Balmoral Park

Contact: Tom Kelley
(708) 672-1414

FOX VALLEY SUMMIT CLIMBS TO THE TOP IN I.S.O.B.A. STAKE

Fox Valley Summit and driver Mike Oosting rallied in the final sixteenth of a mile to beat Sam Widger and Supreme Victor in Sunday's $15,000 ISOBA Stake for three-year-old trotters.

The 2008 Illinois conceived and foaled stakes season continued to wind down on Sunday night as a field of seven three-year-old colt and gelding trotters met in a $15,000 Illinois Standardbred Owners and Breeders Association Stake.

Division leader Maxter was sent off as the overwhelming 1-2 choice of the betting public as he looked to continue his two year dominance of the state-bred set, but the “champ” came up woefully short on this night as the Joel Smith trained Fox Valley Summit rolled to a three-quarter-length victory in 1:58.0.

Placed in mid-pack by driver Mike Oosting, the gelded son of Vaporize-Top Balanced was able to save ground as Maxter led the field through an opening quarter in 29.4.

Continuing his pylon-skimming trip down the backside, Fox Valley Summit was still trotting along in fourth as Valley Speed (Henry Lunsford) swept up to take over the lead as the field reached the halfway station in 58.0.

Oosting then maneuvered his charge into the outer flow as the field raced around the final turn. Following the “live” cover of Supreme Victor (Sam Widger), Fox Valley Summit was still fourth as the field hit the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:28 but he was less than two lengths from the lead and looking fit and fresh as the field turned for home.

Determinedly chewing up ground as the trotters raced through the lane, Fox Valley Summit pulled alongside Supreme Victor with an eighth of a mile to race. Continuing to grind it out, Oosting and Fox Valley Summit grabbed command with a sixteenth of a mile to go and gradually drew clear for the victory. Supreme Victor held on for second while 33-1 outsider Mr. C Becker finished third. Maxter was obviously not himself on this night fading all the way to sixth, some 17 lengths behind the winner.

Owned by the partnership of Paula Smith, James Runyan & Ken Spurlock, Fox Valley Summit now sports a record of four wins, five seconds and three thirds in 26 starts this season after going winless in seven starts last year. The second choice in the wagering returned $7.40, $4.40 & $7.60.

For more information call (708) 672-1414 or visit www.balmoralpark.com.