by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — There will be action aplenty for trotting enthusiasts at Balmoral Park on Tuesday and Wednesday night as the Crete plant plays host to the $49,800 Violet Stake Final on Tuesday (June 2) and the $50,200 Cardinal Stake Final on Wednesday (June 3).

Miss Vickie is the 3-1 morning line favorite in the Violet Stake.

Tuesday’s Violet Stake Final goes as race nine on the 10-race program and last season’s Illinois conceived and foaled 2-year-old trotting filly of the year, Miss Vickie, has been installed as the 3-1 morning line favorite from post position eight.

The Robert Taylor trained miss, who was given a bye into Tuesday night’s final, is one-for-one this season after posting six wins and three seconds in 10 starts last year. The daughter of Valley Victor looked awfully sharp while capturing her sophomore debut here at Balmoral, rallying from far back to take home top honors in an $18,720 ISOBA Stake back on May 10 in 1:57.3. A career winner of almost $130,000, Miss Vickie will have the driving services of Brandon Simpson.

Others who figure prominently in Tuesday’s Violet Final are Delbert Burkett’s Queen Creek, who captured the elimination for this stake in 1:57 over a sloppy track; Erv Miller’s Luna Marker, who missed by just a nose in that elimination tussle; and the Joel Smith trained Fox Valley Lover, who also earned a bye into the final after capturing the Trottin Tilly and Koochie Stakes here earlier this season.

Balmoral Park photos

Southern Rocketop heads into the Cardinal Stake off a national season’s mark of 1:55.

Wednesday’s Cardinal Stake Final could be another showcase for Claude Power’s sensational gelding Southern Rocketop as he squares off against nine rivals in race number eight on the 11-race program.

The 7-5 morning line favorite is fresh off an eye catching 11-1/2 length romp in his elimination last week. The final time of 1:55 was a national season’s mark for a 3-year-old gelding trotter.

Boasting 11 victories and one second in 16 career starts this son of Psychic Spirit also has career earnings of more than $162,000. Southern Rocketop also hails from the barn of conditioner Robert Taylor who has named Brian Carpenter to drive from post position five.

Others to keep an eye on in this test include Homer Hochstetler’s Dr McDreamy, who finished second in his elimination last week despite spotting the field some 21 lengths after a break in the first turn; and Ken Collier’s ultra-consistent gelding Definer, who also won his elimination and has now been on the board in 17 of 18 lifetime starts while nearing the $150,000 mark in career earnings.