Keep an Eye on this "Lou"

Springfield Qualifiers Scheduled

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 21:09:26 GMT

Weather permitting, qualifiers will be held at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield this Friday, May 1, 2026. Post time is set for 11:00 AM.

Entries may be made online anytime, or by calling Mark Brown at (217) 299-0721 between 9:00-10:00 AM on Thursday, April 30. Please send any Coggins and EHV updates to Mark at that number.

March Board Meeting Minutes

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:55:51 GMT

March Board Meeting Minutes

Update on Hawthorne Situation

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:53:16 GMT

April 20 Update:

Today, in bankruptcy court we received very good news. After numerous continuations, the judge issued his final order regarding the DIP (debtor in possession) loan in question. Within that loan, are the monies owed to the Illinois harness horsemen. The IHHA, and its attorneys, along with Hawthorne and their legal team, have been trying to get that money made available from the very beginning of this ordeal.

The funding will be made available to us on two separate dates. This Saturday, April 25, the money from the NSF checks, as well as any uncashed checks are expected to be made available. This date is when the processing of these checks can begin. There are very specific procedures in place for Hawthorne to follow now, so we cannot expect them to send out all the checks on day one. The bookkeepers do hope to begin mailing them out sometime the following week. You do not have to call anyone to receive your check, it will be mailed to you as soon as possible. Everyone who received a check will be reissued a new check, whether you tried to cash it or not. If you choose to pick up your check, you can e-mail your request to Ihhabookkeeper@gmail.com . They will then let you know when the check will be ready for pick-up. Do not just show up at the racetrack unannounced. Your check may not be ready.

The permission for Hawthorne to pay us for the rest of the money, still frozen in our accounts, has also been finalized. That money will be made available to us on May 16. As that date gets closer, we will let you know the most efficient way to request a check.

April 13 Update:

Another continuance. The bankruptcy court met and adjourned today without making a final decision on the budgeted amount that Hawthorne can spend over the next 8-10 weeks. Our frozen money is currently included in that budget. The court will continue next Monday, April 20.

March 31 Update:

Today, March 31, bankruptcy court continued and ended without anything changing for us. The judge again approved the interim order of the budget which includes horsemen payments, but since objections remain, will not make a decision on a final order until April 13.

March 27 Update

Today, Friday, March 27 the Hawthorne bankruptcy case continued. Court was in session for about one hour before adjourning. A final decision was put on hold. The court will reconvene on Tuesday, March 31 at 11:00 a.m.

Today’s hearing was about turning the interim budget order proposed by Hawthorne and the DIP lender into a final order with payments to horsemen on April 4 ^th . However, because of various different objections, the judge suggested that Hawthorne get together with these other groups and get on the same page by Tuesday. If everyone is in agreement on Tuesday, the judge will likely issue a new payment date. If there is still disagreement, everyone will reconvene on Monday, April 13 for further testimony.

Within this budget is the payment to harness horsemen totaling $2.5m. Our payment and other payments in the budget are being challenged because some are claiming we are not critical to Hawthorne’s existence for the next 3 months. That is the crux of their argument. Chapter 11 reorganization bankruptcy is not about what is right or wrong. No one is arguing whether they owe us the money or not. The question is simply why is it necessary for the court to pay us now, instead of the other creditors with debts totaling over $70m. The payments that have been authorized so far, like the t-bred money, is because they would not begin their racing season until they were made whole, just as we didn’t race in January and February, because we hadn’t been paid.

We will update again as soon as we know more. Thanks.

March 12 Update

IHHA UPDATE – FEDERAL COURT ORDER ON HORSEMEN PAYMENTS

Today, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court entered an order approving the debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing for Hawthorne Race Course. After reviewing the order in detail with our attorneys, we have confirmed that the court approved a payment schedule that includes full payment of past-due harness purse obligations.

According to the court-approved schedule, payments covering the previously issued NSF purse checks and other past purse balances owed to Illinois harness horsemen are scheduled to be paid on April 4, 2026, from the DIP financing facility.

While we will continue to monitor the case closely, this order represents an important step toward making horsemen whole for the money they have already earned.

There are still other issues in the case that will need to be addressed in the coming weeks, and we will continue working with our attorneys and regulators to protect the interests of Illinois harness horsemen.

We will keep members informed as additional developments occur.

March 11 Update

IHHA Update – Bankruptcy Court Hearing

Today the bankruptcy court held a follow-up hearing in the Hawthorne Chapter 11 case.

We were expecting that the funds owed to us would be released today. That expectation was based on discussions leading up to the hearing and the understanding that the court would be addressing payment issues during this phase of the case.

After several hours in court, the judge decided that those payments would not be approved immediately today and instead will be addressed as part of the next stage of the bankruptcy process.

It is important for everyone to understand that this decision does not mean horsemen will not receive the money owed to them. The court is requiring additional review as part of the normal bankruptcy procedure before approving certain payments and financing arrangements. The only reason Thoroughbred purses were addressed today was because of their immediate racing schedule now to begin mid-April. A committee will review the financial information and proposed financing before the court holds the next major hearing, currently scheduled for March 27.

IHHA will continue to monitor the case closely and will keep our members informed as the process moves forward.

March 6

The motion for Hawthorne (debtors) to pay harness and thoroughbred horsemen for the unpaid purse obligations and any frozen money in our Hawthorne accounts has been filed. This motion will be heard on Tuesday, March 10 at 10:00 a.m. Also at that time, it is anticipated, that a decision to approve Hawthorne’s other DIP financing will be made. If approved, it will allow Hawthorne about three months to stay in business and to secure a deal with another group. Testimony was given last week that mentioned there are three other interested parties. If no deal is made, it is possible that Hawthorne could refile for another 90 days with similar asks or switch to a chapter 7 bankruptcy, which would be a complete liquidation of their assets.

As mentioned in a previous update, the judge has given us encouraging words and we are hopeful that he approves the payments to horsemen. If approved, we can expect the process of reissuing checks to begin in a matter of days. The US trustee, assigned to this case, has already asked for a list of all the accounts for horsemen held at the racetrack. On a side note, to that, as an issue of privacy to horsemen, we have requested that the list, when made public, has the names redacted. He had no issue with that and has agreed.

At the conclusion of this hearing, we will try and get an update out as soon as possible. However, keep in mind, that there are many players involved here who are owed a lot of money, and there is always a possibility that this will be delayed in some way.

March 4 Update

On Tuesday, March 3, Hawthorne began its quest to reorganize and get racing headed back in the right direction. They had filed for Chapter 11 last Friday.

The judge originally assigned to the case recused herself on Friday, and a new judge is now presiding over the case.

After a grueling six-and-a-half-hour session with no extended breaks, at approximately 5:30, the judge made his first opinion known. He stated that he believes the Illinois horsemen should be paid. He believes they should qualify as a “critical vendor.” He wanted employees of Hawthorne who had been working without pay recently to be paid by their next scheduled payroll, which is this Thursday.

The judge stated he is inclined to approve payment to the horsemen, but asked that a specific motion be filed tomorrow, similar to the motion Hawthorne is filing to approve payroll for its employees.

Once that motion is filed, the court will take it up at the follow-up hearing scheduled for next week.

This is a very encouraging development and an important step toward ensuring horsemen are paid.

The Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association will continue working with our attorneys and monitoring the case closely to protect the interests of our members.

We will provide additional updates as this process moves forward.

Hawthorne Will Attempt To Move Forward

March 2, 2026

Originally, the bankruptcy case was scheduled in court for Monday, March 2. This has now been changed to Tuesday afternoon, March 3. We will get an update out as soon as possible.

February 27, 2026

The Illinois Harness Horsemen's Association learned late this morning that Hawthorne Racecourse has filed for Chapter 11 reorganization bankruptcy. We still do not have all of the details, but we will be in court early next week. We will release more information as soon as possible.

Here is Hawthorne's official press release.

For Immediate Release

HAWTHORNE FILES CHAPTER 11 REORGANIZATION TO SAVE ILLINOIS HORSE RACING

Reorganization Prioritizes Paying Horsemen Purses and Track Workers

Cites Challenges of Supporting Illinois Horse Racing While Launching Racino

Goal is to Restructure Company Debt and Preserve Horse Racing

CHICAGO (Feb. 27, 2026 )—In a bid to save horse racing in Illinois and preserve 250 jobs and the homes of hundreds of backside workers and their families, Hawthorne Race Course, and its related companies, has filed for a Chapter 11 Reorganization in Federal Bankruptcy Court in Chicago today. The reorganization plan will prioritize paying accrued purses to the Illinois Horsemen as well as payroll for the track employees while restructuring the company’s debt.

The goal of the reorganization is to attract a buyer or investor willing to recapitalize Hawthorne and restart operations of the racecourse while maximizing recovery to the company’s creditors. Hawthorne will be working with financial advisor Getzler Henrich & Associates, LLC and requests the Federal Court approve Debtor-in-Possession financing to assist with the restructuring process.

“This is a difficult day for Hawthorne and for my family which has owned Hawthorne for four generations over 117 years, but filing for reorganization is the right thing to do for the Illinois horsemen and for our employees and their families,” said Tim Carey, president and CEO of Hawthorne Race Course.

Carey’s declaration in support of Hawthorne’s bankruptcy filings described the challenges and headwinds Hawthorne faced while attempting to continue its struggling operation while also supporting the entire horseracing industry in Northern Illinois and launching a “Racino”, a brick-and-mortar betting parlor at the racetrack.

“In 2016 with the closing of the Balmoral and Maywood harness facilities, Hawthorne reaffirmed its commitment to horse racing and saved hundreds of harness horsemen businesses and thousands of harness horsemen jobs thus becoming the country’s only dual breed racetrack, running both thoroughbred and harness racing on the same track by converting the surface of the track prior to the commencement of a respective race meeting.

Since 2022 and the closing of Arlington Racecourse, we undertook the sole responsibility of underwriting the Illinois horseracing industry in Northern Illinois and are the last racetrack operating in Northern Illinois bearing the increased burden of greater purses and regulatory expenses.

Carey detailed the human element of saving Hawthorne.

The racetrack employs over 250 people with its longest tenured employee spending 52 years at the track. Backside residence on the racetrack property consisting of licensed horsemen and their families varies depending on any racing season but will vary from a low of approximately 290 up to 500 or more. There have been years when over 900 people lived on the backside. The families live rent free and receive medical and dental care funded almost entirely by Hawthorne. These families are part of the community, supporting local businesses, attending church and sending their kids to local schools. Currently there are approximately 100 children, age 18 or under, living on the premises. There is a gentleman who is 84 years old and has been working at the racetrack and living on the backside for 72 years, arriving when he was 12 years old.”

After the casino expansion law passed the Illinois General Assembly and was signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker in 2019, Hawthorne received a preliminary finding of suitability from the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) to build and operate a “Racino,” with casino style gambling machines and table games at the racecourse. The IGB also issued Hawthorne a Master Sports Wagering License which permitted Hawthorne to offer retail and online sports betting. In 2024, the IGB approved continued licensing suitability for Hawthorne and renewed its sports wagering license.

At the same time, while winning approvals for the Racino, the horse racing industry continued to face stiff headwinds. Carey’s declaration describes the challenges for the Bankruptcy Court:

“The Debtors have faced substantial financial hardship in recent years, driven by challenges affecting the horse racing industry in Illinois, initially due to the expansion of casino gaming and later compounded by an increasingly competitive sports betting market, as well as other industry-wide issues, including rising costs and increased regulatory fees related to simultaneously running a troubled business and building a new business...”

The filing details that a bankruptcy filing became a required step when Hawthorne’s relationship with its lender and other creditors materially eroded. This led to a rapid succession of setbacks, foremost of which was the inability to continue the harness racing season, in addition to:

2026 ICF Stakes Program Taking Shape

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:57:33 GMT

2026 ICF Stake Schedule

Our Night of Champions stake races that have traditionally been run by Hawthorne will now be taken over by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. All of the information that is currently planned for this year’s stakes program can be found by clicking this link. https://agr.illinois.gov/animals/horseracing/standardbred-horse-racing.html

Illinois Harness Community Loses Two

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 19:23:45 GMT

Don Musillami Passes Away. Click here for a full obituary

Jimmy Austin Passes Away. Click here for a full obituary

February Board Meeting Minutes

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 14:33:55 GMT

February Board Meeting Minutes

Ted Torgerson Passes Away

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 16:07:52 GMT

Theodore "Ted" James Torgerson Passes Away. Click here for the obituary.

Leadership Change at IHHA

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 18:21:15 GMT

Jeff Davis steps down as President of the IHHA

On Tuesday, March 17, I shared with the IHHA Board at its regularly scheduled monthly meeting that I had made the decision to step down as President and resign from the Board, effective immediately.

Over the past couple of days, I have been truly appreciative of the messages, calls, and support from so many of you. Thank you to everyone who has reached out — it means more than you know.

This was not an easy decision. Harness racing has been a part of my life since I was a kid going to Quad City Downs, and it has been an honor to serve the horsemen of Illinois during one of the most challenging times our industry has ever faced.

We are at a critical moment for harness racing in Illinois. Between the uncertainty surrounding Hawthorne, ongoing legislative efforts, and the overall economic pressures on our industry, the path forward will require focus, discipline, and above all — unity.

Everyone involved must be rowing in the same direction. Without that alignment and shared commitment, we will continue to fall short — regardless of the opportunities in front of us.

At the same time, my personal and family responsibilities have increased significantly, and I am no longer able to give this role the time, travel, and in-state presence it demands during such an important period.

For those reasons, I believe it is in the best interest of the association to transition leadership at this time.

Casey Leonard will be a strong and capable leader for the industry, and I have confidence in his ability to move things forward.

I am proud of the work that has been done to fight for this industry — pushing for legislative solutions, including more than $2 million in bridge funding, supporting new opportunities like Decatur Downs, and continuing to advocate for the future of harness racing in Illinois by sharing our message with the media. We have raised awareness for this industry at a critical time.

I care deeply about this sport and the people in it, and I sincerely hope that our political leaders recognize the urgency of this moment and take action to help secure the future of horse racing in Illinois.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve.

Jeff Davis

January Board Meeting Minutes

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 18:55:14 GMT

January Board Meeting Minutes

December Board Meeting Minutes

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 17:28:05 GMT

December Board Meeting Minutes

Illinois Racing Board Suspends License

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 15:36:18 GMT

Illinois Racing Board Suspends Suburban Downs Organization Licenses

On Monday January 26, 2026, The Illinois Racing Board announced that they have suspended the Organization License of Suburban Downs. Click here to read the press release.

Hall Of Fame Inductees Chosen

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 20:45:18 GMT

Hall of Fame Inductees Announced

After giving careful consideration to over 18 people nominated and ten horses nominated, the IHHA committee decided on the following. Click here to see the results.

Illinois Awards Banquet Scheduled For February 28

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 17:21:35 GMT

Illinois Awards Banquet Set For February 28

The 2025 top performers in Illinois racing will be recognized on February 28 ^th at the Illinois Standardbred Banquet. Click here for all of the details.

Illinois Dept. of Agriculture Nomination Date Change

Sat, 17 Jan 2026 16:13:19 GMT

Illinois Department of Agriculture Nomination Due Date Changes

The nomination payment for the Cardinal/Violet for 3-year-olds will be delayed until March 16 ^th (March 15 ^th is a Sunday.) In addition, due to county fairs starting on May 24 ^th , the supplement date to make horses eligible to county fairs has been moved to May 1 ^st (originally was May 15 ^th .)

The March 16 ^th county fair nomination payment and all other IDOA stake payments will remain the same. Nomination forms will be mailed out soon and also available on the IDOA website.

Please note there will be a slight delay in the publication of the stakes guide to finalize any other changes that need to be made to the Illinois stakes program.

Charles Thomas Walker Passes Away

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 20:43:29 GMT

Charles Thomas Walker Passes Away. Click here for more

Thursday, January 22 Update

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 17:23:25 GMT

Thursday, January 22 Update

Hawthorne Racecourse has again requested approval from the Illinois Racing Board to vacate the Jan. 24–25 race dates, as its banking issues remain unresolved.

This marks yet another weekend where racing cannot proceed because horsemen cannot be paid. We have formally asked the Illinois Racing Board to begin discussing alternative options, as repeating this same outcome week after week is not workable for horsemen or the industry.

Our position remains unchanged: racing should not resume until horsemen have reliable access to their earned funds. We will provide further updates as soon as they are available.

Sincerely,

Jeff Davis

President

Illinois Harness Horsemen's Association

Friday, January 16 Update

Hawthorne has informed the Illinois Racing Board that it will vacate this weekend’s race dates due to its unresolved banking issue. The IHHA has agreed with this decision. However, there will be purse distribution this week: Hawthorne has committed to distributing the purse money equally among all horses entered in each race that was scheduled for this weekend. These funds will be reflected in horsemen’s accounts in the coming days and will be available once the banking issue is resolved. Hawthorne has stated it is confident the situation will be resolved in the upcoming week and intends to resume racing next weekend.

Entries for the January 24–25 race dates will be taken through Thursday at 9:00 a.m.

We appreciate your patience as we continue working to ensure every horseman receives the money they are owed.

Thursday, January 15, Update 6:00pm

As of this evening, Hawthorne’s banking issue remains unresolved, though they believe it could be resolved by tomorrow morning (Friday). We have been informed that no definitive answer will be available until Friday morning, at which time we will make a final decision regarding racing this weekend. We understand this delay is frustrating, but we expect to have clear guidance by midday Friday at the latest.

Our top priority is ensuring that all horsemen receive the funds they are owed. This means making sure any checks that were returned for non-sufficient funds are reissued and honored, and that every horseman has full access to the money in their account. We will only proceed with racing if horsemen have access to all of their funds, including those reissued checks, and Hawthorne’s management agrees with this stance. We don’t like postponing decisions, but we are putting your access to your earnings first. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to resolve this issue.

Wednesday, January 14, Update 6:00pm

As of Wednesday, January 14 at 6:00pm, we have not gotten a definitive commitment from Hawthorne regarding this weekend's races. There are ongoing conversations between Hawthorne and their bank that will continue tomorrow morning. The draw will remain at 9am tomorrow. You should enter your horse and assume we will race. An official decision will be made regarding the weekend races tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon. We will let you know soon after that. Thanks.

Friday, January 9, 7:30pm

Hawthorne racetrack and the IHHA have mutually agreed that during this difficult situation it would be best to vacate our races this weekend. These postponed days will be made up going forward. We are hopeful this issue will be resolved soon.

Monday, January 5th Update:

We have been told that Hawthorne and it's OTB's have been allowed to reopen. We have not been officially told yet that we are good to race for this weekend, January 9 and 10. We hope to hear some good news soon but as of now, we have not. You should enter your horse, assuming we will race. And hopefully we learn more. Stay tuned.

Here a few national stories on the last few days.

https://paulickreport.com/news/the-biz/illinois-racing-board-shuts-down-hawthorne-harness-meet-otb-network

https://harnessracingupdate.com/2026/01/04/racing-halted-in-chicago-as-hawthorne-bounces-checks-to-horsepeople/

10:00 p.m. Update:

Racing now cancelled this weekend January 3-4 due to Illinois Racing Board mandate. We will update everyone when we learn more.

11:00 a.m. IHHA Update On Recent Bounced Checks.

Dear Members,

For the second time in a matter of weeks, the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association (IHHA) has been made aware that checks issued by Hawthorne Race Course have been returned unpaid by banks. This is another embarrassing failure of Hawthorne Race Course.

To that end, we are publicly calling on Hawthorne to provide a letter from their bank TODAY stating that these returned payments are indeed a glitch in their system and not a lack of available funds in their account. We cannot take Hawthorne's word that this second round of bounced checks is an anomaly. Horsemen's livelihoods depend on this money and we are well beyond the point where we can trust what Hawthorne tells us.

Sincerely,

Jeff Davis

President

Illinois Harness Horsemen's Association

Updated at 8pm

As of tonight, Hawthorne has not provided the requested letter from its bank regarding the returned horsemen’s payments.

Tim Carey has assured both the IHHA and the Illinois Racing Board that the funds are available and that everyone will be paid. We are insisting this be resolved immediately and handled consistently for every horseman.

The IHHA has notified and discussed this matter with legislative leaders, and we will continue working directly with the Illinois Racing Board to ensure these payments are made properly and that horsemen are made whole.

Racing will go on as scheduled this weekend. ”

Racing now cancelled this weekend January 3-4 due to Illinois Racing Board mandate

Hall of Fame Nominations Close This Friday

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 16:15:42 GMT

Illinois Hall of Fame Committee is Now Accepting Nominations

The Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association will be taking nominations for induction into the Illinois Harness Racing Hall of Fame and we need your help. The IHHA Hall of Fame Committee is reaching out to horsemen for their input. We need to have your suggestions so we can induct individuals and horses that are worthy of this prestigious honor. Without your input, certain deserving people may be overlooked.

You are encouraged to submit nominations for the Hall of Fame to the IHHA committee. Inductees will be acknowledged at the annual horseman’s banquet in Springfield on Saturday, February 28.

We have attached our guidelines and a list of current members of the Illinois Harness Hall of Fame.

Click here for guidelines. Guidelines

Click here for past inductees. Previous Inductees

When submitting your nomination, please send us as much information as possible on the nominee. Include any relevant statistics and why you believe the person or horse should receive this honor. Include your contact information in case we have any follow up questions. Do not call the office and leave a voice message for this nominating process.

All nominations must be received by Friday, January 23.

You can mail those entries to:

IHHA

15 Spinning Wheel Road, Suite #432,

Hinsdale, IL. 60521

e-mail to tsomone@harnessillinois.com (preferred)

fax to 630-323-0761

IHHA Town Hall Meeting

Sat, 03 Jan 2026 18:33:28 GMT

An IHHA town hall meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, January 8 at 6pm

Because of the recent issues with bounced checks at Hawthorne, please join us for an update Thursday, January 8 at 6pm. The Illinois Racing Board is requesting documentation on this situation. Follow this link IllinoisHarnessBadChecks to submit your information.

Pete Leu Passes Away

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 19:18:12 GMT

Pete Leu Passes Away. Click here for more.

New Post Time for Winter 2026

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 18:24:18 GMT

Starting this Saturday, January 3, our Hawthorne races will have a first post of 3pm. There was some moderate success in moving our first post in December to 1pm, so we will now adjust that to 3pm with the hope of even better results. Thanks for all the support.

2026 Memberships Available

Sat, 27 Dec 2025 15:54:27 GMT

The 2026 membership applications are now available. Click here to download. 2026 membership application

Free Hawthorne Programs Here

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 15:20:08 GMT

As in previous years, the IHHA is offering free programs for all of their races at Hawthorne starting Friday, November 7. We are scheduled to race every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until the end of the year. Go to "Fans" on the homepage and see "Free Programs." Or just click this link. FREE PROGRAMS . Enjoy!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to All

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 19:10:02 GMT

The Illinois Harness Horsemen's Association would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. We understand what a challenging year this has been for everyone. Thanks for hanging in there.

November Board Meeting Minutes

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 18:23:14 GMT

November Board Meeting Minutes

Update On Bounced Checks

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 20:11:43 GMT

Hawthorne Bounces Horsemen's Checks

Dear Members,

The Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association (IHHA) has been made aware that some horsemen’s payments issued by Hawthorne Race Course — including purse distributions and trainer and driver earnings — have been returned unpaid by banks.

Let me be clear: this is unacceptable. These payments are not discretionary. This is how horsemen get paid — it’s their paycheck — and any disruption creates real and immediate hardship for horsemen and their families.

The IHHA has contacted the Illinois Racing Board and formally requested their oversight and review.

The impact is even more concerning because this is occurring in the week before Christmas — a time when families are relying on these funds for basic household needs, bills, and holiday expenses.

Hawthorne has indicated to us that this issue is the result of a system or processing problem and that resubmitting checks will result in payment. However, we have also heard from some horsemen that their banks are requiring a new check rather than allowing a re-deposit, and Hawthorne has issued replacement checks to some individuals.

If you were affected, we need your information immediately

To document the scope of this issue and pursue reimbursement of costs, please email both:

· jeffihha@gmail.com

· tsomone@harnessillinois.com

Please include the following (as available):

· Your name, phone number, and role (trainer/driver/owner, etc.)

· Type of payment (purse distribution / trainer earnings / driver earnings)

· Check number, amount, and date issued (if known)

· A brief description of what happened (returned unpaid, bank required a new check, replacement check requested/received, etc.)

· Proof of any bank fees or penalties incurred (screenshot, receipt, bank notice/letter, or statement line item)

The IHHA will be requesting that Hawthorne reimburse any documented bank fees and penalties incurred as a result of returned payments.

We will continue working with the Illinois Racing Board and all appropriate parties until every horseman is made whole and safeguards are in place to prevent this from happening again. We will share updates as we receive verified information.

Sincerely,

Jeff Davis

President

Illinois Harness Horsemen's Association

IHHA Update

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 16:41:14 GMT

IHHA Update

Join us Tuesday, December 9 at 6pm, for a tele-townhall meeting. See the details below.

October Board Meeting Minutes

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 17:14:38 GMT

October Board Meeting Minutes

Beautiful Weather Brings Out The Best

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 15:20:12 GMT

Warm Temperatures Buoy Night Of Champions

Neil Milbert recaps our Night Of Champions Event for Harness Racing Update.

Click here to read more.

12 Noon Detention on Saturday

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 15:57:15 GMT

Per the Illinois Racing Board: All horses racing this Saturday, November 15, Night of Champions, are required to be in early detention by 12 noon.

IHHA Update Call - Tonight, Nov. 4 at 7pm.

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 15:51:18 GMT

Join us TONIGHT, Tuesday, November 4 at 7:00 PM for an IHHA update call.

We’ll recap what happened in veto session — including the Senate’s passage of HB2724 — and discuss our next steps to push the bill in January before breeding season begins.

If you're a member and submitted your phone number, we’ll call you.

If not, or you don’t get a call by 7:10 PM, dial in at 630-756-6915.

Horse Racing Bill Passes Senate

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 17:57:55 GMT

Our harness racing bill overwhelmingly passed the Illinois Senate with bipartisan support last night and is still active. The bill is now with the House and only needs to be voted on by that chamber. Our focus will now turn to the January legislative session where we will work to pass the bill through the House. Thank you to everyone who has called their legislators and been part of our effort to save Illinois harness racing.

IHHA MEMBERSHIP UPDATE – WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 20:12:33 GMT

IHHA MEMBERSHIP UPDATE – WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29

Tonight at 7:00 PM, we’re holding a critical update call for members as the horse racing bill moves through the final hours of the veto session. The bill authorizes a new track and racino in Decatur.
It removes the 35-mile restriction and opens the door to a south suburban harness track.

If you're a member and submitted your phone number with your membership — we’ll call you.

If you don’t receive a call by 7:10 PM, or you're not a member but want to listen in, please call:

630-756-6915 at 7:00 PM

Legislative Update

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 15:51:23 GMT

Legislative update: Call to Action

Click here to read the most recent update.

September Board Minutes

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 16:41:59 GMT

September Board Meeting Minutes

August Board Meeting Minutes

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 17:11:10 GMT

August Board Meeting Minutes

Illinois Racing Board Awards 2026 Dates

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 15:23:18 GMT

Illinois Racing Board Awards 2026 Racing Dates

Click here to see more.

For Harness racing additional races will be run at Springfield and Du Quoin in June, July, September and October as we did in 2025. Specific days and times, still to be determined.

Paulick Report Reacts to 2026 Dates Hearing

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 15:22:57 GMT

Paulick Report Comments on Illinois

Click here to read more

Brian Judy Has Passed Away

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 16:51:11 GMT

Brian Judy Has Passed Away

Click here for a full obituary

Racing Returns To The Du Quoin State Fair

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 17:26:56 GMT

DuQuoin Racing Returns This Week

The Du Quoin State Fair, former home to the Hambletonian and the World Trotting Derby, returns to action next week with three quality days of harness racing. Races are scheduled for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, all with 4pm twilight starts. Pari-mutual betting will be offered live at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds, as well as at Illinois OTB’s and Illinois licensed ADW providers.

Monday’s 14 race card features eight County Fair Challenge events, four Topline races and a race each for the best aged Illinois-Bred pacers and trotters. Tuesday is the most lucrative day of racing as Illinois-Breds will battle it out for $320,000 in purses over a 16-race card. Wednesday’s 16 race card concludes with The Department of Agriculture events. An early non-betting race for amateur drivers has also been carded with a scheduled post time of 3:40.

Being honored by the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association this week will be the County Fair leaders in each class. Wyatt Avenatti has repeated for the third time in a row as the leading driver in the summer events. Kevin Miller comes away with the leading trainer and the leading owner. Fox Valley Standardbreds is a multiple repeat winner as the leading breeder.

July Board Meeting Minutes

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 16:18:16 GMT

July Board Meeting Minutes

Walker Family Sends Two Into Finals

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 14:13:30 GMT

Walker Family Sends Two Top Contenders into Illinois State Fair Finals

Mike Paradise Passes Away

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 20:38:40 GMT

Chicago legend Mike Paradise Passes Away

Mike Paradise of Rolling Meadows lived nearly 84 years with a full heart-devoted to his family, fueled by his passions & guided by kindness.

Born September 12, 1941, Mike grew up in Chicago, graduating from Austin Hish School before serving in the U.S. Navy.

For more than 50 years he made his mark in the world of harness horse racing, during which he became a nationally recognized figure achieving milestones that left a lasting impression on the industry, but his first and forever love was baseball-a game he cherished not just for it’s strategy, but for the friendships of his APBA family and joy it brought.

Mike’s truest legacy is the love he gave. He was happiest surrounded by family, sharing stories, laughter and quiet moments of connection.

His gentle spirit, quick wit and generous heart touched everyone who knew him.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 42 years, Shelly; his daughter Laura (Jesse) Housman, and her children Jack (Jaclyn), Danny and Amanda Zachary; his son Michael Daniel (Diane) Paradise & their children Nicole & Michael Robert; and his sister Angel Ricci.

A memorial Celebration of Mike’s Life will be held on Sunday, August 31, from 1-4 p.m. at Arlington Lakes Golf Club, 1211 S. New Wilke Road, Arlington Heights. Guests are encouraged to wear their favorite baseball attire in his honor.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Special Leisure Services Foundation , 3000 W. Central Road, Suite 205, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 or click on the name and it will direct you to the site.

Illinois Harness Hall-Of-Famer Mike Paradise has died after a long battle with cancer. Click below for two more obituaries.

Mike Paradise Obit

Harness Racing Update for Mike Paradise Obit.

Miller And Miller Lead The Way

Sun, 10 Aug 2025 15:32:30 GMT

Erv and Marcus Miller Dominate on Friday.

June Board Minutes

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 19:06:21 GMT

June Board Minutes

May Board Minutes

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 19:01:10 GMT

May Board Minutes

April Board Meeting Minutes

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 18:13:02 GMT

April Board Meeting Minutes

Getting older but going faster

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 13:08:30 GMT

Getting older but going faster

Travis Seekman will guide Rock N Republic in Thursday’s Du Quoin feature. (Terry Young Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

It’s not often a harness horse substantially lowers his lifetime mark a 7-year-old for a new barn nevertheless that was the case for the Rock N Republic, now trained by veteran Illinois horseman Nick Prather who took over as the lessee on the Pet Rock gelding at the start of the year.

Travis Seekman is back to guide Rock N Republic in Thursday’s co-featured 13th race, a conditioned event that carries a modest $5,000 purse for a strong fivr-horse field mostly with 3-year-old Illinois bred pacers.

The younger opposition to Rock N Republic will have to step things up a notch to prove best because Rock N Republic comes off the fastest mile thus far on the Illinois circuit, s 1:50.3 clocking and could have gone faster if asked. The winning margin was almost four lengths, and he beat the likes of Illinois champions Fox Valley Landen and Fox Valley Gemini in a convincing manner.

Rock N Republic left hard from the outside eight-hole with Seekman, and was parked to a swift 26.3 first quarter to make the lead. He briefly was in second at the 55 half but then retook command and finished off the field with a 27.2 final panel.

Rock N Republic previously recorded a 1:51.3 mile as a 3-year-old at Scioto Downs and went one tick faster one year later with a 1:51.2 clocking at Hoosier Park. Nice miles but nothing like his romp on June 27th at Springfield, just his second start for Prather since sidelined for over three months.

The pacer’s lifetime earnings of $188,188 and a record of 24 wins in 75 tries are solid numbers but would have been far greater if it wasn’t for earlier health issues, Rock N Republic only competed six times in his sophomore season, winning four of them, and only had another half-dozen starts as a 5-year-old, finishing first three times and still banking just under $45,000 in those two short seasons.

Rock N Republic will start today from the outside five post. The first four slots will be manned by Dandy’s Freedom (Casey Leonard), a Cardinal division titleholder, Skyway Goliath (Issac Love), Sleazyandincharge (Wyatt Avenatti), and Fox Valley Cayman (Cordarius Stewart).

The co-featured conditioned trot came up with a robust field of eight, headed by last year’s Illinois older division titleholder Marvelous Mystery to be driven by her trainer Curt Grummel. The 5-year-old trotting mare is looking for her third consecutive win when she leaves from the six-slot.

Both recent Violet trot champions What A Legacy (Mike Brink) and Kays In Charge (Casey Leonard) are among her challengers, What A Legacy drew nicely with the rail and Kays In Charge, who likes to race up-close is in good shape with the four.

Peekaboo Sal (Wyatt Avenatti), High Class Heidi (Jordan Patton), Gypsy Rose Lou (Juan Franco), Lous Amazon (Wyatt Avenatti) and Luling City (Jerome Daniels) round out the third race field.

t’s not often a harness horse substantially lowers his lifetime mark a 7-year-old for a new barn nevertheless that was the case for the Rock N Republic, now trained by veteran Illinois horseman Nick Prather who took over as the lessee on the Pet Rock gelding at the start of the year.

Peekaboo Sal (Wyatt Avenatti), High Class Heidi (Jordan Patton), Gypsy Rose Lou (Juan Franco), Lous Amazon (Wyatt Avenatti) and Luling City (Jerome Daniels) round out the third race field.

Travis Seekman is back to guide Rock N Republic in Thursday’s co-featured 13th race, a conditioned event that carries a modest $5,000 purse for a strong five-horse field mostly with 3-year-old Illinois bred pacers.

Peekaboo Sal (Wyatt Avenatti), High Class Heidi (Jordan Patton), Gypsy Rose Lou (Juan Franco), Lous Amazon (Wyatt Avenatti) and Luling City (Jerome Daniels) round out the third race field.

2025 IHHA Election Update

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 20:00:00 GMT

IHHA Election Details Announced

The following members filed nominating petitions seeking election or re-election to the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association Board of Directors.

David Brink

Marty Engel

Gerry Hansen

Casey Leonard

Since there were only four candidates for the five openings on the board, the candidates will be named as directors by acclamation at the annual August meeting. Soon, all voting members will be mailed a form asking for your proxy and consent of the candidates who did file petitions for the available board seats.

Freddie Lee Patton Sr. Passes Away

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 15:55:14 GMT

Freddie Lee Patton Sr. has passed away. Read the details here. Obituary | Freddie Lee Patton, Sr. | JACKSON MEMORIAL FUNERAL SERVICE

Patton family freshmen show potential

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 13:13:51 GMT

Patton family freshmen show potential

Freddie Patton Jr, a recent inductee into the Illinois Harness Racing Hall of Fame, gets one of his youngsters ready to race. (Al Brodsky Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

Even though it’s very early in the Illinois season for 2-year-olds, the Patton family has to be all smiles when it comes to their freshmen horses.

At the recent Illinois Preview for juvenile trotters and pacers, Jamaica Patton sent out a pair of 2-year-olds and they both won. His uncle Freddie Patton Jr. had three young starters go postward and two were victorious. Freddie’s filly pacer Variant has stayed unbeaten in her young career and shows plenty of potential.

All four of the Patton clan’s freshmen horses followed with wins at the Newton County Fair last week.

Jamaica might have a talent youngster in Go Go Go Chrome who followed his triumph at Springfield with a romping 8 and one-half length win at Newton. The time of 2:08.2 was raced on a “good” half mile dirt surface. Go Go Go Chrome was a 2:01.1 winner at Springfield, dominating by eight and one-half for driver Archie Buford.

Go Go Go Chrome chalked up another win with Buford yesterday at Rushville with a time of 2:09 flat.

“Dr. McClain, who does the “breaking” on all my youngsters was high of Go Go Go Chrome from day one. He’s a nice friendly horse and he does everything you want him to do. I have his mother (My Mini Snickers) too. Her first foal is One Trip Chip who took a mark for me of 1:57.4 as a 2-year-old.”

Jamaica’s other winner at the Illinois 2-year-old Preview was No Flies On Me and she was a dozen lengths the best in the first freshman filly trot division with a 2:04 clocking. The daughter of New Balance then preceded to win in 2:10 on a drying-out racing surface at Newton. The filly made it three consecutive wins with an easy victory yesterday with Buford at the Rushville Fair by about eight lengths in 2:08 flat.

We’re only in the first week of July, however Freddie’s 2-year-old filly Vibrant has already chalked up four first place finishes in as many tries and has shown she could very well be a budding Illinois juvenile star.

Owned by her breeder Bart Seales of Mason, Il, the daughter of Fort Knox captured her debut at the Carrollton Fair in 2:10 with a 28.4 last quarter. The Carlinville Fair was next and the filly no doubt raised a few eyebrows when she drew off by 17 and one-half lengths in 2:04.

Vibrant knocked more than five seconds off that time when she posted a 1:58.1 (27.1 last panel) mile at Springfield, six lengths ahead of the rest of the field with family member Jordan Patton in the bike.

This past Tuesday Freddie had her on the Illinois County Fair circuit at Rushville where she breezed in no-about-it-fashion by almost 10 lengths with Jordan at her lines. The time was 2:05.1.

After a pair of second place finishes in her first two starts, JNM Vigin Star, a daughter of Somestarsomewhere, has rattled off three consecutive triumphs for Freddie, winning on 2-year-ods Preview Day by more than six lengths (1:59.3) and by almost five lengths (2:05.4) at Newton, both with Jordan driving.

Illinois filly trot comes up strong

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 12:51:54 GMT

Illinois filly trot comes up strong

Casey Leonard continued his hot start at Springfield by driving six more winners on Friday’s program (Terry Young Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

While the Illinois 3-year-old filly trot division is going for a lot less money this week than a week earlier, there’s a lot of pride on the line and a possible effect on late season division honors when they tangle in Saturday’s feature race.

The $6,600 ninth race conditioned trot lured not only both recent $47,947 Violet division stake winners Kays In Charge and Whata Legacy, but last year’s champion Lou’s My Number and a Violet division runner-up in Gypsy Rose Lou, unraced as a freshman

Kays In Charge will carry a four-race winning streak Saturday contest however the draw wasn’t kind to the Can’t Afford It filly who landed the seven-slot in an eight horse field. In her Violet division she had the three post and Lou’s My Number the seven, nevertheless driver Marcus Miller gave up the front to the Steve Searle filly, took the pocket, and zipped past rather easily in the lane with a 1:56.3 mile.

Casey Leonard had his choice to guide either filly today and as he did in the Violet and again chose Lou’s My Number who was a model of consistency for Casey as a freshman, hauling in over $168,000 and finishing first or second in 10 of 11 outings.

Kays In Charge will be handled for the first time by Wyatt Avenatti, her fourth different driver in five unbeaten season starts.

What A Legacy had trouble at times staying on stride in her juvenile campaign but when she did, the filly did perform very well for trainer Mike Brink, banking almost $85,000 in 2024. Brink kept flat a week ago and coasted to a 1:57.2 triumph. The Lou’s Legacy filly has post six Saturday.

Young Illinois trotting guru Curt Grummel will have a one-two punch going postward in the feature. He’ll steer Almost Home away from the rail and now turns over the lines on the less experienced Gypsy Rose Lou (post five), to Kyle Husted. Another Lou’s Legacy filly, Gypsy Rise Lou has been second in all three of her career starts, the last to Kays In Charge,

Almost Home had just one victory for the Grummel stable as a freshman, however it came in a leg of the Fox Valley Flan her last start as a 2-year-old, she did beat Lous My Number in it. The daughter of New Jersey Viking was second in her sophomore debut and took third in her Violet despite a not-so-easy trip from the six slot.

Toughestofthetough (Juan Franco) toppled Lous My Number in late May at Springfield before taking the runner-up role to Kays In Charge’s Downstate Classic win at Decatur earlier this month.

High Class Heidi (Jordan Patton) and Modern Luxury (Clay Simpson) are the longshot aspirants.

Saturday’s contest for ICF 3-year-old colts and geldings will see the Tom Simmons stable’s Frontier Macho (Casey Leonard) try to buck the outside seven-slot and make it five-for-five to start off his second season.

Frontier Macho’s main threats appear to be from the three inside trotters, Mustang Danny (Travis Seekman), Sunburnt Silverado (Grummel) and One Trip Chip (Archie Buford). Shady Maple Becker (Wyatt Avenatti), Moon Face Boy (Jordan Patton), and Hopes De Vie (Cordarius Stewart) complete the seventh race field.

A race earlier, defending aged trotting mare division champ Marvelous Mystery (Grummel)) and 2023 Illinois Horse of the Year Goomster (Seekman) will oppose each other in a condition trot that also lured Lous Mandalorian, Loulita, Dirty Money and Perlucky.

Make That 10 Straight: Defending Illinois Horse of the Year Cash Money Twenty came on with a rush in the lane to chalk up his tenth consecutive victory Friday with a 1:53 flat mile.

Driver Casey Leonard was content to race his talented 3-year-old in fourth through most of the going and waited until midway in the last turn for more from the star of the Mike Brink stable and a gelded son of Stevensville responded. Dandy’s Freedom (Seekman) came up strong in the lane to finish second.

Friday’s fastest mile belonged to Rock N Republic (Seekman). The 7-year-old Nick Prather trained gelding lowered his lifetime best with a 1:50.3 clocking

Marcus drives four stake champions

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 20:12:32 GMT

New Title

They're and racing at Springfield. (Patricia Fryman Photography)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Marcus Miller made a triumphant return to his old “home” track by driving four winning horses at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Friday’s Violet and Cardinal stakes for Illinois bred 3-year-old pacers and trotters.

The 36-year-old Miller grew up in nearby Sherman, IL and spent a good portion of his early driving years competing at the Springfield facility before heading out to the east coast.

Marcus won with Kays In Charge, Louise’s Legacy, Fox Valley Jasmine, and Dialogue.

The much-anticipated duel between the top-rated pair of state-bred sophomore trotting fillies turned out to be a convincing victory for Kays In Charge, nicely handled by Miller, over the third-place finisher Lous My Number (Casey Leonard) in the second Violet split.

Both fillies, along with the runner-up Gypsy Rose Lou (Curt Grummel), left hard with last year’s champion Lous My Number making the top and Kays In Charge taking the winning pocket trip. The Tom Simmons trained Kays In Charge motored past in the stretch while taking a new lifetime mark of 1:56.3 for owner Marty Engel of Northbrook, IL

What A Legacy, driven by her trainer Mike Brink, showed what she can do with a flat mile, and powered her way to a comfortable win in the first division of the Violet for ICF 3-year-old trotting fillies.

The daughter of Lou’s Legacy raced first over to the front-stepping Almost Home (Miller) and still easily zipped past in the lane. Lous Avalon (Wyatt Avenatti) came on for second in the 1:57.2 mile.

The $47,747 divisions of the Cardinal trots were next, and Marcus was back in the winner’s circle after guiding last season’s freshman champ Louise’s Legacy to his sixth consecutive triumph in the first split. The pacesetter One Trip Chip (Archie Buford) took the bridesmaid role.

The Tom Simmons trained Frontier Macho (Casey Leonard) was all-out to remain unbeaten in 2025, holding off the late rushes of Sunburnt Silverado (Miller) and DJ’s Midnight (Mike Cox).

An early move from sixth to first put Frontier Macho in command where he was well rated to his fourth straight win, this one in 1:57.4, a new mark for the son of Class Included.

A trio of $33,341 divisions of the Violet pace followed.

Driver Wyatt Avenatti hustled Fox Valley Starlet out from the 7-slot with a 27.2 first panel and the Rob Rittof trainee has no trouble going wire-to-wire in 1:53.3, a career fastest mile. Robintino (Miller) came on strong in the late going to grab second.

Marcus used a backside move for his pacer to grind his way to the front with Fox Valley Jamine where the Erv Miller trained filly had more than enough in the tank to put away the second Violet split with a 1:55.4 clocking. I Love My Captain (Travis Seekman) was second best over a late-closing Jezibell Mooss (Juan Franco).

Defending filly titleholder Thebeauitfulthings made her first start of the year against Illinois breds an easy victory for driver Kyle Husted, despite being used a couple of times.

The Amy Husted trained filly had been racing in Canada against the best open company distaffers in North America in the Fan Hanover. Under a hold at the end of a 1:55 mile. Thebeautifulthings was four-plus lengths the best Friday.

Three $331,165 groupings of the Cardinal pace for colts and geldings concluded the 10-race program.

Marcus perfectly rated Dialogue to his 1:52.3 mile and ended Battlin Bob’s (Travis Seekman) three race winning streak in the first division, Miller used the rail to get command and Dialogue, from the barn of trainer Kimberley Roth, sped to a 27.1 first panel and paced a 27 flat last quarter to seal the one-length victory.

Casey Leonard gave Dandy’s Freedom an up-close journey and the Terry Leonard trained gelding responded with a 1:54 flat victory in the second Cardinal division, more than a full second off the homebred’s previous fastest mile.

As expected, the 2024 Illinois Horse of the Year Cash Money Twenty drew off to give Casey a driving triple for the day in the third heat. The 1:53.1 mile was the Mike Brink trainee’s 13th win in 14 trips to the starting gate. Jim’s Big Boy (Archie Buford) had a big effort to finish second.

A delayed Springfield will open with a bang

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 12:58:04 GMT

A delayed Springfield will open with a bang

Regular driver Travis Seekman will guide Battlin Bob in Friday’s first division of the $33,165 Cardinal stake at Springfield. (Terry Young Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

Hawthorne’s harness racing meet at Springfield opens with a delayed bang Friday with a bevy of stake events for ICF 3-year-old trotters and pacers of both sexes. The Violet and Cardinal pacing events were split with the abundance of entries for the first major added event for state-bred horses.

The Cardinal pace for sophomore colts and geldings lured 24 entries necessitating three divisions with a $33,431 purse on each. Likewise, the Violet for state-bred filly pacers saw 22 three-year-olds pass the entry box, again requiring a trio of $30,066 stake divisions.

The Cardinal and Violet trots each landed 16 horses and will be contested in a pair of $47,747 divisions each.

All of the “big names” in the 3-year-old male pacing division will be in action today on the Illinois State Fairgrounds big mile track including the Mike Brink stable’s Cash Money Twenty who not only took division honors in his first racing season but his gaudy juvenile record of 11 wins in 12 starts, including the $206,253, Incredible Finale final on Hawthorne’s Night of Champions, a first season mark of 1:50, and a first season bankroll of $226,545 boosted the young phenom to the 2024 Illinois Harness Horse of the Year honors.

Regular driver Casey Leonard, who last year secured a share of Cash Money Twenty from the principal owners Heart and Soul Racing of Des Moines, Iowa, will leave from the rail in the tenth race, third grouping of the Cardinal.

Back defending her title as the top filly pacer in her division is the Amy Husted stable’s Thebeautifulthings who again will be driven by her husband Kyle in the third Violet division. After losing her freshman opener, the talented filly rattled off eight consecutive triumphs in her initial campaign, topped off with the $224,623 Incredible Tillie title on Hawthorne’s Night of Champions.

Thebeautifulthings is seeking her first win of the year. Her first four starts have been in open company, the last couple in the prestigious Fan Hanover series in Canada. She made the $288,000 championship field with a third-place finish in her elimination, timed in 1:51.1, but was never in position to contend in the final.

Thebeautifulthing’s main threat today come from the speedster Wildcat Abby (Cordarius Stewart), trained by Roshun Trigg, The Captain Trevor filly won her Downstate Classic divisions by a widening 18 lengths. She drew outside today, but the filly can get away from the starting gate in a hurry.

