,000 divisions.
In the opening split, Jerry Graham’s Bayside Tequilla was given a confident steer by driver Mike Oosting and the son of Duneside Perch—Fox Valley Tulip responded with a sharp first over, half-length victory in a career-best of 1:55. Fox Valley Chino (Kyle Wilfong) finished as the runner-up while Bowedfortyova (Pat Curtin), who posted a consolation victory on Super Night, was forced to settle for third.
The Tom Simmons-trained gelding returned $8.00, $3.60 and $2.20 while posting his second lifetime victory.
In the second division, Ervin Miller Stable and Robert McCormick’s Goinduneside, the even-money choice of the betting public rewarded his legion of backers with a thrilling nose decision in a lifetime-best of 1:54.1 for Casey Leonard. Moving up second over on the final bend, the son of Duneside Perch—Artisocracy powered home in :27.3 to notch his second win in 11 starts. Red Red Redneck (Ridge Warren), who carved out all the splits, held on gamely to finish second while Silver Sage (Mike Oosting) was third.
The Ervin Miller trainee returned $4.20, $2.40 and $2.10 while moving his career bankroll over the $20,000 mark.
A field of seven sophomore pacing fillies faced the starting gate for the $15,970 Grandma Ann Consolation as the fast-paced action continued.
After being hampered by an outside draw in last week’s Super Night final, the Alex Adam-trained BS Tyrichess took advantage of a mid-pack post on Saturday night as she cruised to an easy two and a half length, front-stepping score in 1:54.1 with Brian Carpenter in the bike. Lockport Legend (Todd Warren) wound up in the bridesmaid role while Duneside Perttie (Mike Oosting) was third.
Hammered at the windows, the daughter of Richess Hanover—Fox Valley Tyra returned just $2.60, $2.20 and $2.10 while upping her career bankroll to $50,048 for the partnership of Alex Adam, Frank Santilli, Mike Klimas and Green Acres.
The final event of the night featured three-year-old pacing colts as a field of 10 squared off in the $16,680 Langley Memorial Consolation.
This test produced another winner who was victimized by a poor post on Super Night as the Nelson Willis-trained Fox Valley Elijah took advantage of a much better starting spot as he zipped by his rivals in the lane to record a head decision in a career-best of 1:52.2. Longshot Casey At Bat (Kyle Wilfong) came flying late to finish second while Dixies Boy (Matt Krueger) was third.
The win was the third in 13 starts for the altered son of Sportsmaster—Eternal Gift, who returned $6.40, $4.40 and $2.60 while pushing his career bankroll over the $45,000 plateau.
(Balmoral Park)