Fox Valley Jasper (Atleee Bender) was much the best in last week’s third Incredible Finale freshman elimination. (Four Footed Fotos)

Fox Valley Jasper was an easy three and three-quarter winner in 1:53 flat in his elimination for trainer Erv Miller who also has Somestarsomewhere offspring’s Fox Valley Patriot (Archie Buford) and Fox Valley Auburn (Cordarius Stewart) in the championship, along with Illini Jetset (Marcus Miller), a Cardinal division champion earlier this month for his sire Travel Playlist, bred by the University of Illinois.

The Walker’s also have a pair of Tom Simmons trained youngsters–Fox Valley Cayman (Casey Leonard), winner of a division of the Cardinal, and Fox Valley Steeler (Kyle Husted), going to the gate. “Cayman” was only a head behind “Langley” in last Friday’s second Incredible Finale elimination.

The “Fox Valley Brigade” could have their hands full with three other non-Walker bred youngsters in the final–Tom Graham’s Kage Daniel (Tom Warren), a 1:54 elim victor last week, and Tim Roach’s Ghost Shark (Travis Seekman) and Mister Sleaze (Juan Franco).another Erv Miller trainee.

Another $50,000 Pot: The Incredible Finale showdown shares the Friday spotlight with the $50,000 Kadabra summer championship for state-bred freshman male trotters. It’s headed-up by last week’s elimination champions, Tankmetodennyland (Juan Franco) and Niko Man (Kyle Husted) and will precede the Incredible Finale.

Niko Man (Kyle Husted) looks to follow his five-length victory in his Kadabra elimination with a victory in tonight’s $50,000 two-year-old summer trotting championship. (Four Footed Fotos)



Nino Man (Kyle Husted) captured his elimination by five-plus lengths in 1:59 flat for trainer Amy Husted and her owners Bowie Racing (Shorewood, IL) and Anthony Lombardi (Morris, IL).

Tankmetodennyland prevailed in his elimination a second slower (2:00 flat) however two weeks ago the University of Illinois bred trotter finished only a neck behind Niko Man in their Cardinal division confrontation for her owner and trainer Dennis Gardner of West Salem, Illinois.

Both fillies drew well. Tankmetodennyland landed the two-post and Niko Man got the four. Aint No Mojo, who comes off two game efforts for driver Atlee Bender, is in a good spot with the five.

The pole position belongs to the longshot Tequilalittletime. Groomster (Kyle Wilfong) is in a favorable spot with the three. From the six slots out, you’ll find Rosita’s Dream (Marcus Miller), Judge Me Not (Todd Warren), Whatta Year (Charles Arthur), Lous Andiamo (Casey Leonard) and Youain’tnofool (Cordarius Stewart).

Two Opens Too Boot: The solid Friday eight-race program is supported by a pair of Opens. The five-horse pace goes as race three with Rick Schrock’s Hidden Assassin (Travis Seekman) the likely post time betting choice. The 10-horse Open trot is a wide-open affair with the streaking Talk About Valor getting a well-deserved week off.

Drawn by groups, posts one through seven will be manned by Perlucky (Marcus Miller), Swan Of Dreams (Archie Buford), Latin Lover (Kyle Wilfong), Cash Hit (Travis Seekman), Rockyroad Aldo (Wyatt Avenatti), Heath Bar (Jamaica Patton) and Louscardamon (Kyle Husted).

Slots 8, 9 and 10 were also drawn and they went to Annas Lucky Star (Casey Leonard), Jack Vernon (Todd Warren) and Simply Swan (Atlee Bender), in that order.

The Incredible Finale Consolation for state-bred freshman pacing colts and geldings will be race five on the program.

Did I mention that Fox Valley Standardbreds have five youngsters that they bred in that $12,000 event?

Like Old Times: Former Chicago circuit driver Marcus Miller is in town tonight to drive several of his father Erv’s horses, including Illini Jetset in the Incredible Finale Final. Marcus has seven catch-drives on the eight-race program.