The second division of Violet trot drew both last year’s champ Lou’s By Number and recent Downstate Classic victor Kays In Charge. Casey chose to drive Lou’s My Number and Marcus Miller has taken over the lines on Kays In Charge, unbeaten in three outings as a 3-year-old. Kays In Charge landed inside of her main rival (four-post to the seven-slot), and that could give the edge to the Tom Simmons trainee to dictate the fractions.

Marcus also takes back the lines in the first Cardinal trot grouping on freshman champ Louise’s Legacy, who was driven by Casey in his recent Downstate Classic victory. Miller handled the Erv Miller trainee in the latter part of the gelding’s first season, including the horse’s Kadabra championship.

First post Friday is 10:30 a.m. Rain pushed back Wednesday’s scheduled opener to today. The scheduled Friday program will follow the conclusion of today’s Violet and Cardinal stake events.

A delayed Springfield will open with a bang

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 12:42:42 GMT

A delayed Springfield will open with a bang

Regular driver Travis Seekman will guide Battlin Bob in Friday’s first division of the $33,165 Cardinal stake at Springfield. (Terry Young Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

The Cardinal pace for sophomore colts and geldings lured 24 ries, necessitating three divisions with a $33,165 purse on each. Likewise, the Violet for state-bred filly pacers saw 22 three-year-olds pass the entry box, again requiring a trio of $33431 stake divisions.

The Cardinal and Violet trots each landed 16 horses and will be contested in a pair of $47,747 divisions each.

Thebeautifulthing’s main threat today could come from the speedster Wildcat Abby (Cordarius Stewart), trained by Roshun Trigg, The Captain Trevor filly won her Downstate Classic divisions by a widening 18 lengths. She drew outside today, but the filly can get away from the starting gate in a hurry.

First post Friday is 10:30 a.m. Rain pushed back Wednesday’s scheduled opener to today. The scheduled Friday program will follow the conclusion of today’s Violet and Cardinal stake events.

Illinois 2-year-olds get their chance

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 14 Jun 2025 13:45:10 GMT

Illinois 2-year-olds get their chance

Juan Franco will be driving the Gary Rath stable’s first-time starter DNT Touchemymooss in today’s Illinois 2-year-old Preview at Springfield. (Terry Young Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

The long and unpredictable road begins Saturday for 144 state bred juvenile colts and fillies with the well-liked Illinois Preview for two-year-olds.

The vast majority of today’s hopefuls will be competing for the very first time and being inexperienced about racing you can expect the unexpected, hopefully of the good variety.

A 12-race program, each with a $3,896 purse, will be contested on the Illinois Fairgrounds at Springfield with its mile dirt oval and its wide pair of turns making it much easier for those youngsters who have maneuvered the tight turns on Country Fair tracks the past few weeks,

Needless to say, there is no wagering on today’s freshmen Preview with so many first-time starters.

We did come up with some tidbits that you might find interesting:

The Kevin Miller trained 2-year-old filly pacer Fox Valley Barbie, winner of her last two races by a combined 17-plus lengths, is the younger sister of Erv Miller’s Fox Valley Barbie who came in from Ohio with a victory and two days ago won a Downstate Classic in 2:02.2 on the Decatur fair track.

Speaking of easy wins, the Freddie Patton Jr’s Variant (Jordan Patton) won at Carlinville earlier this month by over 17 lengths in 2:04, making her 2-for-2 at the age of two.

The Dave Avenatti stable’s Shady Maple Caddy (Wyatt Avenatti) carries a three-race unbeaten streak into today’s first race filly trot, the last couple by a combined 21 lengths.

Stevanna Turner’s Incredible Stevie (Brandon Bates) seeks her fourth in a row in the first division of the colt and gelding pace for trainer Mike Rogers. The Sagebrush homebred is a half starter to Incredible Filly, winner over $100,000 lifetime and 30 career victories for Turner

Four of the six starters in the second male pace division are sons of Illinois sire of the year Somestarsomewhere: Somenthkmorestars ($26.000), Designedtobeastar ($25,000); Fox Valley Quincy ($22,000), and Fox Valley Endzone ($15,000) “Quincy’s” dam Kimmy has long ties to the Illinois breeding program. Kammy’s first foal back in 2015 was Fox Valley Hijinx (1:51.3). Next came Lilly Von Shtupp (1:52.3). Later she had Fox ValleyPatriot (1:51.3). All three made over six figures in their careers.

Conditioner Mike Brink’s freshman stablemate Captain Gal, who has the rail in the fourth 2-year-old filly grouping of pacers sold for $30,000 at the Walker sale as a yearling. She’s by Captain Trevor, out of the Jate Lobell broodmare Grandiose

A second 2-year-old Preview, hosted by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, will be held a week from today (June 21) at the Fairgrounds. The draw for Hawthorne’s opening week program at Springfield is Monday, June 16th. Horseman can contact Hawthorne’s Race Office to enter or go online to do so for the 3-year-old Violet and Cardinal stakes of both gaits.

Summer Racing Returns

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 15:28:30 GMT

Summer Racing Returns

Livestreaming of our races will be available again this year through our partnership with " Trot and Pace Marketing ." Click here to go to their YouTube channel. Trot and Pace Marketing - YouTube You can follow this link to watch the replays, usually available the following day. Trot and Pace Marketing See below for programs. Enjoy!

Programs for the qualifiers and programs for the purse races can be found here.

Friday, July 25 Springfield qualifiers

Friday, July 25 Springfield races

Thursday, July 17 Du Quoin qualifiers

Thursday, July 17 Du Quoin races

Friday, July 18 Du Quoin races
Thursday, July 10, Du Quoin races

Thursday, July 10 Du Quoin qualifiers

Friday, July 11, Du Quoin races

Springfield 6-28 races

Springfield 6-27 races

Springfield 6-27 qualifiers

Springfield 6-20 races (first card, last five races cancelled)

Springfield 6-20 races

Springfield 6-21 races

Springfield 6-21 qualifiers

Springfield 6-18 races

Springfield 6-13 races

Springfield 6-13 qualifiers

Springfield 6-14 races

Springfield 6-14 qualifiers

Springfield 5-21 QUAL PAGES.pdf

Springfield 5-21 PURSE RACE PAGES.pdf

Springfield Qua Program 5-13-2025.pdf

Springfield Purse Program 5-13-2025.pdf

Have yourself a Classic day Casey

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 13:40:21 GMT

Have yourself a Classic day Casey

Casey Leonard drove five of the 9 winning horses on Wednesday’s Downstate Classic at Decatur for ICF 3-year-old pacers and trotters. (Al Brodsky Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

The third time is said to be the charm. Evidently that’s not always the case. It took a fourth attempt to successfully get the Downstate Classics for ICF 3-year-olds of both gaits and sexes raced at the Macon Country Fair n the Decatur racetrack.

Let’s put the blame for delays squarely on the shoulders of our Illinois weathermen. They couldn’t keep the rain away (almost 6 inches since last week). Hence the constant postponements and rescheduling of the Decatur dates.

The good news is that Downstate Classics for sophomores is now in the rear-view mirror thanks to the hard work of the Macon County Fair track crew and much to the delight of driver Casey Leonard who drove five Classic champions on Wednesday’s nine-race program, and they came early and often for the 47-year-old Harvard, Illinois horseman.

Last year’s champion Kays in Charge certainly was in charge in the first $13,633-year-old filly trot division, blowing past Toughestofthetough (Juan Franco) in the lane to post her third consecutive win of the year, this one in 2:04.1 on the half-mile dirt track.

The winning Can’t Afford It filly is owned by the Marty Engel Stable of Northbrook IL and trained by Tom Simmons of Springfield, IL

Casey was back in the winner’s circle when freshman champ Illinois bred Lou My Number used a second over trip to breeze by about five lengths in 2:04.2 in the following split for conditioner and co-owner Steve Searle of Grant Park, IL Pacesetter Gypsy Rose Lou (Curt Grummel) was second best.

Back to greet the judges again was Casey, a one-length winner behind titleholder Louise’s Legacy in the initial $12,263 Downstate Classic of sophomore male trotters. The 2:06 mile was the son of Lou’s Legacy fourth in a row for the Erv Miller stable and his seventh in 14 career trips to the starting gate.

It was Casey again getting the job done in the second colt and gelding trotting t Classic, this time coming from fourth and last to breeze in 2:05.1 for trainer Tom Simmons, keeping the Frontier Farms of Illinois bred youngster unbeaten in his first three starts of the year

The first of a trio of $9,792 second season filly pacers were next and Fox Valley Starlet, nicely handled by Wyatt Avenatti, ended Casey’s winning streak and did it in a convincing manner, timed in 2:00 flat on a track listed “good.” The Rob Rittof trained filly crushed the field by almost 16 lengths over runner-up Lady Ksenia, steered by Casey.

One race later Casey took the longer route with Fox Valley Jasmine and still proved best, his fifth Classic triumph with the Erv Miller trainee, battling the inside 3-year-old Fox Valley Groupie (Travis Seekman) first over from the 1:02 half on. It was a narrow but compelling victory for Fox Valley Jasmin, who needed his season start three weeks ago.

The third filly division was strictly no contest as Wildcat Abby (Cordarius Stewart) blew away the field when she romped to her 12th lifetime triumph in a snappy time of 1:59.2 by a widening 18 lengths for trainer Roshun Trigg and Mississippi owner Tim Williams.

Erv Miller’s Fox Valley Pepper had little trouble following his last month’s win in Ohio with an easy triumph in the first of a pair of $13,863 Classics for 3-year-old male pacers, timed in 2:02.2

The Hart Walker stables’ Battlin Bob stayed perfect in his second season with a comfortable six length victory in 2:01.4, perfectly rated on the front end by driver Travis Seekman. The pocket horse Fox Valley Boxer (Casey Leonard) settled for second in the final Downstate Classic of the day.

In his nine Downstate Classic drives, Casey had five winners, three seconds and a third.

Marcus at home and loving it

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 14:08:18 GMT

Marcus at home and loving it

No place like home for Marcus Miller (Miller family photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Being a professional harness racing driver has gone full circle for Marcus Miller, and no one is happier about it than the 35-year-old Illinois native himself. “I’m having a good time being back near my roots,” said Marcus.

“Circumstances brought me back here last year and I really enjoyed it. Nevertheless, the traveling from the east coast to the Midwest week after week took a toll on me. Now that we moved (in December) to Indiana, it has meant a lot more time with the wife, the kids and some old friends. We’re only a half-hour drive from Hoosier in one direction and the Indiana State Fairgrounds in the other. And now I’m picking up more and more drives and doing well.”

Marcus is currently fourth with 58 dash winners at Indiana’s Hoosier and tied for fifth with his brother-in-law Atlee Bender at Oak Grove in Kentucky.

Even with his strong family background, Marcus wasn’t certain he wanted to be a harness racing driver “until 13 or 14 years-old,” and when he decided that was his calling, his dad trainer Erv Miller made sure it wouldn’t be easy journey for his son.

“I started out like any other young guy wanting to drive horses. I worked for a year as a groom,” continued Marcus. “Dad had me mucking stalls and doing all the dirty work that comes with the job. When I wanted a chance to drive, he pointed me to the Illinois county racing circuit to learn.”

Nevertheless, the “tough love” from his dad paid off. The soft-spoken youngster came to the Chicago circuit with some skills and knowledge, and was hungry to learn more, and he did.

By the time the likeable young man left the Midwest for Pennsylvania in 2013 he was a “Rising Star” on the Illinois circuit. He won driving titles at Balmoral and Maywood, racked up 1,975 winning drives including a one-time season best of 501 in 2011, and banked over 10 million dollars in money won.

But it was time for a move and as it turned out with the demise of Illinois’ harness racing on the horizon, a wise decision for Marcus who left here single and engaged and returned married with two young boys, ages 3 and 7.

“I grew up in the Midwest and I wanted my boys to do the same,” continued the prairie state native who spent the first 20 years or so of his life in Sherman, right down the road from the Illinois State Fair Grounds in Springfield. “My wife Sara and I always talked about coming back to the Midwest where she was also raised and this was the time to do it.

“When my brother-in-law Atlee got hurt in a spill last year. I filled in the best I could for him with dad’s (trainer Erv Miller) horses in Indiana and Illinois. And my sister Hanna (a two-time Amateur Driver of the Year) had a baby girl, so it made sense to be return now and give the family kids a chance to grow up together.”

As for his 14 years on the east coast, minus the traveling, Marcus thoroughly relished it. “I’ve driven against some of the best drivers in the country, raced in New York and Pennsylvania Sire stakes, and competed on racetracks across the east coast. I’ve learned a lot and met many great people. The money was good, and it put me in the position to buy a house in Indiana that Sara and I really fell in love with.”

With over 4,800 career winning drives and horses Marcus has driven earning in excess of 60 million dollars, there was only one drawback from continuing to stay out east.

“In the 14 years I was there, it just really never felt like home. Now that’s changed. Family, friends and a place I feel like its home. It doesn’t get any better than this”

Downstate Classics Wednesday: More than $95,000 in purse money will be on the line Wednesday evening when the Decatur County Fair hosts the Downstate Classic for ICF 3-year-old trotters and pacers. The nine-race program gets under way at 4:30 pm, Central Daylight Time.

Two-year-old champion Louise’s Legacy heads up the first $12,263 division for colt and gelding trotters while his female counterpart Lou’s My Number goes postward in the second $13,263 filly split. Casey Leonard will drive both award-winning trotters.

Legislative Update: Summer Work Ahead For SB1473

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 14:58:12 GMT

Dear IHHA Members,

As the spring session of the Illinois General Assembly wraps up, I want to give you a clear and honest update on our legislative efforts.

While SB 1473 did not pass before adjournment and bridge funding was not secured, we made significant progress. With your support and the strategic collaboration of Revolutionary Racing, SB 1473 advanced out of the Senate Executive Committee and is now on 3rd Reading—marking the first standalone gaming bill to pass committee in Illinois in a decade.

This is meaningful progress and sets the stage for action during the fall veto session.

Conor Lucas of Revolutionary Racing summed it up well:

“After a well-devised plan in conjunction with the horsemen, we were able to pass SB 1473 out of Senate Executive Committee to 3rd Reading. While this may not seem important, it is the first standalone gaming bill to pass committee in 10 years. Decatur Downs is committed to working through the summer into the fall with House and Senate leadership to negotiate a gaming bill with the other gaming interests in Illinois.”

Our chief sponsor, Senator Patrick Joyce, reaffirmed his commitment as well:

“My support for the harness racing industry is as strong as ever. I’m committed to the work of passing this legislation.”

All parties are aligned to keep working this summer. We’ll continue to push forward to ensure this critical legislation crosses the finish line during veto session.

Thank you for everything you’ve done to help us get this far. We’re not done yet—but we are in a much stronger position than ever before.

Sincerely,

Jeff Davis

President, Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association

Jamaica ascending to his goal

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Wed, 28 May 2025 13:52:41 GMT

Jamaica ascending to his goal

Illinois based horseman Jamaica Patton is closing in on 1,000 wins as a driver. (Terry Young Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

The years flash by for all of us and Springfield based trainer horseman Jamaica Patton is no exception. The one-time upcoming driver now can be considered a prominent veteran on the Illinois circuit after nearly 30 years of toiling at his profession.

“It doesn’t seem like I’ve been at this that long,” said the 44-year-old Mississippi native who now sports shades of grey in his facial hair. “It’s turning white,” said Jamaica, laughing out loud. “I love my job. I’ve wanted to drive horses since I was a kid and now, I’m closing in on my goal to have 1,000 winning drives.

Jamaica entered this week with 987 victories, a long climb from going 2-for-12 back in 1997 at the age of 17, his first year as a driver. He’s been at the lines of nearly 5,500 horses going to the starting gate.

Of all the statistics you can associate with driver or trainer, any horseman will tell you the most important is: “Money Won.” And Jamaica finished his 28th season last year with a personal career best of $578,363 in purse money attained, $100,000 higher than his previous best a year earlier. The likeable Rochester, IL resident also had 81 first place finishes, just two shy of his highest total recorded in 2022.

“Every season I try to do a little better than I did the previous year,” continued Jamaica. “The year 2022 was a good one for me. I had my most driving wins that season (74) and horses I drove did very well ($350,360) in purse money

Jamaica currently has 45 horses in his barn with the Illinois bred pacers Fox Valley Langley and Hypeyourbestieup the cream of the crop.

An 11,500 yearling purchase, the 4-year-old mare Hypeyourbestieup posted 13 victories in 23 trips postward as a 2-and 3-year-old and banked almost $165,000 for Patton, who shares ownership of the two-time Violet champion Somestarsomewhere filly with fellow Mississippian Cedric Daniels.

Fox Valley Langley was the 2022 Illinois two-year colt pacing champion when he captured 7 of 11 outings but broke a coffin bone and only went to the gate three times as a sophomore. The son of Somestarsomewhere was the only ICF pacer to beat the eventual 2023 division titleholder Fox Valley Landen that year and did it with a 1:51.4 clocking.

Fox Valley Langley is currently competing at Oak Ridge in Kentucky where the now 5-year-old recently posted a 1:52.3 triumph despite being impeded in a high-end conditioned pace with driver Geremy Bobbitt at the controls.

“I bought a quarter of Fox Valley Langley earlier this year,” said the Jackson, Mississippi native. “He’s been the horse with the most potential in my barn and I’m looking forward to a good season from him.”

Jamaica’s horses got their usual “R & R” this past winter and they weren’t the only ones to enjoy some time off. “From January through April I just drove a few horses,” said Patton. “I gave myself some time off as well.”

Spring is here and those relaxing days are over. It’s back to business as usual at the Jamaica Patton stable and no one is enjoying it more than the person in charge.

Townhall Meeting this Monday, May 26 at 7pm

Sat, 24 May 2025 22:17:00 GMT

REMINDER: SB1473 is in committee on Wednesday, May 28. It's important to file your witness slip now & share with friends, family, vets & suppliers. 2 mins to help save IL racing! If you support this legislation, click the box that reads "proponent."

 Click below to show your support.

https://my.ilga.gov/WitnessSlip/Create/160033?committeeHearingId=22224&LegislationId=160033&LegislationDocumentId=199821&SCommittees5%2F30%2F2025-page=1&committeeid=0&chamber=S&nodays=7&_=1748017921309

Also, we have scheduled a meeting for this Monday, May 26 at 7pm. See details below.

Popular Illinois Previews in history books

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 24 May 2025 13:00:17 GMT

Popular Illinois Previews in history books

Trainer Jerome Daniels brought home TVS Kosmac to win the first division of aged state-bred trotters Wednesday at Springfield. (Al Brodsky Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

After back-to-back postponements because of the aftereffects of rain, the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s second Spring Previews for Illinois bred pacers and trotters, ages three and up, got under way Wednesday with its lengthy 20 race program at Springfield’s Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Always a popular event for Illinois horsemen, the card, horses were sent out on the racetrack by groups according to age, sex and gait with a trio of ICF pacing fillies going postward first.

The first heat couldn’t have been any closer as the pacesetter Fox Valley Groupie (Travis Seekman) and the come-from behind pacer Fox Valley Starlet (Wyatt Avenatti) finished in a dead heat, both timed in 1:57.3. Jezibel Mooss (Juan Franco) was a close third.

Lotties Webb (Brandon Bates) overcame a first over journey to go two-for-two in her second season, nosing out Fox Valley My Girl (Jordan Patton) in the final strides of a 1:56.4 mile. Wildcat Abby (Cordarius Stewart), a 10-time winner as freshman, was well in hand at the end of her 1:55.1 front-stepping mile.

A quartet of second season state-bred male pacers were next. In the first event, nicely handled by catch-driver Travis Seekman, Fox Valley Stoli proved best (1:58.4) in his season debut. Not long after Seekman greeted the track photographer again when Battin Bob breezed in 1:55 flat racing on the front end. Fox Valley Boxer held off a late surge by Fox Valley Silent to give Travis another winner, this one by a long nose in 1:56 flat.

Cash Money Twenty’s season debut turned out to be a little more than a training mile for trainer Mike Brink with a 1:58.2 victory Steered by Brandon Bates with the absence of regular driver Casey Leonard, Cash Money Twenty was rough gaited behind the game, got off slowly and dropped into fourth. After a pedestrian 1:01.2 half, the Stevensville gelding sped the top and came home in 27 seconds.

A pair of 3-year-old filly trots saw Bates come right back and win with multi-stakes freshman champion Kays In Charge (1:59) in easy fashion in the first heat while Toughestofthetough (Juan Franco) overtook a tiring Lou’s My Number (Steve Searle) in the lane to win in 1:58. The latter cut a fast :55.3 first half in his season debut before fading.

Keep an eye on the Grummel family’s Sunburnt Silverado (Curt Grummel) in his sophomore season. The Lou’s Legacy trotting gelding looked very good in his 2025 debut, breezing in 1:58.2, seven lengths the best, and there was obviously plenty more left in the tank. The second division trot was an easy-going win for Frontier Macho in 1:58.4, Brandon Bates’ fourth winning drive of the program.

Three groupings of state-bred aged pacing mares took over the Springfield spotlight with the initial split going to Kizzzsmelikeumissme, well rated by Wyatt Avenatti in 1:54.3, knocking more than two seconds off the home-bred’s previous career mark. Seekman picked up another win driving Adalecia (1:53.4) in the second heat coming off the pace. There was no catching Filly’s Revenge as she again motored home in 1:54.2 for Avenatti in event three.

The complexion of the first division for aged ICF male pacers changed dramatically when the deservedly heralded Fox Valley Landen was scratched. That left the door open for Fox Valley Kodiak to step through it and make it back-to-back triumphs for the Nelson Willis family, this one in 1:57.2.

The second grouping also underwent a major overhaul when both multiple aged ICF aged horse champion He’zzz A Wise Sky, along with Doctor Cruise and Holden Steady, were excused from racing by the stewards and that made much it easier for Fox Valley Ramiro to repeat his previous Preview win, prevailing Wednesday in an uninspiring time of 1:57.4.

Aged Illinois trotters concluded the lengthy program with Marvelous Mystery (Curt Grummel) much the best in the first mare division in 1:57.4; Lolita (1:59.1) rather comfortably for Seekman, in the second mare confrontation, while the older trotting a fairs went to TVS Kosmac (Jerome Daniels) in 1:58.4 and, as expected, to Goomster (1:56.4) giving Seekman his seventh winning drive of the afternoon. Bates bagged five winners.

Proponents for Decatur racino make legislative push

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Fri, 23 May 2025 16:17:47 GMT

Proponents of proposed Decatur racino make late legislative push

Read the Pentagraph story here. Pantagraph story on Decatur Downs.pdf

https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/pantagraph.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/45/1457d4e9-e7fe-4e41-ac01-2f1ca0b09f41/68277461e859d.pdf.pdf

You can also find out who your Illinois legislator is by clicking here. Find My Elected Officials

Summer Racing Schedule Finalized

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Fri, 16 May 2025 17:35:09 GMT

Our 2025 racing schedule has been finalized. Click here to see the full calendar. 2025 dates calendar

Tom Shinn Passes Away

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Thu, 15 May 2025 21:06:50 GMT

Tom Shinn has passed away. Full obituary can be found by clicking here. https://www.crainfuneral.com/obituaries/Thomas-Eugene-Shinn?obId=42531238#/obituaryInfo

Illinois racing season under way with Previews

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Wed, 14 May 2025 13:40:28 GMT

Illinois racing season under way with Previews

They’re off at Springfield as the 2025 Illinois harness racing season got under way Tuesday with its Spring Previews (Patricia Fryman Photography)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.A.A.

The 2025 Illinois harness racing season got under way Tuesday afternoon in Springfield with its popular Spring Preview for state-bred horses ages three and up. With 108 entries, a 17-race program, each with an equally divided $4,126 purse was on the line at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

A trio of divisions for ICF 3-year-old filly pacers were first up on the Illinois Department of Agriculture program. A Very Nice Dandy, trained by Stanley Banks, came off the pace for driver Brandon Bates to gain a head decision over Captain’s Magic (Wyatt Avenatti) in 1:56.1.

Fox Valley Groupie (Travis Seekman) stalked Violet champion Fox Valley Starlet (Wyatt Avenatti) and brushed past in the lane to take the second split for trainer Hart Walker in 1:56.2. with a 27.1 last quarter. Brandon Bates gave the Stephan Halford II trained Lotties Webb a winning 1:55.3 journey in the third grouping.

The second season male pacers were next and in the first heat Hart Walker’s Battlin Bob (Travis Seekman) showed why he is one of the highly regarded sophomore state-bred pacers, easily prevailing in 1:54.3 in his season debut and doing it first-over. Fox Valley Boxer (Casey Leonard) was second best.

Sleazyandincharge (Wyatt Avenatti) benefitted from a very slow 32 second panel and held off the late charging Dandy’s Freedom (Casey Leonard), The Gary Rath trained youngster paced the mile in 2:00 flat. Jim’s Big Boy received a pocket trip from trainer Jamaica Patton and nailed Fox Valley Silent (Brandon Bates) in the final strides of a 1:55.3 mile. Jim’s Big Boy trotted a quick 26.2 last panel.

Multiple stakes titleholder Kays In Charge (Brandon Bates) was much the best for trainer Tom Simmons in the first of a pair of 3-year-old filly trotting divisions with a 1:59.4 clocking, The second split went to Toughestofthetough (Alexander Cante) who breezed in 1:58.3 for trainer Pete Leu.

Hopes De Ve, (Cordarius Stewart), from the barn of Roshun Trigg, collared Call Me Maevey (Travis Seekman) in the late going and pulled away to a 2:00.2 victory in a division of the 3-year-old state-bred colt and gelding trot. Brandon Bates gave the Tom Simmons trainee Frontier Macho and a two-hole trip, and the gelding responded with a career best 1:58.2 mile in his season debut. The pacesetter Shady Maple Becker was second best in the second division.

Nicely handled by Casey Leonard, Roan By Design chalked up her third consecutive victory of the season for trainer Leslie Miller in 1:54.1. The front-stepping Kizzzmelikeumissme (Wyatt Avenatti) took the bridesmaid role in the initial division of a trio of aged pacing mare events. The second group of mares saw Filly’s Revenge sprint to a fast 27 first quarter on her way to a 1:53.2 wire-to-wire triumph with Wyatt Avenatti for trainer John Fletcher. It was Matt Avenatti steering the Philip Cotton homebred Bingbingbing to a 1:53 front-end clocking in the fourth split.

The ICF older male pacers followed, and Fox Valley Kodiak (Juan Franco) indicated he is ready for his 4-year-old season, showing a big move and drawing away in a 1:54.2 mile for veteran trainer Nelson Willis. Brandon Bates nailed down his fifth winning drive of the day with Fox Valley Ramero who got away with an unhurried time of 1:28 flat on the front-end in the second split. Fox Valley Gemini had to settle for second in his debut as a 10-year-old.

A pair of aged trots wrapped up the long nearly five-hour program. Marvelous Mystery, well-handled by her trainer Curt Grummel, looked good capturing the older mare event in 1:56 flat by more than five lengths, her 17th victory in 29 career starts. The 2023 Illinois Harness Horse of the Year Goomster dominated the trot for older horses and geldings coasting to a five-length victory with regular driver Travis Seekman with a 1:56 flat mile. The Cassis gelding caught the field in the stretch and drew away under a hold for Illinois owner Dennis Gardner.

Battlin Bob preparing for 3-year-old debut

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Wed, 07 May 2025 14:15:04 GMT

Battlin Bob preparing for 3-year-old debut

The well-regarded ICF pacer Battlin Bob (Travis Seekman) will make his 3-year-old debut in the upcoming Spring Preview at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. (Bob Brodsky Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

The Spring Previews at the Illinois State Fairgrounds for ICF 3-year-ups and upward pacers and trotters are only two weeks away. It’s our first chance for the 2025 harness racing season to watch ICF horses compete.

Among the many prairie-state horses in training for their first start of the season on Tuesday, May 13th at Springfield is the well-regarded youngster Battlin Bob, the current pride of the Walker family.

“Yes, Battlin Bob will race in the Spring Preview,” said his trainer Hart Walker, who shares ownership with Robert Walker (Carrollton), Chas Walker (Edwardsville, and Robyn Klinger (Carrollton) as the only horse to defeat 2024 Illinois Horse of the Year Cash Money Twenty as a 2-year-old.

“Batlin Bob has been in training for hirs first start of the year and is coming along very well, continued the Jerseyville, Illinois resident. “I trained him last week at Springfield and was very pleased with him. Like most 3-year-olds, he’s filled out some over the winter and got a little taller.”

It wasn’t Battlin Bob’s recent growing physical attributes that brought more excitement into Hart’s voice. Instead, it was the horse’s newfound mental awareness.

“Mentally he’s matured,” continued Hart, who bred Battlin Bob along with his father Robert. “There were times last year that Battlin Bob would get aggressive out there. This year he seems to want to be more of a racehorse.”

And that could bode well down the line for the Walker’s.

The son of Somestarsomewhere out of the Walker’s former champion mare Bucklegirl Bobbette was one of the “big three” of the 20024 Illinois bred freshmen male crop—Cash Money Twenty, Battlin Bob and Dialogue.

Battlin Bob went postward 11 times as a freshman winning 5 of the events, to go along with 3 seconds and a pair of thirds. The young gelding earned nearly $90,000 and took his season mark of 1:51.3 last August at Du Quoin when he beat Cash Money Twenty by four open lengths in a $35,125 division of the Director’s Cup.

“That was an exciting race for us to watch”, said Hart who watched Battlin Bob and Cash Money Twenty race heads apart at the 55 first half before the Mike Brink trainee took over command. However, Battlin Bob battled back with a 27.3 last panel to take down the 1-5 public’s choice.

Cash Money Twenty went on to avenge that loss at Battlin Bob and rattled off seven consecutive triumphs, including a head victory over Dialogue in the $22,6545 Incredible Finale’s showdown last November on Hawthorne’s Night of Champions when Battlin Bob was third best.

“Cash Money Twenty, Battlin Bob and Dialogue are all nice horses,” continued Hart. “We’re all looking forward to seeing them go at it again as 3-year-olds.”

The only time Battlin Bob was “off the board” in his juvenile season was last October in leg 3 of the Incredible Finale series when he was knocked off stride at the start and ended up a far-back fifth. Ironically, Dialogue was impeded early in the same race, and was parked to out the first half, finishing a non-threatening fourth to the winner Dandy’s Freedom.

Former-Illinois Horse of Year looks to rebound

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 13:37:38 GMT

Former Illinois Horse of Year looks to rebound

The 2023 Illinois Harness Horse of the Year Goomster (Travis Seekman) looks to bounce back after a sub-par 2024 season for the trotter. (Terry Young Photo).

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

It’s often been said that being a trainer or owner of a Standardbred racehorse could be compared to being on a roller coaster with its ups and downs and bumps in the road.

A case in point is the former Illinois Harness Horse of the Year Goomster, owned by Dennis Gardner who also has shared in much the training of the talented trotter.

The Cassis gelding, out of the Muscle Hill mare Sheeza Muscle Girl had a spectacular 2-year-old season in 2022, finishing first or second in 9 of his 12 starts and earned over $120,000 for his West Salem, IL proprietor.

As a 3-year-old Goomster was even better, winning 16 of 21 outings, taking a mark of 1:52.4 at Springfield, and while banking $158,284. He was the no-doubt-about-it prairie state’s “King of the Hill.”

The talk of the Illinois harness racing circuit was expected to put up more good numbers at the age of four and while he didn’t have a bleak year, the horse’s record of 3 wins, 1 second, two thirds and a substantial plunge in purse money to $34,541 has to be called disappointing.

Goomster did capture an Open 3 event Hoosier Park last Spring and an Open 1 contest at Hawthorne in October, however he went off stride and finished up the track on the Night of Champions’ Plesac final and ended his 2024 campaign without getting a check in a pair of lower-level condition trots.

Goomster hasn’t raced since.

“We think last year Goomster ‘cast in stall” and might have hurt himself,” said Dennis.

For those not familiar with the term “a horse is cast,” and why it’s a concern for horsemen. A horse is considered cast when it lies down and can’t get its feet under it to stand up. Often, it’s because of being stuck against a wall or in a narrow space. The situation can be scary because a horse’s inability to rise might lead to serious health issues or injuries.

It appears that Goomster has avoided major health issues.

“I have given him all the time off he might have needed. He’s in-training and he looks like his old self. He’s been really good,” said Gardner..

We’re about three weeks away from his start back,” continued Dennis. “We’ve had a lot of rain down here (in southern Illinois) and that’s put my horses’ training about a week behind.”

During Goomster’s sensational 3-year-old campaign Gadner turned over the training duties to the Seekman’s and to say the least, the move turned out very well. The trotter went on to pretty much dominate the opposition, winning 8 more races with Travis in his sulky, to earn the title as the No. 1 harness horse in Illinois for 2023.

“Me and Travis has become very good friends,” continued Dennis. “We’ve gone fishing together and even bought some horses together. Of course, if those colts don’t turn out to be any good, it’s Travis’ fault,” added a laughing Gardner.

Another big score for Greg Kain’s star mare

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 13:40:07 GMT

Another big score for Greg Kain’s star mare

Scorecard Dandy (Kyle Wilfong) shows her winning form in the 2024 Tony Maurello Memorial stake at Hawthorne. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

“Steady as She Goes” was originally a phrase used for a ship that was sailing steadily; however, it can accurately be used for the racing career Scorecard Dandy, twice the Illinois aged pacing mare of the year.

Now seven, the one-time $12,000 yearling purchase for owners Green Acres (Gregory Kain) of Beecher, IL and Mike Klimas (Oak Lawn), IL, has career earnings of over $420,000 while winning 26 races and each year she has put a new lifetime mark on her card.

“If you look at her starts you can see she never comes up with a bad race,” said Kain, who trains the Sportsmaster mare, out of the Artiscape broodmare Mahna Mahna in her Illinois starts. “She always gives you a good effort.

“We’re a small stable,” continued Greg. “I’m an owner first. I’ve never felt comfortable enough to quit my day job. So, when I race Scorecard Dandy out of state, I always have a trainer at that track who I have confidence in takeover. It’s worked out well for us.”

Scorecard Dandy came off a three-week layoff to win a $30,000 Distaff Open at Oak Grove on April 14 for trainer John Filomeno. The mare finished a solid second, beaten one length in a 1:52 mile a week later in another $30,000 Kentucky Open, banking over $22,000 in her last two starts.

“I thought she raced great for John,” added Kain.

Scorecard Dandy was named the best in her Illinois bred division in 2024, a title she also won in 2022. She earned $100,750 last year and pulled in $126,535 in 2022. Her 2023 season was cut short in late August when she had over $77,000 on her card.

“The horse fractured a cannon bone in Minnesota, so we immediately stopped with her. She didn’t race again until early April of 2024 and she came back great. We do the same for any horse in our barn that comes up with a health issue.”

In the last few years Scorecard Dandy has competed successfully in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota and Ohio. “I try to slot her where she can do some good and she usually does.”

Most of Kain’s horses have the moniker “Scorecard” attached. What’s the reason?

“My partner Mike Klimas is known as Scorecard Mike. He’s a big Cubs fan and he always fills out a scorecard when he’s at a game. He’s been with me for a long while. He started out owning a quarter of a horse, then a half. It’s grown now to where Mike has half of every horse in the barn, and I appreciated that.”

Greg said he and Klimas spent quite a bit of time deciding if they should retire Scorecard Dandy and not race her this year.

“We didn’t want to cut her racing years short, because she’s been very good to us, but once you stop with a mare and start breeding her, that’s it. We thought she could give us one more good year.”

Going by Scorecard Dandy’s recent races in Kentucky, score that decision as very likely a wise one.

Wyatt Avenatti earned “Comeback Kid” title

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 13:29:51 GMT

Wyatt Avenatti earned “Comeback Kid” title

Wyatt Avenatti has come a long way from a few years ago to become a popular driver on the Illinois circuit. (Terry Young Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

By definition, “one who suffers significate setbacks yet still manages to return to a position of success is a Comeback Kid.” Those who have followed the career of Wyatt Avenatti know that the Illinois-based harness racing driver most certainly qualifies for the notable title.

The now 28-year-old resident of Chrisman, Illinois began driving horses in earnest in 2016 when he was 17 looking to follow in the footsteps his dad David and his grandfather Early Jr, both successful horsemen.

In his early driving career Wyatt competed mostly on the Illinois County Fair Circuit where his driving opportunities rose from a little over 200 a year to more than 300 while horses he steered made over $100,000 annually in 3 of his first 4 seasons

However, in 2020, the seemingly healthy 21-year-old got a “gut punch” when doctors diagnosed Wyatt with Hodgin’s lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system. Avenatti was told he had to immediately stop working and to begin Chemotherapy.

Wyatt quickly followed the doctors’ orders and thankfully he persevered with the help of his wife Kallie and became cancer-free. Nevertheless, he took a big hit that year in drives, with just 97, and financially, when horses he drove earned only $46,049.

It’s been a steady and successful comeback for Avenatti.

A year later Wyatt had over 100 more drives, 31 more winners and he was back to six figures in purse money won. In 2022 his drives jumped to 418 with 55 first place finishes and earnings increased by almost $125,000.

By 2023 Wyatt was given 594 opportunities behind the starting gate, producing 95 winners and his money earned climbed to $438,111. Last year was his largest jump in every personal category. He collected over 900 drives and came up with almost 100 more winners, while his money won total soared to $1.16 million. He also ended up with a very respectable UDRS of .351.

Any driver will tell it’s not just the number of drives accumulated in a racing season but getting better horses to be behind to achieve a productive career. Wyatt has been increasingly getting more opportunities on “good” horses.

One of Wyatt’s drives behind a “good” horse is the 5-year-old Kentucky bred gelding Great Seats who he shares ownership with Lane Avenatti. Great Seats has made a bit of a comeback himself.

Great Seats started his career going winless as a 2-year-old in 13 starts and made under $6,000. However, the pacer was a six-time winner in his sophomore season and banked more than $46,000. Last year the Sweet Lou gelding won 10 races, including a 1:50.4 mile in August at Springfield, and raked in over $72,000 for its proud owners. Great Seats won a pair of Opens and was second two other times at Hawthorne in his last six starts of 2024.

The Sweet Lou gelding is currently competing at Oak Grove Racing in Kentucky where he has won captured consecutive five figure conditioned events.

Great Seats was the second foal of the Roll With Joe broodmare That’s The Ticket. Her third foal is the 2024 Breeders Crown 2-year-old filly champion Miki And Minnie, a daughter of Always B Miki.

March Board Meeting Minutes

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 19:20:12 GMT

March Board Meeting Minutes

Good news for “Gemini” fans

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 13:27:35 GMT

Good news for “Gemini” fans

Long time ICF champion Fox Valley Gemini (Casey Leonard will return to race as a 10-year-old. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

How about some good news concerning Illinois harness racing? Three-time Illinois harness horse of the year Fox Valley Gemini will be back in competition in 2025, says his long-time driver and job-sharing conditioner Casey Leonard.

“Yes, Fox Valley Gemini will race as a 10-year-old,” said Casey. “He has been back on the racetrack preparing to compete He’s still sound. At his age he can’t go with the good ones out there like he did, but he will still give you all he’s got in a race,”

The Yankee Skyscraper gelding out of the Cole Muffler broodmare Epona will being a gaudy lifetime record of 64 first place finishes in 144 starts and $776,776 in purse earnings to the track when he does race, likely on Tuesday, May 13th and again eight days later on Wednesday, May 21st at Springfield in the Illinois Spring Preview for state-breds ages three and up.

The vast majority of Fox Valley Gemini’s plush bankroll came in his first six years of competition for his owner Jim Ballinger and Illinois Hall of Fame trainer Terry Leonard when he was hands down, the fan favorite of the Illinois harness racing circuit.

Fox Valley Gemini was a five-time winner in 21 starts as a nine-year-old, making a modest $36,303 with the state’s Standardbred’s purses are at embarrassing low levels. The gutsy veteran did uncork a 2024 season mark of 1:50.3 at Du Quoin in late July.

“I thought he was coming around when he paced that mile,” continued Casey, but he couldn’t sustain that kind of performance.”

With summer-time harness meet at Hawthorne apparently a thing of the past, racing at Springfield and Du Quoin, when it doesn’t rain, has been all that’s left for “Gemini” and his fellow Illinois bred horses.

Terry Leonard’s farm is in Harvey, Illinois, some 250 miles away from the Illinois State Fairgrounds and close to a 400-mile trip to the Southern Illinois scenic facility at Du Quoin, and those travelling distances haven’t aided the barn’s star pacer.

“Fox Valley Gemini never has been a good shipper,” added Casey.

While the gelding with a big heart is nearing the end of his racing career, he is a shoo-in to become a future inductee into the Illinois harness racing Hall of Fame.

Fox Valley Gemini didn’t wait long in his racing career to show he might be a “special” horse. He went nine-for-nine as a freshman and extended his unbeaten streak to 16 in a row before it ended with a second-place finish midway through his sophomore campaign.

Of all the horse’s many accomplishments, “Gemini’s” record six consecutive Night of Champions showdown triumphs (2017 through 2022) seals his status as one of Illinois all-time standout pacers.

Chicago Horseplayers May Get Shut Out

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 14:48:37 GMT

Chicago Horseplayers May Get Shut Out

Because of unpaid bills, Chicago horseplayers may not be able to wager on this year's Kentucky Derby. Click below for the two stories .

Like mother, like daughter

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 13:29:09 GMT

Like mother, like daughter

Lou’s My Number’s (Casey Leonard) win in the Violet stake reinforced her as the 2024 Illinois 2-year-old filly trotter of the year. (Four Footed Footed)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

The phrase “ like mother, like daughter” is a well-known idiom that in this case is being used to how a filly trotter has shown she has inherited the traits of her dam in a successful way.

You don’t often see a mother and her daughter both come up victorious in their most important race of their career however that rare feat was accomplished on Hawthorne’s Night of Champions when the Steve Searle trained Lou’s My Number captured the Fox Valley Flan Final.

The daughter of Searle’s Ants Iner Pants broodmare then one-upped her mom by going on to be named the best in the 2-year-old ICF filly trotting division with track record performances with regular driver Casey Leonard in the both the $144,637 “Flan” championship and in the $98,744 Violet final two weeks later.

“Just amazing,” quipped Searle. “To have them both win on the Night of Champions eight years apart is significant for me. Ants Iner Pants was the first real good horse that me and my father-in-law Tom Wisnieski owned and bred.”

Ants Iner Pants came off the pace in 2016 with Kyle Husted in the bike to capture the $50,000 Plesac stake. The Band’s Gold Chip mare raced from 2011 through $2017 for Searle and earned $300,706, a hefty sum for an Illinois bred trotter at that time. She chalked up 30 lifetime victories and went against some good state-bred mares like Sara The Spy, Trot Fudge Sunday, Macie Rae

“She had to race against some real good Illinois bred males, too,” continued Steve, referring to trotters like Picky Picky Valor, Rock Hollywood, Tricky Dick and Fox Valley Veto.

Just like her mom, and any Searle trained trotting youngster that showed early ability, Lou’s My Number followed the path of gaining experience at the County fairs, followed by Springfield and Du Quoin events, and then the bigger stakes at Balmoral or Hawthorne.

“She had to successfully achieve my three goals with young trotters: One, stay trotting. Two, get a (purse) check, and then 3, win a race. She passed those tests pretty quickly when she won a division of the First Lady in her third career start.”

A trio of bridesmaid finishes at Springfield followed in the $55,000 Illinois Department of Agriculture championship, a leg of the Fox Valley Flan, and an ICF juvenile contest during last October, Lous My Number ended her first season with three consecutive stake victories in November over her chief freshman rivals Kays In Charge and What A Legacy, posting $168,353 in purse earnings for Searle, and his partners Michael Buzzard, Chris Paloma, and Michael Paloma.

“In her wins on the Night of Champions and in the Violet she trotted in track record times (156.4 and 1:56.2) for an Illinois bred 2-year-old trotting filly,” added Steve.

“When Casey pulled her out for the stretch drive in the Violet, that was the fastest last sixteenth by a ICF freshman filly trotter that I ever seen,” added the proud horseman.

Lou’s My Number, one of four trotters to win on 2024 Night of Champions, has started preparation for her sophomore season.

“She’s gone in 2:30 as of now,” said Steve. “I’m in no rush with her. I recently made her eligible for this summer Downstate Classic, and of course she’s nominated to the stake races at Springfield, Du Quoin and Hawthorne.”

USTA Rule Update

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 18:05:17 GMT

The USTA has an updated rule regarding the frequency of racing two-year-olds.

At the 2025 USTA Board of Directors meeting, the following rule was passed regarding the racing of Two-Year-Olds: “Two-year-olds must have at least two days in between race days. No two-year-old shall be permitted to start in a heat or race exceeding one mile in distance and no two-year-old shall be permitted to race in more than one heat or dash in any single day. Starting any two-year-old in violation of this rule shall result in the horse being disqualified from the second start.”

Please note this rule replaces the frequency of starts rule listed in the Illinois Stakes Guide on p. 24. For example, if a horse was entered to race on Sunday, it would not be eligible to race again until Wednesday. In addition, if races were delayed a day due to rain, this rule would still be in effect and your horse would have to be scratched from one event or the other. The trainer/owner will decide the location of where they will scratch and will notify the officials at that event as soon as possible. If a scratch is required at a fair due to this rule, you will not be responsible for the entry or maintenance fee at the scratched location and the purse will be reduced by $50 per scratched horse. Please keep this new rule in mind when entering your two-year-olds. This rule change only affects two-year-olds. The frequency of starts rule as listed in the Illinois Stakes Guide will still be in place for all other ages.

Springfield Previews Scheduled

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 16:40:28 GMT

Springfield Previews Have been scheduled. Click here for the details. 2025 Preview Article.pdf

The rest of the summer schedule is almost completed and will be finalized soon.

ICF trotting rivalry was memorable

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 13:51:21 GMT

ICF trotting rivalry was memorable

Louise’s Legacy (Marcus Miller) comfortable win in Hawthorne’s Incredible Tillie stake vaulted him to the top of the 2024 ICF freshman trotting ranks (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Who doesn’t enjoy a good rivalry in any sport? Most of us would agree it’s a fun thing to appreciate.

We had one going last year in the ICF freshman colt and gelding trotting grouping between the eventual division champion Louise’s Legacy and his main challenger Sunburnt Silverado. We’re definitely are looking forward to round two of the competitive trotting confrontation.

The two sons of the state’s leading Standardbred stallion Lou’s Legacy met nine times in their 2-year-old season with the Midwest Division of the Erv Miller stable victorious five times and the Curt Grummel trained Sunburnt Silverado proving best the other four occasions.

Louise’s Legacy got better as the season went long, however Sunburnt Silverado had trouble staying on stride later in the year and dropped the last three decisions to his adversary, including the Kadabra Final on Hawthorne’s Night of Champions and the Cardinal stake that swayed voters to his chief rival when the balloting came around for division honors.

We asked Curt Grummel about Sunburnt Silverado’s late season breaking problems.

“I never did figure out for sure why he started making breaks.” said Curt. “It came late in the season, and it just might have been from colt soreness.

“I’ve started back with him in the last 30 days or so. We haven’t gone much yet as far as speed, but you can see that he’s a stronger horse and a lot smarter. Being smarter is a big thing. He just wasn’t a smart horse as a 2-year-old.”

Louise’s Legacy by began her racing career in Kentucky in mid-June at Oak Grove and picked up third place checks with Marcs Miller at his lines in a pair of $40,000 KYSS stake events and again in its $100,000 championship for Geis Enterprises LLC of Chicago and Erv Miller Stable Inc of Wind Gap, Pa.

In his Illinois debut Louise’s Legacy finished second to Sunburnt Silverado with driver Juan Franco in late July at Du Quoin. One week later Louise’s Legacy even the score with a victory in an Illinois State Fair Colt Stakes contest at Springfield with Marcus taking over the driving chores.

A few weeks later the two youngsters met again in a division of Du Quoin’s $35, 125 Governor Cup with Sunburnt Silverado prevailing. In mid-September it was Louise’s Legacy time to shine in the $55,000 Illinois Department of Agriculture’s freshman male contest.

The first Kadabra leg came eight days later (Sept. 19) and Louise’s Legacy has to settle for the runner-up role to the Grummel trained trotter.

The pair wouldn’t tangle again for a month. Meanwhile Louise’s Legacy stayed sharp with a winning qualifier at Hoosier Park. Louise’s Legacy again was second best to his rival in the October 20th Kadabra series leg. However, that was the last time the daughter of Lima Simplicity would lose a race as a 2-year-old.

