Violet elims held

Victor's Finess captured her third straight victory by taking a $7,500 division of the Violet Stake elims for freshman filly trotters Monday night at Maywood Park. The daughter of Valley Victor trotted in 1:59.1, a new track record for 2-year-old fillies with Andy Miller at the lines. Erv Miller trains for owner Vandalay Racing.



Victor's Finesse sat behind the pacesetting Fox Valley Shimmy (Pat Berry) as the latter led the field through fractions of :29.1 and :58.3, before pulling first-over and quickly taking command at the 1:29 three-quarter marker. From there Victor's Finesse trotted to an easy victory by nearly three lengths. It was her ninth win in 14 tries this season and pushed her career earnings to $204,805.



"This is such a nice filly," driver Andy Miller noted. "I really wasn't concerned about her getting around this oval (it was her first start on a half-miler) because she trains on a half at Springfield. I kind of stung Pat (driving Fox Valley Shimmy) leaving the gate and then just pulled my horse when the time was right. She could have gone faster."



A rough-gaited Tomato (Tim Tetrick) got up for second, while Fox Valley Shimmy held on for third and Peaceful Victory (Dale Hiteman) was a distant fourth. The first four qualify for the $56,000 on Oct. 17.



In the second $7,500 Violet Elimination division Fox Valley Oneida took the lead just before the :59.3 half to win by a length in 2:01.1 for driver Ron Marsh. The daughter by International Chip, who is trained by Ray Hanna and owned by Hanna and Bryce Geiler, recorded her first career victory in eight tries.



"This filly is still maturing," Marsh said. "She raced at the fairs, so I knew she could get around the half OK. I was going to win with her at Du Quoin for fun, and when I asked her to go a little bit she made a break. So after that Ray (trainer Hanna) put trotting hobbles on her and she's been solid every since."



Fox Valley Onedia pushed her career earnings to $17,094 for her connections. Rockome Vicky (Mike Oosting) was second, with Miss Sashi (Dale Hiteman) third and Cherry Lane Star (Dirk Simpson) fourth.

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