by Mike Paradise, for the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association

Du Quoin, IL — The talented state-bred freshman Fox Valley Luxury is halfway to capturing both the Springfield and Du Quoin State Fair filly trotting championships and duplicating a feat that her half-sister Fox Valley Lover accomplished just one year ago.

Both fillies are foals of the Conway Hall broodmare Love You More. Fox Valley Lover was sired by Vaporize while Fox Valley Luxury is a daughter of International Chip. Both fillies were bred at Fox Valley Standardbreds in Sherman, Ill., and they each have become bargain yearling buys.

When Fox Valley Lover annexed Monday’s $30,000 Windy Skeeter 3-year-old stake on the opening program of the Du Quoin State Fair it was her ninth win in 12 season starts for owners Paula Smith and James Runyan, boosting the Joel Smith trainee’s two-season earnings to $207,246. The ultra consistent filly sold at the 2007 Walker Standardbred Sale for just $2,700.

Illinois State Fair photo

Fox Valley Luxury won the $50,000 Illinois State Fair Championship with Dave Magee in 1:57.2.

Tina and Patrick Graham only paid a modest $5,000 for Fox Valley Luxury at last year’s Walker Sale and as she heads into Saturday’s $45,000 Shawnee Final, she had made more than 10 times that amount ($52,500) in just five starts racing in the Leo Grummel Stable.

Fox Valley Luxury went off stride on the lead in her first start in mid-July at Balmoral but bounced back for driver Dave Magee by taking the $50,000 Fox Valley Flan Final on August 5 at the Crete track. The youngster made a break in her Illinois State Fair stake elimination nine days later, however she still finished fifth and gained entrance into the $50,000 Championship where she was a romping seven length winner in a career best time of 1:57.2 on August 20.

“Fox Valley Luxury is a classy filly,” said her driver Dave Magee. “The faster she goes the smoother she trots. The first two times she made a mistake (went off stride) with me it was a case of lost attention and the fact that she’s only two and green. When she broke at Balmoral it was when I pulled her earplugs and she became startled by a horse outside of her, causing her to duck inside. In her Springfield elimination she was going so slow I believe she just lost interest and went into a gallop.

“She drives very nice, and is quick and smart and very willing and ready to do whatever you ask. I’ve been very impressed with her,” added the 55-year-old Hall of Fame driver.

Editor’s Note: Mike Paradise writes a daily column for the I.H.H.A. at www.harnessillinois.com.