In early November Louise’s Legacy went on to triumph in the last Kadabra leg, and one week later followed with a career best 1:56.4 mile in the $132,858 Kadabra championship. The youngster’s win in the $96,683 Cardinal boosted his first season purse earnings to $189,563 that likely sealed the deal for the top in the juvenile division.

Bargain buy pays off for Amy Husted stable

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 14:11:31 GMT

Bargain buy pays off for Amy Husted stable

Two-year-old ICF filly champion Thebeautifulthings (Kyle Husted) was a low-end purchase for a quartet of Illinois owners. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

The old saying “You Get What You Pay For” doesn’t apply to the distaff pacer Thebeautifulthings who was recently honored as the 2024 Illinois 2-Year-Old Filly Pacer of the Year.

The Amy Husted trained youngster sold for just $5,500 as a yearling to a quartet of Illinoisians and amassed just under $200,000 in purse earnings during her first year of racing.

A foal of the Well Said broodmare OK Godiva brought $30,000 at an earlier Canadian yearling sale.

Why the big price difference?

“Thebeautifulthings is a well-bred filly with very good conformation just as long as you don’t look at her legs,” said her trainer. “Her toes point out. But we liked her breeding, especially on the paternal side (sired by Somestarsomewhere, a son of Somebeachsomewhere). She’s a tall good-looking filly, so we took a chance with her at a low price and hoped she would come around.”

She definitely did.

Thebeautifulthings will carry a nine-race winning streak into her 3-year-old season. After a fifth-place finish in her debut last June, she went on to win her nine other starts, including the $224,623 Incredible Tillie final on Hawthorne’s Night of Champions with a 1:52.2 clocking, just a tick off her lifetime mark she set last summer in a division of Du Quoin’s First Lady stake.

Driven solely by Amy’s husband Kyle, Thebeautifulthings pocketed $198,752 for her owners Doug Overhiser, Husted Racing LLC, John Schwarz Jr and Mark Winship. That’s almost $50,000 each for from their initial $1,375 investment.

“We’ve started back with the filly but we’re in no rush with her. It’s a long season and we are taking our time with her,” continued Amy.

“She’s nominated for all the major Illinois bred stakes, and a couple out-of-state, and most of them come later in the year this season. She didn’t get much taller over the winter but like I said, she was tall to begin with, and she didn’t fill out a lot, but she’s athletic, so she will never be fat. She’s a long horse.”

Thebeautifulthings didn’t race the entire month of October as a freshman. She was scratched in both in her scheduled October starts.

“We had a lot of sickness going on in the barn at that time.” said Amy. “We scratched something like six horses on one night. With the big ICF stakes coming up a month in November we didn’t want to take any chances with her.”

The Husted’s had Thebeautifulthings fit and ready for the Incredible Tillie championship, drawing off by four lengths with a 26.4 last quarter. Two weeks later she ended her first campaign with a comfortable two-length triumph in the $51,072 Violet with a 1:53.2 mile, again pacing a 26.4 final panel.

Bargain buy pays off for Amy Husted stable

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 13:53:20 GMT

Bargain buy pays off for Amy Husted stable

Two-year-old ICF filly champion Thebeautifulthings (Kyle Husted) was a low-end purchase for a quartet of Illinois owners. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

The old saying “You Get What You Pay For” doesn’t apply to the distaff pacer Thebeautifulthings who was recently honored as the 2024 Illinois 2-Year-Old Filly Pacer of the Year.

The Amy Husted trained youngster sold for just $5,500 as a yearling to a quartet of Illinoisians and amassed just under $200,000 in purse earnings during her first year of racing.

Another foal of the Well Said broodmare OK Godiva brought $30,000 at an earlier Canadian yearling sale.

Why the big price difference?

She definitely did.

“We’ve started back with the filly but we’re in no rush with her. It’s a long season and we are taking our time with her,” continued Amy.

Thebeautifulthings didn’t race the entire month of October as a freshman. She was scratched in both in her scheduled October starts.

February Board Minutes

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 18:30:51 GMT

February Board Meeting Minutes

“Lou’s” stallion legacy keeps rising

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 13:34:17 GMT

“Lou’s” stallion legacy keeps rising

Dr Richard Flacco is joined by family members to accept the award to the farm’s stallion Lou’s Legacy as the 2024 Illinois Sire of the Year. (Terry Young Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Back in 2013 Dr. Richard Flacco took a risk and acquired the trotting sire Lou’s Legacy and brought the stud to Flacco Family Farms in Alexis, Illinois.

It was a risky move because the son of Windsong’s Legacy out of the Meadow Road broodmare Lady Love mare had a low fertility rate. However, the good doctor had some ideas that he felt could help the horse to be a more successful stud.

And help Lou’s Legacy he did, and to a greater extent that Dr. Flacco could have ever imagined.

“He’s turned out to be just unbelievable for us,” said the doctor in an earlier interview. “His fertility rate is like 10 times better than before we got him.”

Lou’s Legacy has gone on to be the top sire in Illinois for trotters for an amazing seven consecutive years and 8 of the last 9 seasons. The prize stallion received his latest honor earlier this month at the annual Illinois Standardbred Banquet in Springfield.

It was a no-brainer as far as people doing the voting were concerned. Of the six divisions for 2024 ICF trotters, Lou’s Legacy sired five champions--2-year-olds Lous My Number and Louise’s Legacy, 3-year-olds Whiskey Lou and Lou’s Private Eye, and the aged mare Marvelous Mystery.

“Lou’s Legacy is 18 now and he’s been able to hold hIs weight,’ said the 83-year-old who continues his practice as a family doctor.

According to USTA sire statistics, foals of Lou’s Legacy have earned over $12 million dollars just through the year 2022.

Lou’s Legacy excellence as a sire has continued for the last two decades and in 2022 his daughter Funky Wiggle, an offspring out of the broodmare Hoosier Wiggles, came away with Illinois Harness Horse of the Year honors for her trainer Curt Grummel.

Funny Wiggle’s record Illinois clocking of 1:51.4 as a 3-year-old is tops for a Lou’s Legacy foal with her full sister Marvelous Mystery next fastest with a 1:52.3 mile she trotted last year.

Division champions sired by Lou’s Legacy has become the norm in Illinois for several years with the likes of Whiskey Lou (1:53.1), Lougazi (1:54.3), Loulita (1:55.2), Lousdobb (1:54), Lou Man (1:53.3) and Lousraptor (1:54) among those with notable in-state achievements.

Lou’s Legacy has sired 14 horses that have won in 1:55 or faster. The horse’s stud fee is $5,000.

The Flacco Family Farm’s Bands One Eye Love was honored as the top Illinois trotting broodmare for the second time. Her past foals include Lousdobb ($273,392) and his brother Lous Private Eye ($201,958), who have combined for 34 lifetime first place finishes. Both horses were sold to Ohio connections this past November and are currently racing in the Buckeye state.

Grummel’s three-peat a worthy achievement

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 16:17:56 GMT

Grummel’s three-peat a worthy achievement

Whiskey Lou (Curt Grummel) followed her stable mates as the best 3-year-old ICF filly trotter of the year for trainer. (Terry Young Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Whatever the endeavor, a three-peat is certainly quite an achievement. Last weekend trainer Curt Grummel was at the annual Illinois Standardbred Banquet in Springfield, IL to accept the award for star distaffer Whiskey Lou honored as the 2024 ICF Filly Trotter of the Year.

It was the third consecutive year that division honor went to a sophomore trotting filly from the Curt Grummel stable. The first to get the coveted award was Funky Wiggle in 2022, who went on to be feted as the Illinois Harness Horse of the Year. A season later Marvelous Mystery followed in the hoof steps of her renowned stable mate when she was named the best in the division.

All three of Curt’s filly trotting champions are daughters of Lou’s Legacy, Illinois perennial top trotting sire who was also honored at the banquet.

Whiskey Lou’s accomplishment came as no surprise to anyone in the Illinois harness racing community. She simply dominated her division, winning 13 of 14 starts and hauling in $127,083 for her owner and breeder Randy Witt of Savannah, Missouri.

Only bad racing luck kept her from an opportunity at a perfect winning season. In the ISFCS stake race in early August, Whiskey Lou was knocked off stride at the start by a rumbustious foe and did well to come to be third. She ended her sophomore campaign with a triumph on Hawthorne’s Night of Champions in the $109,658 Beulah Dygert final with her regular driver Casey Leonard.

Whiskey Lou is back in training and expected to return in racing form by mid-April according to her trainer. Will she be going against older horses in Illinois Opens?

“I like to think so,” said Curt. “If all goes well there will times where she will have to compete against her stable mate Marvelous Mystery, who came back strong in the latter part of last year’s racing season. She chipped a bone earlier.”

Marvelous Mystery had only nine trips to the starting gate as a 3-year-old, but she made the most of them, four times a winner, including the $80,000 Carl Becker Memorial on the Night of Champions with Marcus Miller in the bike. She also added a pair of seconds and earned over $66,000. Marvelous Mystery, with Marcus in the bike, trotted to a new lifetime mark of 1:52.3 at Du Quoin last August in the ICF Aged Mare Final and bested her celebrated Funky Wiggle by half-length. “She’s a fast trotter,” added Curt.

Don’t look for Funky Wiggle on the racetrack this year. “It’s time for her to me a mom,” revealed her trainer.

After brilliant campaigns as a 2 and 3-year-olds where she finished first in 17 of 28 tries, took in over $160,000 for her owner and breeder Patrick Graham. And won back-to-back Night of Champions showdowns, lameness cut her racing career short. She made just five starts in 2023 and only two last year.

“Her lameness problems flared up again and we decided it was time to stop with her as a racehorse and start her new career as a broodmare,” said Curt.

While Funky Wiggle days of racing are behind her, most followers of the Illinois Standardbred circuit will not forget her dazzling 1:51.4 winning mile in the summer of 2002 at Du Quoin that shattered the ICF record for 3-year-old filly trotters.

Your author won’t.

Right decisions pay off on star ICF champion

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 14:25:46 GMT

Right decisions pay off on ICF champion

Sherri and William Bycroft made the right decision to buy and then keep Illinois champion Cash Money Twenty. (Photo courtesy of Terry Young)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Decisions. We make them all the time. Sometimes it’s a major decision that could impact our lives in a big way. Much more often they’re not and have little importance on future happens.

A couple of years ago the harness racing fan William Bycroft decided to buy a horse with a modest amount of money his father left him after passing away. He and his wife Sherri were former patrons of old Quad City Downs when the East Moline track hosted harness racing.

The couple decided to become harness racing horse owners with the money and William decided he wanted to buy an Illinois bred yearling. A trip to the Hartland Mixed Sale in Minnesota saw them purchase the Stevenville yearling out of the Sagebrush mare Hostess Lisa known as Itjustcallednatural who they later renamed Cash Money Twenty, for only $4,000.

Little did they know their new horse would eventually have a substantial effect on their lives and become the reason they are now living their dreams.

Saturday night the couple, along with Cash Money Twenty’s trainer Mike Brink, will be in Springfield, Illinois to accept their horse’s award as the 2024 Illinois Harness Horse of the Year after a spectacular freshman season where the young gelding won 11 o 12 starts, including a 2-year-old ICF record 1:50 flat mile and hauled in over $208,000 for the Des Moines, Iowa couple who go under the ownership Heart and Soul Racing.

Veteran horseman Brett Ballinger was the trainer who got Cash Money Twenty to the races in a big way. The horse began his career with three consecutive victories at Running Aces in Minnesota. With all of the Illinois bred major stakes still on the horizon, the youngster was sent to veteran Illinois trainer Mike Brink in Springfield.

“I didn’t know much about the horse when I got him” revealed Mike. “I told his driver Casey Leonard before the horse’s first race with me, ‘I know he’s fast, crazy fast, but that’s about it.”

Cash Money Twenty won his Illinois debut in late August before suffering his only loss of the season a start later in a $35,125 division of the Director’s Cup when the winner Battling Bob parked out the heavy favorite to first half fractions of :27.3 and :27.2.

After that race, Cash Money Twenty ended his first campaign with seven straight first place finishers, including a sweep of Hawthorne’s Incredible Finale freshman series and it’s $226,545 Night of Champions final.

Soon after the youngster’s 1:50 record mile, the calls came in from interested buyers for the horse and some offers were for a substantial amount of money.

The Bycroft’s had another decision to make, and this wasn’t of the smalltime variety.

“When the owners called and said they decided to keep the horse, I was obviously happy and not just for myself. I was happy for them,” said Brink. “The horse had plenty of potential, the kind of horse that comes along once in a lifetime. He could bring them years of excitement and unforgettable memories.”

By the time the couple made the decision to “roll the dice” on Cash Money Twenty, the horse already made over $55,000, about four and one-half times they paid for him at the yearling sale.

Once the Bycroft’s collected almost $114,000 for their horse’s Night of Champions triumph, the critics that wanted them to “take the money” and sell the horse were pretty much silenced. Another one of those “decisions” that turned out shaping the couple’s future.

“They’re excited about the horse, “continued Brink. “They are having a great time and have even invested some of the purse earnings into more horses.”

The past January Heart & Soul stable, along with Jim Ballinger, the owner of Illinois champion Fox Valley Gemini, bought the 4-year-old Somestarsomewhere gelding Sailor Sam and the Tom Simmons trained pacer has won races, including last Sunday’s $12,000 Spring Pop-Up Series final since, banking over $20,000 for them.

Sounds like another good decision for the Des Moines, Iowa couple.

As far as Cash Money Twenty, his R & R days are just about over.

“He’s been turned out and we will bring in back to get him ready for his 3-year-old season starting Sunday. He looks good. He hasn’t gotten any taller, but he was a tall horse as a two-year-old. He’s filled out nicely, though. We’re all anxious to get him back on the racetrack.”

Donna Lee Passes Away

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 21:21:31 GMT

Donna Lee has passed away. Click here for more. Donna Lee, 72, dies – U.S. Trotting New s

Picture perfect ending to Hawthorne’s meet?

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:21:33 GMT

Picture perfect ending to Hawthorne’s meet?

Fillister Photo (Casey Leonard) goes for a sweep of the Pop-Up series for pacing mares on Hawthorne’s closing night Sunday. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Hawthorne Racecourse brings down the curtain on its winter harness racing meet with an earlier 6:30 pm first post Sunday night but not before a trio of Pop-Series finals are decided, including the filly and mare pacing showdown where the very likely betting favorite has been picture-perfect for the month of February.

She’s Fillister Photo who is reunited tonight with her regular driver Casey Leonard. The 5-year-old guns for her fourth consecutive victory for trainer Terry Leonard. The Easy Again mare has melted away the opposition like a hot knife through butter over the past three weekends and was a romping six length winner last week, already her fourth season win in six tries.

Through just the tip of the iceberg as far as her 2025 racing season is concerned, Fillister Photo has banked $13,246 after earning over $160,000 in her first three campaigns. She was acquired by Scorpio Stable (Dave and Joseph Mc Caffrey) of Davenport, Iowa in early November of 2023.

The biggest pot Fillister Photo has come away with was the winner’s share ($32,500) in the $65,000 Minnesota Sired Championship for aged pacing mares last September at Running Aces with Todd Warren at her lines.

While Fillister Photo is Minnesota eligible and was foaled in Elma, Iowa, there is Illinois conceived and foaled blood running through her veins. Fillister Photo’s dam Filly Buster was sired by Well Said and his dam is the Illinois Hall of Famer Loyal Opposition who dominated her division in the early 2000 decade with over $2.6 million in earnings while proving best in 54 of 98 starts.

Loyal Opposition was a daughter of Cole Muffler, one of the standout Illinois sires in the latter part of the last century.

Fillister Photo has to buck an outside 9-slot in the 10-horse field Sunday. Starting inside of her are Dontinvitemein, Roan By Design, two-time leg winner RK’S Toni, Allcheekessoff, Imaealrockinrebel, Time To Ryde, Helen’s Girl, and Kizzzmelikeumissme. The 10-post belongs to First Of Her Name.

Earlier on the Sunday card is the $12,000 Spring Pop-Up series final where the Tom Simmons trained Sailor Sam (Brandon Bates) is the 8-5 morning line favorite after an easy six-plus length win last week. He’ll be challenged by Genie Ina Bottle, Shark Solicitor, Flickadawrist, Fox Valley Presley, Mr Charisma, Fox Valley Monaco, and Fox Valley Cayman.

The 10th race is another $10,000 Spring Pop-Up showdown and it has a mandatory payout on the 50 cent Pick Four. You can test your handicapping skills on the field of Gotta Go Gram, Pete And Repeat, Yeahboyyeah, Rae Gram, Leader Of The Band, Ernie The Mooss, Who’zzz This Sky, Party’s Jet, Holden Steady and Rollinwitdaponyzzz.

Both Who’zzz This Sky and Rollinwidponyzzz are younger brothers of the Illinois champion Who’zzz A Wise Sky, the early 2-1 public’s choice in the seventh race Open Pace,

The Open was drawn by groups with posts one through three going to Carana N (Marcus Miller), Clearchoice De Vie (Juan Franco) and Odds On Alpha Male (Kiwon Waldron), in that order.

The second grouping of four through eight couldn’t have gone any better for the speedball He’zzz A Wise Sky who landed the four slot. To his right will be Mustang Beach (Travis Seekman), Great Seats (Wyatt Avenatti), last week’s Open winner Tookadiveoffdipper (Casey Leonard) and Anotherstatement A (Brandon Bates).

(Mike Paradise’s stories will continue during the Illinois harness racing off season and will be posted every Wednesday).

Sunday Racing Only This Week

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:29:40 GMT

No Harness racing Sat., Feb 22. There will be 13 races on Sunday, February 23 with a first race Post Time at 6:30 PM. Security and Lasix times on the overnight. 1 Qualifier Sunday, Feb 23 at 5:15 PM.

(Hawthorne Racecourse) Horsemen with horses in the 9th race Sunday, February 23. Lasix and security times are wrong for that race only. 9th race OFF TIME should be 9:15 / SECURITY TIME should be: 6:15 / LASIX SHOULD BE 5:00 / DEADLINE SHOULD BE 5:30. All other times are correct.

Hawthorne’s Open trot ends its absence

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sun, 16 Feb 2025 13:59:12 GMT

Hawthorne’s Open trot ends its absence

Jewels For Champ (Marcus Miller) looks to make it back-to-back triumphs in Sunday’s Open trot at Hawthorne. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

At long last the Open trot has returned to Hawthorne. It’s been more than a month since the top overnight event for trotting horses has embellished the Illinois Standardbred circuit and it comes with one more weekend to go before the curtains comes down on the Chicago area racetrack, as far as harness racing is concerned.

Hawthorne won’t resume harness racing again this year until November 7th and that means, unless a change is made from the past few years fornat, except for racing this summer at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield at the Du Quoin State Fair a week or so later in southern Illinois, wagering on Illinois standardbreds will be extinct for more than nine months, and that’s not going to help the horsemen’s depleted purse account in any way, shape or form.

Be that as it may, Hawthorne’s Sunday card does have some appealing races that you can actually bet on. Besides the Open trot, there are three divisions of the Spring Pop-Up series for filly and mare pacers, along with a single Pop-Up event for horses with a Trackmaster rating of 82 or less, 84 for ICF horses and it attracted a field of 11 solid pacers.

Back to defend his Hawthorne Open trot title is Jewels For Champ (Marcus Miller), winner of the January 12th event in 1:56.4. The Tom Simmons trainee has won 3 of his last 4 starts but hasn’t competed in several weeks.

Jewels For Champ landed the five-slot while the Jamaica Patton’s Rumbleinthevalley (Mike Oosting), second best in the last local Open, received the outside six slot. The five-year-old beat Jewels For Champ back on January 4th and has shown he can get away from the starting gate in a hurry.

The mare Mary’s Magic (Marcus Miller), the veteran Perlucky (Kyle Wilfong), and trainer Merv Chupp’s duo of Rock Party (Casey Leonard) and Jammin Jamin (Juan Franco) complete the second race field.

Windy City Farm’s Mary’s Magic has shown a liking for Hawthorne’s long stretch, coming home in 27.2 on January 26th in her winning 1:58.2 mile. A week earlier she came from eighth and last, more than nine lengths behind at the half, to be second, beaten less than one length in a 1:57 mile.

The Spring Pop-Up first leg winners—RK’S Toni (Cordarrius Stewart) and Fillister Photo (Casey Leonard) again drew into different divisions, RK’s Toni, who rallied from the outside eight-slot in her win, moves to the pole position in race four while the versatile Fillister Photo guns for her third consecutive victory from the four post in race five. Perry Smith’s Imarealrockinrebel (Todd Warren) and the Jill Brown Seaside Streaker (Casey Leonard) are the likely favorites in race six, tonight’s third series event.

The eighth race Pop-Up has one 11-horse division with first leg victor, Genie Ina Bottle (Cordarius Stewart) securing the favorable one-slot, while the beaten favorite and eventual runner-up Sailor Sam (Brandon Bates) starts right behind the Gene Gilerman mare with post 11 in the second tier.

Post two through 10 belong to Flickdawrist (Casey Leonard), Real Cool Cole (Todd Warren), Fox Valley Cayman (Marcus Miller), Fox Valley Jasper (Robert Smolin), Fox Valley Presley (Wyatt Avenatti), Shark Solicitor (Juan Franco), Fox Valley Monaco (Travis Seekman), Mr Charisma (Mike Oosting) and Rock Steady Ron (Kyle Wilfong)

Down Under specialist makes U.S. debut at Hawthorne

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 15 Feb 2025 13:29:22 GMT

Down Under specialist makes U.S. debut at Hawthorne

Down Under star pacer Casana N (shown here with Australia driver Deni Roberts), makes his U.S debut at Hawthorne Saturday. (Ken Casellas Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

Perry Smith’s Round Here Buzz, fresh off ending the stranglehold of Hawthorne’s Open event for the last two months by Australian bred pacers, faces a new Down Under threat Saturday evening.

He’s the New Zealand bred Carana N from the barn of veteran Illinois trainer Ronnie Roberts and he’s making his U.S.A debut after rising to the top in Western Australia has a standout “standing start” specialist.

For those unfamiliar with harness racing in Australia, most races unfold in the familiar way of a mobile start with a vehicle involved, however there also are races where the entire field starts from a standing position and the now 8-year-old gelding exceled at, and that may be an understatement.

In the past two racing seasons Carana has been victorious in exactly half of his starts in Australia (13 for 26) and garnished over $105,000, and the vast majority of the Bettor Delight’s gelding success came from a “standing start.”

One of Carana’s notable triumphs occurred in a Gloucester Park handicap last summer in Perth, Australia when he started 20 meters (approximately 32 feet) behind the rest of the field. At that time the horse had 11 wins and 6 seconds in 26 races, all but two of those career outings came in standing starts.

“Standing starts” do suit Carana,” his regular driver Deni Roberts told the Gloucester publicity department. “That means that he doesn’t have to do too much early, whereas in mobile racing, he gets a bit revvy. Obviously, he will soon get too high of a grade and have to return to mobile racing.”

Later last summer the New Zealander started 30 yards (about 98 feet) behind the field in another Gloucester handicap and proved best

While the horse had yet to win a mobile racing event at that time, his driver was confident he would perform well in them. “As long as I drive him quietly, nice and cold.”

Later in the season Carara N did get his initial win in a mobile race and ended his Aussie based 2024 season with 6 first place finishes and 3 seconds in an even dozen outings.

In 2022 Casana’s original New Zealand owners were going to retire the gelding after he pulled up in a distressed condition. The horse had won 2 of 9 starts in New Zealand with a little over $10,000 in earnings

“They couldn’t quite get Carana going in New Zealand. He suffered from a fibrillation,” Roberts told the Gloucester staff. The horse was sold to Western Australia connections and was shipped his new home where he blossomed as a “standing start” pacer.

“The quicker they go, the better it is for him,” said Roberts, sometimes referred to as the Duchess of Harness Racing, in an Australia interview. “He’s got a really good turn of foot, and he can produce it off a hot speed.”

While Carana is the likely favorite in his U.S. for new proprietors Castaldo Racing Stable and Horsecents LLC, he is not a “sure thing” Saturday night when he leaves from post four in a six-horse field for driver Kyle Wilfong.

Consider that the Down Under pacer hasn’t gong postward in almost two months and is in new surroundings; he’s on a different racetrack with a different racing surface; he has had past filtration problems, he’s racing in much colder weather than he’s used to; (a high of 99 is expected today in Perth, Australia), and he’s been racing at longer distances than one mile (a mile and 5/8’s to 2-plus miles).

All that being aid, the import won’t be near his 5-1 morning line odds which would make him the fifth choice in the six-horse field.

The first five posts in Hawthorne’s Open will be manned by Odds On Alpha Male (Brandon Bates), Tookadiveoffdipper (Casey Leonard), Montana Chief A (Todd Warren), and Mustang Beach (Travis Seekman).

January Board Meeting Notes

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 18:14:40 GMT

Aussie loaded Open returns to Hawthorne

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sun, 09 Feb 2025 14:43:32 GMT

Aussie loaded Open returns to Hawthorne

Brooklyn Bridge A (No. 7) looks to get back on the winning track in Sunday's Open Pace at Hawthorne.

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

The Open Pace returns to Hawthorne on Sunday afternoon after a two-week hiatus due to an insufficient number of entries. That wasn’t the case this time around has nine horses, five of them Australian breds, were submitted for the sixth race feature.

The Down Under pacers have won the last three Opens, and 4 of the last 5, contested on Hawthorne’s mile oval and while it’s no sure thing, chances are that trend likely will continue today.

The first six posts were drawn, and they’ll be manned by Sanday A (Casey Leonard), Round Here Buzz (Cordarius Stewart), Montana Chief A (Todd Warren), Ben Racin (Mike Oosting), Clearchoice De Vie (Wyatt Avenatti), Mustang Beach (Travis Seekman) and Anotherstatement A (Brandon Bates), a very competitive second in the last two local Opens.

Brooklyn Bridge A (Kyle Wilfong) and Away We Go A (Juan Franco) drew for posts 8 and 9 with the former, the winner of both the December 21st and January 11th, winning that draw, putting the January 26th victor on the outside looking in. Both Aussie pacers are trained by veteran horseman Ronnie Roberts for Addison, Illinois proprietors Castaldo Racing Stable. They also own the Western Terror 9-year-old gelding Sanday A, driven for the first time by Casey Leonard.

Former Chicago circuit trainer champion Perry Smith also has a threesome in the Open field, that he owns—Round Here Buzz, Ben Racin, and Mustang Beach.

The move to the outside post is significant for Away We Go A who will be without his regular driver Marcus Miller. The 7-year-old gelding boasts a pair of Open triumphs at the Hawthorne winter meeting; however, both came with two-hole journeys. Getting on, or close the front today, looks like a arduous task.

Both Brooklyn Bridge and Anotherstatement came away from the gate quickly in their last Open start, and could be going out again this afternoon, and they won’t be alone.

Sunday’s 12:30 pm first post was an easy decision for management to make with most of the county’s attention on the Super Bowl later in the day and could have been announced weeks ago.

Sunday’s second feature is leg one the Springfield Pop-Up series for horses with a Trackmaster rating of 82 or less (84 for ICF horses), producing a 10-horse eighth race field of some nice pacers.

The early favorite is the Somestarsomewhere 4-year-old Sailor Sam gelding who has been pacing up a storm lately for Springfield, IL based horseman Tom Simmons. Brandon Bates took over the driving chores on Sailor Sam in mid-January and after the pacer dropped a head decision, he has breezed in his two latest outings.

Also expected to get plenty of the public’s support is Real Cool Cole (Todd Warren), making his debut for trainer Perry Smith after being claimed for $12,000 a week ago. The 5-year-old gelding was first plucked out of a $8,000 claiming event on December 23rd by trainer Terry Leonard, chalking up two wins, a second, and a third last week despite pacing a rapid 27 flat last quarter for the Harvard, Illinois resident.

The $8,000 pot also attracted Genie Ina Bottle (Cordarius Stewart), Rock Steady Ron (Kyle Wilfong), Mr Charisma (Brandon Bates), Dragon Perfect (Juan Franco), Flickadawrist (Casey Leonard), Fox Valley Steeler (Kwon Waldron), Fox Valley Cayman (Wyatt Avenatti) and Major Attribute (Travis Seekman).

Hawthorne adds more Pop-Up series

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 14:09:06 GMT

Hawthorne adds more Pop-Up series

Fox Valley Tasha (Cordarious Stewart) will compete in Hawthorne’s Spring Pop-Up series Sunday for pacing filly and mares. (Patricia Fryman Photography)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

Hawthorne’s harness racing meeting is entering its homestretch with only a trio of weekends left. Its race office has decided to wrap the session with an additional pop-up series that concludes on the track’s closing night.

It’s being called a “Spring” Pop-Up series even though winter doesn’t official end for six more weeks, but that’s okay, it does offer an optimist tone to the weather ahead.

Saturday’s Spring Pop Up series are for horses with a Trackmaster rating of 72 or less, one for males and the other for the gals. Saturday’s initial series legs offer a $7,000 pot with $10, 000 purses on their February 23rd finals. Sunday’s series is for higher ranked horses with a Trackmaster rating of 82 or less with a $12,000 purse on its February 24th showdown.

Kicking off Saturday’s Spring Pop-Offs are two first round legs for pacers with Trackmaster ratings of 72 or less and a single division for trotters with a rating of 68 or less.

James Molitor’s Leader Of The Band (Brandon Bates), fresh off a 1:57.2 victory a week ago, and Shelly Graham’s Rae Gram (Casey Leonard), who takes a class drop, are the first race morning line favorites.

A quartet of pacers, Kevin Miller’s Thatswhatsup, a recent 1:57.3 winner; Shelly’s Graham’s Gotta Go Gram (Todd Warren), who likely needed last week’s start, the long overdue Mazin Blazin (Casey Leonard), bred and owned by Donald Laufenberg, and the John Filomeno trained Who’zzz This Sky (Robert Smolin), the younger brother of Illinois champion He’zzz A Wise Sky, are all possible post time favorites.

Saturday’s second race Spring Pop-Up event for trotters lured a field of five—Peekaboo Sal (Wyatt Avenatti), Jammin Jamin (Juan Franco), M Maurrone (Robert Smolin), Fashion Baby (Cordarius Stewart), Loulita (Casey Leonard), and Just A Hintof Spice (Mike Oosting).

Peekaboo Sal, from the barn of Steve Searle, was bet down to 1-2 odds last week and received a pocket-trip but failed to “fire” when called upon, finishing a non-threatening third; Loulita, a 7-year-old stable-mate of Peekaboo Sal), boasts 23 career wins and over $300,000 in career earnings, is reunited tonight with Casey Leonard who has driven the mare to most of her lifetime wins, while the Jim Eaton stable’s Just A Hint of Spice has nailed down first place finishes in 2 of her last 3 outings with Oosting at the lines.

Sunday’s initial leg of the Spring Pop-Off events include two competitive filly and mare pacing divisions with Trackmaster ratings of 74 or less as of January 31st.

It’s fourth race first grouping looks particularly interesting with three sharp mares—Fillister Photo (Casey Leonard), Time To Ryde (Brandon Bates) and Fox Valley Tasha (Brandon Bates) squaring off.

Fillister Photo, a five-year-old from the barn of Illinois Hall of Fame conditioner Terry Leonard, looked very good pulling off a first over 1:55.3 triumph a week ago over Time To Ryde, who has been a model of consistency the last couple of months for trainer Jim Eaton, The now 4-year-old Time To Roll mare possesses two wins, three seconds and a third in her last six trips to the starting gate.

Fox Valley Tasha, another daughter of the Illinois stallion Trime To Roll, has been second best in 3 of her last 4 races and sandwiched in between those starts was a 1:56 flat victory over Time To Ryde.

Illinois Awards Banquet Set For March 1

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 15:29:19 GMT

Top Performers and Hall of Fame Honorees to be celebrated at the Illinois Standardbred Banquet. Click here for the entire list.

Road to success isn’t always smooth

Sun, 02 Feb 2025 14:24:25 GMT

Road to success isn’t always smooth

Fox Valley Tessa (Wyatt Avenatti) overcame her sickness in time to win the 2024 Night of Champions $189,701 Plum Peachy 3-year-old filly pace final. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Often the road to a successful showing in a major race isn’t a smooth one and you can add the name of Fox Valley Tessa, the 2023 Plum Peachy champion to that list. In fact, it was nip and tuck that the 3-year-old ICF filly would even make Hawthorne’s Night of Champions Final.

The Time To Roll filly began her sophomore campaign for then trainer Steve Searle picking up purse checks but going winless in her first 10 season starts. However, the daughter of the Art Major mare She’s D Bomb captured the first leg of the Plum Peachy series and its 50 series bonus points in early October and looked like a cinch to be in the filly stake final.

Nevertheless, she didn’t race against for over a month and almost missed the richest race in her division.

“At the time we had a lot of sickness going on in our barn,” said conditioner Steve Searle who going into the Night of Champions shared ownership of Fox Valley Tessa, a $10,000 yearling buy, with B Code of Bradford, Illinois, James Nellinger of Peoria, Illinois, and Gretchen Barnett of San Diego, California.

“Fox Valley Nessa was one of my horses who got sick,” continued the long time Grant Park, Illinois trainer. “I thought she got over her sickness in time for the second Plum Peachy leg but a couple days before her start, she did some coughing. While a $20,000 purse is nice money, the welfare of the filly is way more important, so I scratched her.

“That meant that she had to qualify again, and she did nicely (1:55.2), one week before the Night of Champions. In the final she got a nice drive from Wyatt (Avenatti) and won. It was only her second win of the year but all of a sudden, she had over $112,000 on her card.”

Keeping a horse healthy throughout the racing season can be a worrisome and difficult task, especially with all the traveling Illinois horsemen had to do last year.

“We all had to do a lot of shipping,” continued Steve. “It seemed every week we were in a different barn. Keeping track of all the medicine for our horses’ needs isn’t an easy task but by wife Debbie has done a terrific job of doing it.”

Two weeks after her Night of Champions victory, Fox Valley Tessa was acquired by the Amy and Kyle Husted stable and is currently competing at Woodbine in Canada with the barn’s other Illinois breds such as Fox Valley Landen, Chickabell, Doctor Cruise and Fox Valley Tatum.

Fox Valley Tessa chalked up a pair of triumphs for the Husted’s in last month’s Woodbine Niagara series before finishing fifth in the $25,000 final.

The mare has made over $16,000 in her seven starts for Husted Racing LLC (Altamont, IL), John Schwarz Jr. (Wood Dale, IL), Wilson Rigg (Anna, TX) and Scott Rigg (Quincy, IL).

Strong earnings for often a bridesmaid

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 14:10:23 GMT

Strong earnings for often a bridesmaid

Whiskey Lou (Casey Leonard) three-year-old trotting dominance overshadowed others in her division’s accomplishments. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

When a horse dominates a division like Whiskey Lou did in the 2023 ICF trotting filly class when she won 13 of 14 starts, including the Beulah Dygert final on Hawthorne’s Night of Champions, often overlooked is what any of her rivals did.

The Steve Searle stable’s Peekaboo Gal falls into that category.

The now 4-year-old mare raked in almost $72,000 for her owner All-Wright Stable of Morton, Illinois and most of it came being the bridesmaid in competition against Whiskey Lou.

Peekaboo Sal only went 3 for 19 in her second season of racing. However, besides two thirds, she had eight second place finishes and most came against the newest star of the Curt Grummel stable whose lone loss came in the $55,000 Illinois Championship at Springfield last September when she was knocked off stride at the start.

From early August through mid-November Peekaboo Sal was second best in 5 of 7 starts, including the Dygert championship, and third both times she wasn’t the runner-up.

The daughter of Lou’s Legacy was a $17,000 purchase at the 2021 Illini Classic Sale. Her only two-year-old win came at the Charleston Fair, but she still managed to earn over $33,000 in her initial, missing only one check in her nine trips to the starting gate.

Saturday night Peekaboo Sal will open as the 7-5 favorite in a conditioned trot. She was entered in Hawthorne’s Open trot that didn’t fill but the mare was eligible for the sixth race under the condition, non-winners of 5 races (ICF 6) draw inside where she landed the two-slot in the five-horse field.

Her biggest threat could come from the 11-year-old veteran Double A Goldrush (Casey Leonard). While the Elegant Man gelding spends his summers in Indiana, when he does come to Hawthorne, he usually does very well. Double A Goldrush is closing in on a half million dollars in lifetime earnings ($496,870) for owners Mihael and Laura Lee of Bridgeport, IL and trainer Terry Lee Leonard of Harvard, IL. The trotters’ next victory would be his 47th.

Looking to pull off an upset is Jammin Jamin (Juan Franco), Peekaboo Sal’s stablemate Lous Amazon (Mike Oosting) and M Maurrone (Robert Smolin).

The Saturday headliner comes in race six, a conditioned pace for non-winners of $5,000 in their last four starts or horses to be claimed for $20,000. Odds On Alpha Male (Brandon Bates) falls into the second condition.

Awaiting the Hector Herrera gelding are Rockin Pulse (Marcus Miller), Ben Racin (Mike Oosting), Tookadiveoffdipper (Casey Leonard), the early 5-2 favorite Melton Beach N (Kyle Wilfong) and Clearchoice De Vie (Wyatt Avenatti).

Tookadiveoffdipper, now an 11-year-old from the barn of trainer Jim Eaton, has banked $706,818, more than his five foes have accomplished combined, and the Always A Virgin offspring has 53 first place finishes.

Aussie invasion in Hawthorne’s Open

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sun, 26 Jan 2025 14:28:06 GMT

Aussie invasion in Hawthorne’s Open

Brooklyn Bridge A (No. 7) and Anotherstatement A (No. 2), the one-two finishers in the January 11th Hawthorne Open, return for Sunday’s headliner. (Four Footed Fotos).

 By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Hawthorne Open Pace returns Sunday night but with an unusual look. It’s a six-horse field and only one horse in it was not bred in Australia and competed on the other side of the globe before coming to the United States.

The lone non-Aussie in Sunday’s sixth race feature is the one-horse Bet Mine, who will be driven by Wyatt Avenatti. The 7-year-old Betting Line gelding, a one-time $40,000 yearling purchase, was assigned the pole position by the track’s race office.

Looking to end the three-race winning streak oof Brooklyn Bridge A (Kyle Wilfong), who was allocated the outside six-slot, are the Australia native’s Montana Chief A (Casey Leonard), Sanday A (Marcus Miller), Always We Go A (Marcus Miller) and Anotherstatement A (Brandon Bates).

Brooklyn Bridge A has yet to lose a race since coming to America and joining the stable of trainer Ronnie Roberts. After an easy victory in a conditioned event on December 21, the 7-year-old Sweet Lou gelding had no trouble polishing off local Open fields a week later (1:51.1) and again on January 11 (the night’s fastest in 1:52 flat) as the public’s choice in each event.

Handicapped with the six-slot shouldn’t be much of a deterrent for Brooklyn Bride A. He has shown he can come off the pace and if he does drop back at the start, he only would have five horses to pass up.

This will be Brooklyn Bridge’s 30th career start, and he has won more than 50 per cent of them with 15 triumphs. He’s owned by Castaldo Racing Stable of Addison, Illinois, the same proprietors of Sanday A and Away We Go A.

Sanday A is the newest Australia acquisition for the Castaldo Racing Stable. The nine-year-old gelding joined the barn of Ronnie Roberts this past August. After finishing far back in his mid-December U.S. debut, Sanday A chalked up two comfortable wins last month in conditioned races, the last in 1:53 flat.

Away We Go A overtook He’zzz A Wise Sky in a mid-December Hawthorne Open and was promptly handicapped with the eight-hole in his next two out-of-the-money starts, Leaving from the four post tonight could see a much better outcome for the 7-year-old gelding.

The other two Aussies, Montana Chief A and Anotherstatement A, are trained by Hector Herrera for his owners Garcia Power Inc of Crete, Illinois.

With the Illinois bred mare Fox Valley Leah written-out by the race office for Sunday’s second feature, the $6,200 Open II for fillies are mares for the audacity of winning too many Opens (four) in a row, the sixth race admittedly went from a 3-5 or lower favorite to very much a wide-open affair with no clear-cut choice.

The Mike Brink stable’s Bombay Parkway (Kyle Wilfong) might be the post time favorite moving to an inside (three) post after twice the bridesmaid at the meet to Fox Valley Leah. However, the 6-year-old ICF was a non-factor in the latest local distaff Open.

The Hawthorne morning line went with Déjà vu Babyboo (Marcus Miller), listing her at 3-1 from the outside 6-post. Nevertheless, you can make a case for Sleazy Mama (Brandon Bates) or Genie Ina Bottle (Cordarius Stewart) to win the race, along with the two inside horses Apple Valley (Mike Oosting) and Fillister Photo (Casey Leonard), assigned their posts by the Hawthorne race office, as well.

New “Top Gun” among Hawthorne trotters

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 25 Jan 2025 14:10:37 GMT

New “Top Gun” among Hawthorne trotters

Jewels for Champ’s (Marcus Miller) win in the last Hawthorne Open for trotters has made it the new “Top Gun” in his division. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

There’s a new “Top Gun” in the Illinois trotting ranks and at one time in 2023 he had a 10-race losing streak and didn’t get a check in most of those disappointing starts.

We’re heralding the arrival of the Tom Simmons trained 4-year-old Jewels For Champs after the gelding took over the top spot two weeks ago when the latest Hawthorne Open trot was contended. The 1:56.4 victory ended a three-week dominance in the local Open trotting ranks by Brookview Bolt from the barn of conditioner Ronnie Roberts.

Jewels For Champ will have to wait another week to defend his new title. Hawthorne’s Open for trotters didn’t fill enough to be carded this weekend.

Meanwhile, it’s been a roller coaster career thus far for Jewels for Champ however if his recent races could indicate the best is yet to come for the trotter who sold for $32,000 as a yearling, a tidy sum these days for an Illinois bred unraced trotter.

Unraced as a 2-year-old, it didn’t take long for Jewels For Champ to raise some eyebrows when his racing career did get started. Last spring, in just his third lifetime outing, the trotter won impressively in 1:55.4 at Hoosier Park for his first owners the Erv Miller Stable and Marty Engle of Northbrook, Il.

The ICF youngster trotted a 28 flat last quarter in his winning debut and followed it with an easy 1:59.4 triumph at Du Quoin in a non-wagering race for state-breds with Cordarius Stewart at the lines.

Little did his owners or anybody else know Jewels For Champ would fail to win a race for 10 more frustrating consecutive starts, going off stride in most of those losses. Equipment changes were made, different drivers tried guiding the unpredictable trotter, but to no avail.

It wasn’t until the last leg of the Erwin F. Dygert Memorial stake series early last November that Jewels For Champ put it all together for driver Marcus Miller and ended the nightmarish losing streak. He did it from the nine-hole, pretty much circling the field and drawing off in 1:57.2. The impressive outing earned him the role of the favorite a week later in the $134,744 Dygert championship. However, once again he went off stride and was distanced in the race.

Few knew it would be all good for Jewels For Champ since then. In his last five starts for the Miller stable, the trotter would chalk up four wins and a second, ending up earning the stable $47,319 in his initial season of racing,

Jewels For Champ was acquired by trainer Tom Simmons for out-of-state owners Adam Hawthorne (Winnsboro, Louisiana) and Jade Hadfield (West Haven, Utah) on December 17th, and has gone on to post two more first place finishes and a second in three outings for his new barn.

Weather plays havoc with Hawthorne schedule

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 18 Jan 2025 14:05:21 GMT

Weather plays havoc with Hawthorne schedule

The Jim Eaton stable’s Bet Mine (no.8) , victorious in 2 of his last 3 starts, is one of the pre-race favorites in Saturday’s second race headliner. (Four Footed Fotos).

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

With an extremely cold weather forecast on the horizon, Hawthorne has cancelled Sunday’s racing program and changed Saturday’s 14-race card to an earlier 5:30 (Central time) first post time.

Temperatures are expected to dip below zero on Sunday with a dangerous wind chill factor of 15 degrees below zero. Wind gusts are expected to reach 32 miles per hour, plummeting the temperature to even more treacherous readings, definitely not safe for people or horses alike.

We will have to wait another week to watch and wager on Hawthorne’s Open Pace, however Saturday’s top event will come early on Saturday’s program and it’s a good one.

It’s the second race for horses with a Trackmaster racing of less than 80 and most of the seven starters have competed at the meet in a local Open, including the morning line favorites, the Perry Smith tandem of Round Here Buzz (Cordarius Stewart) and Truffle Dog (Mike Oosting), along with Bet Mine (Wyatt Avenatti from the barn of trainer Jim Eaton.

Fox Valley Cayman (Casey Leonard), Odds On Alpha Make (Brandon Bates), Tookadiveoffdipper (Marcus Miller) and Clearchoice De Vie (Juan Franco) complete what appears to be a nicely competitive field.

What we learned last week is that after a couple of months of a different horse prevailing in Hawthorne’s Open Pace for colts and geldings every weekend, we may have a pacer who might just rule the top overnight event for a while.

He’s Brooklyn Bridge, an Australia bred pacer from the Ronnie Roberts stable. The now 7-year-old gelding a week ago became the first horse to win back-to-back Hawthorne Opens at the winter meet.

It was a heads-up drive from Kyle Wilfong that went a long way in Brooklyn Bridge’s 1:52 mile victory. Kyle has been the regular driver behind the Illinois champion He’zzz A Wise Sky through the horse’s outstanding career, so he knows the homebred strengths and weaknesses.

A vast majority of He’zzz A Wise Sky’s 56 lifetime wins have come on the front, cutting quick fractions, pulling away in the last turn, and holding off the late closers. With that in mind, when driver Todd Warren hustled He’zzz A Wise Sky from the three-slot, Wilfong did the same with Brooklyn Bridge, handicapped with the seven-post, and so did Brandon Bates with the Anotherstatement A from the two, and Wyatt Avenatti with Melton Beach N on the rail..

Both Melton Beach and Brooklyn Bridge had head pole misfunctions right after the start with the New Zealand bred making a speed break. However, Brooklyn Bridge shook off the equipment problem and settled into the three-hole for Wilfong where the Sweet Lou gelding raced for much of the mile.

When the front-stepping He’zzz A Wise Sky accelerated near the three-quarters to a four length lead, Wilfong had Brooklyn Bridge on the move as well, and the betting favorite proved fastest, powering past in the late going. Anotherstatment A came on nicely for second, beaten a half-length while He’zzz A Wise Sky held on for third.

December Board Meeting Notes

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 17:15:50 GMT

2025 NOC Condition and Nomination Form

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 20:50:17 GMT

2025 NOC condition and nominating form can be found here. NOC Condition/Nominating form

Free Hawthorne Betting Programs Return

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Sun, 12 Jan 2025 19:58:29 GMT

Free Hawthorne programs, courtesy of the Illinois Harness Horsemen's Association, have returned. Follow this link to download.

Open favorites look to continue dominance

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sun, 12 Jan 2025 14:47:55 GMT

Open favorites look to continue dominance

Brookview Bolt (Kyle Wilfong) eyes his fourth consecutive Open Trot win Saturday at Hawthorne. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

All winning streaks eventually end but the question always remains: When? Is Sunday the night the recent dominance in Hawthorne’s filly and mare Open Pace or its top-level trot event comes to a close?

The ease in which Fox Valley Leah has been racking up wins in the distaff Open and the way Brookview Bolt is dominating the local trotting division strongly suggests the betting public will send off both horses has prohibitive favorites once again.

And why not?

Assigned the outside seven slots for both horses doesn’t appear to be much of a deterrent for either one.

Fox Valley Leah has rattled off four consecutive wins at Hawthorne and two starts ago drew off leaving from the seven slot when she showed she doesn’t need the lead or the two-hole to be successful. Driven by her trainer Todd Warren, who shares ownership with the now 5-year-old mare with Lester Peters (Beecher, IL) and Richard Tomei (Peotone), the Somestarsomehwere mare is very difficult to beat in Illinois, winning in her home state 83 per cent (15 for 18) of the time.

Fox Valley Leah was allocated the outside seven post last week, but the winter weather played havoc with the roads and the field was reduced to just five mares for the Open.

Looking to snap Fox Valley Leah’s winning streak tonight are. from the pole position out, Déjà vu Babyboo (Marcus Miller), Sleazy Mama (Brandon Bates), Genie Ina Bottle (Cordarius Stewart), Skeeter Machine (Mike Oosting), La Rockin Shania (Juan Franco), and Bombay Parkway (Casey Leonard).

