by Tim Jones, USTA Newsroom Correspondent

Arguably the top two three-year-old filly trotters in Illinois will do battle in Sunday’s Downstate Classic Stakes at Decatur, Illinois.

2004 two-year-old Illinois trotting filly of the year Arcola will be challenged by 2005 divisional leader Victor’s Pursuit. These two last met in the Violet Stake Final at Balmoral Park on May 26, a 1:56.1 triumph for Victor’s Pursuit.

Although unraced as a two-year-old, Victor’s Pursuit has established herself as the top filly in this division by posting six wins in her first eight career starts. She also was victorious in an Illinois Standardbred Owners and Breeders Stake on May 5 in a time of 1:58.1. Victor’s Pursuit has bankrolled over $41,000 for owners Robert Rietveld and Paul Gibson in her brief, but stellar career.

Arcola posted the most recent victory of the two when she “swam” her way to victory over a sloppy track at Balmoral Park on June 7 in the Fox Valley Evita Stake. Although the racing conditions were a hindrance, Arcola still earned a new lifetime mark of 1:57 with the win. Even more impressive was the fact that she went briefly offstride in the stretch, only to be calmly gathered by driver Tim Tetrick, and then rumble on home for the victory.

The 2004 divisional champion earned over $180,000 for owners Morton and Michael Turndorf. The Valley Victor daughter was also bred by Morton Turndorf.

Look for these two to put on quite a show for race fans on Sunday afternoon at the Decatur-Macon County Fair in Decatur, Illinois in the Downstate Classic Stakes.

This edition of the Classic Stakes also features some of the state’s top three-year-old colt trotters, in addition to sophomore filly and colt pacers. Post time is 12:30 p.m.