by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — The state-bred stakes action continued on Sunday (May 3) at Balmoral Park as a pair of Illinois conceived and foaled events for trotters and pacers shared top billing on the card.

Fox Valley Qatar made every call a winning one in his sophomore debut, taking the $8,000 Iggy Magoo Stake in 1:58.2.

In the opening event, the Herman Wheeler owned and trained Fox Valley Qatar, last year’s freshman champion, picked up right where he left off, posting an easy 3-3/4 length, wire-to-wire victory in 1:58.2 over five other sophomore trotting colts in the $8,000 Iggy Magoo Stake.

After being hustled away from the outside post in the compact field of six by driver Todd Warren, the bay son of Pizzazzed-Armbro Bahrain appeared to be on “idle” while leading the field through pedestrian splits of :30.3, 1:00.2 and 1:30.3.

Still fit and fresh despite the fact it was his first start back after a seven-month layoff, the good looking trotter sealed the deal with a brisk :27.4 final quarter to open his second season on a victorious note. Captain Greedy (JD Finn), the winner’s main opposition during their first season of action, once again was forced to settle for the runner-up role after a pocket sitting trip while Fox Valley Theboss (Casey Leonard) staged a mild rally to finish third.

The $7,000 yearling purchase now boasts an eye-catching record of 9-1-0 in 10 career starts with earnings of $88,215. Dispatched as though defeat was out of the question, Fox Valley Qatar returned $2.80, $2.40 and $2.10 to his legion of backers.

David Baum photos

Fox Valley Aubrey took advantage of the passing lane to score in Sunday’s $8,000 Betzotic Stake.

In the nightcap of Sunday’s stakes action a field of eight ICF 3-year-old pacing fillies met in the $8,000 Betzotic Stake in what figured to be another tune-up in preparation for the first “major” ICF stake of the season, the Violet Stake.

When the smoke cleared it was Ronald Phillips and Jesse Ferge’s Fox Valley Aubrey who emerged victorious as she parlayed a perfect pocket sitting journey into a passing lane victory, scoring by 1-1/2 lengths in a career best of 1:55 for Bobby Smolin.

Taking full advantage of the pole position, Smolin placed the daughter of Yankee Skyscaper-Assailed in the garden spot as the headstrong Lex (Kyle Wilfong) sped through splits of :29, :57.1 and 1:25.2.

After watching last year’s divisional champion, Mr Leland’s Filly (Casey Leonard), make a break while on the move first over around the final turn, Smolin made the “winning” decision as he elected to sit in and wait for the open stretch.

With the leader beginning to get a little leg weary in the final sixteenth of the mile, the Bob Phillips trained Fox Valley Aubrey came charging up the inside for Smolin, blowing right by the embattled leaders to score for the 12th time in 17 career starts. Lex held on gamely to finish second while Southern Girl (Mike Oosting) finished third.

The third choice in the wagering from the inside starting spot, Fox Valley Aubrey returned $9.80, $4.40 and $3.00 while running her career earnings up to $32,244.