Brookview Bolt (Kyle Wilfong) has simply been much the best in Hawthorne’s Open trot since he arrived from Hoosier Park in early December for trainer Ronnie Roberts. The now 7-year-old gelding is 3-for-3 at Hawthorne and has had some convincing triumphs in the top overnight event.

The Swan For All gelding’s last pair of successes have come leaving from the 6 and 8 slots, so tonight’s 7-hole shouldn’t be much of a hindrance. Owned by east coast connections, Brookview Bolt went over the $700,000 plateau in career earnings last weekend.

Aspiring to end Brookview Bolt’s supremacy Sunday is Perlucky (Travis Seekman), Peekaboo Sal (Wyatt Avenatti), Loulita (Brandon Bates), Double A Goldrush (Casey Leonard), Jewels For Champ (Marcus Miller), and Rumbleinthevalley (Mike Oosting).

Both Fox Valley Leah and Brookview Bolt will open as 2-1 favorites, however you can expect to go at much lower odds, likely below even money.

Patience Pays Off : A patient driver from Casey Leonard provided the way for Lous Amazon to complete a sweep of the Jingle Bell trotting series Friday night.

The heavy favorite from the barn of trainer Steve Searle shook loose down the stretch at the right time to post a half-length victory over the front-stepping Omaha Storm Chaser (Kyle Wilfong) in the $15,000 final.

Lous Amazon ($3.60) raced much of the mile right behind Omaha Storm Chaser who cut fractions of 29.2, 59.3 and 1:29.1 in the 1:58.2 mile with Helpful Nonna (Marcus Miller) parked on the outside of the leader. The win was the fourth in a row for the son of Lou’s Legacy, owned by her breeder Flacco Family Farms of Alexia, Illinois.

Open favorites look to continue dominance

Another series sweep for the Searle stable?

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 14:08:37 GMT

Another series sweep for the Searle stable?

The Steve Searle trained ICF mare Lous Amazon (Casey Leonard) goes for a weep of Hawthorne’s Jingle Bell trotting series Saturday night. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

The last of Hawthorne’s Jingle Bell series events will wrap up Saturday evening with another Steve Searle trained trotter looking for a series sweep.

The big 4-year-old mare Lous Amazon with driver Casey Leonard has brushed away the challengers in the first three legs of the Jingle Bell and no doubt will go to the post with the bulk of the public’s wagering money in the $15,000 championship feature.

The daughter of the perennial ICF trotting sire Lou’s Legacy extended her current winning streak with her trio of convincing triumphs the last few weekends for her Flacco Family Farms of Alexis, Illinois, her owners and breeders.

Last week she did it with the six-slot in an 8-horse field. Lous Amazon had to work in the early going when she and three others left for up-close position, The betting favorite made the front out of the first turn but Aunt Percilla (Mike Oosting), sprinting out from the outside post took over soon thereafter.

Nevertheless, a few strides later Hawthorne’s leading driver had Lous Amazon on the move again, clearing to the top by more than one length. By the half-mile pole, a lead the trotting mare would never relinquish in her winning 1:59.2 mile on a cold (19 degrees) evening.

Last month it was Lous Amazon’s stablemate Lous Miracle (Wyatt Avenatti) zipping through an Illinois bred series in comfortable fashion for his Grant Park, Illinois conditioner.

While Lous Amazon has heated up has the weather got colder, her only other win in 2023 came in early October when she drew off by four lengths in the filly’s second leg of the Beulah Dygert stake series with Casey at her lines.

over the highly regarded state-breds 3-year-olds Calypso Moon and Stand By Your Man.

Lous Amazon will be the 8-5 first flash favorite from the four-post when she meets Hope’s Star (Wyatt Avenatti), Omaha Storm Chaser (Kyle Wilfong), Fashion Baby (Cordarius Stewart), Scorecard Lil Red (Juan Franco), Aunt Percilla (Mike Oosting), Illini Diva (Todd Warren), Ally Baba (Travis Seekman), Helpful Nonna (Marcus Miller) and Affection (Brandon Bates).

Back after a one-week absence is Hawthorne’s Open Pace with a reduced purse of $8,500. Brooklyn Bridge A (pp 7), from the barn of conditioner Ronnie Roberts, will try to become the first Open winner at the winter meet to make it back-to-back first place finishes on the mile oval..

Roberts will send out a second Australian bred in the fifth race with Away Way Go A, an Open winner in mid-December who was handicapped with the outside eight-slot.

Kyle Wilfong will be back at the lines of Brookyln Bridge A who sped to a 1:51.1 clocking two week ago. Kyle chose the Castaldo Racing Stable 7-year-old pacer to drive Saturday over He’zzz A Wise Sky who landed a rare inside start with the three-post for her new driver Todd Warren.

The first two posts will also be manned by imports. The New Zealand bred gelding Melton Beach N (Wyatt Avenatti), also a Roberts trainee, has the pole position, while another Aussie, Anotherstatement A drew the two with Brandon Bates. Round Here Buzz (Cordarius Stewart), Fox Valley Landed (Kyle Husted) and Play Me Rock (Juan Franco) leave from posts 4, 5 and 6. In that order.

No place like home for Fox Valley Leah

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sun, 05 Jan 2025 14:14:10 GMT

No place like home for Fox Valley Leah

Fox Valley Leah (Todd Warren) has won 82 per cent of her starts in her home state of Illinois. (Four Footed Fotos).

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

The adage “There’s No Place Like Home” was popularized by Dorothy (Judy Garland) in the old 1939 Classic movie The Wizard of Oz. Even today the admired phase fits numerous situations, and that includes horse racing.

A perfect example is the ICF mare Fox Valley Leah, who goes after her fourth consecutive victory in Saturday’s featured Open Pace for fillies and mares. When the Todd Warren trained 5-year-old competes in her home state, she’s been exceptional.

Not that she hasn’t done well out-of-state. Outside of Illinois the Somestarsomewhere mare has won at a 31 per cent clip. She competed this year in Minnesota and picked-up checks in 10 of her 12 starts, winning three times including an Open Handicap at Running Aces last August.

Fox Valley Leah banked over $30,000 up North before coming back to Illinois where she has put almost $34,000 on her card in only seven outings. It’s not a surprising amount when you consider the mare owns a winning clip racing in the Prairie State of 82 per cent (14-for-17).

Ten of those wins came in 2023 as a 3-year-old for the Midwest Division of the Erv Miller stable. She was acquired in late November that year by Illinoisians Lester Peters (Beecher), Richard Tomei (Peotone) and Warren (Monee). A win tonight would put the mare’s lifetime earnings less than $200 away from the $200,000 plateau.

Fox Valley Leah, who does her best racing up close and does have excellent speed from the starting gate, was assigned the outside eight slot by the Hawthorne Race Office. One post inside of her is Bombay Parkway (Casey Leonard), allocated the seventh slot after two consecutive runner-up finishes to Fox Valley Leah.

The move from back-to-back starts from the two post to an outside post could benefit the Mike Brink trained 6-year-old mare. Bombay Parkway, ho took her mark of 1:51 flat last summer at Hoosier Park, is at her best coming out of it with a big stretch move. In her last start the inside post saw her race first-over the last time the two mares met. She should pick up cover tonight.

The first six posts were drawn by groups (1-3) (4-6). The first three posts belong to Genie Ina Bottle (Cordarius Stewart), Skeeter Machine (Mike Oosting) and She’s Magical), all out of last week’s Jingle Bell series for mares won by Skeeter Machine. Déjà vu Babyboo (Marcus Miller), L Rockin Shania (Juan Franco) and Sleazy Mama (Brandon Bates) have the 4, 5 and slots, in that order.

Fox Valley Leah is the 2-1 morning line favorite, and you can expect her odds to spiral downward tonight before the starting gate springs open. Bombay Parkway is next at 5-2. Interestingly, Ed Teefy owned mare was the 6-5 post time favorite in the last distaff Open when Fox Valley Leah won her third in a row at unexpected odds of 5-2.

The mare with the highest career earnings in tonight’s headliner is Sleazy Mama, from the barn of veteran trainer Nelson Willis, The 5-year-old mare has lifetime earnings of $313,126. The now 10-year-old mare Skeeter Machine comes nest with $277,263.

Lous Amazon in right spot for success

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 04 Jan 2025 13:36:24 GMT

Lous Amazon in right spot for success

Lous Amazon (Casey Leonard) goes for her third consecutive Jingle Bell trotting series win Saturday at Hawthorne (Four Footed Fotos).

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Many of us cringe at the arrival of winter in Illinois. Nevertheless, there are those who welcome it, especially for outside activities. And in some cases, there are horses who thrive when the weather gets colder.

The Steve Searle stable’s Lous Amazon has been one of those horses. The 3-year-old ICF filly goes after her third consecutive victory in round three of Saturday’s Jingle Bell series for ICF trotters at Hawthorne.

Winning races in the wintertime isn’t unusual for the daughter of Lou’s Legacy. “That’s what she did last year as a 2-year-old, too,” said her trainer.

Steve was spot on.

A check of the filly’s past performances shows she won her last three 2023 races, in Hawthorne’s Pop-Up series. Searle admits it isn’t the weather for his filly’s winter success, it’s the competition.

The Hawthorne winter meet series is written for pacers or trotters with limited season success, eliminating the cream of the crop in their divisions, and benefiting the next level of competition.

“Lous Amazon isn’t facing the top 3-year-old state-breds like she did in the summer and fall. Lots of times she went into a race as fourth or fifth best. If everything went right, maybe she could be third against those good trotters in her division like Whiskey Lou, Peekaboo Sal, and Calypso Moon. Now she’s racing against trotters at her own level.”

Has Searle made any recent equipment changes on Lous Amazon?

“I’ve put an ear hood on her and she’s done well since,” added the Grant Park, Illinois resident.

Add in the fact that the filly is sharp, healthy, and confident, and you have the winning recipe for success. Despite being labeled as a “second level” Illinois trotter, Lou’s has banked a not too shabby $43,112 for her owners and breeders Flacco Family Farms of Alexis, Illinois.

While the filly has a modest record of three season wins, she has missed only one check in her 19 trips to the starting gate in 2024 and several of those came in state-bred stake events.

In her freshman campaign Lous Amazon was six-time winner in 5 starts and made just under $35,000. “The first time Casey (Leonard) drove her he told me ‘She has talent, now we just have to reel it in.”’

With almost $80,000 in purse earnings in Lous Amazon’s first two years of racing, it sounds like that has been accomplished.

Lous Amazon is one of two 3-yrear-old trotters going to the post Friday night in the Jingle Bell series for Searle. The other is the gelding Lous Miracle, who swept Hawthorne’s recent Illinois bred series. After taking a week off Lous Miracle entered the second series leg but was rambunctious and made breaks at the start last week.

“It was a sloppy surface, and his driver Wyatt Avenatti said the glare from the lights hitting the track was bothering the horse,” added Searle.

Lous Amazon (Casey Leonard) is the 8-5 early favorite when she leaves from post six in the second Jingle Bell series third leg Friday night. She takes on Blazin Grace (Travis Seekman), Fashion Baby (Cordarius Stewart), Omaha Storm Chaser (Kyle Wilfong), Lous Mandalorian (Chris Brown), Rockefeller Lindy (Wyatt Avenatti), Helpful Nonna (Marcus Miller) and Aunt Percilla (Todd Warren).

A race earlier Lous Miracle (post seven, Wyatt Avenatti) meets Affection (Marcus Miller), Scorecard Lil Red (Juan Franco), Ally Baba (Travis Seekman), Stylish Grace (Jordan Patton), Illini Diva (Kyle Wilfong), Hope’s Star (Casey Leonard) and Noble Prize (Robert Smolin).

IHHA Update

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 23:41:26 GMT

Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to the future of Illinois harness racing. The January lame-duck session has just concluded, and we want to share an update and outline the path forward.

What Happened in Lame-Duck?

No Vote Was Taken on Our Legislation: There was no vote on our proposed legislation during the lame-duck session. As a result, there is no record of legislators voting for or against our bill. The session was largely consumed by internal caucus issues, which meant very few legislative actions took place across the board. For example, even Governor Pritzker’s priority, the Hemp Bill, was not called for a vote.

2. Progress Behind the Scenes: Although our bill did not move forward during this session, we made significant progress in laying the groundwork for spring. We met with legislators and leadership to better understand the hurdles we need to address and received positive feedback on the importance of our efforts.

3. Grassroots Success: Legislators shared that they received calls from many of you, their constituents. These efforts were acknowledged and appreciated, reinforcing the value of our grassroots strategy.

Next Steps: Spring Legislative Session

This spring, we must double down on our efforts to ensure the passage of our legislation, which is vital for the future of Illinois harness racing. This bill will create jobs, generate significant revenue for the state, and remove longstanding barriers to industry growth.

How You Can Help

· Spread the Word: Engage your network—veterinarians, feed stores, farriers, and others—to support this legislation. Friends and family can also help by reaching out to their legislators.

· Become a Grassroots Leader: We need leaders in every district to help organize outreach efforts. Let us know if you are willing to take on this important role.

The Stakes Are High

The spring session is our best opportunity to secure the future of Illinois harness racing. Together, we can pass legislation that:

· Removes the barriers blocking new a new Chicagoland racetrack

· Allows for the development of a new racetrack in Macon County.

Let’s work together to make 2025 the year of change for Illinois harness racing. If you have any questions or are ready to lead, please reach out.

Sincerely,

Jeff Davis

President, Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association

jeffihha@gmail.com

Is Hawthorne’s next Open champ an import?

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 14:19:22 GMT

Is Hawthorne’s next Open champ an import?

Brooklyn Bridge A (Kyle Wilfong) will try to follow his winning U, S. debut with a victory in Hawthorne’s Open Pace on Saturday. (Four Footed Fotos).

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

About a month ago we wrote of the trend in Hawthorne’s Open Pace division of seemingly a different pacer each week winning the top Overdue event. After a ninth different horse in the last 10 weekend events has now prevailed, the fete can no longer be called just a “trend.” It’s reality.

Perry Smith’s 6-year-old gelding Play Me Rock, nicely handled by driver Juan Franco, became the latest pacer to nail down his first Hawthrone Open triumph of the winter meet and he did it a week ago with a three-length margin in 1:51 flat.

Can Play Me Rock be the first to prevail in back-to-back Hawthorne winter Opens? With the 9-slot in tonight’s 10-horse race feature, he’ll likely be a longshot to pull off the honor, but if not, who will? And will he be the tenth different pacer?

Six of the 10 horses going to the gate in Saturday’s headliner haven’t succeeded in the meet’s Open, so the odds are we may have another a 10th different winner from the field, listed in post-position order, of Truffle Dog (Mike Oosting), Intimidation (Todd Warren), Fox Valley Landen (Kyle Husted), Melton Beach N (Kyle Wilfong), Montana Chief A (Wyatt Avenatti), Brooklyn Bridge A (Kyle Wilfong), Fox Valley Langley (Geremy Bobbitt), Fox Valley Gemini (Casey Leonard), Play Me Rock (Juan Franco) and Bet Mine (Wyatt Avenatti).

Perhaps this time around it’ll be one of three pacers born and raised in another country on the other side of the worlfd Two of the strong Down Under imports are the New Zealand bred Melton Beach N and the Australia import Brooklyn Bridge A, are both from the barn of veteran trainer Ronnie Roberts, and expect them to get plenty of public support at the betting windows.

Melton Beach was shuffled out of contention last week before shaking loose in 27.2 on a chilly night (22 degrees) while stablemate Brooklyn Bridge was very impressive in his United States debut and don’t let the winning time of 1:54.1 fool you. Leaving from the outside nine-post, the 6-year-old gelding was sixth at the first quarter, almost seven lengths behind, and in one swoop move went to first at the 56.2 half. From there, the horse basically just coasted to his victory.

Both imports are owned by the Castaldo Racing Stable of Addison, Illinois. Another Australian bred in the Open is Montana Chief A (Wyatt Avenatti) from the stable of Hector Herrera. The 9-year-ild geldings boasts 31 career wins.

Brooklyn Bridge burst on the Australia harness racing scene in 2022 and was called “one of the best horses in the state” by the website Harnesslink as a 4-year-old when he easily captured the $100,000 NSW Regional Championship at Riverina Raceway in Wagga, Australia.

The son of Sweet Lou raced four wide and then three wide through the first turn before grabbing the lead and controlling the race with driver Blake Jones for owner Ray Moore. Brooklyn Bridge drew away so much in the stretch his driver had time to turn his head around to see where the opposition was.

The huge victory came in just the horse’s tenth career start, and at that time it was was Brooklyn Bridge’s seventh victory.

Interestingly, Moore owned a mare named Daisey Chain. So, when a full sister to Daisey Chain in Loving You, an Art Major mare, was offered to him for $15,000, Ray bought her. The mare was in foal to Sweet Lou when he took possession and in October of 2018, she foaled a colt to be later named Brooklyn Bridge.

Hawthorne’s Jingle Bell finals very competitive

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Fri, 27 Dec 2024 14:08:08 GMT

Hawthorne’s Jingle Bell finals very competitive

The Steve Halford II trained Marshall Malone, victorious in his three legs of the Jingle Bell series for pacing colts and geldings, is the morning line favorite for Friday’s $15,000 final. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Hawthorne’s current Jingle Bell Series came about with hopes of attracting plenty of horses, which is has accomplished, and give some of the smaller horsemen an opportunity to go for some decent pots late in the year, particularly those horses that had not done well as far as earning power. In some cases, the series certainly has delivered.

The conditions for the Jingle Bell pacing series were for horses with a Trackmaster rating of less than 75, for ICF pacers it was 76. And as you may well know, you’re not going to find some of the better pacers at that level.

One horse that has taken advantage of the Jingle Bell series is the 5-year-old gelding Marshall Malone, trained by Steve Halford II for Alexander, Illinois owner Richard Dobson.

Marshall Malone came into the series three legs ago with 15 race losing streak. You have to go the way back to late October in 2023 to find his last win. He made less than $9,000 this year going into December, however three consecutive series wins later he’s more than doubled his money won on the season to $19.402, with an opportunity to add another $7,500 to that total with a victory in Friday night’s $15,000 co-feature.

Marshall Malone will open as the 7-2 early favorite with Mike Oosting at his lines from the 6-slot in a 10-horse field. Listed at 4-1 is the William Crone trained Rockin The Jackpot (Kiwon Waldron) freshman was an easy four-length 1:54 flat triumph in his third leg of the series. The capable Grand Champ (Casey Leonard) with the pole position for trainer Michael Perrin will be at 5-1 first flash odds.

The wide-open $15,000 series final is completed with You Never Can Tell (Marcus Miller), Who’zzz This Sky (Wyatt Avenatti), Allegheny Hanover (Kyle Wilfong), Brandon Hanover (Todd Warren), Ernie The Mooss (Gary Rath), Sullenberger (Juan Franco) and Erico Pallazzo (Travis Seekman).

The Jingle Bell series showdown for the gals is just as wide-open as the boy’s final with last Perry Smith’s She’s Magical (Todd Warren) and last season’s Illinois 3-year-old pacing filly of the year Chickabell (Kyle Husted) from the barn od Amy Husted the morning line choices at odds of 7-2 and 4-1, respectively.

The 5-year-old mare She’s Magical’s lifetime earnings of $220,883 tops her nine foes. She lacked striking position last week after proving best in 2 of her 3 previous outings.

Chickabell, a daughter of Somestarsomewhere, has made only 9 starts this year and didn’t pick-up her first victory until the November 10th Plum Peachy Consolation. She hasn’t finished worse than second in four starts since and tonight’s gets a significant post swing from the 8 slot to the 2 post.

The Jim Eaton trained Time To Ryde, with the one-slot for driver Marcus Miller, comes off two convincing series first place finishers and the 9-year-old mare Skeeter Machine (Mike Oosting), trained by Nick Prather, should both get a lot of public support, as well.

The competitive field also includes City By The Bay (Casey Leonard), Rollnroz (Cordarius Stewart), Rmissashlee (Kyle Wilfong), Amy Mooss (Juan Franco), Fillys Revenge (Wyatt Avanatti) and Genie Ina Bottle (Jordan Payton).

Also, on the right-race program are a pair of second leg series events for trotters. First round winners Lous Amazon (Casey Leonard), from the barn stable of Steve Searle, and the Justin Anfinson trained Blazin Grace (Marcus Miller) tangle in the fourth race division while Searle’s Lous Miracle (Wyatt Avenatti), who swept Hawthorne’s recent Illinois bred trotting series, and Gregory Kain’s Scorecard Lil Red (Juan Franco) who owns a 1:55.4 mile this year, taken at Hoosier Park, are the third race early co-favorites.

Illinois Hall of Fame Inductees Selected

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:34:43 GMT

Illinois Hall of Fame Inductees Selected

As the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association continues to work to restore the Pride in Illinois Racing and move our sport back into prominence, we understand the importance of honoring those who have made significant and meaningful contributions to our industry.

The IHHA’s Hall of Fame Committee is thrilled to announce that the following were recently chosen for induction into the Illinois Harness Hall of Fame:

Terry Leonard

Terry has always been regarded as a top tier trainer in Illinois throughout his long, illustrious career. Plying his trade only in Illinois, he has been able to surpass $8 million in career winnings with over 1,000 victories. He has led the trainer standings in Illinois in five of the last six years.

Freddie Patton Jr.

Freddie hails from Clinton, Mississippi. He has been a fixture in Illinois racing since the early 80’s. Competing primarily on the County Fair circuit, Freddie has over 800 wins and $2million in earnings as a driver and along the way has trained 567 winners with just under $2 million in earnings. Although his numbers are impressive, what cannot be understated is the influence he has had on so many, in paving the way for numerous others from Mississippi to follow him to Illinois.

Bill Wright

Bill’s contributions to Illinois racing are most apparent as a noteworthy owner of quality horses, including King Mufasa, Dreamaster and Classic Photo. However, for those in the know, Bill has worked tirelessly throughout the years for the betterment of Illinois horseman. The former IHHA President has spearheaded many different think tanks including the “Strategic Planning Council” and “Trottingham.”

Tom Tetrick - posthumously

Tom’s exemplary racing career and his contributions to Illinois harness racing are very difficult to portray with just the written word. Tom was a true ambassador for Illinois harness racing and a mentor for so many. Perhaps, however, his greatest accomplishment and legacy was not left in the horses he bred, trained, or raced, but in the three outstanding sons he and his wife Mary Alice raised. Tom T., Tim and Trace have all established themselves as well-respected horsemen and leaders within the industry.

Also being inducted into the Illinois Harness Hall of Fame for their exemplary racing careers will be:

Mucho Sleazy

Illinois-Bred with lifetime earnings of $902,946. Multiple stakes winner not only in Illinois but nationally as well. Competed against a three-old crop which included Somebeachsomewhere and Art Official.

Fox Valley Tribal

Illinois-Bred winner of 48 races and $1,237,823. Multiple Illinois Stakes winner. Beat current Illinois Hall of Famers “My Boy David” and Thisbigdogwillfight.” As an older horse, went on to win Invitational type events at various tracks across the East Coast.

King Johnny

Illinois-Bred winner of $372,169 and 31% of his lifetime starts. He didn’t find his best stride until later in his career, winning the Dan Patch three straight years as a 7, 8, and 9-year-old. Always a fan-favorite, King Johnny took his lifetime mark at the age of nine at the Illinois State Fair in 1:48.4, which is still the record there for an aged horse.

Also being honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for their dedication to Illinois Harness Racing will be Tom and LeAnn Shinn.

We look forward to honoring and celebrating them all on March 1, in Springfield at our annual Horsemen’s Banquet.

Congratulations to all.

Hawthorne features have indeed been open

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 21 Dec 2024 13:17:13 GMT

Hawthorne features have indeed been open

Away We Go A (driven here by Marcus Miller) became the eighth different horse to win the Open at Hawthorne’s winter meet. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

In past years it was common to see horses that began to tower above others in Hawthorne’s Open Pace, trigger its Race Office to take steps to make the top overnight event more competitive.

After two consecutive Open victories, a horse was assigned the outside post. A third win and more drastic steps were taken such as giving that horse the 10-hole even if that field had only 7 or 8 horse fields, or sometimes just offer an Open Two event that weekend, writing-out the dominating horse.

However, this year the Race Office hasn’t had to generate tactics it likely doesn’t want to make for a competitive Open on the card. A repeat winner this season in the Open takes place less often as our Bears winning two in a row . . . it hasn’t happened.

In fact, in he first ten Opens at the meet, only one horse, Great Seats, as won the top Hawthorne overnight event twice and that came about weeks apart. There have been eight different winners of the Open and a ninth is very possible Saturday night.

The Triple ZZZ stable’s He’zzz A Wise Sky (Kyle Wilfong) will open as the 3-1 favorite in Saturday’s fifth race headliner and the Illinois champion as yet to pop at the current winter meet since he was put on Lasix last month.

In his last two starts the pride of the John Filomeno stable has been overtaken in the late going after leading the field for much of his races. The homebred did come home in 26.3 last week but the 17-1 longshot two-hole Away We Go A, finished in 26 flat to power past the betting favorite.

On thing that has been noticeable in He’zzz A Wise Sky’s last couple of outings. His second quarter times were much slower than normal for him, and the horses behind him didn’t have as much ground to make up. Perhaps the sub-freezing weather and/or some cold windy nights might have something to do with the ICF champ’s recent slower half-mile times of 57 flat.

Let’s see how things play out tonight when He’zzz A Wise Sky takes on Round Here Buzz (Cordarius Stewart), Play Me Rock (Juan Franco), Fox Valley Landen (Kyle Husted), Truffle Dog (Mike Oosting), Hello Sweetie Boy (Travis Seekman), Intimidation (Todd Warren), Away We Go A (Wyatt Avenatti), and Quixote (Casey Leonard).

Besides He’zzz A Wise Sky, the only other horses in the feature without an Open triumph at the current Hawthorne winter meet are Play Me Rock, who won the event three times in 2023, and Hello Sweetie Boy who has spent the year racing in Indiana and Ohio and has made only one local start. The Kimberly Roth pacer did notch a Hawthorne Open victory last season.

Hawthorne rings in an all-series program

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 14:14:59 GMT

Hawthorne rings in an all-series program

Rmissashlee (Wyatt Avenatti) goes after a sweep of her Jingle Bell series legs Friday night. (Four Foot Fotos).

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Hawthorne’s Jingle Bell Series has been a winner with the racetrack and horsemen alike. Entries have been abundant for both pacing fillies and the mares and colts and geldings’ divisions and the good size fields have benefitted the mutuel handle.

So, what do you do when you have a good thing going? Hawthorne’s Race Office answer: You add to it. Friday’s third legs have company tonight with the addition of a Jingle Bell series start-up for trotters.

Whether it was done to add to the Christmas spirit, or those were just the races that filled, all eight of Friday’s events are for Jingle Bell horses; three for the pacing gals, three for the guys, and four trotters of both sexes.

In fact, Friday’s opener is the first $7,000 division for diagonally gaited horses. It’s likely the favoritism will go to a pair of Lou’s Legacy offspring, Lou’s Amazon (Casey Leonard) who opens at 2-1, and Lous Mandalorian (Travis Seeman), the 3-1 first flash second choice.

They’ll be challenged by Mariah Lou (Wyatt Avenatti), Stylish Grace (Jordan Patton), Omaha Storm Chaser (Kyle Wilfong), Fashion Baby (Cordarius Stewart), Helpful Nonna (Juan Franco) and Lou’s Di Nomite (Mike Oosting).

The second division of the new trotting series goes as race four with the two inside horses Blazin Grace (Todd Warren) and Scorecard Lil Red (Juan Franco) opening up at 3-1 and 7-2, respectively in the nine-horse field. Scorecard Lil Red, a 3-year-old from the barn of Gregory Gain, was the third-place finisher in Hawthorne’s recent Illinois bred series final that concluded last weekend.

Illini Diva (Matt Avenatti), Affection (Kyle Wilfong), Ally Baba (Travis Seekman), Noble Prize (Robert Smolin), De Storm Warrior (Geremy Bobbitt) Dashing Durango (Jordan Patton) and Rockefeller Lindy (Wyatt Avenatti), with posts 3 through 9, complete the field.

Interestingly, Triple ZZZ stable’s Who’zzz This Sky (Todd Warren), a game second six nights ago in the ICF series final for male pacers, is the morning line’s prohibitive even-money choice in the first (race two) Jingle Bell for male pacers.

Marshall Malone, driven tonight by Mike Oosting, heads up for fifth race second male split. The 5-year-old gelding has breezed in his first pair of Jingle Bell outings. His chief challengers appear to be Edgar Herrera’s Shipwrecked (Juan Franco) who was beaten less than two lengths from the 9-hole despite a wide mile and has the pole position tonight, and Grand Champ (Casey Leonard), a front-stepping winner in 1:54.4, a new lifetime mark for the 3-year-old Michael Perrin trainee.

The third colt and gelding grouping brings out earlier Jingle Bell series victors Too Infinity (Kyle Husted) and Allegheny Hanover (Kyle W ilfong) in race seven. Fox Valley Presley (Casey Leonard) and Gallant Attribute (Travis Seekman) are expected to get a lot of play, as well.

The Ronnie Roberts trained Rmissashlee eyes a sweep of the series legs for distaffers and looks to be in good shape to do so with the rail in third race, Friday’s initial split for the gals.

The Terry Leonard stable’s Fillister Photo (Casey Leonard) makes her first appearance in the series third leg where she’s pitted against eight others including the early favorite Fox Valley Exploit (Kyle Husted). The 7-year-old former Illinois champ is a purse check away from going over a half million dollars in lifetime earnings.

The last of Friday’s filly and mare series legs takes place on the eighth and last race of the night where favoritism looks to be divided between the rail horse Rollnroz (Casey Leonard), a series leg winner from the one-slot; Amy Mooss, a beaten favorite a week ago when she raced first over and ended up second best, and JD’s Queen Lori (Kyle Wilfong), who got pushed back last week as the betting favorite in her series leg.

November Meeting Minutes

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 18:18:48 GMT

Illinois series for male pacers up for grabs

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Sat, 14 Dec 2024 14:05:48 GMT

Illinois series for male pacers up for grabs

Love Is Blue (Gary Rath), a leg two winner in the Illinois-bred series at Hawthorne, is one of the strong contenders for Saturday’s championship. (Four Footed Fotos).

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

A trio Illinois series champions will be crowned Saturday night and while there are a pair of clear-cut favorites in two of the series finals, a third looks to be up for grabs as far as not only the winner, but what horse will even go off as the post-time choice.

The state-bred series finale that rates as a toss-up is the $20,000 showdown for 2 and 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings. Its first two pounds produced four different winners in as many races with the betting favorite in each failing to reward the wagering public.

Who’zzz This Sky (Todd Warren), Western Terror (Travis Seekman), Love Is Blue (Gary Rath) and Fox Valley Tyrel (Kyle Wilfong) each have won a series leg, the latter two at double digit odds

The pre-series favorite Fox Valley Ramiro could do no better than a third at 3-5 odds in two series tries and Saturday night is saddled with the 9-slot in the 10-horse field. Juan Franco gets the catch drive behind the Tom Simmons trainee replacing Casey Leonard who will be handling Fox Valley Gemini’s younger brother Fox Valley Bruin (p.p. 8) for the stable of his father Terry Leonard.

The morning line says Freds Finale (Kyle Husted), from the barn of Brittany Dillion is the luke-warn 7-2 favorite after dropping a neck decision to Love Is Blue last week. Freds Finale didn’t compete in the series first leg.

The Gary Rath stable’s Love Is Blue is listed next at 4-1 and the Hypnotic Blue Chip gelding drew nicely with the pole position, one slot closer than the early 9-2 third choice Who’zzz This Sky who has been racing very well since trainer John Filomeno out the youngster brother of Illinois champion Who’zzz This Sky on the bleeder medication Lasix last month.

Then comes the Ronnie Roberts trained gelding Fox Valley Tyrel who has spent a good position of the season on the sidelines with health issues, However, after missing more than two months and competing in a needed start, he was a game winner last week in 1:56.1 and moves from the seven-slot to the three-post tonight

From the four post through the 10-hole you’ll find Bellas First Mooss (Matt Avenatti), Freds Finale (Kyle Husted), Tonto Returns (Wyatt Avenatti), Bull Market (Travis Seekman), Fox Valley Bruin (Casey Leonard), Fox Valley Ramiro (7-1, Juan Franco) and Western Trevor (Cordarius Stewart).

The race will go as the seventh on the nine-race card.

After prevailing in the first two legs of the series for Illinois bred trotters, the Steve Searle trained Lou’s Miracle (Wyatt Avenatti) will be the first flash even money choice in race three where the son of Lou’s Legacy takes on five foes. Two-time beaten choice Scorecard Lil Red (Juan Franco) is next at 2-1.

Lous Night Vision (Casey Leonard), Whatadladywhatanite (Marcus Miller), Lou Benuino (Chris Brown) and So Darn Lucky (Kyle Husted) complete the group of trotters vying for a $20,000 pot.

The $20,000 filly series championship won’t go until race eight with its full 10-horse field. The Mike Brink stable’s Dream (Juan Franco) is listed as the 2-1 favorite and deservedly so despite landing the outside 10-slot.

The Ed Teefey home-bred Somestarsomewhere filly out of the dam Hello My Dream has been “lights out” in the first two rounds, coming from far out of it in her victories. She’s obviously in top form, but she likely will have a lot of horses to try and pass up and may have to come a long way to do so.

Awaiting Dream are, from the one-slot out, Itty Bitty Secret (Matt Avenatti), Fiesty Val (Robert Smolin), Hermia’s Star (Chris Brown), Jezibel Mooss (Gary Rath), Two Bean Dream (Wyatt Avenatti), SG Clover Success (Kyle Wilfong), Frontier Fantasy (Geremy Bobbitt), Jimmylai (Casey Leonard) and Fox Valley Tatum (Kyle Husted).

Hawthorne Jingle Bell filly series grows

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 14:30:37 GMT

Hawthorne Jingle Bell filly series grows

Brandon Hanover (Toss Warren) goes after his second straight Jingle Bell series win Friday night. (Four Footed Fotos).

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Friday’s second leg of the popular Jingle Bell series for pacing fillies or mares exceeded the first round as far as entries were concerned with four divisions necessary on tonight’s Hawthorne’s nine-race card.

With a trio of Jingle Bell series hopefuls entered for the male division, only Friday’s $11,100 Open Pace and a low-end conditioned pace were needed to fill the program.

The first of the four filly series splits is the opener where the pre-race favorite Chickabell looks for a repeat victory that she barely eked out a week ago with driver Todd Warren and this time she’ll have to do it from the outside eight-slot.

The 2023 ICF freshman filly pacer of the year has had an up and down campaign in her second season; however, it’s definitely been up over the last two months with three victories in her last four starts for trainer Amy Husted. Chickabell will be the 5-2 first flash favorite tonight.

The Tom Simmons trained First Of Her Name (Travis Seekman) opens at 7-2 despite being winless in 20 season starts. The Unlocked filly lacked racing room as her division favorite in leg one. For that matter, so did Fox Valley Tasha (Marcus Miller), owned and trained by Kevin Miller.

Amy Mooss, from the barn of trainer Gary Rath, is the early 5-2 betting choice in the second filly division after a easy 1:55.3 victory in a Hawthorne conditioned event. Earlier she won a leg of Hawthorne’s Plum Peachy series.

The fourth race third division has Perry Smith’s She’s Magical (Todd Warren) opening at 3-1, followed closely by Give Me This Dance (Casey Leonard) with the pole position and former Illinois champion Fox Valley Exploit (Marcus Miller) with the eight hole, both at 7-2.

Early favoritism in the fourth filly grouping goes to the Hector Herrera trained mare JD’s Queen Lori (Wyatt Avenatti) who finished the runner-up in her Hawthorne season debut leaving from the 9-slot after campaigning all summer at Hoosier Park. She has the 3 post tonight

Leg two of the Jingle Bell for colts and geldings will be contested as races 5, 7 and 8.

The wide-open fifth race has Windy City Farm’s Shipwrecked (Juan Franco) the early2-1 choice despite landing the outside 9-position, The 3-year-old gelding overcame the 6 slot in his 1:54.3 victory in a conditioned pace.

The seventh race split looks to have the post time favorite come from the first three posts that belong to Too Infinity (5-2, Travis Seekman), Fox Valley Presley (2-1, Casey Leonard) and last week’s leg one winner Allegheny Hanover (3-1, Todd Warren).

The eighth race early choice is Brandon Hanover, a front-end 1:55.3 winner in leg one with Todd Warren who is back at the 9-year-old’s lines. Also likely to get plenty of play are the two outside pacers, Marshall Malone (Marcus Miller) and 13-time season winner Vertical Speed (Kyle Wilfong). Marcus was listed on both horses and chose to drive Marshall Malone who was much the best for him in leg one’s 1:54.2 triumph.

The third race Open headliner has eight starts, drawn by groups with the 1 through 6 posts manned by Intimidation (Tood Warren), Play Me Rock (Juan Franco), Hello Sweetie Boy (Travis Seekman), Round Here Buzz (Cordarius Stewart), Bet Mine (Jordan Patton) and Away We Go A (Marcus Miller).

Illinois champion He’zzz A Wise Sky (Kyle Wilfong) nabbed the seven-slot over last week’s Hawthorne Open winner Quixote (Casey Leonard) who goes from the pole position to the outside eight slot this week.

Illinois bred series continues at Hawthorne.

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 07 Dec 2024 13:42:05 GMT

Illinois bred series continues at Hawthorne

Dream (Juan Franco) came on strong in the stretch to win her Illinois bred series leg last weekend at Hawthorne. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Round two of the series for ICF 2 or 3-year-old horses without $20,000 in lifetime earnings takes over the spotlight at Hawthorne Saturday night.

Leg one did produce some surprise winners most notably the Jamaica Patton stable’s Frontier Fantasy, driven by Juan Franco who dead heated with Itty Bitty Secret (Wyatt Avenatti) at 23-1 odds despite making a break in his race.

Also, the pre-series favorite Fox Valley Ramiro (Casey Leonard) came up short at 1-2 odds after a month off and Western Trevor took advantage and won with a new lifetime mark of 1:57.3 for trainer Roshun Trigg. Western Trevor got a skillful inside trip from driver Travis Seekman last week leaving from the pole position, however tonight he’s on the outside (post nine) looking in at his eight foes.

Western Trevor takes on the one-two series finishers Who’zzz This Sky (Todd Warren) and Fox Valley Boxer (Travis Seekman) in his ninth race second division for Illinois bred male pacers.

The Triple ZZZ stable’s Who’zzz This Sky, a full brother to the talented He’zzz A Wise Sky, had only two victories over the past two seasons before trainer John Filomeno put the 3-year-old on Lasix in early November. The gelding hasn’t missed a purse check since in six starts on the bleeder medication and has racked up wins in his last two aces.

The most impressive first leg series win belongs to the 3-year-old filly Dream from the barn of Springfield based trainer Mike Brink. As the season went on the Somestarsomewhere filly, out of the broodmare Hello My Dream, has got better and better.

Last weekend the filly raced eighth and last through a slow 1:01 first half for driver Juan Franco and seemed out of it. Dream was still seventh, five lengths behind with a quarter of mile to go, when she went into another gear down the stretch to win by almost one length in 1:59. Her 27.1 last panel came on chilly evening with the temperature in the low 20’s.

Dream had now been victorious in 3 of her last 6 trips to the starting gate that also includes a second, third and fourth, and has a mark of 1:54.1 at Hawthorne.

Bred by her co-proprietor Ed Teefey, who shares ownership with trainer Mike Brink and Mark Brown (Chatham, IL) and Jeff Clauson (Macomb, IL), Dream will open as the 8-5 favorite in race five when she takes on Two Bean Dream, Fox Valley Tatum, Itty Bitty Secret, Illini Treacherous, We Are Family, Revenge Rosie and Jimmlai.

The Illinois bred series for trotters, race two on the nine-race card, is a rematch between the one-two finishers in leg one—Lou’s Miracle (Wyatt Avenatti) and Scorecard Lil Red (Juan Franco). Avenatti found racing room with Lou’s Miracle at the right time in last week’s 2:02.4 mile to defeat the 6-5 favorite by one length for trainer Steve Searle.

Charles "Bob" Jones has passed away

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 21:39:03 GMT

Charles "Bob" Jones of Nokomis has passed away. Click here for complete obituary.

Latest Hawthorne series a hit with horsemen

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 03:08:23 GMT

Latest Hawthorne series a hit with horsemen

Chickabell, a winner of 2 of her last 3 outings, is one the favorites in the new Jingle Bell series for pacing fillies and mares that will get under way Friday. (Patricia Fryman Photography)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Since the Christmas holidays are fast approaching maybe it was only fitting that the Hawthrone Race Office named their latest new series the “Jingle Bell.” This one is not restricted to Illinois breds and will be contested on consecutive Fridays with a $15,000 final on December 27th.

It's for open company horses with a Trackmaster Rating of 75 or less (76 for ICF pacers). Leg one for Friday’s card lured sufficient horses to go with a trio of divisions with a $7,000 pot on the line in each.

The response for the Jingle Bell series from horsemen was overwhelming. Six of the nine races on Friday’s card are leg one divisions, three each for colts or geldings and another threesome for filly pacers.

On tap Saturday at Hawthorne are the second legs of the Illinois bred series that got underway last weekend.

Friday’s feature is the seventh race $9,100 Open Pace with a 10-horse field. Back in competition is He’zzz A Wise Sky (Kyle Wilfong) and he’s on Lasix for the first time. The defending ICF aged horse of the year landed the eight slot for trainer John Filomeno and the 7-year-old Yankee Skyscraper stud comes off a 1:55.2 winning qualifier raced a week ago.

He’zzz A Wise Sky has 56 career victories with 20 of them coming over the last two seasons for Triple ZZZ Stable of Beecher, Illinois. One million dollars in purse earnings is within reach for the homebred who has $826,574 on his card and shows no signs of declining.

He’zzz A Wise Sky will have to hold off a trio of talented pacers from the Perry Smith stable—Round Here Buzz (Travis Seekman), Truffle Dog (Jordan Patton) and Mustang Beach (Juan Franco).

Round Here Buzz (p.p. 9) won Hawthorne’s November 15th Open, and a week later stablemate Truffle Dog (p.p. 10) proved best in the local Open

Last weekend’s Open went to the Dave Avenatti stable’s Great Seats (Wyatt Avenatti) his 10th triumph of the season. The 4-year-old Sweet Lou gelding will leave from the seven slot. He’s the only horse in the field with two Open victories this season at Hawthorne.

The pole position belongs to Quixote from the barn of Mike Brink. The 4-year-old son of Captaintreacherous has banked over $100,000 this year. Posts two through six will be manned by Away We Go A (Marcus Miller), Mustang Beach (Juan Franco), Fox Valley Langley (Geremy Bobbitt), Intimidation (Todd Warren) and Captain Sleaze (Robert Smolin).

The Open was drawn by groups (1-2) (3-6) (7-10). Interestingly, while Quixote drew for either post one or two, he’s the 3-1 morning line favorite and owns a 1:50 flat clocking this year, taken this summer at Hoosier Park.

Illinois bred series pops up at Hawthorne.

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 30 Nov 2024 14:01:17 GMT

Illinois bred series pops up at Hawthorne

Fox Valley Ramiro (Casey Leonard) is the early favorite Saturday in a new series at Hawthorne for ICF horses. (Patricia Fryman Photography)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

When Illinois horsemen downloaded this weekend’s Hawthorne condition sheet many of them were pleasantly surprised when a new series for Illinois breds of both sexes and gaits popped up.

The series are for ICF horses that are non-winners of $25,000 lifetime as of November 9th and it the events were immediately embraced by Prairie State trainers. Leg one on Saturday night landed two divisions for colts and gelding pacers, another pair for state-bred filly pacers and a single division for trotters.

Each series race will carry an $8,000 purse.

Six male pacers who competed in divisions of last weekend’s Cardinal stakes will participate in the new series, three in each split.

Nevertheless, it’s Fox Valey Ramiro, a non-Cardinal starter who will be the likely post-time favorite in the sixth race first division. The Tom Simmons trained gelding is listed at 9-5 in the morning line and those odds could be going lower. While Fox Valley Ramiro didn’t draw well for tonight with the 7 slot in an 8-horse field, he has the pedigree to get the job done.

Fox Valley Ramiro (Casey Leonard) is a son of Somestarsomehwere out of the Western Hanover mare Pacific Sister K, making him a full brother to the Illinois pacer Fox Valley Cayman (1:52.4). The $16,500 yearling purchase by James Cravens) Buffalo Grove, IL) and Benita Simmons (Springfield, IL) is also a half-brother to such sub 1:52 pacers as Doublescotcher Scotch (1:51, $807,361), Mystical MJ (1:51.1, $317,139), and Earndawg (1:51), $307,325).

Fox Valley Ramiro hasn’t raced for two months. He was scheduled to compete in a leg of the Carey series on October 2 at Springfield but was scratched sick. He was also scratched sick a month later at Hawthorne. He did qualify in 1:55 flat, finishing second a week ago, with Casey Leonard at his lines.

Fox Valley Ramiro did manage to get in 10 starts this year, winning twice, including a 1:5.4 clocking at Du Quoin. The youngster made only two starts as a 2-year-old, winning his debut last summer at Springfield in 1:56.2.

Awaittng Fox Valley Ramiro are Western Trevor (Travis Seekman), Tonto Returns (Wyatt Avenatti), Coleada Party (Geremy Bobbitt), Hezarengade (Robert Smolin), Fox Valley Tyrel (Juan Franco), Bull Market (Marcus Miller), and Fox Valley Cole (Jamaica Patton).

The second split will go as race eighth with a pair of horses from the barn of Terry Leonard—Fox Valley Bruin (Casey Leonard) and Fox Valley Boxer (Travis Seekman), a new addition to the stable—as the first flash favorites at 5-2 and 3-1, respectively.

They’ll be challenged by Love Is Blue (Gar Rath), Bellas First Mooss (Matt Avenatti), Hello Trevor (Marcus Miller), R Tyler Towne (Wyatt Avenatti), Fox Valley Mamba (Kyle Husted), RKS Captain, and Who’zzz This Sky (Todd Warren).

The filly series affairs are races one and four with favoritism in the opener likely to be divided between Itty Bitty Secret (Wyatt Avenatti) and SG Clover Success (Casey Leonard) in the opener, and Dream (Juan Franco) and Jimmylai (Casey Leonard) in the second split.

Leg one of the series for ICF trotters will go in single $8,000 division, race seven. The Gregory Kain trained filly Scorecard Lil Red (Juan Franco) is the 7-5 pre-race favorite with Lou’s Miracle, one of three Steve Searle trainees in the race, the early 5-2 second choice.

Will Hawthorne Open trend continue?

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 14:11:49 GMT

Will Hawthorne Open trend continue?

The Perry Smith stable’s Town Gossip, driven here by Todd Warren, is one of the contenders in Friday’s Open Pace at Hawthorne. (Four Footed Fotos).

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

If it seems that every week there is a new winner of a Hawthrone Open, it’s because it is a fact. Six different pacers have been victorious in the top overnight event in as many opportunities.

Will that trend continue Friday night? There is a 50-50 chance it will.

Of the eight starters in the $11,100 Friday headliner, four have visited the Hawthorne winner’s circle after an Open event—Great Seats (Wyatt Avenatti), Captain Sleaze (Casey Leonard, Intimidation (Todd Warren) and Truffle Dog (Kyle Husted).

They’ll be challenged by Town Gossip (Travis Seekman) and Bet Mine (Jordan Patton), both coming off wins in Hawthorne conditioned races; Away We Go A, a $30,000 claimer at Hoosier from the barn of Ronnie Roberts making his local debut, and Fox Valley Langley (Geremy Bobbitt), the third-place finisher in last week’s Hawthorne Open.

A strong indication that Friday’s open is a wide-open event is that Great Seats, from the barn of David Avenatti, is only a 7-2 opening money line favorite. No horse in the field will open at double digit odds

Just as he has the last few weeks, trainer Perry Smith will send out a one-two punch in the local open. This time it’s Town Gossip (p.p.) and last weekend’s Open winner Truffle Dog (pp 7). Earlier Perry’s Round Here Buzz won the November 15th Open. Tonight the pacer, and previous Hawthorne Open starters Play Me Rock and Mustang Beach will be competing in Ohio.

