The red-hot combination of trainer Perry Smith and driver Mike Oosting clicked again for Sawgrass Farms LLC as the trio combined to get Fox Valley Norman home with a one and a half-length victory in Saturday’s $13,900 Bye Bye Byrd Stake.
The final time was a career-best of 1:51.2 for the three-year-old gelding.
Leaving alertly from post seven for Oosting, the son of Yankee Skyscaper—Lake Hills Nan settled in third as Drunk On You (Dave Magee) led the field an opening quarter in :27.3.
With the action continuing to heat up on the backstretch, Oosting maneuvered his charge to the outside where they began to carve into the advantage of Fox Valley Action (Todd Warren) as that sophomore put up middle splits of :55.1 and 1:23.4.
Through the stretch, a determined Fox Valley Norman eventually wore down the pacesetter, sealing the deal with a :27.2 final quarter to post his third win in 19 starts this season. Silver Devil (Casey Leonard) rallied late to finish second while Fox Valley Action held on for third.
Sent off at 8-1 by the betting public, Fox Valley Norman returned $18.20, $5.40 and $3.40 while upping his career bankroll to $74,708.
(Balmoral Park)