by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — The final eliminations for next Saturday’s (Sept. 15) Illinois Super Night program were contested on Sunday (Sept. 9) at Balmoral Park as a total of 16 filly and mare pacers were sent postward in a pair of $15,000 Lorna Propes Stake eliminations. The top five finishers in each division will be back in action on Super Night as they battle for an estimated purse of $123,000.

Balmoral Park photo

Todd Warren guided LR Dancing Dream to victory in the first Lorna Propes Stake elimination on Sunday.

In the first division Mark and Stephanie Winship, M. H. Thompson and Amy Giberson’s LR Dancing Dream led from start to finish while posting a very impressive 4-1/4 length victory in a speedy 1:51.3 for driver Todd Warren.

Hustled right to the front from post position four, the Nick Giberson trained 6-year-old tore through splits of :27.3, :56.2 and 1:24 before sealing the deal with a strong :27.3 final quarter to score for the fourth time in her last six starts.

Nina Coleada (Marcus Miller) overcame some early traffic problems to finish second while Leanmean Normajean (Mike Oosting) was third. Also gaining spots in the final were Fox Valley Praline and China Gal.

In the second division Mystical Marker Farms and Peggy Hood’s Mystical Victress, a two-time Super Night victress already, began her pursuit of a third straight crown as she cruised to an easy two length victory in 1:52.1 with Marcus Miller in tow.

Sent to the front just after the opening quarter, the 5-year-old daughter of Sportsmaster grabbed control of the proceedings before the half and left no doubt as to who was the best in this division as she strolled home in :26.4 to notch her ninth win in 15 starts this year. The win also pushed her career bankroll up to $596,818 for her proud connections.

Fox Valley Absolut (Robert Smolin) followed the winner’s every move while finishing second and Fox Valley Touche (Dale Hiteman) was third. Dee Dee Sage was fourth while Pretty Place was fifth.

A pair of “prep” races for 3-year-old trotters who will be competing in the Lady Ann Reed and Su Mac Lad Stakes were also contested on Sunday night.

The Joel Smith trained Powerful Star captured the 3-year-old filly trot in 1:56.4 over eight rivals while the Brett Wilfong trained Recollection knocked off six foes in 1:59 to take home top honors in the 3-year-old colt trot.

The Trond Smedshammer trained Riccolo elected to skip the prep for the Su Mac Lad but is expected to be entered for the $110,000 (est.) final on Super Night.