Both Town Gossip and Truffle Dog were $30,000 claiming acquisitions by Perry, the former in early August of this year and the latter in April of 2023. Each took a different route to become an Open pacer.

The 6-year-old Town Gossip made almost $425,000 racing as a 2 and 3-year-old, earning the vast majority of his money on the New York Sire Stakes circuit. Where the American Ideal gelding won a number of five-figure events and finished second both years in the $200,000-plus finals.

Truffle Dog, a 7-year-old son of Sunshine Beach, didn’t race as a 2-year-old and only made $12,309 in his sophomore campaign. However, as he got older, he got better, taking a mark of 1:49.2 at The Meadowlands in 2022 at the age of 5, and banking almost $80,000. He’s put almost $60,000 on his card this year.

Intimidation, owned by his trainer and driver Todd Warren of Monee, Illinois and Lester Peters of Beecher, Illinois, uncorked a 26 flat last panel in is November 15 Open triumph. Transportation problems prevented the 4-year-old Captaintreacherous gelding, an 8-time winner in 2024, from competing in last week’s Open. The draw wasn’t kind to Intidmaton. He landed the outside eight slot.

Winning is a beautiful thing

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sun, 24 Nov 2024 14:31:43 GMT

Winning is a beautiful thing

The Amy Husted Stable’s Thebeautifulthings (Kyle Husted) goes after her ninth consecutive victory in Sunday’s first $51,072 division of the Violet stakes for Illinois bred 2-year-old pacing fillies. (Terry Young Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

The Amy Husted stable’s Thebeautifulthings will bring an eight-race winning streak into Sunday’s first $51,720 division of the Violet stake at Hawthorne.

A modest $5,500 yearling purchase, the Somestarsomewhere filly was a dominant four length winner in the recent $224,623 Incredible Tillie championship and has raked-in $173,216 thus far this season for owners Doug Overhiser (New Smyrna Beach Fl), Husted Racing (Altamont, IL), John Schwarz (Wood Dale, IL) and Mark Winship (Canton).

Thebeautifullthings (Kyle Husted) finished fifth in her debut in August and since then it’s been clear sailing for the talented filly.

Wildcat Abby (Casey Leonard), victorious nine times this year, is the main threat and is at 8-5 in the morning line. RK’s Swift (Travis Seekman), Jezibel Mooss (Gary Rath), Fox Valley Showgal (Marcus Miller) and Two Bean Dream complete the field.

Fox Valley Starlet (Marcus Miller) will open as the 5-2 luke-warm favorite in the second Violet contest with Fox Valley Groupie (Travis Seekman) next at 3-1, followed closely by I Love My Captain (Kyle Wilfong). A Very Nice Dandy (9-2, Kyle Husted), Lady Ksenia (6-1, Casey Leonard), RK’smack (6-1, Brandon Bates) and longshot Holeinthebottle (30-l, Marcus Miller) round out the sixth race event.

The $98,744 Violet Trot will be contested in one division with a 10-horse field. The Tom Simmons trained Kays In Charge (Travis Seekman) will be the first flash 2-1 betting choice. The Can’t Afford It filly has the pole position and is an eight-time season victor. The only time she hasn’t been first or second in a race came on the Night of Champions final when she went off stride.

What A Legacy (Kyle Wilfong), who broke in the final strides when she was about to make the front, is at 3-1 while Fox Valley Flan champion Lous By Number opens at 7-2.

Dandy’s Princess (10-1, Casey Leonard), So Darn Lucky (3-1, Kyle Husted), Lous Avalon (15-1, Wyatt Avenatti), Highclasvegasbunny (20-1, Marcus Miller), Lous Night Vision (30-1, Matt Avenatti), Whataladywhatanite (30-1, Brandon Bates) and Shady Maple Becky (Jordon Patton) are the longshot hopes.

Friday Recap: A trio of Cardinal stakes for ICF male pacers and trotters were decided Friday night. Dialogue (Kyle Wilfong), from the barn of Kimberly Roth, showed he was much the best in the first $50,697 initial pacing division with a no-doubt-it victory in 1:54 flat.

Dialogue, hammered down to 1-5 odds, took over the lead at the three-eighths pole, coasted to a 57.4 half and was under wraps at the finish wire for owner and breeder Bart Seales of Mason, IL.

The pocket horse Fox Valley Pepper (Marcus Miller) was second best. Dandy’s Freedom (Casey Leonard) came on for third.

Confidently driven by Casy Leonard, Cash Money Twenty ($2.20) cruised to his 11th victory in 12 season starts in the second Cardinal division with a 1:53.4 clocking.

Casey had the overwhelming favorite in fifth in the early going and pulled him out soon after a modest 28.3 first quarter by Batllin Bob (Travis Seekman), the eventual runner-up, and grinded his way towards the front. In the lane the Mike Brink trained youngster proved fastest for Heart & Soul stable and Casey, winning by almost two lengths for his seventh in a ow and boosting his first season earnings to $206,253.

Louise’s Legacy (Marcus Miller) likely wrapped up division honors with a come-from-behind victory in the $95,293 Cardinal for state-bred sophomore filly trotters, her third consecutive triumph.

Marcus Miller was content to come from off the pace with the Erv Miller trained gelding, racing in fifth most of the way. Louise’s Legacy raced first up from the backstretch on and when her chief rival Sunburnt Silverado (Casey Leonard) made a break pm the backside, the 2-5 favorite was in good shape to mow the early leaders down and win for the fifth time this season.

The front stepping Frontier Macho (Todd Warren) had a game try to finish second while the 36-1 longshot Mustang Danny (Kyle Husted) got up for third.

Who will cash-in on the Cardinal stakes?

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 13:48:58 GMT

Who will cash-in on the Cardinal stakes?

Cash Money Twenty (Casey Leonard) was a narrow winner on Night of Champions over Dialogue (Kyle Wilfong). They both race Saturday in separate Cardinal stake divisions. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

The last of the year’s ICF stakes will be presented this weekend at Hawthorne with the Cardinals for 2-year-old colts and geldings in the spotlight on Saturday night and the freshman fillies taking over the limelight on Sunday evening with the Violets.

Both Cardinals will be raced in divisions with the Cardinal Pace each having a prohibitive even-money favorite.

The fourth race $59,697 grouping is headed by Dialogue (Kyle Wilfong) from the barn of Kim Roth. The Captain Terror gelding dropped a narrow head decision to division leader Cash Money Twenty on the Night of Champions with a gallant effort.

Dialogue was parked out two turns and still came the last quarter in 26.3 of the 1:52 mile. The youngster has made 10 trips to the gate for owner and breeder Bart Seales of Mason, Illinois and has 4 wins, 3 seconds and 1 third with over $109,000 on his card.

His chief rivals Saturday night appears to be the Erv Miller stable’s Fox Valley Pepper (Marcus Miller), a two-time season winner with $35,927 earned and Dandy’s Freedom, trained by Terry Leonard, who has been first or second in 5 of his 7 lifetime starts and over $38,000 in purse money.

Western Trevor (Juan Franco), Bull Market (Watt Avenatti), Major Trip (Kyle Husted) and One Tuff Customer (Brandon Bates) complete the field.

Cash Money Twenty will put his six-race winning streak on the line when he sprints out from the six-post in the second $51,097 Cardinal division with driver, and as of November 2nd part owner, Casey Leonard in the sulky.

The Stevensville gelding came from almost eight lengths at the three-quarter pole in the Incredible Final championship to overtake Dialogue in the final strides, delivering a wicked 26.1 final panel, making him 1 for 1 for Casey and 10 out of 11 for Heart & Soul Stable of Des Moines, Iowa, with $186,430 earned.

The Hart Walker stable’s Battlin Bob (Travis Seekman) who owns the only victory over Cash Money Twenty, starts to the left of the 2-year-old kingpin and opens at 9-2.

Looking for a major upset are Hello Trevor (Marcus Miller), Fox Valley Boxer (Travis Seekman), Tonto Returns (Wyatt Avenatti), RKs Captain (Matt Avenatti), Jimmy D Shark (Juan Franco) and Fox Valley Stoli (Kyle Husted).

The Cardinal trot will go as one eight-horse field with a $95,293 purse on the line. The fifth race pre-race favoritism shows the Erv Miller Stable’s Louise Legacy at 3-2, followed by his main rival Sunburnt Silverado (Casey Leonard) from the barn of Curt Grummel at 3-1. In head-to-head competition Louise’s Legacy leads 4 to 3.

Louise’s Legacy’s landed the five slot and Sunburnt Silverado received the six. The first four posts belong to Frontier Macho (Todd Warren), Lou Beduino (Chris Brown), Ally’s Got Grit (Kyle Wilfong) and Mustang Danny (Kyle Husted). The 7 and 8 posts are manned by Shady Maple Becker (Wyatt Avenatti) and Call Me Maevey (Travis Seekman).

Open Pace next for capable Illinois pair

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 12:56:26 GMT

Open Pace next for capable Illinois pair

The Jamaica Patton stable’s Fox Valley Langley has the pole position in Friday’s sixth race $11,100 Open Pace at Hawthorne. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

For many Illinois horses going from last week’s Phil Langley Memorial final on Hawthorne’s ICF Night of Champions to an Open Pace a weekend later would be akin to moving from “the frying pan into the fire,” but that’s not the case for Fox Vally Landen or Fox Valley Langley.

The talented state-bred pacers gave the champion He’zzz A Wise Sky, the pride of the John Filomeno stable, a strong battle when they finished second and third respectively behind the Illinois defending aged male pacer of the year and likely will also be up to the challenge in tonight’s $11,100 co-feature.

Hawthorne’s morning line has the Amy Husted stable’s Fox Valley Landen (Kyle Husted) as the 5-2 first flash favorite and your author is nodding his head in agreement.

Moving inside tonight to the two-hole from the seven-slot is a big plus for the Somestarsomewhere gelding Fox Valley Landen who dazzled followers of Illinois racing this summer when he rattled off a 1:47.4 victory, equaling the fastest even for an ICF pacer set by the Homer Hochstetler stable’s My Boy David back in 2006 as a 3-year-old.

Fox Valley Landed has won almost half of his lifetime starts (20 for 42) and most have come in state-bred stakes and Open company events, including many at Hoosier Park. The 4-year-old has earned over $227,000 for owners David Bringham (Litchfield, MO), Kyle Husted (Altamont, IL) and John Schwartz (Wood Dale, IL).

Fox Valley Langley, leaving from the pole position tonight with trainer Jamacia Patton, is rounded into top form, pacing in 1:51 in both of his recent Langley outings. Health issues have limited the 4-year-old gelding to only 26 career trips to the starting gate, however the horse has still banked over $100,000,000 for Illinois proprietors Lee Lipe (Springfield) and Suzanne Schoneweis (Petersburg)

Awaiting the Illinois twosome are (from post three through seven): Love Your Work A (Robert Smolin), Melton Beach N (Wyatt Avenatti), Bet Mine (Casey Leonard), Mustang Beach (Todd Warren), and Round Here Buzz (Travis Seekman).

Mustang Beach and Round Here Buzz are two of Perry Smith owned and trained four horses in tonight’s two Opens. Smith has Play Me Rock (Travis Seekman) and Truffle Dog (Kyle Husted) in the third race first Open division where they’ll be joined by Alilthundadownunda (Juan Franco), Great Seats (Wyatt Avenatti), Intimidation (Todd Warren) and Captain Sleaze (Casey Leonard).

Great Seats (1:51.3) from the barn of Dave Avenatti, and Captain Sleaze (1:52.1), trained by Nelson Willis, captured last week’s pair of Opens.

The 6-year-old gelding Play Me Rock competed at Hawthorne last November and December, winning a trio of Opens for Perry, a long-time resident of Crete, Illinois, that included a nose decision over He’zzz A Wise Sky in 1:49.3.

The fifth race Open has the unusual paring two Down Under horses in it, the Australia bred pacer Love Your Work A, trained by Justin Anfinson, and the New Zealand pacer Melton Beach N, from the barn of from trainer Ronnie Roberts.

Illinois Racing Board Updates

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 18:13:31 GMT

The Illinois Racing Board has updated the Harness Vet List Policy and also reworded some language regarding Qualifying Standards at Hawthorne for the Fall Winter 2024-25 meet. See the updated memos below.

2024 Harness Vet List policy signed.pdf

SUBURBAN DOWNS AT HAWTHORNE 2024.pdf

October Board Meeting Minutes

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 20:51:13 GMT

Trio of drivers dominate on Night of Champions

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 14:36:29 GMT

Trio of drivers dominate on Night of Champions

One of Kyle Wilfong’s four championship drives came with He’zzz A Wise Sky in the $60,000 Phil Langley Memorial for aged ICF male pacers. (Four Footed Fotos).

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Three drivers—Kyle Wilfong, Casey Leonard, and Marcus Miller—drove 10 of the 12-winning horses on Saturday’s Night of Champions at Hawthorne. Wilfong brought home four champions while Leonard and Miller each had a driving triple.

What started out as a comfortable fall evening with a fast track turned out to be a rainy night with horses competing on a sloppy racing surface the last half of the 12 race program.

Here’s how it all unfolded:

Nicely handled by Kyle Wilfong, Scorecard Dandy chalked up an easy victory in the $60,000 Tony Maurello Memorial championship with a 1:51.3 mile as the public’s second choice

The 6-year-old Sportsmaster mare made the front soon after the 27.4 first quarter, got away with a modest 56.3 first half and had plenty left to win for the 21st time in 100 career starts for Green Acres LLC (Beecher, IL) and Mike Klimas (Oak Lawn, IL). The Gregory Kain trained mare upped her lifetime earnings to $396,896.

The $127,858 Kadabra final for ICF 2-year-old male trotters was next and it went to Louise’s Legacy (Marcus Miller), coming off the pace for trainer Erv Miller who shares ownership of the Lou’s Legacy gelding with Geis Enterprises of Chicago. The winner now has banked over $147,000 in his first racing season.

The even money favorite Sunburnt Legacy (Casey Leonard) broke early in the race along with Shady Maple Becker (Wyatt Avenatti). One Trip Chip did the same soon after. Frontier Nacho (Todd Warren) came on late to be second best, Call Me Maevy (Travis Seekman) took third.

The $144,637 Fox Valley Flan 2-year-old filly trot had a shocking finish when the prohibitive 2-5 favorite What A Legacy broke stride just as she was about to pass the front-stepping Lou’s My Number (Casey Leonard) with less than a sixteenth of a mile to go.

Lou’s My Number, trained by Steve Searle, won for the third time in her last six starts for the quartet of Steve Searle (Grant Park, IL) Michael Buzzard (Altamont, IL), Chris Paloma (Cedar Rapids, IA) and Michael Paloma (Mundelein, IL).

What A Legacy survived a steward’s inquiry to get the bridesmaid role and Dandy’s Princess overcame the outside 10-hole to finish third.

The four-horse $80,000 Carl Becker Memorial field followed, and it was Marvelous Mystery at 2-5 odds with Marcus Miller who proved best in the final of state-bred aged trotting mares. The time of 1:55.4 came after the winner strolled to a :59.4 first half on the lead, Loulita (Casey Leonard) took the runner-up role.

Triple ZZZ Stable’s He’zzz A Wise Sky showed he isn’t about to relinquish the title as Illinois top aged pacer with a convincing 1:50.3 clocking in the $60,000 Phil Langley Memorial. It was the 7-year-old home bred’s 56th career win and propelled his lifetime earnings to over $826,000.

Nicely steered by Kyle Wilfong, He’zzz A Wise Sky was parked out much of the first half mile, making the front right before the 55 flat first half clocking for trainer John Filomeno. With the 9-5 co-favorite Fox Valley Landen (Kyl Husted) right behind him, the winner got to the three-quarters in 1:23.1 before putting away his challengers, winning on Hawthorne’s Night of Champions for the fifth time in the last six years for his Beecher, IL owners. Fox Valley Landen finished one length behind while Fox Valley Langley was third.

Gorgeous Big Guy (Marcus Miller) likely wrapped to the 2024 ICF 3-year-old colt or gelding honors with another convincing victory, this one in the $155,244 Robert F. Carey Jr. Memorial final, his 11 h in 12 season starts for trainer Erv Miller. Marcus Miller sent the heavy 1-2 betting choice out from the get-go and made the front after a 27.4 first panel.

Guitar Man (Travis Seekman) had a big first over effort to be second beaten about a length. Doug Overhiser (Smyma Beach, FL) and Mark Winship (Canton, IL) own both of the first two Carey finishers

Illinois 2-year-old filly pacers then got their chance to shine in the $224,623 Incredible Tillie championship and it was Thebeautifulthings who sparkled the most with a 1:52.2 winning effort.

Wildcat Abby (Casey Leonard) shot out from the two hole to take command and Thebeautilfulthing’s driver Kyle Husted was content to take a pocket trip with the Amy Husted trainee, come out in the lane, and power pass for a three-length victory with his Somestarsomewhere filly, her eighth in nine lifetime starts. Floridian Doug Overhiser also owns this champion.

The overwhelming 1-9 favorite Cash Money Twenty (Casey Leonard) chalked up another win in the $228,545 Incredible Finale championship but he was all out to do so. Dialogue (Kyle Wilfong) gave the Mike Brink pacer all he could handle before dropping a head decision after providing the live cover for Cash Money Twenty to rally in time.

The Sevenson gelding is now 10-for-11 lifetime and has made more than $192,000 for Heart And Soul stables of Des Moines, Ia. The 1:52.2 winning mile was on a “good” track after the rain began.

The “chalk” parade continued to Hawthorne’s winner’s circle when Niko Man, at 1-5 odds, captured the $60,000 Plesac Championship for aged state-bred trotting males in 1:54.1 on a rain drenched track now listed as sloppy. It was the Kyle Wilfong’s third championship drive on the card.

Longshots ruled in the next two championship events as Fox Valley Tessa (Wyatt Avenatti) and Tru Cash (Marcus Miller) came from far out of it to prevail.

The Steve Searle trained Fox Valley Tessa ($25.60) rallied from sixth to capture the $189,701 Plum Peach for 3-year-old filly pacers in 1:53.2. The 45-1 longshot No Words Needed (Kyle Wilfong) was second and Dandy’s Ms Swifty (Casey Leonard) was third.

Steve Searle (Grant Park, IL), Brian Code (Bradford, IL), James Nellinger (Peoria, IL) and Gretchen Barnett (San Diego, Ca) share in the ownership of Fox Valley Tessa.

Wilfong’s fourth winner Tru Cash came from even further back to prevail in the $134,744 Erwin F. Dygert Memorial trot. The Erv Miller trainee, the third choice in the wagering, was eighth, some 7 lengths behind at the three-quarter pole in his 1:56.3 win. Shady Maple Alstar (Kyle Husted) at 13-1 was second while third went to Lous Private Eye (Casey Leonard).

Tru Cash’s ownership is shared by Jerry Graham (Samel, IL) and Doug Overhiser.

The Curt Grummel stable’s Whiskey Lou (Casey Leonard) was much the best in the $109.658 Beulah Dygert Memorial 3-year-old filly trot as she pulled away to a four length triumph in 1:56.2.

It was the son of Lou’s Legacy’s 12th victory in 13 season outings for owner and breeder Randy Witt of Savannah Missouri. The runner-up spot went to Peekaboo Sal (Wyatt Avenatti) while Fox Valley Tiegen (Marcus Miller) held on for third.

Illinois big night of racing is here

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 09 Nov 2024 14:01:01 GMT

Illinois big night of racing is here

Sportsman’s Park’s 1997 Super Night program cover. (Pete Luongo Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Illinois most anticipated evening of harness racing has arrived with Hawthorne’s Night of Champion. Over $1.5 million of purses will be on the line tonight when an even dozen ICF champions will be decided.

The November setting for a Super Night brand of racing comes about later than normal this year.

A staple for the second week of September for most of four decades, the gala evening has gone from a late summer must attraction for Illinois horsemen and fans, to an autumn classic. However, what hasn’t changed are the caliber of horses competing, the six digit pots, the prestige of owning an ICF champion, and the overall excitement of the night.

This is the 35th consecutive Super Night type card in Illinois where it was inaugurated back in 1989 at old Sportsman’s Park.

Let’s stroll down memory lane at some of the early highlights at Sportsman’s Park where a liquor warehouse now stands adjacent to Hawthorne racecourse,

Lavern Hostetler was “the Man” on the first Super Night, driving six of the winning horses and none were the betting favorites. The Indiana native brought home Gosox in the $285,000 Orange and Blue Colt Pace, Son Of A Cup in the $180,000 Pete Langley Memorial, Lady At Work in the $180,000 Grandma Ann, Dinero Too in the $50,000 Ann Vonian and Dr. Walker in the $25,000 Dan Patch Consolation.

The star of the 1990 Super Night wasn’t a driver, trainer, or a racing horse. It was the Illinois stallion Ideal Society who sired five of the major stake winners including Plum Peachy (Walter Paisley) in the Orange and Blue filly pace, clinching Illinois Harness Horse of the Year honors. Panic Attack (Dave Magee) left no doubt she was the best ICF freshman filly pacer when she captured the $342,000 Filly Orange and Blue.

Plum Peachy repeated as a Super Night champ in 1992 for Paisley in the $210,000 Grandma Ann 3-year-old filly stake. Undefeated Incredashell (Jim Curran) wrapped up her Illinois Horse of the Year honor when she took the $310,000 Orange and Blue filly tittitlee.

Super Night 1993 saw Arrogant Rick (Neil Coleman) win the $314 Orange and Blue Colt final, Broadway Commodity (Dave Magee) prove best in the $225,500 O & B filly showdown and the late charging Broadway Circle (Daryl Busse) prevail in the $205,000 Pete Langley.

In 1994 the night belonged to Dave Magee, who drove 4 of the 6 championship stakes winners: Gene’s Prize in the $308,000 O & B colt final, Fox Valley Jetta in the $279,000 in the $279,000 filly event, Without Approach in the $206,500 Pete Langley, and Ideal Angel in the $100,000 Ann Vonian.

Magee also steered Diamond Sweetie to the 1996 O & B filly championship. In 1997 the Green Bay, Wisconsin native was at the lines of Fox Valley Memorial, giving Dave four consecutive driving wins in the O & B 2-year-old filly pace championship.

That same evening Dale Hiteman drove Garfunkle, at 14-1 to an upset in the $320,275 O & B Colt final and Broadway Spirit to his victory in the $207,000 Pete Langley Memorial

The year 1997 was the last time Super Night was held at Sportsman’s and Joe Anderson took over the title as Mr. Super Night.

The nation’s leading winning trainer won 3 of the 6 championships and two came with both Big Tom and stable-mate Ohyouprettything getting a share of the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s $1 million bonus award. Ohyouprettyhing had an easy time winning the $235,000 O & B filly final in 1:55.3, while Big Tom took the colt division in stake record time of 1:53.3 with Anderson.

Who will step up and come up with a memorable victory Saturday’s Night of Champions? The wait is over to find out.

A couple of successful last chances

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 14:13:11 GMT

A couple of successful last chances

Amy Mooss (Juan Franco) has been a Cinderella story going into Saturday’s Night of Champions Saturday at Hawthorne. Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Going into last weekend’s final legs of Hawthorne’s Night of Champions series it was “touch and go” whether or not the Gary Rath stable’s 3-year-fily pacer Amy Moose was going to be a finalist in the Plum Peachy championship.

The daughter of Somestarsomehwere was in eighth place in her standings, just a few points ahead of bevy of other Illinois bred fillies going into leg four and things weren’t pointing un the right direction. Amy Mooss finished ninth in her previous Plum Peachy leg, two weeks earlier, earning only a single point.

However, as the late MLB Hall of famer Yogi Berra once said, “It ain’t over ‘till it’s over.” And Amy Moose had one more opportunity to perform well and earn some valuable points for her Berwyn, Illinois owner Alan Beals. As it turned out, she didn’t just race well, she went off at 30-1 and showed her heels to 10 foes.

That 50-point performance vaulted her to fifth place in the final; Plum Peachy standings and while she likely won’t be one of the favorites in the $189,701 showdown Saturday night, she doesn’t know that.

So, Amy Moose no doubt will race heart out and maybe, just maybe, stun of Illinois harness racing industry again on Saturday’s Hawthorne’s gala night of is meet.

Then there’s the story of talented but eccentric 3-year-old ICF male trotter Jewels For Champ from the Midwest division of the Erv Miller stable.

Early on the Lou’s Legacy prodigy showed she was plenty fast enough to do well in the Erwin Dygert Memorial trotting series and perhaps even win the final when she sped to a 1:55.4 winning mile back in May at Hoosier Pak. That’s the good news. But bad news followed.

Jewels For Champ couldn’t stay on stride for the entire mile in a race after that tantalizing performance. Time after time he was bet down but each time, he went off stride. Five different drivers failed to keep the horse flat. As far as the Night of Champions series he had only a single point for a sixth-place finish going into the last Dygert leg last weekend.

However, the trotter was bet down to 7-5 odds last week so the word was out that this could be the night Jewels For Champ will put it all together and it was. The horse came from far out of it and breezed and paid just $4.80. He went from not in the top 25 to 7th in the final Dygert standings.

The trio of the Erv Miller Stable of Pennsylvania, Louis Willinger of Kentucky and Marty Engel of Northbrook, Illinois dished out $32,000 for the horse as a yearling, He was unraced at two and he’s now become the morning line favorite for Saturday’s Dygert for state-bred male trotters. Jewels For Champ has been installed as the 5-2 morning line choice in the $134,744 Erwin Dygert championship.

USTA District 5 Meeting

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 21:00:27 GMT

The USTA District 5 Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 13 at 2pm. As an Illinois USTA member you are invited to join. Click the links below for more details.

D5 Notice.pdf

Register here

2025 Rules and bylaw changes

Still much at stake for Illinois freshmen

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 02 Nov 2024 13:38:49 GMT

Still much at stake for Illinois freshmen

Juan Franco drove Amy Mooss to a surprise victory Friday night in a Plum Peachy series leg at Hawthorne at odds of 30-1. Four Footed Photo

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Tonight’s entire Saturday 10 race card at Hawthorne will provide the last opportunity for state-bred 2-year-olds of both sexes and gaits to come up big and earn a starting berth in their respective divisions of next Saturday’s Night of Champion series.

Leg four of the series for freshmen trotters isn’t expected to see many changes in their series standings headed by the likes of the Kadabra favorites Sunburnt Silverado (Casey Leonard), looking for his sixth season victory, and Louise’s Legacy (Marcus Miller), who owns a Kadabra leg triumph and a second-place finish.

l In the Fox Valley Flan grouping, you can pretty much count on the current first seven-point leaders—What A Legacy (105), Kays In Change (100), Almost Home (62), High Class Heidi (59), Whataladywhataniht (38), Lou’s My Number (37) and Lou’s Night Vision (37)—as finalists.

However, while Wildcat Abby (100), Thebeautifulthings (100), Fox Valley Groupie Groupie and Fox Valley Jasmine are certainties to be in the Incredible Tillie filly showdown, and Cash Money Twenty (100), Battlin Bob (88), Fox Valley Pepper (75) and Dialogue (70) are “locks” to be going to the gate in the Incredible Finale championship, there are a whole bunch of second season state-bred pacers still “alive” to advance to those finals.

Between No. 5 Fox Valley Mamba and No. 20 Hello Trevor, are the names of 15 fillies. Realistically only six spots are available for a shot at the $100,000 (est.) pot. With three Incredible Tillies divisions on the Saturday card, three fillies will be rewarded 50 points for a first-place finish. Three more pick up 25 points for second and 12 for third, and so on, as a result a lot of movement in the standings looks very possible.

In the Incredible Finale, 15 horses are listed from Beautyathebeach (63) on down to Lady Ksenia at No. 18, who could come up big tonight and gain that $100,000 (est) confrontation.

FRIDAY’S RECAP: Last night’s NOC 3-year-olf eliminations saw driver Travis Seekman rally the Roshon Trigg trainer Lous Mandalorian ($7.00) past Tru Cash (Marcus Miller) and Shady Maple Alstar (Kyle Husted) in the first division of the Erwin F. Dygert Memorial with a 1:57.4 mile.

The second Dygert split turned out to be an easy win for Jewels For Champ ($4.80) with a heady driver from Marcus Miller who raced the Erv Miller trained trotter in seventh until the three-quarter pole where the son of Lou’s Legacy went into high gear and breezed home in 1:57 flat, almost three lengths ahead of runner-up Little Chipper (Jared Finn).

Miller, a 35-year-old Illinois native, would later go on and pick-up a fourth winning drive of the night to go along with a pair of second place finishes.

The heavy 1-9 favorite Calypso Moon (Kyle Husted) had to work harder than expected to win the initial Beulah Dygert Memorial filly trot for trainer Cury Grummel, holding off a late closing Alla Baba (Travis Seekman) and the front-stepping Dejoma (Cornelius Cavett) in 1:58.2.

The second Beulah Dygert grouping saw Grummel’s barn trotting star Whiskey Lou prevail with authority for Casey Leonard. The daughter of Lou’s Legacy came out of third at the three-eights, take command, and was well in had at the end of the 1:55.2 mile for her 12th season win in 13 outings fir her owner and breeder Randy Witt of Savannah, Missouri.,

Gorgeous Big Guy, nicely handled by Marcus Miller, bounced back after his 16-race winning streak was snapped two weeks ago, and drew off in the first Robert F. Carey Memorial 3year-old col and gelding pace by more than two lengths with a 1:52 flat clocking.

Miller took the Erv Miller trained 2-5 favorite to a quick lead and Fox Valley Julian (Casey Leonard) dropped into fourth but soon after a 28.4 first panel. Casey had the 5-2 second choice on the move, brushing the top with a 27.3 second quarter. Halfway down the lane Gorgeous Big Guy powered past to the front as Fox Valley Julian faded to a fifth-place finish in the six-horse field.

Marcus Miller gave Fox Valley Durham ($29.00) a ground saving inside journey and the Erv Miller trainee responded with a 1:52.2 victory in the second Carey split. Fox Valley Kodiak was second best while the heavy favorite Guitar Man had to settle for third.

The first $20,000 Plum Peachy 3-year-old state bred paces went to Fox Valley Sadie, aptly handled by driver Kyle Husted, and by a large margin (five-plus lengths) for wife, trainer Amy Husted. Despite winning for seventh time in 12 season starts, she went off at 9-2 when Hypeyourbestieup was hammered down to 1-5 by the betting public.

Fox Valley Sadie was pushed by several fillies to a 55.4 half to keep the lead, however she showed her tail to her foes in the stretch with 1:53.1 mile on a chilly first night of November. Time To Ryde (Todd Warren) won the photo for second over the 80-1 longshot Dream) Jared Finn).

The second Plum Peachy was Amy Mooss, patiently driven by Juan Franco at 30-1 odds. The Gary Rath trained mare came from seventh to steamroll the opposition in the stretch, winning by three and one-half lengths in 1:54. Dandy’s Ms Swifty was second best

The official final point totals for Night of Champion competitors will be made available on Hawthorne’s website at www.hawthorneracecourse,com after they’re tallied up, following Saturday’s eliminations. On the Hawthorne website, go to Horsemen, Harness, Racing Information and look to the left side of the page for NOC Point Standings under General Information.

Last chance for 3-year-olds to gain finals

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 14:05:30 GMT

Last chance for 3-year-olds to gain finals

Former ICF champion Little Chipper (Jared Finn) is on "the bubble) currently in eighth pace going into Friday's final Beulah Dygert Memorial series leg at Hawthorne. (Four Footed Foto)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Which 3-year-olf Illinois bred pacers and trotters will move on to the Hawthorne’s Night of Champions finals will be known after Friday night’s leg four of the series.

In the first three NOC series events a number of horses have accumulated enough points have earned a championship starting berth, however in some cases it’s still wide-open for which horses are still “pretenders” and not “contenders.”

In the Beulah Dygert Memorial division, you can write in ink the names of Whiskey Lou (150 points), Fox Valley (112), Peekabbo Sal (75) and (Lous Amazon (75). Use a pencil for the horses Calypso Moon and Stand My Your Man, both at 25 points. The fate of the current seventh through twelfth place horses—Fox Valley Jessie (21), Dejoma (17), Ally Baba (13), Honoloulou (10), Gjindagrit (9), and Illini Diva (6) is yet to be determined.

It appears that 9 of the 10 finalists for the Erwin F. Dygert Memorial for ICF male trotters are in ook to be in good shape to advance. Currently from one through nine you’ll find Shady Maple Alstar (101), Lous Gambler (83), Moppies Mooss (83), Lous Private Eye (62), Lous Mandalorian (51), Tru Cash (38), Fox Valley Nautica (26), Little Chipper (25), and Lou’s Miracle (22).

Tonight’s division starters Gritty Gator (20), TVs Kosmac (14), Slipside (12), Shady Maple Acer (10 and Deenbo (10), could come up with aa big effort and move on. Even Jewels For Champ, who finally stayed flat last week, could gain the final despite having just one point at post time.

The first seven male pacers in the Robert F. Carey Memorial series for 3-year-old look like shoo-ins including the top three—Gorgeous Big Guy (125), Guitar Man (112) and Fox Valley Julian (100). You can add likely Doctor Cruise (58), Fox Valley Kodiak (51), You Can Never Tell (25) and Fox Valley Durham (20).

A strong showing from It’s Rob Not Bob (12) Gotta Go Gram (12), Fox Valley York (11), JR Strike Three (10), Love Is Blue (5) or Negotiator (1) could see any one of them make the Carey final.

The Plum Peachy for second season pacing fillies has seen 32 distaffers compete in at least one of its legs with the trio of Hypeyourbestieup (125), Fox Valley Sadie (100) and Dandy’s Ms Swifty (87) leading the way.

You can write in the names of the current fourth, fifth and sixth place horses in the series standings—Adalecia (75), First Of Her Name (67) and No Words Needed (67)—to advance. The seventh-place filly Fox Valley Tessa (34) is not competing Friday night.

Ticktock Ticktock (37), Amy Mooss (25), and Time To Ryde (25) would round out the top ten if there wasn’t one last Plum Peachy leg to be contested.

There are at least seven other fillies in striking range to climb up the ladder and grab a starting berth in the final, their last opportunity to be in the Saturday, November 9th, Night of Champions final.

Hope you had it . Your author gave out just one “Price Shot” last Saturday and the veteran trotter Never came through at 20-1 from the outside 9 slot for trainer and driver Todd Warren Mind in front end fashion in front end fashion in front end fashion and paid $44.40.

Hawthorne Open winners eye NOC series elims

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 26 Oct 2024 13:54:00 GMT

Hawthorne Open winners eye NOC series elims

The Amy Husted stable's Fox Valley Landen (Kyle Husted) Friday night Open win was a prep for next week's Night of Champions Phil Langley Memorial eliminations for older ICF male pacers. (Patricia Fryman Photography)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

The heavy favorite Fox Valley Landen and the 14-1 longshot Rock It out won their respective Opens Friday night at Hawthorne. Both horses were preparing for next weekend’s Night of Champions elimination events for state-bred older pacers.

The Amy Husted stable’s Fox Valley Landen, capably driven by her husband Kyle, showed why he was bet down to 10 cents on the dollar, coming from fifth and last at the half to draw away by almost two lengths in his 1:51.4 mile.

The son of Somestartsomewhere will go into next Sunday’s Pete Langley Memorial elimination as the likely public’s choice for older ICF male pacers with a 4-year-oldl season record of eight wins in 15 starts for owners David Bringham of Litchfield, Michigan, John Schwartz of Wooddale, Illinois and Kyle Husted of Altamont, Illinois

Great Seats (Wyatt Avenatti) came on for second while Heavy Pressure was third best in the $9,100 Friday co-feature.

Rock It Out ($31.20, from the barn trainer Donna Holt, was overlooked by the wagering public and was sent off at 14-1 odds with Kelcy Perymond at her lines. The 7-year-old Rockin Image mare grabbed a quick lead and never relinquished ii.

Perymond was able to cut fractions of 27.3, 28 flat, and 28.1 in Rock It Out’s 1:52 victory by a head over the late rushing Rollin Coal (Juan Franco). The Hosea Williams trainee came from far back and made up almost eight lengths on the winner. Dandy’s Evrlasting was third.

Owned by the D&M Racing Stable of Benton, Kentucky, Rock It Out now has 43 career triumph. Next up for the mare is next weekend’s Carl Becker Memorial elimination for Illinois bred fillies and mares, ages three and up. A mandatory prep race will be carded if eliminations are not necessary.

Insight on long winning streak snapped

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 13:46:22 GMT

Insight on long winning streak snapped

Driver Casey Leonard behind Fox Valley Julian pulled off the upset of the streaking Gorgeous Big Guy. Terry Young Photo

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Now that the dust has settled concerning Fox Valley Julian’s victory that ended Gorgeous Big Guy’s winning streak at 16 in a row, driver Casey Leonard gave us some insight on the stunning development in the Illinois 3-year-old male pacing division.

“The complexion of the race changed when the one-horse Doctor Cruise was scratched,” said Casey. “He’s a good horse with excellent gate speed. With him out it gave us a much better chance to get to the front in better shape.

“Also, (trainer) Mike Brink has done a good job of making Fox Valley Julian easier to handle. If you look at the horse’s start a few weeks ago when he was on the front end against Gorgeous Big Guy, I was strictly a passenger.”

In that leg of the Robert F. Carey series, Fox Valley Julian cut fractions of 27.3, 55 flat and 1:22.4 before he was passed in the late going by Gorgeous Big Guy, who enjoyed a pocket trip. “Julian” could only muster a 28.3 last quarter.

Compare those fractions to last weeks of 28.3, 57.3, and 1:26.3 of a 1:52.2 mile by a “much more manageable” Fox Valley Julian. Gorgeous Big Guy dug deep and paced a 26.2 final panel, but “Julian” still had a 26.3 quarter in him to hold on for a head triumph.

Ironically, the win was the first in 10 season tries for the Brink trainee after five seconds and a pair of thirds for Steelville, Illinois owner James A. Happ.

“Just like last year, Mike has his horses at the right time,” said Casey.

The Springfield based conditioner also saw his 2-year-old trotter What’s A Legacy (Kyle Wilfong) come from a dozen lengths off the pace to win a leg of the Fox Valley Flan 2-year-old trotting series and the barn’s freshman pacing standout Cash Money Twenty (Casey Leonard) win was his fourth straight and his eighth in nine career tries.

“Cash Money Twenty is a quirky horse but he knows what to do on a racetrack,” added Casey. “He’s an easy horse to drive.”

Casey had himself a very successful first weekend of the Hawthorne meeting. The 47-year-old Harvard, Illinois native drove five winners last Saturday and followed up with six more on Sunday’s program.

On tap on tonight’s Friday card is a pair of Open Paces.

The $9,100 event for males is headed up by the Amy Husted stable’s Fox Valley Landen (Kyle Husted) who was assigned the outside five slot by the Hawthorne Race Office.

The 4-year-old son of Somestarsomewhere uncorked a record 1:47.4 mile in early October at Springfield, equaling the fastest ever for an ICF Standardbred. He’ll be challenged by Tookadiveoffdipper (Casey Leonard), Alilthundadownunda (Kyle Wilfong), Great Seats (Wyatt Avenatti) and Heavy Pressure (Marcus Miller).

The eighth race $11,100 Open for filly and mare pacers has a competitive eight horse field. The morning line (favorite is the Nelson Willis stable’s Sleazy Mama (Juan Franco), with the pole position.

Also likely to receive a good portion of the public’s wagering is Fox Vally Leah (Todd Waren) making her Illinois debut as a 4-year-old after dominating her division in her sophomore campaign.

They’ll be opposed by Pattycake Mooss (Kyle Husted), nearing the $60,000 plateau in season earnings, and Rollin Coal (Marcus Miller), winner of the last two Illinois Opens, along with Rock It Out (Kelcy Perymond), Fillister Photo (Casey Leonard), Dandy’s Evrlasting (Wyatt Avenatti) and Fillys Revenge (Mike Rogers).

September Board Meeting Notes

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 16:20:48 GMT

Hawthorne Stall Reminder

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 14:15:20 GMT

If anyone is shipping into Hawthorne to race over a weekend, you can call Hawthorne's race office at 708-780-3690 and let them know how many stalls you'll need and for how many days.

t Hawthorne Saturday night

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 13:41:56 GMT

Long 16 race win streak ends

Fox Valley Julian (Casey Leonard) ended the 16-race winning streak of Gorgeous Big Guy Saturday at Hawthorne. (Terry Young Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

The old adage “all good things must come to an end” held true as the Mike Brink trained Fox Valley Julian, nicely handled by driver Casey Leonard, handed the 1-5 prohibitive favorite Gorgeous Big Guy his first loss in a division of the Robert F. Carey Memorial series at Hawthorne Saturday night after 16 consecutive victories.

The win was the first in 11 season tries for Fox Valley Julian who had finished second best behind Gorgeous Big Guy last year on a number of occasions as a 2-year-old and a few times this year as well.

The key to the upset win was a change in strategy by Casey, who had his Somestarsomewhere gelding out and rolling from the get-go, overtaking the early pacesetter Gorgeous Big Guy after a so-so 28.3 first panel on the backside. A modest 57.3 half gave Fox Valley Julian a needed breather to hold off the fast-closing (26.2) Erv Miller trainee by a head in the 1:52.2 mile.

Guitar Man (Travis Seekman) turned a pocket trip into a easy 4 and 1/2 length 1:52.3 victory in the second Carey division over Fox Valley Kodik (Kyle Husted) for trainer Rob Rittof..

Saturday’s initial division of the Beulah Dygert Memorial filly trot, the first of eight Night of Champions series events, went as expected as the overwhelming 1-9 favorite Whiskey Lou (Casey Leonard) pulled away to a two-length triumph. The 1:55.1 winning mile was the Curt Grummel trainee’s 11th win in 12 season starts for Savannah, Missouri owner and breeder Randy Witt.

Even money co-favorites Fox Valley Tiegen (Marcus Miller) and Calypso Moon (Kyle Husted) finished one-two in the second Beulah Dygert grouping, separated by lonely a head in the 1:56.4 mile. The Can’t Afford It filly is co-owned by trainer Erv Miller and the (Marty) Engel Stable of Northbrook, Illinois.

Lou’s Gambler, driven by Casey Leonard, pulled off an upset at 7-1odds in the first Erwin F. Dygert Memorial and for state-bred sophomore male trotters. When the post time favorite Tru Cash (Marcus Miller) broke going into the first turn, Little Chipper (Jared Finn) grabbed an easy lead, and Casey had no trouble dropping Lous Gambler into the two-hole.

Lous Gambler stalked Little Chipper throughout the contest. The Jill Brown trained gelding put on a burst of speed in the final sixteenth of the mile, and drew off for Flacco Family Farms, the owner and breeder of the winning Lou’s Legacy prodigy.

The second Erwin Dygert split went to the even-money choice Shady Maple Alstar, steered by Kyle Husted. The 1:57.4 win was the third in four starts since joining the Amy Husted stable in late August.

The Plum Peachy divisions went to First Of Her Name (Jordan Patton) at 7-2 odds and the prohibitive favorite Hypeyourbestieup (Travis Seekman) by nine widening lengths.

First Of Her Name went on Lasix four starts ago for trainer Tom Simmons and has responded with back-to-back victories for Chicago owners Megan Rogers Stable. The homebred Unlocked filly was all-out to hold off the fast-closing Adalecia and Fox Valley Taren, the second and third place finishers in the 1:54.2 mile.

Hypeyourbestieup dominated her 11 foes in a 1:53 mile. The Somestarsomewhere filly left hard and quickly had command. A speedy 27.1 second quarter put away the early challenge of Ticktock Ticktock (Marcus Miller) and from, there the issue wasn’t in doubt for trainer Jamaica Patton, who co-owns Hypeyourbestieup with Cedric Daniels of Jackson, Mississippi.

Freshmen Take Over Spotlight : Now that the third leg of Hawthorne’s Night of Champions contests for 3-year-old Illinois breds is concluded, attention shifts to the prairie state freshman tonight with nine 2-year-old series divisions to be contested.

The Incredible Finale for first season ICF male pacers will go in three divisions tonight—races four, seven, and ten.

Currently the Mike Brink stable’s Cash Money Twenty, thus far the fastest Illinois freshman with his sensational 1:50 flat clocking on October 3rd in the $55,000 Illinois Department of Agriculture Championship, is listed in sixth place with 50 pints, all coming in his first series leg victory back in August at Springfield.

The 10 highest point earners in the series advance to the $150,000 (est.) Incredible Finale Final on Hawthorne’s Night of Champions on Saturday, November 9. Series points are awarded on where a horse finishes in four series legs with 50 for first, 25 for second, 12 for third, 8 for fourth, 5 for fifth and 1 for starting.

Brink held out his prize freshman out of last month’s second Incredible Finale leg to give the pacer a longer rest after his blistering mile, confident Cash Money Twenty will get enough points tonight or in the fourth leg to make the November championship.

“He’s in good shape pointwise with two legs to go,” said Brink.

Cash Money Twenty comfortably won his October 3rd qualifier in 1:54.4 and breezed in 1:55.3 eight days later.

Owned by Heart and Soul Racing of Des Moines, Iowa (William and Sherrie Bycroft), Cash Money Twenty has finished first in 6 of 7 lifetime starts and has earned $58,485.

The current Incredible Finale point standings show a first-place tie between Battlin Bob from the stable of Hart Walker and the Erv Miller barn’s Fox Valley Pepper with 75 each. Interestingly, Fox Valley Pepper (Marcus Miller) meets Cash Money Twenty (Casey Leonard) for the first time in tonight’s fourth race leg.

Battlin Bob, so far, the only freshman to beat Cash Money Twenty, will take on the Kimberley Roth trained Dialogue (Kyle Wilfong) in the tenth race third division. Battlin Bob has won 5 of his first 7 season starts while Dialogue has been victorious in 3 of his last 4, including last month’s second series leg.

Racing at Hawthorne returns

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 19 Oct 2024 13:19:39 GMT

Racing at Hawthorne returns

G orgeous Big Guy, shown here with Cordarius Stewart at his lines, goes after his 17th consecutive victory on Saturday’s opening night of Hawthorne’s meeting. (Terry Young Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

The 2024 Hawthorne harness racing meeting returns to its home base in Chicago’s near west suburb of Stickney IL this weekend with leg three of its Night of Champions stake series. First post is at 7:10 pm.

Eight divisions for 3-year-old ICF pacers and trotters head up Saturday’s 15-race program while nine divisions for state-bred 2-year-olds are the feature races on Sunday’s card.

Saturday’s fourth race first grouping of the Robert F. Carey Jr. Memorial will see the streaking Gorgeous Big Guy put his remarkable 16-race winning streak on the line. Former Illinois circuit driver Marcus Miller is back in his home state to guide the home-bred Ashlee’s Big Guy gelding away from the two-post in eight horse field.

Owned by Doug Overhiser (New Smyma Beach, Florida) and Mark Winship (Canton, Illinois), the Erv Miller trainee finished his first season with seven consecutive victories for a sweep of the major Illinois bred stakes including the Incredible Finale championship on the Night of Champions, banking over $155,000 for the year.

It’s been more of the same for Gorgeous Big guy in his sophomore campaign. He’s 9-for 9 with another $74,215 added to his bankroll with a lifetime mark of 1:49.3, taken in his Cardinal division triumph back in late June. He also won a split of the Dudley Hanover stake at Du Quoin, and the $55,000 Illinois Department of Agriculture championship at Springfield.

The last time the youngster lost a race with a purse was more than a year ago in a Michigan stake event at the Hart fair track. He’s been perfect since acquired by the Erv Miller stable

While Gorgeous Big Guy is in a sweet spot with the two-slot Saturday, one of his main rivals Doctor Cruise (Kyle Husted) is inside of him with the rail and is very quick from the gate. Sometime in the race the likely heavy favorite Gorgeous Big Guy will probably have to race first up to gain command.

The Mike Brink stable’s Fox Valley Julian (Casey Leonard) drew an outside post, the seven, nevertheless he is another threat to end Gorgeous Big Guy’s long winning streak. While Fox Valley Julian is winless in 10 starts this year, the youngster has been third or better seven times and was 9-fo-9 hitting the board as a freshman.

Fox Valley Kodiak (Kyle Husted) who nosed-out the highly regarded Guitar Man (Travis Seekman) last week will meet his rival again in the Carey’s second division ninth race. New to the NOC series is Negotiator (Marcus Miller), another Erv Miller potential threat despite drawing the outside eight post.

