The lady is a champ.
Fox Valley Memory made a triumphant return to Chicago racing Saturday night when the 3-year-old filly outclassed three other Illinois-bred champions in Maywood Park’s Super Night Winners Challenge.
The unique $18,000 race made a case for a standardbred women’s liberation movement. Finishing second was the 5-year-old mare Shady Veil, followed by the 3-year-old colt Hooked Ona Feeling and the 4-year-old gelding Sjoken In The Hole.
All won divisional championship races at Sportsman’s Park in last month’s Super Night IX card showcasing the finest Illinois-bred pacers.
Since then, Fox Valley Memory has acquired national stature by winning the $301,500 Nadia Lobell Stake at Garden State Park.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that she’s one of the three top 3-year-old fillies in the country,” driver Dave Magee said.
Leaving from the inside post position, Fox Valley Memory took the lead but then relinquished it to Sjoken In The Hole. With just under a quarter of the race elapsed, Hooked Ona Feeling broke stride. Fox Valley Memory went back to the front and refused to be caught, answering Shady Veil’s stretch move to win by one length in 1:55 1/5 and pay $3.20, $2.40, and $2.10 as the 3-5 favorite.
“Joe Anderson’s horse (Hooked Ona Feeling) was my main concern,” Magee said. “Sjoken In The Hole was the only speed in the race, but he’s not strong speed. I was coming out when he broke stride. It didn’t affect me that much, and I don’t think it bothered the others any more than myself.”
