from the Balmoral Park Publicity Department

Crete, IL — Erv Miller’s Scarlet Valley was hammered down like she was a good thing in Tuesday night’s (April 24) $15,000 Fox Valley Flan Stake for state-bred 3-year-old trotting fillies, and the overwhelming 1-9 favorite didn’t disappoint her many supporters, winning easily with a career best time of 1:58.4 at Balmoral Park.

Balmoral Park photo

Scarlet Valley (Brent Holland) was all alone at the finish of her 1:58.4 winning mile in Tuesday’s Fox Valley Flan Stake.

When ICF rival Mogo On The Gogogo was a judges’ scratch, along with GJ’s Lynette and Star Swagger, Scarlet Valley ($2.20) was sent off at 10 cents on the dollar from the two post. Driver Brent Holland was content to let the rail horse Fox Valley Deja (Brandon Simpson) cut modest fractions of :30.3, 1:01 and 1:30.3 before he pulled the daughter of Valley Victor out of the two hole. The filly responded with a :27.4 last panel and drew off to a three length victory.

“We got a very good trip and she brushed on by the leader and kept trotting to the wire,” said Holland. “She was very strong tonight.”

Filly Hotspur (Del Chupp) came on to be second while Fox Valley Deja made a tiring break in the stretch, but still managed to get the show spot.

The victory was Scarlet Valley’s fourth in nine season’s starts, to go along with a pair of seconds and thirds, boosting her career earnings to $28,500 for Miller, who owns and trains the filly that went unraced at 2.

Scarlet Valley’s win was number 2,988 for Holland, putting the 36-year-old native of Wilmington, Ohio only 12 away from the 3,000 plateau in dash winners.