The Sometimesomewhere gelding was unraced as a 2-year-old and this year has been successful in 6 of his 9 outings with a 1:50.4 win a week ago. Negotiator’s dam is Fox Valley Jazzy whose younger sister Fox Valley Jasmine competes Sunday in a division of the Incredible Tillie series, a race Fox Valley Jazzy won in the 2017 Night of Champions finale.

The Plum Peachy for second season pacing fillies drew 23 entries and will go in a pair of fields with trailers.

The sixth race first split has 11 hopefuls with Fox Valley Sadie (Kyle Husted), from the barn of Amy Husted likely to get the bulk of the players’ support after two consecutive strong victories, pushing her purse money earnings to over $53,000 in 2024.

The second Plum Peachy division landed an even dozen fillies in race eight. The Jamaica Patton trained Hypeyourbestieup (Travis Seekman), Dandy’s Ms Swifty (Casey Leonard) and Fox Valley Tessa (Wyatt Avenatti) are the likely betting favorites.

Springfield session nears its end

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 12:51:45 GMT

Springfield session nears its end

The Tom Simmons stable’s 2-year-old filly pacer Kays In Charge (Travis Seekman) guns for her fifth consecutive victory on Thursday’s Springfield card. (Terry Young Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

It’s the last three days of Hawthorne’s 2024 downstate harness racing meetings. Next week Illinois Standardbred racing shifts to the Hawthorne facility just outside Chicago’s western city limits where at long last pari-mutuel wagering returns to the Prairie state after an eight-month hiatus and racing goes on rain or shine.

It’s been a brutal year thus far for Illinois horsemen and fans of the Illinois circuit starting with purse cuts by Hawthorne to offer sub-standard purses at the State Fair venues.

The all-dirt tracks at Springfield and Du Quoin have seen rain, sometimes even in modest amounts, force the cancelation of downstate racing cards and in some cases compelling important Illinois bred take events to be moved weeks later where some horses weren’t anywhere near the form, they had been on the regular scheduled day of their event.

Couple that with the mistaken decision by the Illinois Racing Board to take the advice of its staff and conduct races without wagering at both Springfield and Du Quoin (in this author’s opinion), and we continue to head in the wrong direction. With the Horsemen’s purse account about $2.5 million dollars in the hole and no wagering money coming in for more the half the year, the purse account deficient just kept growing.

Hopefully, some rethinking of critical racing decisions can put the Illinois Standardbred industry back on the right track.

Meanwhile, with three days of racing left at Springfield the forecast is for sunny skies. According to USTA statistics, Casey Leonard has wrapped up another driving title. Casey has 38 first place finishes at Springfield with Kyle Husted next with 24. He’s followed by Travis Seekman with 18, Marcus Miller at 14. Juan Franco rounds out the top five with 12.

The Springfield trainer’s race probably won’t be decided until Friday’s card is concluded. Going into Wednesday’s program Tom Simmons has 18 winners and Amy Husted is at 17. Amy is tops in trainer winning percentage at 43.6 with conditioner Curt Grummel next at an even 40 per cent.

Interestingly, it’s the four post and not the rail with the best winning percentage, 21.2%. The one-post is at 15.3 %, third best behind the three at 16.1 %. The eight-hole has fared well at 11.3 %, better than the six with an even 10 per cent.

Thursday’s Springfield card brings out a number of high point earnings for Hawthorne’s Night of Champions series. The Tom Simmons stable’s Kays In Charge (Travis Seekman) goes after her fifth consecutive victory in the first race. She tops the 2-year-old filly trot division with 75 points.

The (Marty) Engle Stable of Northbrook, IL filly will take on High Class Heidi (Juan Franco) third in points; Lous Night Vision (Matt Avenatti) fifth, Lou’s My Number (Casey Leonard) sixth, Lous Avalon (Wyatt Avenatti) eighth, Trixies Sugar Baby (Darla Martin Lohan) tenth, among others.

A complete list if the NOC point standings can be found by going to: 2024-Noc-Point-Standings-10.02.24-1.pdf

The Grummel stable’s Whiskey Lou (Casey Leonard), the No. 1 point earner in the 3-year-old filly trot grouping with a perfect score of 100 competes in Thursday’s seventh race against co-Beulah Dygert champion Lous Amazon (75), second best series points-wise. They’ll take on Calypso Moon (fifth), Stand By Your Man (seventh), Ally Baba (ninth) and Dejoma (tenth), along with Gjlindagrit and Tru Fortune.

Friday’s card has a bevy of ICH champions on its twelve-race program, starting with Illinois Department of Agriculture 2-year-old male pacing titleholder Cash Money Twenty (Casey Leonard) in its first race. The freshman filly pacer Thebeautifulthings (Kyle Husted) will buck the eight-slot in race two when she goes after her fourth in a row and her seventh in eight tries in her first season.

The filly and mare open lured (in post-position order) Dandy’s Evrlasting, Rollin Coal, Fillys Revenge, Rona Mae, Dandy’s MNM, Fox Valley Exploit and Senorita Mouse. A conditioned trot is loaded with a field of Reign And Shine, Loulita, Marvelous Mystery, Rock Party, Lous Lancelot, Talk About Valor, Lousdobb and Groomster.

Cathy Rutherford Has Passed Away

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 17:19:16 GMT

A Celebration of Life for Cathy Rutherford will be held on Saturday, November 2nd, 2024 from 12-4 p.m. at the Martinsville Community Center, 122 W Cumberland St, Martinsville, IL 62442. Food and beverages will be available. Any memorial contributions can be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Please notify Kent Hardway by October 31st if you will be able to come. You can text/call him at 217-259-4169 or send him a note to 5568 E US Hwy 40, Martinsville, IL 62442. http://pearceobits.casketpics.com/.../catherine-a...

NOC Point Standings Update

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 15:24:47 GMT

Updated Night of Champions Point standings can be found here. 2024-Noc-Point-Standings-11.02.24.pdf

Several surprises in Hawthorne’s Series

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 13:51:22 GMT

Several surprises in Hawthorne’s Series

Drivers Marcus Miller (left) and Casey Leonard take a break between races at Springfield. (Terry Young Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Leg two of Hawthorne’s Night of Champions series for 3-year-old Illinois bred pacers and trotters is in the history books and in several events Wednesday at Springfield horses that would have been the betting favorites, if there was wagering, took it on the chin.

The Erwin F. Dygert Memorial series for ICF 3-year-old males got a huge shake-up in its standings after upsets in both of Wednesdsay’s two divisions.

In the first split Shady Maple Alstar pulled off a surprising victory despite never seeing the rail for driver Kyle Husted and he did it in a new lifetime mark of 1:57.4.

The Sutton gelding went off stride in the series first leg back in August and had only one series point going into Wednesday’s opener, however the Amy Husted trainee raced outside of the division leader Lous Private Eye through fractions of 29.1, 58.3 and 1:28 and still got up in time to gain a long neck victory over runner-up Tru Cash (Marcus Miller) who enjoyed pocked trip through most of the mile. Lous Private Eye weaken in the final strides.

The division series got more Topsy Turvey when another first leg champion, Lous Mandalorian (Travis Seekman) went off stride in the first turn and was eliminated. The Dane May’s stable’s Moppies Moose went on to post a convincing two-length first up victory with driver Matt Avenatti in 1:58 flat. Lou’s Miracle was second best while Gitty Gator came on for third.

Unofficially, after two Dygert rounds of the NOC series, the new leader is Moppies Mooss with 75 points, Lous Private Eye has 62 points, Shady Maple Alstar has 51, Lou’s Miracle with 50, Tru Cash has 37 followed by Lous Gambler with 33.

The much-anticipated match-up of the Plum Peachy series leaders Hypeyourbestieup (Travis Seekman) and Fox Valley Sadie (Kyle Husted) was the first of three series matchups on the program.

It turned out to be a quarter mile “dash for the cash” as Hypeyourbestieup coasted to three consecutive 29 quarters with Fox Valley Sadie in the two -hole. The Amy Husted trainee eventually wore down the leader by almost one length in the 1:55 mile. Hypeyourbestieup settled for the bridesmaid role while First Of Her Name (Casey Leonard) came on strong for the third place money.

The second Plum Peachy split went to No Words Needed (Casey Leonard) who came off the pace in the 1:54.4 mile and held off the late rushing Adalecia (Travis Seekman) by a little more than one length. The pacesetting Shes Brooks Star held on for third.

The Steve Searle trained Fox Valley Tessie (Wyatt Avenatti) picked a good time to get her first win of the year, coming on strong in the lane to take the third grouping in 1:54.4. Amy Moose (Juan Franco) raced well to be second and Dandy’s Ms Swifty was third best.

After two legs of the Plum Peachy, your author has Fox Valley Sadie on top with 100 points, followed by Hypyeyourbestshot with 75, Dandy’s Ms Swifty and Fox Valle Tessie tied at 62, No Words Needed with 58, Adalecia at 50, Amy Mooss (33), Ticktock Ticktock (33), Fox Valley Tasha (26) and First Of Her Name rounding out the top 10 with 20 points unofficially at the halfway mark.

The two Robert F. Carey second round divisions went as expected with Guitar Man (Travis Seekman), from the barn of Rob Rittof taking the first split in 1:53 flat—surprisingly on the front-end—and the division leader Gorgeous Big Guy (Marcus Miller) extending his winning streak to an amazing 16 in a row for trainer Erv Miller. The gelded son of Ashlee’s Big Guy has never lost a race to another Illinois bred pacer.

Marcus was content Wednesday to take the two-hole behind the front-stepping Fox Valley Julian (Casey Leonard) who powered past in the lane of the 1:51.2 mile.

Gorgeous Big Guy now has ascended to 100 series points. He’s followed by Guitar Man with 62, Doctor Cruise at 58, Fox Valley Julian at 50. Fox Valley Durham rounds out the top five with 20.

A pair of Beulah Dygert Memorial groupings for state-bred trotting fillies concluded the Nights of Champions second round events and Whiskey Lou (Casey Leonard) breezed in her division after hardly breaking out in a sweat, getting away with 31 and 30 middle quarters on the front end of her 1:57.1 mile.

Peekaboo Sal (Wyatt Avenatti) enjoyed the slow pocket trip and finished second while Fox Valley Tiegen (Marcus Miller) ended up third.

Casey Leonard, at the lines of the Steve Searle trained Lous Amazon, took advantage of a slow (59.1) first half, by others. and guided his Lou’s Legacy gelding to a comfortable 1:57.4 winning mile the second division. Calypso Moon (Curt Grummel came from far out if it for second, edging out the third-place finisher Stand By Your Man (Mike Brink).

Unofficial updated Beulah Dygert standings show trainer Curt Grummel’s Whiskey Lou on top with 100 points earned. Lous Amazon has vaulted to second with 75, then comes Fox Valley Tiegen (62), Peekaboo Sal (50), Calypso Moon (37) Fox Valley Jessie (20), Stand By Your Man (13), Honoloulou (13) and Lous Esmeralda (10).

You bet points matter

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 13:25:43 GMT

You bet points matter

Jerome Daniels will bring his 3-year-old colt trotter TVS Kosmac to the gate in Wednesday’s first division of the Erwin F. Dygert Memorial Night of Champion series. (Al Brodsky photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Points matter. In some states in a negative way concerning your driver’s license. Accumulate too many points and you can lose your license or take a big hit from your insurance company.

However, most of the time points matter in a good way. In our harness racing industry enough points produced can place a horse at a higher position in a poll or in a racetrack series where sufficient accumulated points can put a horse in a championship event instead of a consolation race.

Such is the case in Hawthorne’s Night of Champions series where points are dispersed with 50 awarded for a first-place finish, 25 for a second, 12 for third, 8 for fourth, 5 for fifth and 1 for starting. The 10 highest point earners advance to a championship.

Wednesday is leg two of the Night of Champion series for 3-year-olds nominated to Hawthorne’s top billing. It replaces the scheduled second leg that was washed away by rain back in mid-August. In some instances, today, a first or second place finish can virtually wrap up a starting spot for the November championships, the No. 1 night for Illinois bred pacers and trotters.

For example, in today’s trio of Plum Peachy events Hypeyourbestieup (Travis Seekman), Fox Valley Sadie (Kyle Husted) and Dandy’s Ms Swifty (Casey Leonard) each won their respective first leg back in August and a favorable finish today could clinch a start in the final.

While the Terry Leonard stable’s Dandy’s Ms Swifty looks to be in great shape with the rail in the third division (race five), her two main foes will have slug it out an event earlier once again. Both drew okay. The Jamaica barn’s Hypeyourbestieup with the two slot and Fox Valley Sadie from the barn of Amy Husted with the five

Hypeyourbestieup saw her four-race winning streak snapped a few weeks ago in the Illinois Department of Agriculture championship by Fox Valley Sadie. Between them, the two talented fillies have won 11 races this season, six for Hypeyourbestieup and five for Fox Valley Husted.

First leg Erwin F. Dygert Memorial winners Lous Private Eye (Casey Leonard) and Lous Mandalorian (Travis Seekman) head up today’s first two splits for second season state-bred male trotters.

Tru Cash (Marcus Miller), a third-place finisher in the first-round beat Lous Private Eye in their last encounter leaving from the while Lous Private Eye had a rough go from the second tier 10-slot. However, the tables are turned today with “Private Eye” getting the rail and the Erv Miller trainee having to buck the outside seven slot.

The Erv Miller stable’s Gorgeous Big Guy (Marcus Miller) carries a 15-race unbeaten streak into his division of round two of the Robert F. Carey Memorial race. He breezed in leg one and with the pole position, he looks like a sure thing to win another.

The threesome of Fox Valley Durham (Marcus Miller), Guitar Man (Travis Seekman) and first round champion Doctor Cruise (Kyle Husted) head up the sixth race first grouping.

First leg Beulah Dygert Memorial winners Whiskey Lou (Casey Leonard) and Fox Valley Tiegen (Marcu Miller) square off in the eighth race initial division for Illinois bred 3-year-old filly trotters while Calypso Moon (Curt Grummel) and Stand By Your Man (Mike Brink) buck heads in the second split.

Calypso Moon picked up 12 points with a third-place finish back in August however Stand By Your Man ended up a far back sixth and earned only a single point. A high place finish today would go a long way for the Brink stable’s $41,000 yearling buy to gain berth in the final.

Illinois Harness Hall Of Fame

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 14:36:04 GMT

The Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association will be taking nominations for induction into the Illinois Harness Racing Hall of Fame and we need your help. We need your suggestions so we can induct individuals and horses that are worthy of this prestigious honor. Without your input, certain deserving people may be overlooked.

You are encouraged to submit nominations for the Hall of Fame to the IHHA committee. Inductees will be acknowledged during NOC on November 9 at Hawthorne and then more formally recognized early next year at the annual horseman’s banquet in Springfield. We have attached our guidelines and a list of current members of the Illinois Harness Hall of Fame.

Please send us as much information as possible on the nominee and why you believe the person or horse should receive this honor. All nominations must be received by Friday, October 11.

You can mail those entries to:

IHHA

15 Spinning Wheel Road, Suite #432,

Hinsdale, IL. 60521

e-mail to tsomone@harnessillinois.com

Fax to 630-323-0761.

A damp Illinois champ will return

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 14:12:51 GMT

A damp Illinois champ will return

The 2023 Illinois Horse of the Year makes this season’s first start in his home state Friday at Du Quoin. (Patricia Fryman Photography).

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Hawthorne’s Downstate meeting continues this week however the scheduled racing days have been altered and if more rain arrives more changes will occur.

Not surprisingly, Wednesday’s scheduled Du Quoin program has been washed away by rain, and instead has moved to Friday. As of this morning, Thursday’s card is a “go” but the fact that both Springfield and Du Quoin are strictly dirt tracks and more rain is expected, getting any races conducted this week is dicey, at best.

If Friday’s card does get raced at the scenic southern Illinois facility at Du Quoin, it certainly didn’t come up short on talent as far as Prairie state bred horses are concerned.

Back after being sidelined for the last 3 and 1/2 months is the 2023 Illinois Harness Horse of the Year Goomster, will make his first start in his home state this year for owner Dennis Gardner and trainer Desiree Seekman, wife of the talented trotter’s regular driver Travis Seekman.

The Cassis gelding had a spectacular year as a 3-year-old with Travis Seekman at his lines, winning16 of 21 starts, mostly in ICF sophomore stakes, and earning over $158,000 for his West Salem, Illinois owner.

“Goomster was in to go last week but rain kept us from racing,” said Travis. “The horse was sore earlier, and we wanted to give him plenty of time off and have him ready to go for his march towards Super Night. If his qualifier is any indicator, I think he’s ready.

Goomster qualified in 1:59 flat with a 28 last quarter, taking the lead with a first quarter mile move.

“We wanted to go three quarters all on 30 and let him go from there” Goomster got to the half in 59 and strolled to a 32 second third quarter. “It’s not often a qualifier goes the way you want, but this one pretty much did,” added Travis.

Awaiting Goomster in Friday’s seventh race are a pair of former ICF division champions, Talk About Valor (Bob Smolin) and Lousdobb (Casey Leonard).

Returning to Illinois for the first time since his sensational 1:47.4 mile last month is the Amy Husted stable’s Fox Valley Landen (Kyle Husted), equaling the all-time record for a state-bred pacer. The 4-year-old son of Somestarsomewhere finished fourth last week in a $30,000 Open at Hoosier Park. Today he races for just $5,500 in a multiple conditioned event.

Fox Valley Landen takes on four other “Fox Valley’s”—Steeler, Ozzy, Jasper and Cayman,” along with Bay Brute and Luckychris.

Flacco Family Farms’ Lous Private Eye (Casey Leonard) looks to avenge his loss to Tru Cash in the fifth race trot after the Ev Miller trainee held him off from the two-slot while last year’s 3-year-old male ICF titleholder had a much tougher trip from the 10-hole second tier.

Robert Silberberg’s Perlucky (Casey Leonard), from the Jim Eaton stable, a winner of almost $110,000 last year, returns after being off since mid-May in the second race initial Open Trot. The now 9-year-old Lucky Chucky gelding, qualified two weeks ago at Springfield two lengths behind Goomster, finishing in 28.1.

The eighth race, the second $8,000 Open Trot, lured the Grummel family’s Marvelous Mystery (post 4), winner of both of this year’s aged ICF trotting State Fair championships. The 4-year-old daughter of Lou’s Legacy will be out to make amends after breaking stride on the lead in the stretch two weeks ago while racing against “the boys” in Springfield and failed to get a purse check for the time this season

Starting inside of Marvelous Mystery are Tucked Away (Jordan Patton), Reign And Shine (Freddie Patton Jr.), and La Lotita (Matt Avenatti). Loulita (Casey Leonard) drew the outside five slot.

Plenty of Precipitation: With two consecutive years of races at the Illinois State Fairs at Springfield rained out, and many others this year and last, you might be wondering how often it rains in the state capitol.

The National Weather Service says it is an average of 22 days in July, 20 in August and 16 in September. However, besides those rainy days knocking out any chance to race, the all-dirt base drains very poorly, and that usually means the day after a rain-out is a “no-go” as well.

DuQuoin Races Cancelled

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 20:20:32 GMT

DuQuoin races scheduled for Thursday and Friday (Sept. 26-27) have been cancelled due to rain.

2025 Hawthorne Dates Decided

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 15:11:10 GMT

On Thursday, September 20, the Illinois Racing Board held their 2025 racing dates hearing. Despite objections from the IHHA, the following schedule was passed. The Racing Board only awards dates for pari-mutual racing. At this point in time the racing dates for Springfield and DuQuoin have not been decided upon. Click here for the full announcement. Illinois Racing Board Approves 2025 Race Dates.pdf

Illinois 3-year-olds take over the limelight

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 13:24:29 GMT

Illinois 3-year-olds take over the limelight

Wildcat Abby (Casey Leonard) won for the seventh time in 13 career starts Thursday in a leg of the Incredible Tillie state-bred freshman filly pace series at Springfield. (Al Brodsky Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

It’s day two at Springfield of Hawthorne’s Night of Champions series and it’s strictly for ICF 3-year-olds of both sexes and gaits.

Leg two is an opportunity for those sophomores nominated to the champions series to earn points towards a starting berth in their respective divisions for the finals to be held in November.

Points are dispersed with 50 awarded for a first-place finish, 25 for a second, 12 for third, 8 for fourth, 5 for fifth and 1 for starting. The 10 highest point earners advance to a championship.

While two divisions of each 3-year-old class will be contested Friday, the Plum Peachy for filly pacers will go in three splits with the fourth race first group the most anticipated with division leaders Hypeyourbestieup (Travis Seekman) and Fox Valley Sadie (Kyle Husted) slugging it out.

The Jamaica Patton trained Hypeyourbestieup saw her four-race winning streak snapped nine days ago in the Illinois Department of Agriculture championship by the Amy Husted stable’s Fox Valley Sadie, getting even for an earlier loss to the Time To Roll filly back in late July at Du Quoin.

Between them, the two fillies have won 11 races this season, six for Hypeyourbestieup and five for Fox Valley Husted.

The Steve Searle stable’s Lous Private Eye (Casey Leonard) who lost for the first time this year on a mile track, looks to avenge that defeat to Tru Cash (Marcus Miller) in the first of a pair of Erwin F. Dygert Memorial groupings for second season male trotters.

Lous Private Eye’s second tier start in his last outing gave Tru Cash, who had the two-post, a lead the Erv Miller trainee never relinquished in his winning 1:55.3 mile. However. This time around Lous Private Eye is in the two-post and Tru Cash has to buck the outside eight-hole.

Later on the 15-race card, the talented 3-year-old gelding Gorgeous Big Guy (Marcus Miller) is in a sweet spot with the rail to make it 15 consecutive victories in the first of two Robert F. Carey divisions. The Erv Miller trainee has never lost a race to a fellow Illinois bred pacer.

Whiskey Lou (Casey Leonard), from the barn of Curt Grummel, looks to begin a new winning streak after he was knocked off stride a little more than a week ago in her IDOA championship start. Again, the second tier played a role in the filly’s demise.

Whiskey Lou’s stablemate Calypso Moon did win that championship and will race today in the second Beulah Dygert Memorial split with Marcus Miller taking over the driver chores.

THURSDAY’S RECAP: The Night of Champions series legs on Thursday got off to a surprising start when Curt Grummel’s Almost Home (Kyle Husted) came on in the lane to win for the first time with a 2:00.2 mile in the initial Fox Valley Flan division for 3-year-old ICF trotting fillies.

The second split went as expected when Kays In Charge (Travis Seekman) from the barn of Tom Simmons rattled off her third consecutive victory by almost six lengths with a 1:58.3 mile, already her fifth of the season.

The Kadabra trotting divisions for state-bred freshman colts and geldings went to Sunburnt Silverado and Mustang Dannu, both capably handled by Casey Leonard.

Sunburnt Silverado, another talented trotter from the barn of Curt Grummel, won in first over fashion in 2:00.2, his third in six lifetime starts to go along with a trio of seconds, while the Steve Searle trained Mustang Danny got away with slow middle quarters on the front end and prevailed in 2:01 flat in the second grouping.

Mustang Danny also won the first leg of the Kadabra and already has clinched a starting berth in its series final.

Thebeautifulthings, trained by Amy Husted and driven by her husband Kyle, coasted to her sixth straight triumph in an Incredible Tillie leg, the first of three splits, while under a hold in the 1:57.2 mile. The second “Tillie” leg saw Marcus Miller take Fox Valley Jasmine to the front where she held off Fox Valley Mygirl by about a length at the end of a 1:54.3 mile. Casey Leonard nicely rated Wildcat Abby to a front-stepping 1:55.2 win in the third grouping for trainer Roshun Trigg.

The Kimberly Roth trained 2-year-old gelding Dialogue (Kyle Wilfong), as anticipated, cruised in his Incredible Finale leg, five lengths the best in 1:54.3. Fox Valley Jericho (Travis Seekman) was awarded first in the second split when the stewards disqualified the first-place finisher PD’s Diamond Hope (Marcus Miller) to third.

The Erv Miller stable’s Fox Valley Pepper pulled off a surprise win in the final Incredible Finale division with a strong stretch rally for driver Marus Miller, overtaking Battlin Bob in the late going. The Somestarsomewhere gelding’s maiden win was in 1:53.1

Champ to miss a leg of Hawthorne series

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 13:15:05 GMT

Champ to miss a leg of Hawthorne series

Illinois’ all-time fastest freshman Cash Money Twenty is having a good time on R&R while his rivals race today at Springfield. (Al Brodsky Photo).

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

When Illinois bred 2-year-olds tangle Thursday at Springfield in leg two of Hawthorne’s Night of Champions series, notably absent will be Cash Money Twenty who recently became the fastest state-bred freshman pacer.

The good news is that the very talented youngster isn’t on the sidelines because of any heath issue. “He’s just getting a well-deserved rest,” said his trainer, Mike Brink.

“I told his owners that I planned to give the horse two weeks off after his Du Quoin and they were fine with it. They said: ‘Just go ahead do what you want with horse.’”

That was before Cash Money Twenty went out and dazzled Prairie State harness racing fans and horsemen alike with a sensational 1:50 flat clocking in the $55,000 Illinois Department of Agriculture Championship for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers with Casey Leonard at the lines.

“I know Thursday’s race at Springfield is for points toward the Night of Champions, but he won his ISFCS elimination earlier and picked up 50 of them and there are two more legs to be raced later at Hawthorne, so he’s in good shape pointwise.”

Owned by Heart and Soul Racing of Des Moines, Iowa (William and Sherrie Bycroft), Cash Money Twenty has won 5 of 6 lifetime starts and has amassed $53,281 in earnings.

“Like I’ve said before, the horse is crazy fast,” said Brink. “He wants to go a million miles an hour all the time. He can be a handful at times, but the horse has got a ton of speed, and he showed it at Du Quoin.”

The Stevenson youngster out of the Sagebrush broodmare Hostess Lisa began his career going 4-for-4 at Running Aces in Minnesota under the care of trainer Brett Bellinger. The horse moved to the Brink Stable at the beginning of August.

While Cash Money Twenty is enjoying his day off, the horse’s chief rivals Battlin Bob and Dialogue have work to do Thursday. They’ll race in separate divisions of the Incredible Finale, where they both appear to be much the best.

Dialogue (Kyle Wilfong), from the Kimberly Roth barn, has the four slot in race eight after dropping only a half-length decision to Cash Money Twenty at Du Quoin. Four races later the Hart Walker stable’s Battlin Bob leaves from post three in his six-horse series field.

Battlin Bob (Travis Seekman) cut fractions of 26 flat, 53.4 and 1:21.2 before tiring in the lane going eight days ago before tiring and finished third in the record mile, his first career loss after five victories. The Somestarsomewhere offspring did beat Cash Money Twenty by four lengths two weeks earlier in their Director’s Cup matchup at Springfield.

Three divisions of the Incredible Finale will be contested on the 12-race program, the same as the Incredible Tillie for Thursday’s freshman filly pacers. The 2-year-old trots, the Fox Valley Flan for fillies and the Kadabra for colts and geldings, will go in two splits.

Post time is at 12 noon and disappointingly will be raced as non-wagering events.

August Board Meeting Minutes

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 16:32:29 GMT

July Board Meeting Minutes

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 16:26:46 GMT

Eight Illinois champions are crowned

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 13:35:20 GMT

Eight Illinois champions are crowned

The “birthday boy” Casey Leonard acknowledges racing fans applause after another driving victory. (Al Brodsky photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

It was, to say the least, a fascinating day of racing at Springfield Wednesday when eight Illinois stake champions were crowned.

One long winning streak continued while another came to an end, no fault of the horse or his driver. A record performance was established for an ICF 2-year-old pacer, Marcus Miller returned to his home grounds and left, no doubt, with a smile on his face, and horses starting horses from the 10-slot second tier didn’t have much racing luck.

Here’s how it all unfolded:

The first of eight Illinois Department of Agriculture champions to visit the winner’s circle was in the 2-year-old colt and gelding pacing division that saw the “birthday boy” Casey Leonard provide a heady winning drive behind Cash Money Twenty in a quick time of 1:50 flat, a new all-time record for an Illinois bred pacer.

The now 47-year-old Leonard made what turned out to be the winning move in the first turn as Battling Bob (Travis Seekman) and Fox Valley Mamba (Matt Avenatti) battled to a blistering 26 flat quarter, Casey wisely ducked Cash Money Twenty into the pocket behind the two-dueling freshman.

As the battled continued past a 53.4 second quarter time and through the 1:21.2 third panel, Casey waited patiently for an opening in the stretch and when it came his Stevensville youngster delivered, powering past for about a three-length victory, the Mike Brink trainee’s fifth in six careers starts for Iowa owners Heart & Soul Racing.

Next up was another $55,000 IDOA showdown, this one for Prairie State juvenile filly trotters, and despite a first-over journey, Kays In Charge proved fastest in the lane with Travis Seekman. Trained by Tom Simmons for the (Marty) Engle Stable of Northbrook, Illinois, the 1:58 flat triumph was the winner’s fourth in six career starts to go along with a pair of seconds.

Lou’s My Number (Casey Leonard) came on for second while the pacesetter What A Legacy (Kyle Wilfong) held on for third.

One of the most anticipated races on the card, the Illinois showdown for 3-year-old colts and pacers followed, and the Erv Miller trained Gorgeous Big Guy (Marcus Miller) extended his winning streak to a lofty 14 in a row with a 1:50.2 clocking.

Stablemate Fox Valley Durham (Kyle Wilfong) finished second. Longshot You Never Can Tell (Brandon Bates) came on strong for third while Guitar Man (Travus Seekman) had to settle for fourth.

Gorgeous Big Guy worked hard to make the front with a 26.2 first quarter. He was quickly challenged and passed by Doctor Cruise (Kyle Husted, who quickly gave the lead it back to Gorgeous Big Guy, an Ashlee’s Big Guy homebred.

Gorgeous Big Guy put away stretch bids from Fox Valley Durham, Guitar Man, Fox Valley Ramiro and the late rushing You Can Never Tell for winning owners Doug Overhiser (New Smyma Beach, FL) and Mark Winship (Canton, IL) to keep is spot at No. 1 in the Illinois glamour division.

The tightest finish of the championships saw the Amy Husted trained Thebeautifulthings, driven by her husband Kyle, eke out a nose victory over the fast-closing Wildcat Abby (Casey Leonard) in the freshman filly final.

The 1:52.1 mile was the fifth win in six lifetime starts for the Somestarsomewhere filly owned by Doug Overhiser, Mark Winship, John Schwarz (Wooddale, IL) and Husted Racing (Altamont, IL).

Thebeautifulthings didn’t take command until after the 28 flat first quarter and looked to be in good shape after a slow 29.4 second panel. She had a comfortable lead until Wildcat Abby came from out of it in the lane, gobbling up ground, and almost pulled off the upset.

The trotters took over the spotlight next in the 2-year-old male category where Louise’s Legacy, given a perfect two-hole trip by Marcus Miller, overtook Sunburnt Legacy (Casey Leonard) in the final strides.

A 1:58.4 mile time was good enough to grab the winner’s share of the $55,000 purse for her owners Geis Enterprise (Chicago) and Erv Miller Stable (Wind Cap, PA).

Marcus was content to let Sunburnt Legacy coast to very modest fractions of 29 flat, 1:01, and 1:30 while his trotter was in the pocket and then let his Lou’s Legacy colt out-trot his rival in the lane.

The pacers were back in the spotlight for the 3-year-old filly championship and Fox Valley Sadie (Kyle Husted) displayed a gutsy winning performance in her 1:52.1 mile.

The Time To Roll filly, trained by Amy Husted, had to pace a quick 54,4 first half to have the lead but once there Fox Valley Sadie outpaced the division leader Hypeyourbestieup to post victory No. 5 in 10 season starts.

Fox Valley Tessa (Wyatt Avenatti) made a big effort to be second, beaten by about one length. Dandy’s Ms Swifty rallied late to edge Hypeyoubesttieup for third.

Whiskey Lou (Casey Leonard) is no longer unbeaten as a 3-year-old. The Curt Grummel standout was impeded trying to get position early from the 10-hole in the sophomore filly showdown and was never a factor to keep her winning streak intact.

Fortunately for the Grummel stable, it was stablemate Calypso Moon (Kyle Wilfong) who did get the narrow victory over a late closing Fox Valley Tiegen (Marcus Miller). Peekaboo Sal (Wyatt Avenatti) took third.

Another 10-hole trip proved to be a disappointment for driver Casey Leonard as the 3-year-old male division trot leader Lous Private Eye had to settle for second when Tru Cash supplied Marcus Miller with his third championship drive of the day.

The Erv Miller trainee had command most of the way, however it appeared Lous Private Eye was about to pass the Lindy’s Tru gelding when he unexpectedly went off-stride coming out of the last turn. Casey quickly got his horse back trotting but at the expense of losing much ground.

Lous Private Eye did get second and Moppies Mooss (Matt Avenatti) took third.

Live Racing Returns

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 20:58:23 GMT

Trot N Pace Marketing is back to simulcast all of the races being held at the Springfield and DuQuoin State Fairgrounds.

Watch the races here live by following this link trotandpace . tv

For programs for these races go here Site Editor | illinoisharness (multiscreensite.com)

Trailers to play key role in Illinois Finals

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 15:19:36 GMT

Trailers to play key role in Illinois Finals

Battlin Bob, shown here with Casey Leonard, looks to stay unbeaten in Wednesday’s Illinois championships for 2-year-old male pacers. (Al Brodsky Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

It’s almost a month late, however the good news is that Springfield’s eight Illinois stake championships are at long last a “go” for Wednesday’s 15-race program. The state-bred finals each will have a $55,000 purse on the line.

The championships were scheduled to be contested on Thursday, August 16th but that old familiar Springfield racing bugaboo—rain—washed out those scheduled Illinois bred finals, hence the move to today’s much later date.

All eight Illinois Department of Agriculture championships will have a starter in the second tier, making for some likely quick early fractions and several significant decisions going to the gate by drivers with a starting horse behind the first tier.

With only one second tier horse in each championship, a driver can line-up behind any horse in the first tier, however his horse must start in the second tier. Usually, it’s behind the one-horse with the rail, although it could be behind more of a favorite that his driver believes has superior gate speed and might get him enhance early position and perhaps avoid traffic problems.

That’ll be the dilemma for perennial leading driver Casey Leonard, who has a trio of second tier starts and two—Whiskey Lou (race 9) and Lous Private Eye (race10)—are likely post time favorites. Whiskey Lou is unbeaten in her nine season starts while Lous Private Eye only loss in his eight outings this year came when he broke on a half-mile fair track two starts ago. Lou’s Private Eye captured last week’s $50,250 Pronto Don in a lifetime best time of 1:54.4.

While the one-horse in race seven, Dashing Durango (Chris Brown, has shown good early speed, does Casey line up behind him or perhaps the two-horse Tru Cash (Marcus Miller), one of his main threats who has scooted away from the starting gate nicely in 3 of his last4 3 starts?

Casey is also at the lines of the 10-horse Lou’s My Number in race five, the 2-year-old filly final. The Steve Searle trained Lou’s Legacy filly capture a division of the First Lady Cup at Du Quoin last week’s $50.250 Pronto Don colt and gelding male trot championship.

The 10-slot will be a weighty challenge in the 3-year-old colt and gelding final where the reigning freshman champion Gorgeous Big Guy (Marcus Miller) puts his 13-race winning streak on the line.

The Erv Miller trainee drew nicely with the three post however one of his main rivals Guitar Man (Travis Seekman) gets a rare start inside of the champ with the rail. Making the race even more interesting is the speedy Amy Husted stable’s Doctor Cruise (Kyle Husted) has the 9-hole but is a trailer since he drew the 10-hole but a scratched horse moved him to the outside 9-slot.

One of Doctor Cruise’s major assets is his gate speed; however, his second-tier post negates that advantage and could make getting to the front more strenuous. Kyle may elect to be behind Gorgeous Big Guy at the start and then make an early move and try and brush to the top. Don’t be surprised if the 12th race winner paces a sub-1:50 mile.

Another major threat with the 10-post is the Erv Miller stable’s Ticktock Ticktock in the 11th race ISFCS championship for sophomore pacing fillies. You can take to the bank that Marcus will try to stalk the one horse Hypetoyourbestieup (Travis Seekman), very likely the post time favorite after last weeks’ Time Dancer winning split, her fourth in a row and the Jamaica Patton trained filly’s sixth in eight season tries.

Two other serious contenders in the field are Dandy’s Ms Swifty Casey Leonard) with the four slot, and Fox Valley Sadie (Kyle Husted) with the six post, who two starts ago was a romping nine-plus length victory in a career best time of 1:51.1.

Fox Valley Sadie was a disappointing fifth in her Time Dancer split when she left from the 10-slot. “That was my fault,” said Husted. “I didn’t drive he very well that day.’’

On the other hand, Kyle did nicely guide his freshman filly Thebeautifulthings to her convincing 11 length victory from the second tier in her Lt Governor’s Cup with a new mark of 1:52.3. The Somestarsomewhere filly has won four straight after being raced easy in her losing her debut.

“Back in February I told you I like my 2-year-olds,” said Kyle. “Thebeautifulthings is one of those youngsters in our barn that I’ve been high on.”

While Fox Valley Sadie was a $45,000 yearling buy, Thebeautifulthings went to the Husted barn for only a $5,500 purchase by the quartet of Doug Overheiser, John Schwarz, Mark Winship, and Husted Racing and she’s made over $27,000 in just a handful of starts.

One of the most anticipated showdowns today comes in the 2-year-old colt and gelding pace with unbeaten Battlin Bob (Travis Seekman), from the barn of Hart Walker and fresh off a convincing four-length victory over previously undefeated Cash Money Twenty (Casey Leonard)) with a quick time of 1:51.3 in just the Somestarsomwhere’s offspring fifth lifetime outing.

They’ll be challenged by Fox Valley Pepper (Marcus Miller), Captain Nate (Kyle Wilfong), Peace Star (Kyle Husted), Dialogue (Wyatt Avenatti), The Toddfather (Juan Franco), Mr Ain’t Goin (Kelsey Perymond), Fox Valley Mamba (Matt Avenatti) and PD’s Diamond Hope (Brandon Bates).

The eight championships will be raced concurrently, races 3 through 10. First post is at 12 noon.

Double Trouble awaits Illinois 3-year-old rivals

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 13:24:46 GMT

Double Trouble awaits Illinois 3-year-old rivals

The Jamaica Patton trained Adalecia (Travis Seekman) has rounded into top form for her stake events at Du Quoin and Springfield. (Four Footed Fotos).

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

When 3-year-old ICF fillies line up in next week’s Illinois State Fair Colt Stakes showdowns in their respective divisions they can expect to face strong double-barreled opposition from horses in the barns of trainers Jamaica Patton and Curt Grummel

Both Illinois trainers had their sophomore fillies come away with the first place finishes in last week’s Illinois bred sophomore stakes at Du Quoin, giving Patton and Grummel division sweeps.

Patton saw his Somestarsomewhere filly pacer Hypeyourbestieup make it four wins in a row in her $25,125 Time Dancer after Jamaica’s Time To Roll filly Adalecia pulled off an upset at 8-1 odds in the first Time Dancer split. Both fillies were aptly driven by Travis Seekman and paced new lifetime marks of 1:52 flat and 1:52.1, respectively.

“Hypeyourbestieup has pretty much dominated her filly pacing division year,” said Jamaica. “She’s really good right now and I’m not surprised at Adalecia’s win either. She’s becoming the horse that I thought she would be.

“She matured and her record is even better than it might look. Earlier she just had a lot of bad racing luck. Hopefully that’s behind her. She raced very well in her previous start when she got nosed out at the wire.”

In her August 10th ISFCS elimination, she was sent out from the 7-slot in an 8-horse field and was parked out to a 26.4 first quarter that took enough out of her to barely give it up in the lane to Dandy’s Ms Swifty in a 1:53.4 mile.

Adalecia is a home bred by Ron Phillips of Athens, IL who shares ownership of the filly with Jamaica and Ryan Spearie of Springfield, IL.

Grummel’s filly trotters Calypso (Kyle Wilfong) and Whiskey Lou (Casey Leonard) swept Du Quoin’s Windy Skeeter stakes. Both are daughters of Illinois top trotting stallion Lou’s Legacy.

Owned by her breeder Dr. Patrick Graham of Lockridge, Iowa, Calypso Moon’s victory was her first of the year although she had picked up purse checks in her previous six outings, some against her more illustrious stable-mate Whiskey Lou, owned by Randy Wilt of Savannah, Missouri, also her breeder.

Whiskey Lou didn’t just win her Windy Skeeter, she did it by almost 15 lengths and remains unbeaten in her second season. The filly is currently on a 9-race winning streak. She’s the reining division champion and well on her way to making it back-to-back titles.

Curt was also in the winner’s circle a third time on Du Quoin’s “Championship Day” when Sunburnt Silver (Casey Leonard) won his $23,125 division of the Governor’s Cup for state-bred freshman male trotters. The Lou’s Legacy offspring is owned Curt, his brother Craig and their father Leo, all of Carrollton, Illinois.

Of the 15 horses that won Du Quoin stake championships last week, 11 are trained by 5 conditioners—Curt Grummel, Jamaica Patton, Amy Husted, Steve Searle and Erv Miller. Single championships went to the barns of Tom Simmons, David Avenatti, Hart Walker and Rob Rittof.

Hawthorne Stall Applications Due Soon

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 15:29:11 GMT

Stall applications for the upcoming meet at Hawthorne are due by September 15. Follow this link for more information.

Racing Information – Hawthorne Race Course

Illinois History Made at Du Quoin

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 13:24:59 GMT

Illinois History Made at Du Quoin

Fox Valley Landen became the co-fastest Illinois bred pacer of all-time with a 1:47.4 clocking Tuesday at Du Quoin. (Patricia Fryman Photography)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Those who stuck around for the almost six-hour Champions Day at the Du Quoin State Fair were treated to the co-fastest mile of all time by an Illinois bred pacer, a 1:47.4 clocking from Fox Valley Landen.

The 4-year-old Somestarsomewhere gelding, trained by Amy Husted and driven by her husband Kyle, won the 17th and last race on the card, the $12,000 aged ICF pace for horses and geldings in record time.

The speedster He’zzz A Wise Sky (Kyle Wilfong), as expected, cut the fast fractions of 24.4, NTR, 1:20.3 with Fox Valley Landen right behind him. In the lane the winner pulled away from his rival to pace the fastest mile in Du Quoin’s long history.

First up on the lengthy but exciting finals were a pair of First Lady Cup events for ICF 2-year-old trotting fillies, each with $35,125 pots.

The initial split went to the Tom Simmons trained Kays In Charge ($12.40), perfectly rated on the front end by Travis Seekman. Her 1:57 flat mile is the season fastest in her division. The Can’t Afford filly is owned by the Engle stable of Northbrook, Illinois.

The Steve Searle trained Lou’s My Number (Casey Leonard) picked a good time for her maiden victory, taking the second split in 1:57.4 by two and one-half lengths over the 4-5 favorite Dandy’s Princess (Marcus Miller.

Steve Searle (Grant Park, IL), Mike Buzzard (Altamont, IL), Chris Paloma, (IA), and Michael Paloma, (Mundelein, IL) owned the winning daughter of Lou’s Legacy.

The state-bred freshman filly pacing grouping was next with two 12-horse fields going for purses $35,125 in both Lt. Governor’s Cup events. Pulling off an upset at 19-1 odds was the second tier Time To Roll filly Fox Valley Jasmine, ($40.60), nicely handled from the 12-post by Ross Leonard for trainer Erv Miller.

The winning proprietors are Doug Overhiser (New Smyma, FL) and Mark Winship (Cantrall, IL). A close second and third were the even money choice Wildcat Abby (Casey Leonard) and I Love My Captain (Kyle Wilfong).

The first public’s choice to have success Tuesday was Thebeautifulthings with a heady drive from Kyle Husted, another second-tier horse. The winning margin was more than seven lengths in her new season mark of 1:52.2.

Thebeautifulthings left from the 10-slot behind the one-horse Rk’smack. Several horses shot out from the get-go and Husted had to wait for a spot to take his filly off the rail and try to make the top.

Once there, she put away her foes,and was much the best for the quartet of Doug Overheiser, Husted Racing (Altamont, IL), John Schwarz (Wooddale, IL) and Mark Winship.

The first of two $35,125 Governor’s Cup trot finals for juvenile colts and geldings saw the Dave Avenatti trained Shady Maple Becker ($19.40) at 8-1 take the first split in front-end fashion with a 2:00 flat clocking. Wyatt, Lane and Dave Avenatti, all of Chrisman, Illinois, share ownership of the Can’t Afford gelding

The Curt Grummel stable’s Sunburnt Silverado (Casey Leonard) wore down the 3-5 favorite Louise’s Legacy (Marcus Miller) in deep stretch to capture the second division in 1:57.3. Curt, Craig and Leo Grummel of Carrollton, Illinois share ownership of the Lou’s Legacy.

winner

A pocket trip from driver Kyle Wilfong paid off with a narrow 1:52.4 victory for the 8-5 betting choice Dialogue ($5.20) in the first of two $35,125 groups of the Director’s Cup for 2-year-old male pacers.

The Kimberly Roth’s trained son of Captain Trevor was three quarters of a length better than the front-stepping PD’s Diamond Hope (Brandon Bates) for Mason, Illinois owner Bart Seales.

All eyes, and a good portion of the mutuel pool, were on Cash Money Twenty (Casey Leonard) in the second split but this time the overwhelming 1-5 favorite couldn’t deliver the goods as the Walker family’s Battlin Bob (Travis Seekman) outpaced him in the stretch.

Both horses traded places to be in command with Cash Money Twenty having the lead turning for home, however the Hart Walker trained freshman lived up to name, with a quick 1:51.2 mile for owners Bob Walker of Carrollton, IL, Hart Walker, Jerseyville, IL, Charles Walker, Edwardsville, IL and Robin Klinger, Carrollton, IL.

The winning son of Somestarsomewhere, out of the homebred mare Bucklegirl Bobette, is now unbeaten in five lifetime starts.

The two $25,125 divisions of the Windy Skeeter for second season trotting fillies went to the Curt Grummel trained stablemates Calypso Moon (Kyle Wilfong) and Whiskey Lou (Casey Leonard). Both are daughters of Lou’s Legacy.

Calypso Moon’s 1:55.4 win was her first in eight season starts for owner and breeder. Patrick Graham (Lockridge, Iowa) while Whiskey Lou stayed unbeaten this season in eight outings by almost 15 lengths for her owner and breeder Randy Witt of Savanah, Missouri. The mile time of 1:53.1 is a new mark for Whiskey Lou.

The $25,125 Time Dance r splits for sophomore pacing fillies was next, as darkness crept up on the mile track. Another $25,125 purse was on the line when the heavy 1-2 favorite Fox Valley Sadie (Kyle Husted) finished off the board.

After a length inquiry by the stewards, the first-place finisher Adalecia (Travis Seekman) at 8-1 was the official winner over the 70-1 longshot No Words Needed, with a career fastest mile of 1:52. Trainer Jamaica Patton shares ownership of the Time To Roll filly with Illinoisans Ron Phillps (Athens) and Ryan Spearie (Springfield)

Jamaica was back in the winner’s circle with Seekman after the second division was concluded when the 1-5 public’s choice Hypeyourbestieup prevailed in 1:52.2. Patton co-owns the daughter of Somestarsomehwere with Mississippian Cedric Daniels.

Lous Private Eye (Casey Leonard), at 3-5, was all out to hold off the 16-1 longshot Tru Cash (Marcus Miller) in the $50,250 Pronto Don trot for 3-year-old colts and geldings. Owned by his breeder, Flacco Family Farms of Alexis, Illinois, the Lou’s Legacy prodigy bettered his lifetime mark by almost two seconds with his 1:54.4 clocking.

The overwhelming 1-9 favorite Gorgeous Big Guy (Marcus Miller) had to survive a steward’s inquiry to win the first $25,125 division of the Dudley Hanover for second season male pacers. Now 7-for-7 as a sophomore and unbeaten in his career against fellow Illinois breds. The Ashlee’s Big Guy gelding paced the mile in 1:51.1 for trainer Erv Miller.

As expected, the 3-5 favorite Guitar Man (Travis Seekman) was victorious in the second Dudley Hanover for trainer Rob Rittof in time of 1:50.3. Both Dudley Hanovr winners are owned by Doug Overhiser and Mark Winship.

