by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — Elimination action for Illinois’ biggest night of racing, Super Night 2009, concluded on Sunday night (Sept. 13) with older pacers battling in a pair of Tony Maurello Stake eliminations while their female counterparts slugged it out in a pair of Lorna Propes Stake eliminations. Trotters were also in action on Sunday as 3-year-old fillies met in a pair of Lady Ann Reed Stake eliminations. The top five finishers in all three of these stakes will return next Saturday (Sept. 19) to go for the big money.

Fox Valley Lover and driver Dale Hiteman continued their dominance of the 3-year-old filly trotting set with an easy win in the first of two Lady Ann Reed Stake eliminations.

In the opening division of the Lady Ann Reed, Paula Smith and James Runyan’s division leader, Fox Valley Lover, continued her dominance over this set as she trotted to an easy 4-3/4 length victory in 1:58.1.

After settling in fifth as Lekka (Todd Warren) and Tuf Erma (Sam Widger) battled through an opening quarter in :29, driver Dale Hiteman elected to make his move with the daughter of Vaporize-Love You More as the field moved down the backside.

Quickly trotting into command before the half-mile mark the issue was never in doubt from that point on as the Joel Smith trainee simply sprinted away from her rivals despite being under a firm hold from Hiteman. Lekka tried to go with the winner but was forced to settle for the bridesmaid role on this night while My Last Valley (Dave Magee) came on to be a distant third. Soaring Sadie (Jared Finn) finished fourth while Lil Red Fox (Tyler Buter) was fifth. Sent off as the overwhelming choice the win was the 10th in 13 starts this year for Fox Valley Lover.

The second division also went to the favorite as Kevin Dixon and Robert Taylor’s Miss Vickie overcame a tough first over journey while posting a three-quarter length victory in 1:57.1.

Confidently handled by Brandon Simpson the striking chestnut daughter of Valley Victor was sent up first over just before the half-mile mark after getting away fifth in the early going. Steadily making up ground on the outside of horses the Robert Taylor trained miss had moved up to second as the field turned for home.

Taking dead aim on the pace setting Queen Creek (Connel Willis), Miss Vickie trotted right by that rival with an eighth of a mile to go. Last season’s 2-year-old sensation then dug in gamely as she fought off a late challenge from Overt (Josh Sutton) to notch her third victory of the season. Overt finished a game second while Tropical Caprice (Dave Magee) rallied for third. Queen Creek held on for fourth while Money Maker (Andy Miller) shook loose late to finish fifth. The win pushed Miss Vickie’s career earnings over the $200,000 plateau.

Joinusforsomefun is now a perfect 10-for-10 in her career after capturing a Lorna Propes Stake elimination in 1:52.2.

In the opening division of the Lorna Propes eliminations, Brett and Lynn Wilfong’s promising 3-year-old Joinusforsomefun made it look easy as she stormed to the top after the quarter and proceeded to leave her rivals in her dust as she cruised to a 2-1/4 length triumph in 1:52.2.

After going nine-for-nine while racing with easier in Indiana the daughter of Cape Crusader-Joe’s Feather showed that she was more than ready for the big time as she tore through middle splits of :56.2 and 1:24.2 for driver Sam Widger before sealing the deal with a :28 final quarter to keep her perfect record intact. Kennans Kelli (Dale Hiteman) followed the winner’s every move but was forced to settle for second while Helen’s Place Girl (Todd Warren) took home the show dough. Bobs Minute Maid (Mike Oosting) finished fourth while Townes Party Girl (Andy Miller) was fifth.

The second division provided plenty of fireworks as 30-1 longshot Indy Pendent Bay rallied in the final strides for a thrilling neck decision in 1:52.2.

Getting a Hall of Fame steer from driver Dave Magee the daughter of Incredible Finale was able to save ground the entire way while Kelly’s Keepsake (Marcus Miller), Ms Maggie (Andy Miller) and I Y Q (Rick Dane, Jr.) all took turns battling for control of the race.

Patiently watching the proceedings, Magee managed to maneuver the Carl Porcelli, Jr. trained 6-year-old to the outside of horses deep in the stretch and Indy Pendent Bay proceeded to mow down her tiring rivals for the upset. Ms Maggie finished a hard fought second while Kelly’s Keepsake was third. I Y Q finished fourth in the race while the final spot went to BC’s Jesse (Sam Widger), who finished fifth.

Balmoral Park photos

Martha Maxine gave driver Marcus Miller his first sub-1:50 victory when he knocked off eight rivals in 1:49.2 while taking the first of two Tony Maurello Stake eliminations.

The first Tony Maurello Stake elimination produced the most impressive effort of the night as Ervin Miller Stables, Tony Alagna and Brittany Farms’ Martha Maxine bested eight rivals by 5-1/4 lengths in a blistering 1:49.2.

The 5-year-old Park Place horse swept into command at the half-mile mark for driver Marcus Miller and never looked back as he extended his lead at each of the remaining calls while winning for the 19th time in the past two seasons. Booze Cruzin (Sam Widger) battled gamely throughout the mile while finishing a game second while early leader Mucho Sleazy (Andy Miller) held on for third. Well To Do Guru (Casey Leonard) finished fourth while Kashitin (Brandon Simpson) grabbed a spot in the final with his fifth place finish. The win was the first sub-1:50 victory of Marcus Miller’s bright young driving career.

In the nightcap it was Susan Oakes and Chuck Pompey’s Pennsylvania invader Lets Getit Started who returned home in victorious fashion as he posted a hard fought, half-length verdict in 1:52.3.

Moving up first over at the half-mile mark for driver Andy Miller, the 4-year-old son of Cole Muffler gradually wore down the pace setting Bonn Scott (Mike Oosting) with a sixteenth of a mile to go, eventually drawing clear in the final strides for his fifth win of the year. Bonn Scott was a hard fought second while First Impression (Dale Hiteman) finished third. Fort Silky (Robert Smolin) was fourth while Sports Fanatic (Brandon Simpson) finished fifth.

The draw for Super Night post positions will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Balmoral Park. The proceedings are scheduled to start at noon.