by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Maywood Park

Maywood, IL — Continuing his eye opening start to the 2014 season, Paula Smith & James Runyan’s Fox Valley Deuce continued to impress knocking off five other Illinois conceived and foaled sophomore pacing colts by a length in Friday’s (May 16) $10,000 Gosox Stake at Maywood Park. The final time was a career best 1:54.2 for the Joel Smith trainee.

Maywood Park photo

Driver Casey Leonard and Fox Valley Deuce were on top at every call in Friday’s $10,000 Gosox Stake at Maywood Park.

Gunned right to the front by regular pilot Casey Leonard, the altered son of Sportsmaster-Dodger Girl breezed through splits of 28.3, 57.3 & 1:25.4 while holding a first-over Fox Valley Cupid (Ryan Anderson) at bay for the final five-eighths of a mile.

After turning aside that longshot’s bid, Fox Valley Deuce began to draw clear of his rivals in the lane, sealing the deal with a 28.3 final quarter to score for the fifth time in seven starts this year. Cotton Eyed Joe (Robert Smolin), the only horse to defeat Fox Valley Deuce this season, shook loose late after a ground saving trip to finish second while Sleazeburgernfries (Kyle Wilfong) finished third.

The 8-5 favorite returned $5.20, $3.00 & $2.10 and now boasts seven wins, two seconds and a third in 22 lifetime starts with earnings of $43,147.