Seekman’s win was his fifth on the card.

Hosea Williams Rollin Coal ($12.80), driven by Brandon Bates, was the upset winner in the $12,000 championship for aged pacing mares. The 1:51.2 mile equaled the 9-year-old’s fastest career mile.

It’s Championship Day at Du Quoin

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 13:29:04 GMT

It’s Championship Day at Du Quoin

Downstate Classic freshman filly champion Wildcat Abby (Casey Leonard) goes after her 8th win in her 11th season start in a division of Tuesday’s First Lady Cup at Du Quoin. (Al Brodsky Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

It’s Championship Day at the Du Quoin State Fair and the number of Illinois bred horses to be crowned is certainly plentiful. A total of 15 pacers or trotters will come away with the status as a titleholder in his or her division.

The reason for the abundance of championships is that most of the added money events were split into two divisions. The lengthy card will test your handicapping skills since the four two-year races will have two or three trailers in each, making them 11 or 12 horse fields.

After today’s championships are concluded, some interesting questions will be answered, such as:

*With several inexperienced 2-year-old olds starting behind some horses for the first time, will any of their races be affected and to what degree.

*Will Gorgeous Big Guy (Marcus Miller) extend his winning streak to 13 in a row? The 3-year-old Erv Miller trainee has never lost a race to an Illinois bred pacer.

*Can Cut Grummel’s Whiskey Lou stay perfect in her sophomore season? The Lou’s Legacy filly is 7-for-7 in 2024 and gets a rare inside post today for driver Casey Leonard?

*Will the 2-year-old gelding Cash Money Twenty (Casey Leonard) follow his dazzling seven-plus length win in his Illinois debut with another 1:51 and change clocking in a division of the Director’s Cup?

*Unbeaten in six starts this season on a mile track, can the Flacco Family Farms reigning division champ Lous Private Eye keep that achievement intact despite leaving from the middle of his field with five trotters starting inside of him and another five going out to his right?

*Is the Jamaica Patton trained Hypeyourbestieup (Travis Seekman) sharp enough to prevail for the fourth consecutive time moving further outside with the seven-hole in her 3-year-old division of the Time Dancer?

*Can the Husted Stable’s Fox Valley Sadie overcome a start in the second tier, avoiding possible traffic problems and follow her nine-length romp at Springfield with her tenth win in 17 lifetime starts? In her last Illinois start she dominated with a career fastest 1:51.1 clocking from the two-post.

*Will three-time Illinois Harness Horse of the Year Fox Valley Gemini with 63 lifetime victories and more than $760,000 in purse earnings, go off as the longest shot in the aged male pacing showdown as predicted in the morning line? He’s listed at 15-1.

Repeat Winners: Marvelous Mystery (Marcus Miller) and Niko Man (John De Long) followed their Springfield victories in the ICF aged trotting divisions with triumphs in the same divisions at the Du Quoi State Fair,

The 4-year-old mare Marvelous Mystery followed her Curt Grimmel stable-mate Funky Wiggle through three consecutive 28 quarters and overtook the 2022 Illinois Horse of the year in the late going of the 1:52.3 mile.

Niko Man found racing room at the top of the late and breezed to a four-length triumph in 1:55.1 for trainer Ken Rucker in the male division. Lousraptor (Chris Brown) trotted a big effort to be second best.

Du Quoin Draw/Redraw Explained

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 15:48:54 GMT

IHHA President Jeff Davis responds to Du Quoin Questions

I have received numerous inquiries and concerns regarding the DuQuoin Stakes, precisely the draw, the subsequent redraw, and the decision to revert to the original draw.

I want to clearly articulate the IHHA's actions and my involvement in this matter.

When the original draw for the Two-Year-Old Pacing Fillies and the Two-Year-Old Pacing Colts was posted, I was contacted by IHHA members and members of our Drivers' Committee, who raised safety concerns. Multiple drivers told me they did not feel safe with multiple trailers.

Our Executive Director contacted the race secretary in response. The race secretary informed him that the draw was conducted according to USTA rules, so further discussion was not warranted.

Following a conversation with our Executive Director and another board member, I contacted Hawthorne officials directly.

At 5:28 PM on Thursday, I sent the following message:

"I am concerned about the field sizes for the races in DuQuoin. We have two-year-olds and three-year-olds with two and three trailers on a track with a hub rail. I am worried about the safety implications. Is there any consideration to reduce the field sizes?"

Initially, I received the same response the race secretary gave our Executive Director.

However, I emphasized my concern that Hawthorne, as the operator, could be liable if an accident were to occur. After further discussion, Hawthorne officials informed me that they had decided to conduct a redraw.

The redraw took place on Friday morning.

Following the redraw, some of our members and horsemen were satisfied, while others were upset. I understand that some horsemen contacted the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) and threatened legal action.

Later that day, Tim Norman from the IL Department of Agriculture sent the following email:

Good Afternoon,

I have discussed the redraw for DuQuoin's Tuesday night races with Director Costello and General Counsel Tess Feagans. Hawthorne is acting as the vendor; these are Illinois Department of Agriculture races with IDOA purse money. No changes should be made to race programming without Department approval. The Department did not sign off on the redraw. The initial draw was done in accordance with the DuQuoin State Fair conditions that have been published in the 2024 Illinois Racing and Stakes Guide since February. As a result, we expect Hawthorne to revert to the original races, fields, and post positions determined in the initial draw.

Thanks, Tim

The confusion arises because the 2024 Illinois Stakes Guide does not specifically address field sizes for the Illinois State Fair Colt Stakes and DuQuoin State Fair in their conditions (page 14).

On page 16 for the DuQuoin State Fair County Fair Challenges, field sizes are addressed under rule #3, which limits fields to 10 horses per race.

Additionally, on page 13, the Cardinal and Violet Stakes are also limited to divisions of 10 horses.

Just a few weeks ago in Springfield, the Three-Year-Old Pacing Fillies had 23 entries divided into fields of 8, 8, and 7.

This lack of consistency across conditions for different races leads to confusion and must be fixed moving forward.

In the case of DuQuoin, it is even more pressing, as we have been racing with a maximum of 9 horses wide for several years, unlike the standard ten horses wide on a mile track.

Given this context, it was reasonable to request a redraw based on safety concerns expressed by our Drivers.

However, the Illinois Department of Agriculture ultimately has the authority to decide this issue:

On page 14 of the guide, the following statement regarding conditions for the Illinois and DuQuoin State Fairs states:

"If any issue arises that is not covered by these conditions, the Illinois Department of Agriculture and/or the Illinois Racing Board reserves the right to decide any question. All entrants agree to abide by those decisions."

You can review the guide yourself at the following link: stakes-guide.pdf (illinois.gov)

If there are any further questions, please feel free to contact me.

Du Quoin state fair meet opens

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 13:17:46 GMT

Du Quoin state fair meet opens

Leroy Hunt’s Scrappy Comingup (Cornelius Cavett) has his sights set today on Du Quoin’s County Fair Challenge for ICF 3-year-old male pacers (Terry Young Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

It’s the opening day of the Du Quoin State Fair three-day harness racing meeting. For horsemen and their owners who participated on the summer long Illinois County Fair racetracks it’s the most prominent program of the year, money-wise and for prestigious honors.

Eight County Fair Challenge events are on the 14-race card, all offering a $10,000 purse. A late afternoon post time of 4 pm will get the program under way. A pair of ICF championships for aged horses will follow the County Fair Challenge affairs.

The Ken Rucker stable’s Niko Man (John De Long) will be a heavy favorite to follow his Springfield championship in the aged male trotting division with another in Du Quoin’s $12,000 older horse showdown.

Looking to pull off an upset are Lousraptor (Chris Brown) and Tankmetodennyland (Travis Seekman), who start inside of Niko’s Man (post three), along with Zions Realy Chilly (Kyle Wilfong), Lous Interceptor (Jordan Patton), Lous Lancelot (Marcus Miller), Whatta Year (Juan Franco) and Lousdobb (Casey Leonard), second best in the Springfield confrontation.

Lous Lancelot is returning to Illinois after campaigning mostly at Pocono Downs where he took a new lifetime mark if 1:54 flat. The 5-year-old son of Lous Legacy will race this evening out of the barn of trainer Jim Eaton.

The ninth race aged filly and mare trot final will precede the horse and gelding championship and while its short on numbers, just four starters, it boasts a pair of former ICF champions—Funky Wiggle (Kyle Wilfong) and Marvelous Mystery (Marcus Miller), both from the barn of Curt Grummel, and the Steve Searle stable’s Loulita (Casey Leonard) who is two-for-two this year at Du Quoin.

Zena Lou (Wyatt Avenatti), another Searle trainee rounds out the competitive field that saw two lengths separate the first three finishers—Marvelous Mystery, Funky Wiggle, and Loulita—in the Springfield division championship.

Major Illinois Sales Near: The Du Quoin meet signals that two of the most significant Illinois yearling horse sales are right around the corner.

The Land of Lincoln Sale takes place this upcoming Saturday at the Walker Standardbred Farm in Sherman, Illinois starting at 12 noon. The digital sale catalog on the 67 horses to be sold can be downloaded at landoflincolnsale.com/catalog.

The Illini Classic Yearling sale will be held just two days later on Monday, September 2nd at the Illinois State Fair Grounds

Springfield beginning at 11 am. Entries and catalog information on the 149 yearlings that will go on the auction block on Labor Day are available at illiniclassic.com/2024-yearling-entries.

Illinois Freshman “Wow’d Them”

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 13:17:08 GMT

Illinois freshman “wow’d them”

Cash Money Twenty (James Kennedy), shown here winning start at Running Aces, was very impressive in his Illinois debut. (Nicole Tate Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

Very few 2-year-olds have ever made their first start in Illinois with such a dazzling first impression made by Heart & Soul Racing’s youngster Cash Money Twenty.

Most observers who watched the Stevensville gelding’s race in his recent Illinois Fair Colt Stakes elimination at Springfield were “wowed” by his winning performance that will make him the likely favorite when the championship is contested in early September.

Cash Money Twenty won his first start in his home state by more than seven lengths in a swift time for a juvenile of 1:51.2 with Casey Leonard at his lines or the Mike Brink stable.

The youngster came home in 27 flat and Casey never pulled the ear plugs on Cash Money Twenty who arrived at Springfield unbeaten in his first three career starts at Running Aces in Minnesota.

“Give all the credit to (trainer) Brett Ballinger,” said Brink. “He’s the one who got him to the races and to this point in his career. I’m just the second man in line with the horse. When I got the horse, I didn’t know anything about him. I watched replays of his races and could see he was fast but had no idea he’s as fast as he is.

“I got him about three weeks ago and he wasn’t particularly impressive looking. He’s not a big strapping horse but he’s good gaited and is light on his feet. While he can be a handful in the barn once he gets on the racetrack, he’s fast . . . crazy fast. Right now, he doesn’t know how fast he is.

“He won all his Minnesota races on the front end so I was concerned he might not be versatile, but Brett told me he is and can race out of a hole I said to myself: ‘He’ll have to show me.’ Well, he did “show me” in his elimination race. I’m tickled to have him in my barn.

“I told Casey before the race I just don’t know much about him. He acts and looks just like another horse, but he’s got crazy speed.”

“The owners (Bill and Sherrie Bycroft) are flying in from Iowa to watch him race at Du Quoin next week. I got a chance to meet them, and they’re excited about the horse. They have already been approached to sell him, but have decided to put the “No Sale” sign up on the horse and ride him out and see what they’ve got

“When Bill’s father passed away a few years ago he left his son enough of an inheritance for him to think about buying a horse. He decided that’s what he wanted to do so he went to a Minnesota Sale with the intention of buying a Minnesota bred. He ended up with anything but, instead he bought an Illinois bred.”

“They named the colt Cash Money Twenty to honor their nephew who has passed away. He was on a traveling softball team and wore number 20 on his jersey.”

Cash Money Twenty’s dam is the Sagebrush broodmare Hostess Lisa who earned almost a half million dollars in her racing career and had a lifetime mark of 1:51 flat.

2024 IHHA Election Results Are In

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Sat, 17 Aug 2024 14:46:48 GMT

2024 IHHA Board of Directors Election Results

August 17, 2024

The following are the results from the IHHA Board of Directors election which took place today, Saturday, August 17, 2024. The top five vote getters will serve three-year terms as directors.

1. Ed Teefey

2. Jeff Davis

3. Al Beals

4. Steve Searle

5. Hosea Williams

===================================================

6. Ivar Hyngstrom

Congratulations to all the candidates that participated in this election.

Thanks to all members who participated in the election process. It is through your voice and support that the IHHA can continue to address and work on the issues of concern to our industry.

State Fair Races Postponed

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 12:51:00 GMT

The races for the Thursday, August 15 finals and consolations at the Springfield State fairgrounds have been postponed because of rain. They have been rescheduled for Wednesday, September 11 at the Springfield State fairgrounds. Those races shall be raced as drawn. Overnights will be scheduled for Thursday, September 12.

Lou’s Legacy a proud papa

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 10 Aug 2024 13:44:31 GMT

Lou’s Legacy a proud papa

Lou’s Private Eye (Casey Leonard) was one of six ISFCS elimination winners Friday sired by Lou’s Legacy. (Terry Young photo)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

The Flacco Family Farms reigning Illinois champion sire Lou’s Legacy must be a very proud papa. Six of the eight Illinois State Fair Colt Stake eliminations were won by his sons or daughters Friday afternoon at Springfield.

Moving on to next Thursday’s ISFCS championships were “Lou’s” offspring’s What A Legacy (Kyle Wilfong), Fox Valley Tiegen (Marcus Miller), Whiskey Lou (Casey Leonard), Louise’s Legacy (Marcus Miller), Mustang Danny (Casey Leonard) Lous Mandalorian (Tais Seekman) and Lous Private Eye (Casey Leonard).

The two non-Lou’s Legacy elimination winners were the 3-year-old filly Fox Valley Tiegen (Marcus Miller), a daughter of Can’t Afford It, and Charles Arthur’s homebred Class Included filly High Class Heidi (Juan Franco) who popped at 57-1 and paid a whopping $115.60. The longshot’s 2:00.3 winning time was nearly an astonishing eight seconds off his previous best.

A quartet of 2-year-old colt and gelding elims were contested and only the first two finishers in each event were assured of making the $55,000 championship.

The Walker family’s homebred Battlin Bob made it 4-for-4 lifetime and looked strong doing it. The Somestarsomewhere gelding, out of the former champion mare Bucklegirl Bobette, breezed in a snappy 1:53.3, knocking almost three full seconds off his previous best time. Fox Valley Pepper was the runner-up.

The Tom Simmons stable’s Fox Valley Vitali (Casey Leonard) followed and tied an Illinois season mark for freshman with a robust 1:53.1 clocking. Peace Star (Kyle Husted) was second.

If those first pair of juvenile elimination conquerors were impressive, what can be said by the winning performance in the third heat by the Minnesota invader Cash Money Twenty, Casey’s sixth winner of the day. Now trained by Springfield Mike Brink, the Stevensville gelding rattled off a sizzling 1:51.2 mile and did it with authority.

The second-place horse PD’s Diamond Hope (Wyatt Avenatti) cut very swift fractions of 25.4, 54.3 and 1:23.3 but was no match Friday for the winner who drew off.

Travis Seekman nailed down a “driving triple” on the card when he steered the Rob Rittof trained Fox Valley Mamba to a 1:54.1 maiden win in the fourth elim. Also making the final was the runner-up Captain Nate (Marcus Miller).

The other Friday elimination winners were RK’s Mack (Casey Leonard), Beautybythebeach (Marcus Miller) and Thebeautifulthing (Kyle Husted), all in the 2-year-old filly pacing division.

More on the Menu: It’s day two at the Fairgrounds in Springfield to determine the finalists for next Thursday’s Illinois State Fair Colt Stakes championships and the 3-year-old pacing filly category came up especially strong.

With 23 state-bred gals entered for its ISFCS eliminations, three divisions were necessary to be raced Saturday. The first three finishers in each will move along to its final along with one fourth place finisher. She’ll be determined by a draw.

The highly regarded Hypeyourbestieup (Travis Seekman) from the Jamaica Patton stable should have no trouble advancing. She’s riding a two-race wining streak and is 4 for 6 in her second season

The Terry Leonard stable’s Dandy’s Ms Swifty (Casey Leonard) looks to be in great shape a race later. The Stevenville prodigy is in peak form and will be a heavy favorite to make it three wins in a row.

However, the fifth race third split doesn’t have a “stick out.” Far from it. Three of the best fillies in the division—Fox Valley Sadie (Kyle Husted), Amy Mooss (Matt Avenatti) and Ticktock Ticktock (Marcus Miller)—will go to the starting gate alongside each other.

Violet champion Amy Mooss, from the barn of Dane May, and the stake’s runner-up Fox Valley Sadie, trained by Amy Husted, both are looking for their fourth season triumph while the Erv Miller stable’s Ticktock Ticktock is fresh off a victory at The Red Mile.

Gorgeous Big Guy (Marcus Miller) and Guitar Man (Travis Seekman), the two highest rated 3-year-old state bred male pacers drew into separate elimination divisions, so we’ll have to wait five days to see their anticipated match-up.

Only a fifth-place finish or higher is needed to gain that division’s $45,000 showdown.

ISFCS eliminations were not needed for the other 3-year-old ICF events or for older horses. Instead, prep races have been carded Saturday and since a start in an elim or prep is mandatory to compete in a championship, such Illinois past champions as He’zzz A Wise Sky, Fox Valley Gemini, Fox Valley Landen, Scoreboard Dandy, Fox Valley Exploit, Nico Man and Lousdobb will be in action on today’s 11 race program.

Making her first start as a 5-year-old is the Curt Grummel trained Funky Wiggle, who missed most of last year’s campaign with lameness issues. The Lou’s Legacy filly was the 2023 Illinois Harness Horse of the Year.

Funky Wiggle landed the rail and comes off a winning 1:57.1 qualifier with Kyle Husted, who drives today. Her stablemate Marvelous Mystery (p.p. 2, Kyle Wilfong) returns after a year off. Now four, she dominated her division as a 3-year-old, racking up 10 wins.

Among their sixth race challengers is the talented 6-year-old mare Loulita (Casey Leonard) from the barn of Steve Searle. Another daughter of Lou’s Legacy, Loulita (p.p. 6) is in peak form, proving best in 3 of her 4 last starts, including a lifetime best clocking of 1:55.3 in mid-July at Du Quoin.

Norm "Bud" Thompson Passes Away

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Sat, 10 Aug 2024 03:23:30 GMT

Norman "Bud" Thompson Passes Away

Click here for more Obituary information for Norman L. "Bud" Thompson (airsman-hires.com)

Illinois state fair stake finals berths on the line

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 12:58:10 GMT

Illinois state fair stake final berths on the line

Kays In Charge, shown here winning with Casey Leonard), goes for her third win in four career starts Friday in a ISFCS elimination for state-bred 2-year-old filly trotters, (Terry Young Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

It’s the second day of racing at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield and for many horsemen and their owners it’s the time to be plenty nervous. At stake in all 15 contests is the opportunity to advance to next week’s Illinois State Fair Colt Stake championships.

In some cases, all that’s needed is a fifth-place finish in an eight-horse elimination. However, for ICF two-year-old colts and geldings, landing at starting berth in the final is a very challenging assignment.

With four ISFCS eliminations on the card, only the first two finishers in each event are assured of returning next Thursday for the added money championship.

A random drawing will determine which of the four third place finishers will move on for the 55,000 showdown, so expect some big efforts and quick miles when the freshman colt elims roll around on the last four races of the program.

Race 14 in particular looks intriguing.

The seven-horse 14th has a trio of freshman going postward that have some dominant recent victories—Cash Money Twenty (Casey Leonard), PD’s Diamond Hope (Wyatt Avenatti) and The Toddfather (Juan Franco).

Cash Money Twenty shipped-in from Running Aces in Minnesota where he cruised to easy victories in his first three starts. Five days ago, the Stevensville gelding rolled to almost an 11-length victory in 1:54.2 on the five-eighths track. He’ll race today out of the barn of Mike Brink of Springfield with Casey Leonard at his lines.

The Toddfather is trained by Brittany Dillion and all the Captain Trevor offspring did in his latest outing was stroll to a 10 and 1/2 triumph for driver Juan Franco who is back to guide the youngster.

The Kevin Miller trained PD” s Diamond Hope has been either first or second in his first six lifetime starts, winning a few weeks ago in a snappy 1:53.1 at Du Quoin by more than eight lengths. He dropped a narrow decision last week at Mt. Sterling but still paced his last quarter in 27 flat on the half-mile oval.

The ISFCS eliminations for freshman trotting fillies will open the lengthy card. A fifth or better finish is needed to advance.

It’ll be more difficult for the first season pacing fillies. With three divisions, only the first three finishers are assured of moving on. A draw will be held to see which fourth place filly gains the final.

A fifth-place finish or higher is necessary for three-year-old filly trotters to achieve the championship. Curt Grummel’s defending filly trotting champion Whiskey Lou (Casey Leonard) will put her seven-race winning streak on the line in race seven.

The first five finishers will advance to the 2-year-old male trotting final. The same goes for three 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters.

Illinois harness racing wagering returns

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 13:23:58 GMT

Illinois harness racing wagering returns

Red-hot driver Wyatt Avenatti acknowledges racing fans after another recent victory on the Illinois County Fair Circuit. (Al Brunsky photo)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

Pari-mutuel harness racing wagering returns to the Prairie State Thursday for the first time in six months with the opening day of the Illinois State Fair meeting at Springfield.

The Race Office entry box was overflowing with entries for the Illinois Department of Agriculture events with 13 of today’s 17 contests IDOA races. First post is 11 am. The last race is scheduled o go off at 8:45 pm, Central time, so it’s obviously going to be a long day for horsemen and fans alike.

The five-day Springfield State Fair meet continues Friday and Saturday of this week with Illinois State Fair Colt eliminations and preps for all ICF classes, gaits and gender. The championships, weather permitting, will be held next Thursday, August 15.

Last year’s ISFCS finals unfortunately were rained out at Springfield and had to be moved to Hawthorne. The championships are also the first leg of Hawthorne’s Night of Champion series.

If you’re looking for Illinois’ “hot hand” for wagering purposes, look no further than young Wyatt Avenatti. The 28-year-old Chrisman, Illinois resident has been on quite a roll.

Since July 29th, Wyatt has driven an impressive 40 first place finishers at nine Illinois County Fair race dates. He has zoomed past the 100-dash winning plateau for this season and gone over 400 lifetime winners in a hurry. Wyatt’s best number of wins in a single season was last year’s 93 total. He’ll leave that figure in the dust with more than five months of racing still left.

Wyatt will get plenty of opportunities today to add to his season win figure. He’s scheduled to compete in 13 of the 17 races on the lengthy card.

It’s “Homecoming Day” at the Illinois State Fair meet for driver Marcus Miller who now makes his home in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.

The 35-year-old Marcus grew up not far from the fairgrounds and spent his first nine years of driving in his home state. He left for the east coast in 2012 with 1,789 winning drives. Now a dozen years later he has shot up to 4,600 and will try to add to the total today with his 10 opportunities.

Keep an eye on Walker’s Battlin Bob

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 12:15:32 GMT

Keep an eye on Walker’s Battlin Bob

Trainer Hart Walker has high hopes for the barn’s Battlin Bob (Jamaica Patton). Terry Young Photo

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

With the Springfield State Fair and its bevy of ICF stake races only a week away, Illinois harness racing trainers are busy getting their horses ready for those five figure events.

Two-year-olds will get tested for the time in stake events and a favorable outcome in the initial Incredible Finale for colts pacing colts and geldings, the Incredible Tillie for pacing fillies, the Kadabra for male trotters and the Fox Valley Flan for female trotters could go a long way towards making the championships finals in November.

The Springfield 2 and 3-year-old state-bred events are the first leg of Hawthorne’s Night of Champions stake series with 50 points awarded for a first-place finish, 25 for a second, 12 for third, 8 for fourth, 5 for fifth and a single point for starting.

A number of Illinois freshman pacers and trotters have a few starts already under their belt and some with very notable results. A prime example is the youngster Battlin Bob from the barn of trainer Hart Walker. He’s two-for-two and was much the best in both of his starts.

Battlin Bob is by the current top Illinois sire Somestartsomewhere and his dam is the former ICF champion Bucklegirl Bobette who raced for the Walker family for a little more than three years (2016-17-18), winning 29 of 60 starts, hauling in $217,448 and taking a mark of 1:50.3 as a 5-year-old at Hawthorne. She was unraced at two.

“We bred Bucklegirl Bobette to Somestarsomewhere with the hopes that her foal would have some of the favorable straits that the mare had, and so far, Battlin Bob has shown that he does,” said Hart Walker, who along with his father Robert bred the 2-year--old who has shown plenty of potential.

“Like his mother, Battlin Bob enjoys his work. He’s a quick learner. He also has outstanding conformation and so far, he’s done everything we’ve asked of him on the racetrack, just like his mom.”

Battlin Bob has won his first two races in 1:57.1 and 1:56.1 by about three lengths in each contest while under wraps for his driver Travis Seekman. “He hasn’t had to go all out yet,” continued Hart. “That time will soon arrive.

“There are a lot of nice Illinois bred freshman out there and there’s a few that haven’t been raced yet. To think that Battlin Bob could be one of them is a good feeling. Our family had Taser Gun, Bucklegirl Bobette and we’re hoping Battlin Bob can reach that kind of level of success.”

Battlin Bob is owned by the Illinois quartet of Hart Walker (Jerseyville), Robert Walker (Carrollton), Charles Walker (Edwardsville) and Robin Klinger (Carrollton).

The senior Walker was the conditioner who gave Illinois harness fans the brilliant pacer Taser Gun, winner of over $1.1 million and 69 of 147 starts including a Balmoral Park Super Night championship, racing from 1997 through 2005.

A former Super Night champion herself, Bucklegirl Bobette won 29 0f 60 career starts, most coming under the care of Bob Walker. The Duneside Perch mare earned over $217,000 in a career cut short in 2019 by a tendon injury.

The 77-year-old Walker remains very active with the family’s horses. “My dad still shows up at the barn every morning,” added Hart.

Pari-mutuel wagering returns next Thursday to Springfield for its Illinois State Fair races.

Top Illinois sophomore gals square off

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 27 Jul 2024 13:02:17 GMT

Top Illinois sophomore gals square off

The rising Illinois bred star filly Amy Mooss (Matt Avenatti) takes on some of her chief division rivals Saturday at Du Quoin. (Terry Young Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

Contests for Illinois horses nominated to Hawthorne’s Night of Champion series continue to take center stage on the Du Quoin one-mile oval Saturday.

While its very early in the season today’s third race is a unique opportunity to see three of the very best in the ICF sophomore pacing filly division square off with Amy Mooss (Matt Avenatti), Hypeyourbestieup (Travis Seekman) and Fox Valley Sadie (Kyle Husted) all going postward.

The talented trio each have won three of the last five starts and if this was a betting (it isn’t) it would be difficult to determine which filly would be the favorite.

A week ago, the Dane May trained Amy Mooss bounced back from a second-place finish to Fox Valley Sadie with a romping six- and one-half length triumph in 1:54 clocking for owner Alen Beals of Hoffman Estates, Illinois. The Somestarsomewhere filly drew nicely Saturday with the two-slot.

The Jamaica Patton barn’s Hypeyourbestieup won a division of the Violet last month before going to Oak Grove with the lure much bigger purses than here in Illinois. After being locked-in in her July 9 start after a brutal 26 first quarter, driver Brandon Bates took no chances of that recurring, putting the Somestarsomewhere filly on the front end where she cruised to a four-plus length win in 1:52.4 in a $25,000 conditioned event.

Meanwhile, after trading victories with Amy Mooss, Fox Valley Sadie never had a chance to show her ability in her race last week at Hoosier Park. The Time To Roll filly lagged the gate and was almost 17 lengths behind at the 26.2 first quarter pole, ending up last by almost 13 lengths.

Owned by Jamaica and fellow Mississippian native Cedric Daniels, Hypeyourbestieup starts in the middle of the field with the four.

Also coming back Saturday to compete in his home state is the gifted 3-year-old gelding Guitar Man (Travis Seekman) from the barn of conditioner Rob Rittof. Another Somestarsomewere offspring, Guitar Man has the ability to give the defending division champion Gorgeous Big Guy all he can handle.

Ironically, both superb 3-year-olds are owned by Doug Overhiser of New Smyma Beach, FL and Mark Winship (Canton, IL).

Guitar Man sped to a new lifetime mark of 1:50.2 at Oak Grove in his last start and he did it all on his own. Saddled with the second tier 9-hole, driver Marus Miller took him out of fourth in the early going after a quick 26 flat first quarter, made the top at the 55 half, and had something left at the finish of nearly three length victory.

Friday’s Recap : A trio of races for ICF filly pacers nominated to the NOC series kicked off the Friday Du Quoin card with first-time starter Jezibel Mooss getting it done the hard way. The Gary Rath Somestarsomewhere trainee raced without cover from the backside on for Matt Avenatti and still won easily in 1:56.4 over runner-up Fox Valley Groupie (Travis Seekman).

Wildcat Abby, driven by Casey Leonard, took the second division in no-doubt-about-it fashion (4 and one-half lengths) while racing on the front end for the first time. The Captain Trevor filly took a new mark of 1:55.3. pacing a quick 26.3 last panel. for trainer Roshun Trigg

Catch-driver Juan Franco gave Fox Valley Mygirl a winning pocket trip in the third split for owner and trainer Chares Arthur of Terry, Mississippi. The 1:57.2 mile was more than three seconds better than her previous best time for the daughter of Time To Roll.

Dandy’s Princess, nicely handled by Travis Seekman, dominated the state-bred 2-year-old trot division by over eight in 1:59 flat. The Erv Miller trained filly, sired by New Jersey Mike, was bred by Dandy Farms Breeding and Ft Racing Sable of Illinois.

The freshman pacing colt divisions were next with The Toddfather completely crushing his seven foes by more 10 lengths for driver Juan Franco with his 1:54.1 mile. Britney Dillion trains the Captain Trevor gelding,

Hart Walker’s Battlin Bob made it 2-for-2 in his young career with Travis Seekman at the lines, winning by three lengths in 1:56.1. PD’S Diamond Hope (Wyatt Avenatti) coasted to his second straight victory in the third split by a widening 8 and ½ lengths, knocking off almost three seconds from his last winning time for trainer Kevin Miller.

The Curt Grummel ‘s star filly trotter Whiskey Lou had no trouble cruising to her sixth consecutive win and stayed unbeaten with Casey Leonard in the bike as a 3-year-old. The mile went in 1:55.3

Zeroing in on Illinois 2-year-old breeding

michael@victorym.com (Michael .) — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 13:29:56 GMT

Zeroing in on Illinois 2-year-old breeding

Illinois trot champion Lousdobb (Casey Leonard) and his younger sister Lous Night Vision compete Friday at Du Quoin. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Unless you’re a novice of our sport, one of the first things you look at when handicapping a race of 2-year-olds is their breeding, and you would be following in the same thought process of most trainers looking at a yearling catalog while attempting to “smoke out a” potential sale purchase.

Is the horse from a winning family? Does he or she have any brothers or sisters that have been very successful on the racetrack?

We applied that logic to the early portion of today’s Du Quoin card where Illinois freshman eligible to Hawthorne’s down the road Night of Champions will compete against each other and did the research for you.

One particular race, the fourth, stands out concerning siblings.

Making her debut is Lous Night Vision, not surprisingly Casey Leonard’s choice among three trotters to drive in the contest. Owned by her breeder Flacco Family Farms of Alexis, Illinois, Lous Night Vision is by Lou’s Legacy, out of the Bands One Eye broodmare, therefore she’s a full sister to Illinois champions Lous Dobb and Lous Private Eye. All three trotters are trained by Steve Searle.

Lous Night Vision got her first taste of competition two weeks ago at the Henry County Fair, winning easily in 2:15 on a “good track” and Casey did the driving, his first trip to Henry in decades, so he must be high on the young filly.

Lousdobb twice won ICF divisional honors under Searle’s guidance while Lous Private Eye was the 2023 Illinois two-year-old male trot titleholder and is unbeaten in in his sophomore campaign.

In Friday’s same race Flacco Family farms debuts Lous Avalon (Wyatt Avenatti). Another daughter of Lous Legacy, her dam in Snarky Lane, the same breeding of the farms Lous Mandalorian (1:58.2), one of the contenders in this year’s ICF sophomore colt and gelding trot division.

Ironically, another Lous Legacy prodigy with champion breeding is also in the same race: What A Legacy (Mike Brink). She’s out of the dam Little Rigs. Her full sister is Stand By Your Man, the winner of last year’s Fox Valley Flan championship for trainer Mike Brink. What A Legacy sold for $34,000 at the Walker Sale two years ago.

Brink’s first-time starter in race five is Fox Valley Jericho (Casey Leonard). He’s by Somestarsomewhere from the dam Roll With Josie, the same family tree as successful state-bred pacers Fox Valley Steeler (1:52.2) and Fox Valley York (1:55).

Another Somestarsomewhere colt bowing today is the Gary Rath stable’s Sleazyandincharge (Wyatt Avenatti) for the Engle Stable LLC of Northbrook, Illinois. He’s a half-brother of former Illinois bred pacers Sleazeburgernfries (1:51.3) and Sleazeburgersleazeburger (1:51.4).

Later on the card defending state-bred filly trot titleholder Whiskey Lou (Casey Leonard) puts her six race winning streak on the line in race eleven.

The Flacco Family farm will be watching the 12-race program from start to finish. It’s champion Lousdobb (Casey Leonard) guns for his 20th lifetime victory in the nightcap,

June Board Meeting Minutes

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 16:21:00 GMT

Illinois freshmen fillies grab Du Quoin spotlight

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 20 Jul 2024 13:20:22 GMT

Illinois freshmen fillies grab Du Quoin spotlight

B attlin Bob made a winning debut Friday at Du Quoin for trainer Hart Walker. (Terry Young Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Hawthorne’s Night of Champions is a long way off but the road to the November gala evening of racing began yesterday and resumes Saturday for many of its nominated 2 and 3-year-old pacers and trotters.

Four ICF freshman filly pacing divisions will be contested on the Saturday 15-race program, all early races for youngsters eligible to the Incredible Tillie series. A single division for state-bred juvenile male pacers will go as race two today.

Two youngsters—Fox Valley Groupie (Jamaica Patton) and Fox Valley Beth (Casey Leonard)—go postward for the first time in Saturday’s opener and they drew on opposite ends.

Fox Valley Groupie, trained by Hart Walker, has the rail. A $24,000 buy at the 2022 Walker Standardbred sale, she’s a Somestarsomewhere filly out of the dam Rock With Delight, making her a full sister to last year’s juvenile champ Chickabell.

Fox Valley Beth, from the Tom Simmons stable, starts from the outside seven post. A $12,000 purchase, she’s by Time To Roll and her dam is Fox Valley Lyn, so she’s a half-sister to the Gary Rath stable’s Fox Valley Ozzy (1:50.3).

Simmons has another Somestarsomewhere filly debuting in race three. She’s Two Bean Dream. The Fox Valley Catwalk filly will get away for driver Kyle Husted from the one-post.

Husted also handles the stable’s Captainess in race four who nailed down her maiden victory last week with a 1:57.4 mile, pacing the last quarter in 27.3. That division also landed the Erv Miller stable’s Fox Valley Jasmine (Travis Seekman). Another daughter of Time To Roll, her dam is Fox Valley Jazzy, the 2017 Incredible Tillie champion back in 2017. Fox Valley Jasmine solid for $25,000.

A solo division of Illinois bred filly sophomore pacers nominated to the Night of Champions series came up strong with two of the best the division—Chickabell (Kyle Husted) and Amy Mooss (Matt Avenatti)—both going to the gate. They’ll be challenged by Fox Valley August, Stevie Mae, Unhynged Zenzero, Fox Valley Tatum, Hermia’s Star and Big Flicka.

Later on the card, the pride of the Terry Leonard barn, Fox Valley Gemini (Casey Leonard) will try to re2l in the Amy Husted stable’s David Allan Whoa, something he couldn’t do when they met on July 6.

Fox Valley Gemini will be in search of his 63rd career win. The now 9-year-old gelding, found his best stride in the stretch two weeks ago, motoring home in a quick 26.3, but was beaten by a little more than a length in the 1:53.2 mile.

The solid field of pacers also lured Fox Valley Langley, Skway Gymmaster, Tookadiveoffdipper, Fox Valley Newport, Fox Valley Monaco and Fox Valley Kodiak.

Friday's Recap: A trio of Illinois bred pacing fillies nominated to the Night of Champions went postward Thursday at Du Quoin. The Tom Simmons Stable’s Fox Valley Vitali was a comfortable three-length for owners Ivan Hawthorne (Winnsboro, LA, D.M. White (Cotton Valley, La) and Benita Simmons, Springfield, IL) winner in 1:55.4 on a track listed “good.”

Casey Leonard steered the daughter of Somestrsomewhere to a two-hole trip and Fox Valey Vitali rolled past the early leaders in the stretch. The Toddfather (Kyle Husted) was clearly second best in the first division.

Travis Seekman sent Battlin Bob to the front in the second division where the son of Somestarsomewhere was able to go to a soft 1:01.2 at the half in his debut and easily held off the second-place finisher Unhynged Impulso with a 1:57.1 final time.

Hart Walker of Carrollton, Illinois trains the winning home bred out of the stable’s champion mare Bucklegirl Bobette.

Driver Wyatt Avenatti had PD’S Diamond Hope on or close to the front throughout the third filly division before the Kevin Miller trained Fort Knox gelding pulled way in the late going of a 1:56 flat mile.

Markota (p.p. 8, Juan Franco) came from far back to grab second, beaten more than 4 lengths,

The Erv Miller stable’s first-time starter Dandy’s Princess Travis Seekman led from start to finish in the lone 2-year-old filly trot for NOC eligibles with a 2:03 flat clocking. The late closing Kays In Charge (Casey Leonard) was the runner-up to the New Jersey Viking bred winner.

Illinois 3-year-old male trotters nominated to the Erwin F. Dygert Memorial NOC series were next with last year’s champion Lous Private (Casey Leonard) coasting to his fifth consecutive victory of 2024 by more than 13 lengths, this one in 1:59.3 for the Lou’s Legacy progeny, owned and bred by Flacco Family Farms of Alexis, Illinois and trained by Steve Searle.

The second division was a lot more interesting as Juan Franco drove Lous Mandalorian to a perfect two-hole winning trip for trainer Roshun Trigg by about two lengths in 1:59.3 over the front-stepping Tru Cash (Casey Leonard)

It gave Flacco Family Farms and their star stallion Lou’s Legacy back-to-back division winners.

The lone sophomore trot for Beulah Dygert Memorial eligible fillies saw Randy Witt’s Whiskey Lou (Casey Leonard) breeze to a front-end triumph. The Curt Grummel trained defending reigning champion in 1:58.3, the Lou’s Legacy gal’s sixth straight victory.

NOC eligibles begin their long journey

michael@victorym.com (Michael .) — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 13:04:15 GMT

NOC eligibles begin their long journey

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

Illinois bred youngsters nominated to Hawthorne’s Night of Champions series take the spotlight Friday on Du Quoin’s mile oval.

While Thursday’s scheduled program was postponed to Saturday and will be centered on state-bred 2-year-old pacing fillies, Friday’s card is focused on their counterparts: ICF freshman male pacers.

Friday’s opener brings out Fox Valley Grit (Mike Brink), a half-brother to Fox Valley Patriot (1:51.3); Fox Valley Boxer (Matt Avenatti), a Somestarsomewhere colt out of the 2010 Orange and Blue champion Fox Valley Touche; Fox Valley Vitali (Casey Leonard), another Somestarsomewhere soffspring youngster who sold for $24,000 as a yearling), and D And JS Family Guy (Travis Seekman) who was more than 18 lengths the best when he qualified in 1:58.3.

RK’S Captain (Juan Franco), The Toddfather (Kyle Husted) and Fox Valley Silent (Wyatt Avenatti) round out the field.

The third race second division has the well-bred ICF gelding Battlin Bob (Travis Seekman) making his debut from the rail. The Hart Walker trainee is by Somestarsomewhere out of the former ICF champion mare Bucklegirl Bobette (1:50.3). One of her challengers is Fox Valley Chuckle (Casey Leonard), a $40,000 purchase and a full sister to Fox Valley Kia (1:51.2).

Western Revenge (Matt Avenatti), Three Lock Box (Kelcy Perymond), Unhynged Impulso (Wyatt Avenatti) who qualified at Hoosier in 1:57.1, Captain Dee Tee (Mike Brink) and Fox Valley Stoli (Kyle Husted), the sister of her Amy Husted stablemate Fox Valley Gina.

The third division is headed by Merv Chupp’s Markota (Juan Franco) who drew poorly with the eight-slot but is 2-for-2 thus far with a mark of 1:56 flat and a quick 26.2 last panel in his recent 1:58.2 win.

Starting inside of Markota is (from the rail out): Fox Valley Jupiter (Jordan Patton), PD’S Diamond Hope (Wyatt Avenatti), Hello Trevor (Casey Leonard), and first-time starters Peace Star (Kyle Husted), Frank N Foster (Jim Molitor), Son Of Skywalker (Travis Seekman) and Star Man (Steve Halford II)

A trio of state-bred 3-year-old trotting events for NOC eligible trotters will follow with two divisions for colts and geldings and one for fillies.

Defending champion Lous Private Eye (Casey Leonard) looks like a standout in his division with the pole position. The Steve Searle trainee should make it five straight victories and stay unbeaten in 2024.

The stronger second division will bring out the J D Finn trained Little Chipper (Jared Finn) and Tru Cash (Casey Leonard) from the Erv Miller stable. Both were in the second-place finishers in their respective Cardinal stake contests. They’ll be confronted by Lous Mandalorian, Hope’s Star, Shady Maple Alstar, and Fox Valley Harley.

Unbeaten in 2024, the Curt Grummel trained Whiskey Lou (Casey Leonard) carries a five-race winning streak into the filly contest. The defending freshman titleholder has breezed in all four of this season’s starts.

Awaiting Whiskey Lou are Ally Baba, Dejoma, Illini Diva, Change The Tune, Hope’s Darlene, and Calypso Moon.

Grummel’s ‘threepeat” an extraordinary fete

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 13:21:57 GMT

Grummel’s ‘threepeat” an extraordinary fete

Whiskey Lou’s 2023 tops in her division honor gave trainer Curt Grummel three consecutive ICF 2-year-old-filly trot champions. (Terry Young photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

It’s rare for a harness racing trainer to condition a division champion in back-to-back years however when Whiskey Lou was named the best in her division, it gave Illinois horseman Curt Grummel an even more unique accomplishment, his third consecutive ICF two-year-old filly trot titleholder.

Whiskey Lou has followed in the hoof steps of the Grummel stable’s Funky Wiggle in 2021 and Marvelous Mystery in 2022. Is there a fourth straight division champion on the horizon coming out of the Grummel barn?

“It’s way too early for that conversation,” answered Grummel with a laugh. “I do have a couple of youngsters that I like about ready to qualify though.”

Meanwhile Whiskey Lou is off to a terrific start in her second season. She’s unbeaten with her new driver Casey Leonard in four starts and was particularly impressive winning a recent division of the Violet stake.

“She was very strong in the Violet,” said Casey. who took over the driving chores this year on the home bred daughter of Lou’s Legacy, out of the Cantab Hall broodmare Whisk Hanover for owner and breeder Randy J. Wilt of Savannah, Missouri.

Last year Casey drove the Grummel’s freshman Calypso Moon for the Grummel stable and did well with her, mostly competing in different divisions than her stable-mate Whiskey Lou, a full sister to 2022 Illinois Harness Horse of the Year Funky Wiggles, earning over $62,000 and winning 4 of 9 starts including a First Lady split at Du Quoin.

Meanwhile Whiskey Lou raked in almost $94,000 and won a division of the Illinois State Fair Colt Stakes, raced at Hawthorne with Kyle Wilfong, a leg of the Fox Valley Flan, also with Wilfong, and division of the Violet with Grummel.

With Wilfong committed to driver at Hoosier Park this summer, Grummel asked Leonard if he would like to drive Whiskey Lou year, saying “she’s the better of the two fillies.”

“Coming from a trainer with Curt’s résumé with trotters, I replied: ‘Of course,’ said Casey. “I’ve since learned she’s a very easy filly to drive. She’s handy and she just keeps getting stronger out there.”

“Every time I’ve asked Casey how the filly was after a race I get the same reply: “Absolutely perfect,’ said Curt.

We asked Curt how Marvelous Mystery and Funky Wiggle are doing. Both missed significant portions of their 2023 season with health issues.

“Marvelous Mystery was going to qualify Wednesday but the races got rained out,” said Curt.” She’s really sharp and is ready to go. ‘Funky’ has had some lameness problems but her legs are good now. She isn’t far off from qualifying.

“I’m hoping they can both stay sound and are healthy when some of the bigger races come around later this summer and in the fall.”

Gorgeous Big Guy cruises to 11th straight

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sun, 07 Jul 2024 12:51:04 GMT

Gorgeous Big Guy cruises to 11th straight

They were motoring down the stretch at Springfield 31 different times on Saturday. (Terry Young photo)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

A new driver brought about an old result as Illinois champion Gorgeous Big Guy coasted to his eleventh consecutive victory Saturday at Springfield.

Travis Seekman got the catch drive on the 3-year-old homebred and comfortably guided the Erv Miller sophomore to a convincing two length victory while under a firm hold in the 1:53.4 mile to extend the Ashlee’s Big Guy progeny’s winning streak.

A slow 29.1 first quarter brought about a reserved winning time for the mile. The second quarter saw Gorgeous Big Guy and his ICF rival Doctor Cruise (Kyle Husted) jockey for early position through a 27.2 panel. Once Seekman got the Erv Miller trainee on top, the issue wasn’t in doubt.

Another slow third quarter (29.2) sealed the outcome as the winner came home in 27.3 and had plenty left if needed.

Fox Valley Julian (Casey Leonard) was a fast closing second in his best race of the early season, making up seven lengths in the last half of the mile. Fox Valley Kodiak (Gary Rath) was third best.

Seekman took over the lines on Gorgeous Big Guy after the pacer’s regular drivers Cordarius Stewart and Atlee Bender both were sidelined after injuries occurred in a spill earlier in the week at Oak Grove racetrack.

The modest $7,000 purse nudged Gorgeous Big Guy’s lifetime earnings to just under $180,000 for owners Doug Overhiser (New Smyma Beach, Florida) and Mark Winship (Canton, Illinois).

One race later former ICF champion Fox Valley Exploit (Kyle Husted) held off a fast-closing Scorecard Dandy (Juan Franco) to capture the ICF aged pacing mare contest with a 1:51.1 clocking for trainer Amy Husted. It was career victory No. 38 for the 7-year-old daughter of Sportsmaster who has banked $489,518 in her illustrious career.

The 3-year-old state-bred pacing filly showdown saw Kyle Husted give Fox Valley Sadie a winning second over journey to avenge her loss to Amy Mooss (Matt Avenatti) in their recent Violet confrontation.

Husted was able to flush-out Amy Moose from the two-hole on the backside and follow-up the Dane May trainee, getting past in the final strides of the 1:54 mile. It was the winner’s third triumph in five season starts for owners Husted Racing (Altamont, Illinois), John Schwarz Jr., (Wood Dale, Illinois) and David Brigham, (Litchfield, Michigan).

Last year’s Illinois bred freshman trotting champion Lous Private Eye had no trouble staying unbeaten in 2024, easily prevailing in the ICF 3-year-old colt and gelding event in 1:57.4, his fourth consecutive first place finish

Driven by Casey Leonard for trainer Steve Searle, the Flacco Family Farms homebred pulled away in the lane from runner-up Lous Mandalorian (Juan Franco). Lous Gambler (Jordan Patton) took third. All three top finishers are sons of Lou’s Legacy.

Lous Private Eye is now 8 for 14 in lifetime starts for his Alexis, Illinois owners and breeders. Last year’s freshman male colt champ also increased his career earnings to $122,243.

Friday’s card was rained out and moved to Saturday with a 10 am first post. The 16-race program ended almost five hours later. It was followed by another card of 15 races.

