Fox Valley Gambler overcomes outside post at Balmoral

The first Free For All of the 2009 Chicago racing season was contested on Saturday night at Balmoral Park as a field of nine lined up behind the gate to battle for a purse of $18,000, and despite being assigned the outside post position in this tussle, Sawgrass Farms' classy 5-year-old Fox Valley Gambler had no trouble dispatching his rivals as he rolled to a 1 1/4-length victory in 1:53.3.

Given a confident steer by driver Tyler Buter the gelded son of Richess Hanover fired away from the gate and was in control of the proceedings as the field reached the opening station in :27.3. Cruising along effortlessly through middle splits of :57.1 and 1:26, the Perry Smith trainee was still fit and fresh as he turned for home with a 1 ¼-length lead.

Keeping his rivals at bay with only minimal urging from Buter, Fox Valley Gambler was on cruise control through the lane, sealing the deal with a :27 final quarter, while recording his third win in as many starts this season. Ten Big Soldiers (Brandon Simpson) rallied from seventh at the top of the stretch to finish a strong second while Distinct Color (Rick Dane Jr.) was third. (Balmoral Park)

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