by Tom Kelley

The countdown to Illinois biggest night of racing action, Super Night 2007, began on Saturday night with the state’s top 2 and 3-year-old pacers in action. With starting spots in the $270,000 Orange & Blue, $260,000 Filly Orange & Blue, $174,000 Grandma Ann and the $170,000 Pete Langley Memorial on the line, 12 of the 14 races carded on Saturday were elimination battles.

A total of 31 freshman pacing fillies were dropped into the box for the Filly Orange & Blue leading to four elimination divisions. The top two finishers in each, along with the two third place finishers (drawn by lot), received the chance to battle for the big bucks next Saturday.

Balmoral Park photo

GOTTA GO MOE STORMED FROM LAST TO FIRST TO WIN HIS PETE LANGLEY MEMORIAL ELIMINATION IN 1:51.2 ON SATURDAY NIGHT.

In the first elimination provisional driver Marcus Miller looked like a seasoned veteran as he guided Omer Miller’s Venusinbluejeans to an impressive 1-3/4 length victory in a career best of 1:53.3. Impressive Char (Sam Widger), a 40-1 outsider, overcame post position eight to rally for second while Mokey (Brent Holland) shook loose late to be third.

The second elimination was a real shocker as Its A Stretch Stable’s Westside Gritty blew by division leader She’s So Hot (Dave Magee) and the highly regarded Kelly’s Keepsake (Andy Miller) in the final sixteenth of a mile to win by a neck in 1:53.2. Kelly’s Keepsake held on for second while She’s So Hot wound up third and will need the luck draw in order to make the final.

Trainer Erv Miller posted another elimination score in the third division as Ron Michelon & Bert Hochsprung’s Lalique Lady used the passing lane to perfection while posting a half-length victory in 1:54.4. Don’tmakemelaugh was a hard fought second while Incredible Love (Dale Hiteman) was 4-1/4 lengths back in third.

The final Filly Orange & Blue elimination resulted in another favorite biting the dust as Jerone Waddell’s Biding My Time posted a front stepping three-quarter length score in 1:53.1. Dingy’s Model (Sam Widger) followed the winner’s every move but was forced to settle for the bridesmaid role while Amazing Marker (Ryan Anderson), the 4-5 favorite in the field, was a non-threatening third.

The most impressive effort of the night came in the first of two Grandma Ann eliminations as HBH Standardbreds Sportsfancy demolished nine rivals in a track record time of 1:50.2. Faith Leigh (Brent Holland) saved ground throughout the mile to take the second place check while Parking Place (Sam Widger) was third. Mystical Lauren (Andy Miller) and Sugar Park (Todd Warren) gained spots in next week’s final with fourth and fifth place finishes respectively.

The previous mark for a 3-year-old pacing filly of 1:50.3 was set back in 2000 by Apple Of My Eye.

The second division of the Grandma Ann provided the upset of the night as 46-1 shot Trendy L emerged from a tightly knit group in deep stretch to win by a widening neck in a career best of 1:52.4. Kiss Of Heaven (Andy Miller), the 1-2 favorite in the wagering, rallied for second while Perdido (Todd Warren) came on late for the show dough. There For Me (Brent Holland) moved on to the final with a fourth place finish while Looking At You (Dean Magee) earned the final spot by finishing fifth.

A total of 18 sophomore pacing colts were entered for the Pete Langley Memorial necessitating a pair of elimination battles. Once again the top five finishers in each division return next week for the lucrative final.

The upsets continued in the opening split as Robert Silberberg & John Schwarz Jr’s Kings Road turned a perfect two-hole trip into a half-length triumph while stopping the clock in a lifetime best of 1:51.1. All Is Saidanddone held on for second while Fox Valley Curahee (Ryan Anderson) took advantage of an inside trip to finish third. Mahdi (Brent Holland) and Arthur B Skipalong (Del Chupp) also earned spots in the final.

The second elimination was marred by an unfortunate incident at the top of the stretch as the two favorites in the race Glass Pack (Mike Oosting) and Booze Cruzin (Sam Widger) got tangled up while racing head and head for the lead. The interference led to Glass Pack getting knocked off stride while Booze Cruzin wound up being disqualified from third and placed last. The resulting chaos at the front of the pack left the door open for a closer and Tanah Merah Farms Gotta Go Moe fit that description perfectly as he flew from last to first in the final quarter-mile to get the victory in a speedy 1:51.2. Saratoga John (Andy Miller), came on late to finish second while Something To Say (Jason Dillander) was moved from fourth to third. Sneaky B Skipalong (Dale Hiteman) was moved from fifth to fourth while the final spot in the final was taken by Hes A Big Star (Ryan Anderson) who was moved from sixth to fifth.

With 31 two-year-old pacing colts entered for the Orange & Blue a quartet of elimination battles were needed. Just like their female counterparts the top two finishers in each race along with two third place finishers (drawn by lot) get the opportunity to battle for the richest race on Super Night.

It took nine races but a favorite finally prevailed in the opening division of the Orange & Blue elim’s as Larry Breed’s Jolly Lester turned some heads with an impressive 1 ½ length victory in 1:51.4. Little Pedro held on gamely to finish second while Aint No Hearsay (Del Chupp) was third.

In the second division Clyde Stevens homebred Chevie Classic Rod posted his ninth win of the season as he prevailed by a hard fought head in 1:52.0. Quarter-moved to the top by driver Andy Miller the Ronnie Guhy trainee then gamely held off a big late rally from Lets Getit Started (Jason Dillander) to earn top honors. Longshot What’sittoyougrant (Jamaica Patton) was a solid third despite a tough first over trip.

It was bombs away in the third division as 30-1 shot Choros C gave owner Chris Choros the thrill of a lifetime with an exciting come from behind win in a lifetime best of 1:52.0. Froggy Turner (Dave Magee) looked like a winner in mid-stretch but was forced to settle for the runner-up role while Littlebitoflife (Ryan Anderson) was a distant third.

The final elimination of the night was turned into a runaway as Ciara Stables and Michael Polansky’s highly regarded youngster Omaha Survivor romped to a 7-1/2 length victory in 1:53.3. Woody’s Shark Bite (Andy Miller) overcame a nasty break after the quarter to rally for second while Three Five Seven (Ryan Anderson) was third.

The parade of longshots in the early races resulted in a second straight Pick 5 carryover. Just over $14,000 will be added to Sunday’s Pick 5 pool and track officials are estimating the Sunday night pool to be somewhere in the neighborhood of $35,000.

Super Night elimination action continues on Sunday with older pacers competing for spots in the Ann Vonian and Dan Patch while sophomore trotting colts square off in a pair of Su Mac Lad eliminations. No eliminations were needed for the Lady Ann Reed. Sunday’s action gets underway at 6:30 p.m.