The lengthy 31 combined Saturday race program lasted more than eight hours in what could be called “Illinois Longest Day” for horsemen, employees, and harness racing spectators alike.

Casey Leonard drove more than a third of the winning horses with 11 first place finishes. Kyle Husted steered six of his drives to victory, while Juan Franco had a big day with 5, and Wyatt Avenatti greeted the track photographer on 4 occasions.

The sudden rise of Amy Mooss

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Fri, 05 Jul 2024 13:30:34 GMT

The sudden rise of Amy Mooss

Amy Mooss (Matt Avenatti) showed her heels to foes in a recent division of the Violet stake for Illinois bred 3-year-old pacing fillies. (Terry Young photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

While we are only a few weeks into the 2024 Illinois harness racing season, some horses have already made an impact in their respective divisions and none more than Alan Beals owned filly Amy Mooss.

The now 3-year-old daughter of Somestarsomewhere out of the Time To Roll broodmare Fox Valley Amie had a rough year as a freshman, earning a modest $11,801 and winning just one of 12 first season in and that came in her early July debut at Springfield with a less than impressive 1:59.3 clocking for the Gary Rath stable.

The young filly is currently racing out of the barn of Dane May with driver Matt Avenatti this year and she’s made a 180 degree turn thus far as a sophomore. She knocked more than six seconds off her previous fastest mile with a 1:53 flat victory two weeks ago in a $17,877 division of the Violet, her second triumph in three seasons starts to go along with a second-place finish.

Amy Mooss finished almost three lengths ahead of last year’s Illinois champion juvenile pacing filly Chickabell (Kyle Husted) who was disqualified to last for starting in the first tier, instead of the assigned second tier when the three horse (Big Flicka) didn’t make the gate and vacated the slot. In the same race Amy Moose also put away the challenge of Fox Valley Tasha who never missed a check in her 14 freshman outings.

Amy Moose has already surpassed her entire 2023 earnings with $13,072 banked and by the way she has performed that total could be growing by leaps and bounds as the year goes along for her Hoffman Estates, Illinois proprietor.

The bay filly had some nice efforts after her maiden win a year ago with a pair of second place finishes last summer, one in a $16,666 division of the Lt Governor stake at Du Quoin. She picked up a fourth-place check in her Illinois State Fair Colt Stake division, raced at Hawthorne, but then failed to earn a dollar more in her last six starts of the year.

Amy Mooss’ disappointing races in the latter summer months most likely was due to health issues.

“I really didn’t know much about Amy Moose until I got to drive her,” said Matt Avenatti. “Dane (trainer May) has done a great job with the filly. She’s game and so far, she’s done everything I’ve asked her to do.

“She’s a filly to be watched,” continued the 30-year-old resident of Chrisman, Illinois. “I believe on any given day she’s among the top three fillies in her division. Dane gave her the week off before the Violet to have her fresh for the stake and she was very sharp. She beat one of the best in her division in Chickabell in that race. Like I said, Dane has done a terrific job with the filly.”

Chickabee was named last season’s top Illinois filly two-year-old pacer and while she is taking the week off her very capable stablemate Fox Valley Sadie has her sights set on Amy Moose on Friday. The $46,000 yearling buy made almost $70,000 as a freshman with five victories and two seconds in eight starts for the Husted stable.

Against ICF filles, Fox Valley Sadie has won 2 of 3 starts this year and was a strong second in her Violet division to Jamaica Patton’s rugged filly Hypeyourbestieup, another strong contender for this year’s division honors. Fox Valley Sadie leaves from post four in the race for the Husted’s, her second start on Lasix.

(Friday’s scheduled 16-race card has been cancelled because of rain) .

Emphasis on 2-year-olds at Du Quoin

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 13:33:24 GMT

Emphasis on 2-year-olds at Du Quoin

Unbeaten Fox Valley Brady (Kelcy Perymond) goes for his fourth consecutive win in Friday’s third race at Du Quoin. (Terry Young Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Hawthorne’s downstate summer harness meeting shifts to Du Quoin Friday with the far southern Illinois facility hosting this year’s crop of two-year-olds for the first time. The card was originally scheduled for Thursday but was pushed back a day because of rain.

Most of Frida’s freshman combatants have a start or two or more on either County Fair tracks or at Springfield where the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Spring Preview was contested a week ago. With the ICF 3-year-old Violets and Cardinal stakes raced the next day, the Spring Preview didn’t receive its deserved coverage.

The vast majority of Friday’s state-bred 2-year-old competitors did go postward in the Spring Previews and five of the youngsters—Littlebunnyfrufru, Modern Luxury, Shady Maple Becker, Fox Valley Brady, and Fox Valley Mygirl—making a winner’s circle stop.

Bridget Williams’ Fox Valley Brady, driven by his trainer Kelcy Perymond, had the most impressive victory last week, picking up his third consecutive win despite being parked-out the entire 2:02.3 mile on a track listed “good.”

Fox Valley Brady was hustled out from the four post but Travs Seekman sent Frontier Macho out from the rail and took command. “Brady” ended up on the outside of the Dennis Garner trained pacesetter through the entire race with fractions of 30 flat, 1:01, and 1:31.2. Many of us expected Fox Valley Brady to peter-out in the stretch after racing, who knows, how many feet more?

However, the Can’t Afford It progeny had other ideas, and never gave up, gaining a three-quarter length triumph to stay unbeaten in his young career and make his $8,000 yearling price tag look like a quite a bargain for his Clinton, Mississippi owner.

Interestingly, on Friday Fox Valley Brady starts inside (post three) of Frontier Macho (post six) in race three and Shady Maple Becker (Wyatt Avenatti) is in a sweet spot with the pole position, to perhaps win right back.

Preview winners Littlebunnyfrufru (Cornelius Cavett) and Modern Luxury (Clay Simpson) tangle in race one with posts two and four, respectively. Toughestofthetough (Cordarius Stewart), just a nose short of Littlebunnyfrufru a week ago, has a big shot with the rail.

The Mike Brink stable’s What A Legacy drew poorly with the eight-hole however he is a well-regarded son of Lou’s Legacy. He sold for $34,000 at the 2022 Walker Sale, and was in contention when he went off stride in the Preview and had to settle for third

Charles Arthur’s Fox Valley Mygirl heads up the fourth race juvenile pace. The Time To Roll filly went wire-to-wire in 2:00.4 for her Terry, Mississippi owner, trainer, and driver last week, coming home in 28.2.

A strong challenger is the Amy Husted stable’s Captainess (Kyle Husted) with one-slot. A $16,000 sale purchase, she is by Captain Trevor, whose first crop is competing this season. Captainess competed from inside a week ago and lacked racing room.

Speaking of the Husted stable, they have a strong one-two punch going to the gate in Friday’s seventh race, probably the best event on the ultra-long, four-hour plus 17 race program. Both of the barn’s Dandy’s MNM (Casey Leonard) and Fox Valley Exploit (Kyle Husted) are coming off convincing victories.

Dandy’s MNM won in 1:52 flat and could have gone faster, while her stable-mate Fox Valley Exploit was more than five lengths the best in 1:53.4, the seven-year-old mare’s 37th career win as she slowly inches her way towards the half-million-dollar plateau in lifetime earnings. She’s at $485,346.

Illinois aged mare champion Skeeter Machine (Travis Seekman) gets a very helpful post shift with the three-slot. The Nick Prather trainee left from the seven in her last start and needed a quick 26.3 first quarter to gain the front end but weaken in the late going,

Desired Luck (Cordarius Stewart), Filly’s Revenge (Wyatt Avenatti) and Red Clover (Kelsey Perymond), round out the competitive field.

May Board Meeting Minutes

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 18:13:22 GMT

Gorgeous Day, “Gorgeous” result at Springfield

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 22 Jun 2024 13:18:38 GMT

Gorgeous Day, “Gorgeous” result at Springfield

Cordarius Stewart drove Gorgeous Big Guy to his 1:49.3 victory Thursday in a division of the Cardinal ICF stake at Springfield. (Terry Young Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.A.A.

Ideal weather conditions with a sunny sky, temperatures in the low nineties, and a balmy breeze of 10 miles per hour coupled with a very fast track set the stage for the Illinois Department of Agriculture sponsored Violet and Cardinal stake events for ICF 3-year-olds of both gaits.

Right from the get-go we had a new lifetime mark set by the Jamaica Patton trained Hypeyoubestieup who went wire-to-wire from the rail in 1:52.2, more than a full second off her best previous mile.

Driver Tavis Seekman took advantage of the one-post, sending the daughter of Somestarsomewhere out in a hurry with a 27.2 first panel. The winner of the first of three $17,957 Violet pace divisions got her breather in the second quarter (28.3). She hit the three-quarter pole in 1:23.2, opened by five lengths in the stretch, and held off a fast-closing Fox Valley Sadie (Kyle Husted) by about a half-length.

Hypeyourbestieup, a $11,500 yearling purchase, is owned by Jamaica Patton (Rochester, Illinois and Cedric Daniels (Jackson, Mississippi).

A heads-up move by driver Matt Avenatti was the key to the Dane May trained Amy Mooss comfortable three length triumph in the second $17,766 Violet pace split in 1:53 flat, another new mark.

Owned by Alan Beals of Hoffman Estates, Illinois, Amy Mooss took the field to fractions of 27.1, :55.4 and 1:24 before Avenatti let his filly shoot out to a comfortable stretch lead and the issue then wasn’t in doubt.

In the third Violet split Chickabell, who was second best at the finish, was disqualified by the stewards from second to last because driver Kyle Husted, who had the second tier with her, went to the first tier at the start when No. 3 Big Flicka was well off the gate. A starter in the send tier can move to a post other than the one if there is no other horse in the second tier but can not move to a front tier starting point.

Second went to Fox Valley Tasha (Cordarius Stewart) while Fine N Dandy (Travis Seekman) was awarded third.

The third Violet pace saw the Kevin Miller stable’s Fox Valley Reeva (Atlee Bender) rally for a 1:53.3 victory, knocking almost two full seconds off his previous best time.

Adalecia (Travis Seekman) rallied from far back to take the runner-up role, beaten a little more than one length. The early pacesetter First Of Her Game (Juan Franco) was third.

A pair of $22,750 Violet trots were next and last season’s filly freshman trotting champion Whiskey Lou (Casey Leonard) coasted to her third consecutive victory in a best career time of 1:54.3 while under a hold.

While the winning margin over Fox Valley Tiegen (Atlee Bender) was about two lengths, the Curt Grmmel trainee had a seven-length lead in the stretch.

From last to first was the wide route Scorecard Lil Red took to prevail in the second $22,750 Violet trot for driver Juan Franco. Trained by Gregory Kain, the Lou’s Legacy homebred was making only his second career start, winning in 1:56.4. His first was a 1:55.4 triumph earlier this month at Hoosier Park.

The state-bred colts and geldings got their chance to shine in the first of two $24,850 Cardinal paces and boy, did they deliver. When the dust settled it was Gorgeous Big Guy nailing down his ninth win in a row with a scorching 1:49.3 clocking for driver Cordarius Stewart.

Although it didn’t come easy for the Erv Miller star pacer.

Kyle Husted hustled Doctor Cruise out from the nine-hole in the 10-horse field and Somestarsomewhere where progeny rattled off consecutive 27 flat panels. Gorgeous Big Guy was fourth and out and going on the backside, but Doctor Cruise wasn’t slowing down, about eight lengths ahead going into the stretch getting to the three-quarters in a sizzling 1:20.3.

Nevertheless, Gorgeous Big Guy kept plugging away and in the last eighth these two were side-by-side. The Ashlee’s Big Guy gelding got past in the late going and a half length win and stayed perfect for the young season for owners Doug Overhiser (New Smyma Beach, Florida) and Mark Winship (Canton, Illinois).

Fox Valley Julian (Casey Leonard) was third best.

Guitar Man, also owned by the duo of Doug Overhiser and Mark Winship, came up with a gutsy winning performance in the second Cardinal heat, stopping the timer in 1:51.2.

Trained by Rob Rittof, Guitar Man had to overcome the eight-slot in a 10-horse field. A not-so-easy-journey was expected for Guitar Man, and it certainly came about, the winner paced a wide mile and was three-deep going into the last turn.

Fox Valley Kodiak (Kyle Husted) held off Fox Valley Durhan (Cordarius Stewart) for the second-place money.

The last two ICF stakes on the program were both $23,650 Cardinal trots. All eyes on the first were on last year’s juvenile champion Lous Private Hope (Casey Leonard), looking to make it 3-for-3 as a sophomore and he did, convincedly.

Lous Private Eye took command after a slow 31 first quarter half when there were no challengers. After the third quarter was reached in 1:31.4, Lous Private Eye pulled away, winning in 1:59.3 for owners and breeders Flacco Family Farm of Alexis, Illinois. The win was the 10th so far of the meeting for Lous Legacy.

Nicely handled by Jared Finn, Little Chipper made his second season debut a successful one, taking the second Cardinal trot in a new lifetime mark of 1:56.4. Trained by Jared’s father J D Finn, Little Chipper grabbed the early lead, relinquished it to the eventual runner-up trotter Lous Gambler (Casey Leonard), took it back near the 57 half-mile pole and drew off.

Violet, Cardinal stakes galore at Springfield

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 13:19:03 GMT

Violet, Cardinal stakes galore at Springfield

Last season’s ICF freshman filly pace champion Chickabell will make her 3-year-old debut Friday in a division of the $17,978 Violet stake. (Patricia Fryman Photography)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

It’s time for the first of several meetings this season for the crème of the crème of the ICF 3-year-old pace and trot divisions to tangle.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture sponsored Violet and Cardinal stakes of both gaits go postward Friday afternoon and they’ll waste no time delivering the anticipated contests. The first nine races on the 13-race program are either a division of a Violet or Cardinal event. First post is 11:45 am.

The first $17,967 Violet pace divisions is a 10-horse field headed by the Jamaica Patton barn’s Hypeyourbestieup (Travis Seekman), winner of over $85,000 as a freshman and among her five first season triumphs was a division of the Violet freshman contest.

With the rail, Hypeyoybestieup rates a big shot today and so does Fox Valley Sadie (Kyle Husted) who went 5-for-8 as a juvenile while earning over $60,000. She’ll carry a two-race winning streak into the contest when she leaves from the six slot. Nine horses go across the gate at Springfield. No. 10 No Words Needed (Casey Leonard) starts behind Hypeyourbestieup which should put her in good position from the get-go.

Fox Valley Sadie’s stable-mate Chickadee, the 2023 Illinois Two-Year-Old Filly Pacer of the Year has the 10-hole in the second $17,967. Since there isn’t an 11 horse, Husted can line- her up anywhere in the second tier. The one-horse Gorgeous American hasn’t shown any gate speed, and the two-horse Gershin (Juan Franco) is making her first career start, so perhaps Kyle will start behind the three horse (Big Flicka) who is always on the move early.

Chickabell banked over $153,000 in her first season and was no worse than second in nine tries, prevailing in six and proved best in the $287.000 Incredible Tillie showdown.

The third Violet division if a wide-open nine horse field with no clear-cut favorite (if there was wagering) between Cupid’s Revenge, Dandy’s First Swiftly, First Of Her Name, Fox Valley Reeva, Illini Bell, Nae’s Rendezvous, Fox Valley August, Adalecia, and Fengshuiprosperity.

The initial Violet trot division comes next and last year’s champion Whiskey Lou (Casey Leonard) will bring a three-race victory streak into the eight-horse contest. The Curt Grummel trainee was much the best in her first two outings this year. Kevin Miller’s Illini Diva (Cordarius Stewart) and Honoloulou, from the barn of Jamaica Patton look like serious threats.

The fifth race second $22,750 Violet trot looks very interesting with last season’s Night of Champions Fox Valley Flan Final winner Stand By Your Man, driven by her trainer Mike Brink, landing the outside eight-slot after making a slew of breaks last week, her 2024 debut, and finishing up the track.

The Illinois bred colts and geldings get their chance to shine starting with race six, the first of a pair of $24,850 Cardinal events. While anything can happen in a horse race it would quite an upset if 2023 juvenile division titleholder Gorgeous Big Guy (Cordarius Big Guy) doesn’t win for the ninth consecutive time from the one-post. The Erv Miller trained gelding raked-in $155,880 on his initial card and has yet to lose to a fellow ICF pacer in his career

Mike Brink’s Fox Valley Julian is well-regarded and did need his last two starts. He may be the main threat.

The second Cardinal division looks like a dandy. My guess is that it is between Guitar Man (pp 8, Travis Seekman), Fox Valley Durham (pp 3, Atlee Bender), Feelinlikeacaptain (pp 6, Cordarius Stewart) and Dreaminofbnastar (pp 9, Kevin Lambright). The latter drew poorly but he’s been rattling off some quick last quarters.

Guitar Man, from the barn of Rob Rittof, gave Gorgeous Big Guy all he could handle last week and was a six-time winner last season. Fox Valley Durham was third or better in 9 of his 10 trips to the gate, winning five, while Feelinlikeacaptain, unraced at two, was impressive in his maiden win at Du Quoin last weekend.

The two Cardinal trots are worth 23,650 each and Lous Private Eye is the one to beat in the eighth race. He hardly has broken out in a sweat in his first two tests of the year. Drawing inside (pp 3) with Casey, he could very well extend his current winning streak to three.

The second Cardinal looks intriguing, Void of wagering, the likely favorite would have been Erv Miller’s Midwest Division Stable’s Jewels For Champ. Unraced at two, he won in 1:55.4 in just his fourth lifetime start but the Lou’s Legacy progeny can have trouble staying on stride and proved it a week ago. Plus, the draw did him no favors with the eight. Assistant trainer Atlee Bender made the drive from Indiana to guide the horse today,

Lous Mandalorian looks like he’s going to be a nice 3-year-old and romped in his last two starts for trainer Steve Searle. Don’t overlook Little Chipper (Jared Finn) from the JD Finn Stable. It’s his first start of the year, however he’s got three qualifiers under his belt and can sprint out in a hurry.

Illinois champ will make rare Du Quoin start

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 12:27:15 GMT

Illinois champ will make rare Du Quoin start

Three-time Illinois Horse of the Year is at Du Quoin Friday for a rare appearance on the southern Illinois mile oval. (Patricia Fryman Photography)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

It’ll be a rare start Friday at Du Quoin for Illinois champion Fox Valley Gemini, nevertheless the three-time Illinois Horse of the Year did make the long trip from his Harvard, Illinois base stable in northern Illinois to the far southern portion of the Prairie State to compete on Friday’s 15-race program.

It’s only the second time the star of Terry Leonard Stable will compete on the one mile Du Quoin clay oval.

The popular nine-year-old Fox Valley Gemini was second to He’zzz A Wise Sky late last August when they tangled in the Illinois Aged Male Pacing championship.

. The John Filomeno trained talented pacer went wire-to-wire that day at the picturesque southern Illinois facility in 1:49.4, finishing one length ahead of Fox Valley Gemini, the winner of six consecutive Super Night championships along with Illinois Harness Horse of the Year laurels in 2018, 2019, and 2020.

With the sudden, and unexpected, switch from this week’s races from Springfield to Du Quoin because of construction going at the Illinois Fairgrounds, there was a concern that Fox Valley Gemini might be scratched from his first start since January 21st because of the length of time in a van it would take to get to Du Quoin.

However, his long-time regular driver and assistant trainer Casey Leonard confirmed on Wednesday that the winner of 61 career races and almost $750,000 lifetime for his owner Jim Ballinger (Atwater, IL) would indeed make the long (385-mile trip with Casey, over a six-hour journey.)

Fox Valley Gemini drew favorably for his Du Quoin start, landing the two-post in an eight-horse field. Fox Valley Cayman (Travis Seekman), going postward after four months off, has the pole position. From the three slot to the eight you’ll find Fox Valley Treason (Steve Halford II), Legal Liar (Jordan Patton). Fox Valley Jasper (Wyatt Avenatti), Skyway Goliath (Kelsey Perymond), Copper Teen (Cordarius Stewart) and Western Vinny (Richard S. Finn).

Live video of Friday’s Du Quoin races will be available on www.trotandpacemarketing.com/livestream

On Thursday, Gorgeous Big Guy, the 2023 Illinois two-year-old colt pace champion made it 3-for-3 in his second season and again won with authority for driver Cordarious Stewart.

The Erv Miller trainee settled in fourth in the early going before Cordarius took him first over and to the front with the dangerous Guitar Man on his back after a slow 59.1 first half by the early pacesetter Fox Valley Kodiak (Kyle Husted).

Guitar Man had dead-aim on the defending champ, but a 27 flat last panel put the Rob Rittof trained gelding away and extended Gorgeous Big Guy’s victory streak to eight in a row and kept him unbeaten against follow Illinois breds in his career. The winning margin in the 1:54 flat mile was one and one-half lengths.

Nevertheless, there were a couple of major surprises in the card on the state-bred trotting divisions when both Jewels For Champ (Cordarius Stewart) and Stand By Your Man (Mike Brink) each couldn’t stay flat and finished up the track.

Lous Mandalorian (Juan Franco) took the male trotting division in 1:58.2 and Lous Private Eye (Casey Leonard) coasted to a 1:59.2 triumph in the second. Honloulou (Travis Seekman) captured the initial filly split. All three winners are trained by Steve Searle.

Whiskey Lou (Casey Leonard) breezed by more than four lengths in the second filly division in 1:58.4 for trainer Curt Grummel. She’s now had won back-to-back as a 3-year-old.

Confidence goes a long way for success

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 13:19:24 GMT

Confidence goes a long way for success

Cordarius Stewart is confidently off to a strong start at Hawthorne’s Du Quoin meet. (Terry Young Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

When you have a horse going to the starting gate bursting with confidence along with a driver overflowing with poise and conviction often good things are going to happen and they usually do.

That was the case a week ago when last year’s ICF freshman champion Gorgeous Big Guy and driver Cordarius Stewart teamed up to provide for the gifted Erv Miller trainee to notch his seventh consecutive and remain unbeaten against fellow state-bred pacers in his career.

Will the more than capable combination of Gorgeous Big Guy and the Mississippi native rising star from Mississippi extend their laurels? We won’t have to wait long to find out. The second of 14 races on today’s Hawthorne at Du Quoin card will deliver the answer when a field of seven Illinois bred colts and geldings go the starting gate.

Gorgeous Big Guy, who had the three-slot a week ago, did one better this time around with the two. His dangerous stable-mate Fox Valley Durham (Wyatt Avenatti) moves inside of him today with the rail

Meanwhile, the talented Guitar Man, from the Rob Rittof, freshman fresh off a game victory last week in the $10,266 Downstate Classic at the Decatur Fair, and the winner of 6 of 11 starts as a juvenile, joins today’s fray. A 1:51.1 pacer as a two-year-old, the draw wasn’t kind to the Somestarsomewhere prodigy. He landed outside seven post.

Interestingly, in an earlier decade of racing, Gorgeous Big Guy and Guitar Man, would have been an entry if there was wagering, which there isn’t today. Both horses are owned by Doug Overhiser (New Smyma Beach, Florida) and Mark Winship (Canton, Illinois).

If you were fortunate to hear the call of Curt Becker when Gorgeous Big Guy won another, you didn’t need to view how the race unfolded. Our talented Illinois announcer called it perfectly.

The winner was inside, some half dozen lengths behind at the half that went in a modest 57.3 with Fox Valley Durham leading the way when Curt said: “Cordarius is just sitting chilly with Gorgeous Big Guy. He hasn’t moved a muscle.”

Meanwhile Gorgeous Big Guy was moving plenty of his muscles, gobbling up ground and in the stretch zipped past while hand driven to the wire. It was the same winning strategy that Stewart used earlier on that card with the Illinois-bred trotter Jewels For Champ, another Miller trainee.

Cordarius Stewart was unfazed by s slow 1:01.4 half by the pacesetter. Instead, he came first over with the $32,000 yearling purchased mad powered past, victorious by more than three lengths with a 28.3 last panel.

Today Jewels For Champ, already a winner in 1:55.4 two starts ago in just the Lou’s Legacy gelding’s fourth career outings, guns for his third in a row in race four but he have to do it leaving from the outside six post.

I think he’s good for another and list him at 6-5 in my projected non-wagering line: https://www.harnessillinois.com/harness-line-and-comments

Last year’s Fox Valley Flan victor Stand By Your Man (Mike Brink) and 2023 ICF two-year-old filly trot champ Whiskey Lou (Casey Leonard) drew into different divisions of today’s state-bred trotting separations.

Stand By Your Man landed in the first (race seven) split. It’s her first outing since her Super Night championship in late October. Whiskey Lou dropped into the tenth race second division for trainer Curt Grummel. She’ll take on the one-two finishers Ally Baba (Wyatt Avenatti) and Illini Diva (Cordarius Stewart) in last week’s Downstate Classic at Decatur.

First post at Du Quoin is 1 pm.

Springfield Races Moved to DuQuoin

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Wed, 12 Jun 2024 14:51:38 GMT

Racing Moves to Du Quoin

Please be advised due to construction at the Springfield Fairgrounds, the races originally scheduled there on Thursday and Friday, will now be held at the DuQuoin Fairgrounds (Post time 1:00-Qua 12:00) Please contact Tina Schrock if you are unable to race at DuQuoin.

Click here for the Lasix_Schedule_Springfield_DuQuoin.pdf (cdn-website.com) For programs for these races go here Site Editor | illinoisharness (multiscreensite.com)

“Mississippi Boys” dazzle at Du Quoin

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 13:03:39 GMT

“Mississippi Boys” dazzle at Du Quoin

Defending ICF freshman colt pacing champion Gorgeous Big Guy (Cordarius Stewart) extended his winning streak to eight straight Thursday at Du Quoin. (Terry Young Photo

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.A.A .

The opening day of racing at the 2024 Du Quoin meet won’t soon by forgotten by the “Mississippi Boys.” Five winning horses, driven by five different natives of the Magnolia State, won on Thursday’s card.

Cordarius Stewart (Jackson) had a three first place finishes while Kelcey Perymond (Clinton), Jamaal Denson (Jackson), Zyler Maxwell (Macon), and Marcus Turner (Byram) had one each.

Mississippi born Jamaica Patton (Jackson), had a training double, while Mississippi conditioners Terry Skinner (Starkville), Charles Arthur (Terry) and Dossier Minor) also greeted the judges.

The feature events on the 14-race cards were a pair of events for ICF 3 or 4-year-old pacers. The tenth race contest for colt and geldings event went as expected as last year’s state-bred make champion Gorgeous Big Guy, confidently driver by Cordarius, made it look easy in 1:54.3. It was the eighth consecutive triumph for the youngster.

However, there was a surprise winner in the gal’s division. On paper, it looks like a toss-up between a trio of 3-year-olds—Illini Belle, Fox Valley Tasha, and Stevie Mae—but it was the 4-year-old longshot (if there was wagering) Fillys Revenge, nicely rated by Wyatt Avenatti who went all the way, prevailing in 1:55.3.

The Revenge Shark homebred, trained by John Fletcher, is owned by her breeder Stevanna Turner of Argenta, Illinois.

Despite being sidelined for almost eight months, defending freshman filly state-bred trot titleholder Whiskey Lou, won impressively in 1:58.3 for the driver-trainer combination of Casey Leonard and Curt Grummel.

And keep an eye on the Lou’s Legacy progeny Jewels For Champ (Cordarius Stewart) who looked very good in his 1:59.3 victory for the Midwest Division of the Erv Miller stable. A $32,000 purchase at the 2022 Walker Standardbred Sale, Jewels For Champ has already won in 1:55.4 at Hoosier Park when he was hammered down to 60 cents on the dollar that mid-May start. The youngster was unraced as a juvenile.

Casey Leonard led all drivers with a four bagger Thursday while Cordarious had himself a successful afternoon as well with three winners, two for the Midwest Division of the Erv Miller stable.

Hawthorne’s meeting at the two State Fair venues shifts to Springfield next week with programs on Thursday, June 13th and Friday, June 14th. Free live videos of the Du Quoin and Springfield races are available throughout the summer at www.trotnpacemarketing.com .

Du Quoin welcomes back harness racing

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 13:30:09 GMT

Du Quoin welcomes back harness racing

Last year’s ICF two-year-old filly trotting champion Whiskey Lou (Curt Grummel) makes her 2024 debut at Du Quoin today. (Photo courtesy of Terry Young)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

Harness racing returns to Illinois Thursday with the opening of Hawthorne’s weekly meeting at the State Fairground venues.

First up is the revisiting of racing Standardbreds on the historic Du Quoin State Fairgrounds. First post for the initial 2024 card is 1 p.m.

Harness racing at Du Quoin at one time was big news. It was a must stop for the Grand Circuit for Hayes Memorial stake events and the host of the illustrious Hambletonian from 1957 through 1980.

Thousands of racing fans would fill its Grandstand every year to watch and bet on such Hambletonian champions as Speedy Scot (Ralph Baldwin), Nevele Pride (Stanley Dancer), Speedy Crown (Howard Bessinger), Super Bowl (Stanley Dancer), Green Speed (Billy Haughton), and Burgomrister (Billy Haughton).

The Hayes Memorials saw the likes of Armbro Ranger (Joe O’Brien), Sonsam (George Sholty), Speedy Crown (Howard Beissinger), Speed Bowl (Tom Haughton), Noble Victory (Stanley Dancer), Songcan (Gilles Lachance) and Bonefish (Stanley Dancer) come out on top.

The World Trotting Derby replaced the Hambletonian when it was moved to the Meadowlands and its champions included Diamond Exchange (Robert Williams), Baltic Speed (Jan Nordin), Prakas (Bill O’Donnell), Royal Prestige (Brent Lindstedt )and Peace Corps (John Campbell), through 1996, its last year as a Grand Circuit stop.

The Du Quoin State Fair has continued since 1923 but its harness racing dates had shrunk to three days in September. This year Du Quoin will host harness racing for 14 days as it alternates with racing at Springfield every other week.

Just one other problem, however. You can’t wager on Du Quoin or Springfield races until their State Fair dates months down the line. Whatever happened to pari-mutuel betting? Seems the Illinois Racing Board went along with its staff recommendation to have non-wagering races for a second year in a row.

Big mistake says your author.

How do you keep up the interest of harness racing in Illinois without betting? Not that wagering on Springfield or Du Quoin would bring in big bucks but with the horsemen’s account in the hole at $2.6 million. and again, more than $1 million to be paid this year to Hawthorne for “Recapture,” any mutuel handle could have helped an industry on life-support.

A pair of racing days at Du Quoin were on this week’s schedule but with insufficient entries for two programs we have just today’s lengthy 14-race card. Nevertheless, the card doesn’t lack quality as many young prominent ICF pacers and trotters will compete this afternoon.

Gorgeous Big Guy (Cordarius Stewart), the 2023 ICF two-yar-old colt pacer of the year, puts his seven-race winning streak on the line in race ten for Illinois bred pacers ages three or four.

The Erv Miller trained champion breezed in his season debut five days ago, winning in 1:57.3 at Springfield in a Spring Preview event but don’t be deceived by his winning time. Unchallenged on the lead, he raced to the three-quarters in just 1:31 flat before Cordarious let the gelding loose and he responded with a wicked 26.3 last quarter in his first start since last October.

Gorgeous Big Guy will be tested today by Mister Sleaze (Juan Franco), Deputy Dawg (Marcus Turner), Fox Valley Durham (Wyatt Avenatti), Guitar Man (Travis Seekman), Doctor Cruise (Kyle Husted), Rayjen (Nick Prather) and Fox Valley Steeler (Casey Leonard).

A few races earlier a solid field of Illinois bred pacing fillies tangle, headed by three-year-olds, Stevie Mae (Casey Leonard), Illini Belle (Cordarius Stewart), Fox Valley Tasha (Kyle Husted), and She’s Brooke Star (Travus Seekman),

Defending ICF freshman filly trotting titleholder Whiskey Lou (Casey Leonard) makes her first start since last October for the Curt Grummel stable in race 12.

The now 3-year-old Lou’s Legacy trotter takes on stable-mate Calypso Moon (Curt Grummel), Radiant Diamond (Rick Schrock), 2023 filly champion Bell Boots (Matt Avenatti), Zions Really Chilly (Mike Rogers), Judge Me Not (Cordarius Stewart), Lous Andiamo (Jamaal Denson) and Tankmetodennyland (Travis Seekman.

2024 Full Schedule Finalized...for now.

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 17:31:47 GMT

Our 2024 racing schedule has now been finalized. There will be plenty of travel this year to get our horses raced. Click on the links below for a detailed look:

2024_Full_Year_Racing_Calendar.pdf (cdn-website.com)

Summer - Fall Racing Dates 2024.pdf

Illinois racing loses a reliable barn

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Tue, 28 May 2024 12:43:05 GMT

Illinois racing loses a reliable barn

Last year’s freshman Cardinal pacing champion You Never Can Tell (Casey Leonard) will compete for trainer Tom Simmons in his second racing season. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.A.A.

Filling an Illinois harness racing card has been problematic for the last few years for the Hawthorne Race Office, and it won’t get any easier this time around with the loss of another solid stable that had been Prairie State bound for the last 19 years.

“I won’t be coming up to Illinois this year,” revealed veteran trainer Herman Wheeler. “My Illinois breds have been dispersed to other trainers,” added the likable Monroe, Louisiana native who first arrived in Illinois back in 2005 when he started just five horses.

Two years later Wheeler was a Super Night winning conditioner when his 20-1 longshot My Birthday, driven by a youthful 26-year-old Jamaica Patton, captured the $120,000 Lady Ann Reed trotting championship at Balmoral Park.

In 2015 Herman developed the ICF 2-Year-old Colt Trotter of the Year Fox Valley Qatar, a multiple stakes champion when he won 8 of 9 freshman starts and earned over $84,000. As a 3-year-old, the son of Pizzazzed finished third or better in 12 of 14 trips to the gate for the Wheeler stable, prevailing in a division of the Cardinal.

Last year was another productive season in Illinois for Wheeler. He sent out 95 starters and they hauled in over $200,000 with his two-year-olds You Never Can Tell and Shady Maple Alstar both finishing their juvenile campaigns with triumphs in their respective Cardinal pace or trot divisions.

This season as a three-year-old You Never Can Tell will race for veteran Illinois trainer Tom Simmons. The Somestarsomewhere progeny qualified in 1:56 flat on May 2nd at Springfield. Shady Maple Alstar has joined the barn of trainer Mike Brink.

Last November Hawthorne had to cut back to two nights of racing instead of the three allocated to them by the Illinois Racing Board because of insufficient entries and it stayed that way through their six-week winter meet that concluded in mid-February.

Rain, Rain, Stay Away: They’ll redraw last weekend’s scheduled Spring Preview tomorrow (Wednesday) morning that was postponed because of rain in Springfield. A total of $60,000 in purse money will be distributed Saturday to ICF pacers or trotters, ages three and upward. First post on the non-wagering program is 11 am.

Nineteen races were needed to put together the rained-out program, sponsored by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, and it’s likely we’ll see a similar number of events carded on Saturday, weather permitting.

With four days before Saturday’s second scheduled Spring Preview, Springfield weathermen are now forecasting a 40 per cent chance of rain and as Illinois horsemen know full-well, with its all-dirt racing surface and strictly a dirt base, it doesn’t take much prescription to make the Illinois Fair Grounds track unsafe and untraceable.

Illinois Spring Preview postponed by rain

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 25 May 2024 13:23:36 GMT

Illinois Spring Preview postponed by rain

They won’t be going to the starting gate Saturday at Springfield. Illinois Spring Preview has been postponed by rain. (Patricia Fryman Photography)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

After a three-month hiatus harness racing was to return Illinois Saturday afternoon with the Spring Preview, on the Illinois State Fairgrounds at Springfield, however rain has postponed the popular Illinois Department of Agriculture program for ICF pacers and trotters ages three and upward.

A make-up date for the Spring Preview and its 19-race race card with $60,000 in purse money on the line has not yet been announced.

When the Spring Preview is contested, a quartet of 2023 ICF division titleholders will compete in it—three-year-old colt pacing champion Fox Valley Landen, two-year-old colt pacing winner Gorgeous Big Guy, freshman filly trotting champ Whiskey Lou, and juvenile colt trot victor Lou’s Private Eye.

The Amy Husted stable’s runaway division champ Fox Valley Landen (Kyle Husted) will gets his first of likely many season opportunities against three-time ICF Harness Horse of the Year Fox Valley Gemini (Casey Leonard).

Gorgeous Big Guy (Cordarius Stewart) will make his season debut for trainer Erv Miller. The son of Somestarsomewhere went 7-for 11 in his first season, racking up more than $155,000 in purse earnings and was unbeaten against Illinois bred competition.

The Curt Grummel stable’s Whiskey Lou (Casey Leonard) hasn’t been out since she won a division of the Violet stakes back in late October when she finished her first season banking $93,920, finishing first or second in all eight of her season starts when she edged out her rival Stand By Your Man for division honors.

The Mike Brink stable’s Stand By Your Man did get the best Whiskey Lou on Hawthorne’s Super Night by capturing the $119,000 Fox Valley Flan Final her third win in seven outings during her first campaign when she earned $82,685 for her Springfield based conditioner.

Both talented distaffers have drawn into the same sophomore filly trot division. Whisky Lou got the best of the draw, landing the two slot while Stand By Your Man will leave from the six in the seven-horse field when the card is contested.

Lous Private Eye (Casey Leonard) hasn’t raced in seven months and will need his Spring Preview outing as he begins his second season of racing for trainer Steve Searle. Lous Private Eye triumphs were Hawthorne’s $121,000 Super Night Kadabra championship, a $25,000 division of Du Quoin’s Governor Cup, and the $14,470 Downstate Classic at Mt. Sterling when he just missed the $100,000 plateau in earnings.

Veteran Springfield based trainer Tom Simmons will send out ten horses on the Spring Preview card. Conditioners Mike Brink, Terry Leonard, Steve Searle, and Kevin Miller each have eight horses going postward program. Trainer Jamaica Patton and the Midwest Division of the Erv Miller stable have five starters each.

April Board Meeting Minutes

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Fri, 17 May 2024 19:53:35 GMT

Through thick and thin, Simmons a success

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Tue, 14 May 2024 13:30:41 GMT

Through thick and thin, Simmons a success

One of Tom Simmons top horses who raced at Maywood Park was Constant Change (Dale Hiteman), winner of both the 2003 and 2004 Maywood Park Pacing Series championships (Maywood Park Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

Fifty-three years is a long time in any type of business and veteran horseman Tom Simmons would know. He has successfully steered his way during six decades of the state’s Standardbred industry that has seen Illinois harness racing pari-mutuel venues shrink from 10 to just one.

Through all the Prairie state racing industry’s ups and downs, the now 71-year-old Simmons has been one of most successful horsemen in its history.

Simmons is the only Illinois horseman with over 3,000 winners (**3,332) as a driver and over 2,000 ($2,096 as a trainer, no small feat, especially in a state that has seen its pari-mutuel racing of Standardbreds diminish to a single cold weather meeting at Hawthorne.

(**USTA Pathway driver records are not available prior to 1977)

Since he first began driving professionally in 1971, wherever Simmons ventured success followed, and nowhere more than Quad City Downs in East Moline, Illinois.

Simmons shared the 1985 driving crown at the East Moline facility with Joel Smith, each had 119 winners. Tom then rattled off three more driving titles all alone in 1986, 1987 and 1988. Also in 1987, he was the runner-up in the trainer standings to Richard Kurtsworth

Simmons came up a winner off the Quad City racetrack as well. He would spend some of his spare time at the track’s popcorn stand where his number one fan, and eventual wife Benita, was employed.

In 1988, Simmons captured the money-winning title and was second in dash winners at Fairmount Park in southern Illinois. In 1989 Tom finished third in money won and in winning drives at the Collinsville, IL facility.

A native of Odessa. Missouri, Simmons had an unforgettable moment at old Sportsman’s Park on Super Night 1992 when he guided the barn’s two-year-old pacer Brass Door to a victory in the $360,000 Orange and Blue Colt Stake.

In 1997, the landlords of Sportsman’s Park slammed the door on the Standardbred industry and all of its American National stakes and Super Night races was moved to Balmoral Park, nevertheless Simmons continued to shine in the Orange and Blue colt division, driving his stable’s Honest Lawyer to a 1:53.2 triumph on Super Night 2002.

Five years later Simmons sent out his barn’s Foggy Turner (Dave Magee) and Jolly Lester (Dale Hiteman) in the same rich Balmoral ICF freshman stake race and the Simmons trained entry came from far out of it to finish one-two.

Probably Simmon’s most consistently successful pacer at Maywood Park was Constant Change, regularly driven by Dale Hiteman. The son of Cole Muffler won back-to-back Maywood Park Pacing Series championships in 2003 and 2004 for ICF horses four and up, taking on the likes of Taser Gun, Fox Valley Devious, Parkway Powerful and Move Itt.

What sticks out for Simmons concerning Hawthorne harness racing goes back to the 1980s when the Stickney, IL track raced Standardbreds every year from the first week of January through the first couple of weeks in February, six days a week.

“I still find it hard to believe just how good the purses were at those old Hawthorne meetings,” said Simmons. “I worked for (trainer) Connel Willis back then. We raced doubleheaders a few times a week and had some big handles, especially on Saturdays.”

On February 16, 1980, a Saturday afternoon, Hawthorne became the first Illinois racing facility to handle, on track, more than $2 million on a single Standardbred program. A total of $2,099,418 went through its mutuel system on what your author remembers was a 10-race card, and the program handle that same night was in the neighborhood of $1.5 million as well.

The first Illinois OTB opened in 1987 in Peoria, so it was still a time when you had to be on-track to place a bet, ensuring the horseman’s program “cut” to about half of the track’s “take.” And that time no one in the industry ever heard of the word “Recapture.” As far as Illinois harness racing, those were indeed its “Glory Days.”

There’s good news concerning Simmons familiar Maroon and White Colors. They won’t be put away anytime soon. “I think we’ve still got a few good years left,” added the long-time Illinois horseman.

Wyatt Avenatti’s perseverance paying off

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Tue, 07 May 2024 13:14:19 GMT

Wyatt Avenatti’s perseverance paying off

Driver Wyatt Avenatti has his sights set on a third consecutive Illinois County Fair driver title. (Terry Young Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Wyatt Avenatti knew early on he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father Dave and his grandfather Earl Jr and become a harness racing driver. Naturally he often talked to them about the Illinois horse industry and its ups and downs.

The now 28-year-old native of Chrisman, Illinois vividly remembers his grandpa telling him: “There are going to be rainy days and droughts, mostly droughts.”

Wyatt started his driving career in earnest in 2016 as a 17-year-old and in a four-year span drove between 200 and 300 horses each season and his driving wins grew steadily. However, in 2021 his boyhood dream to be a successful driver looked to be just that, a dream.

“I’m a healthy 21-year-old learning my craft when suddenly the doctors told me I had cancer. I was stunned. They said it was Hodgin’s lymphoma, a cancer that is part of the immune system and that I had to shut everything down immediately and start Chemo treatment. Five days later I did.”

Wyatt was told by his doctors that his cancer had about 95 per cent survival rate and it is a cancer that he can beat with treatments.

“I had less than 100 drives in 2020 and my money won total was way, way down,” said Avenatti. After going over the $100,00 mark the previous years, horses Wyatt drove made only $46,049.

“It was a rough year and it got rougher when my dad had a stroke. He’s fine now. My wife Kelli had a job in town, but she was there in the morning to do most of the work. I used to get very tired and could only help out for a couple of hours a day, so we had to cut down from a 14-horse stable to eventually just four horses.”

Nevertheless, Wyatt persevered and got stronger. Mentally he never deviated from his positive attitude. He said “the disease wasn’t going to ruin his life" and it hasn’t.

In just a couple of years later Wyatt won his second straight Illinois County Fair circuit driver championship. He had 100 more drives in 2021 than the year before and zoomed to 416 in 2022. Last year his drives jumped to 584, his winners vaulted to 95, and his money won shot up to $428,111 as he crisscrossed the state many, many times.

After Wyatt’s high school graduation his father Dave cut the Avenatti in half equally. His older brother Matt took his half and decided to campaign in Illinois. “I didn’t want to compete against my brother, so I headed to Kentucky with my horses, continued Wyatt.

“At The Red Mile I got to race against Grand Circuit drivers. It was a great learning experience. In Illinois guys like Casey (Leonard) and (Kyle) Wilfong drive their horses similarly to the Grand Circuit drivers. I’ve tried to adapt my style of driving like them.

“With the harness racing situation in Illinois still not in good I replaced some of my ICF horses with Kentucky breds I’ll be doing some driving in both Illinois and Kentucky this year. I’ll compete at Springfield and later in the year when Hawthorne opens.

“I’ve was fortunate to get some good horses to drive there last year from trainers Kevin Miller and Steve Searle. They gave me better shots to have success. I’m looking forward to seeing them again.”

Fox Valley Landen looking to graduate

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 12:58:49 GMT

Fox Valley Landen looking to graduate

The 2023 Illinois 3-year-old colt pacing champion Fox Valley Landen (Kyle Husted) will be headed out east later this spring for the Graduate Series. (Patricia Fryman Photography)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

After completely dominating the ICF sophomore-old colt pacing division last year, the Amy and Kyle Husted stable’s talented Fox Valley Landen will get an opportunity to take on some of the best open company pacers, age four and up, this season.

If the son of Somestarsomewhere’s recent qualifier is any indication, the Illinois champ is on the right path to be a significant player down the road against what certainly will be some rugged competition.

Fox Valley Landen no doubt raised some eyebrows when he rattled off a winning 1:51.4 qualifier with Kyle Husted at the lines, buoyed by a very fast 25.4 third quarter at the Southern Oak Tracing Center in Sorrento, Florida on April 19th.

Following a modest pacesetting 58.2 first half, Kyle decided to step on the gas, and he got even more than he expected from his muscular prize pacer with a 25.4 quarter. A 27.3 final panel, under a hold, concluded the mile.

“I didn’t want to go that fast with him in his third quarter,” said Kyle.” I was looking for something like 27 flat, but the horse can accelerate so quickly. He can just explode. I wrapped him up or he would have gone even faster, and I had a hold of him down the stretch.”

The Husted family left Florida last week with their young horses for their Indiana home. “I’ll probably give “Landen” his first season start this week at Hoosier Park this week,” continued the 32-year-old native of Effingham, Illinois.

“I’m looking forward to racing Fox Valley Landen against He’zzz A Wise Sky this year and we might just meet up at Springfield this summer. I think “Landen” will reach the same level as John’s (trainer Filomeno’s) good horse.”

Fox Valley Landen ended his second season going 11 for 14 and hauling in over $140,000 for owners Dave Brigham (Litchfield, Michigan), John Schwarz (Wood Dale, Illinois) and the Husted’s. The horse twice won in 1:50 flat in 2023 and is a cinch to lower that mark this year.

Fox Valley Landen bulked up with plenty of muscle in the winter between his 2 and 3-year-old seasons. “Actually, he put on even more muscle over this past winter. He grew up some and even got a little taller. He’s what you would call a ‘heavy horse. Fox Valley Landen has the biggest set of lungs of any horse that I have sat behind,” added the slender 170-pound driver.

The Husted’s had an excellent crop of 2-year-olds last season with Hawthorne’s Super Night champion Chickabell taking the ICF filly pacing division honors and her multi-stakes winning stable-mate Fox Valley Sadie also getting a ample share of votes in the division balloting. “I think Fox Valley Gena has the potential to also do very well as a 3-year-old,” added Kyle.

As far as tis year’s ICF freshman crop, Kyle says “I believe they’ll be as good as last year’s crop.”

Different outcomes for Patton’s best-laid plans

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 12:35:03 GMT

Different outcomes for Patton’s best-laid plans

Hypeyourbestieup (Travis Seekman) concluded his freshman season with a win in a division of the ICF Violet filly stake. over the division champion Chickabell. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

The idiomatic phase “the best-laid plans often go awry” held true last year concerning one highly regarded state-bred youngster for Illinois horseman Jamaica Patton, then again, the season played out almost perfectly for another who showed early potential in his barn.

The Somestarsomewhere offspring Fox Valley Langley came into last season as the ICF 2-year-old colt and gelding division champion, and Jamaica had high hopes for another very successful campaign. However, the talented horse made only three starts in 2023.

“He broke a coffin bone earlier and never fully recovered last year from it,” said his trainer. “He’s fully healed now, and I jogged him last Thursday 5 or 6 miles.” To say Jamaica is “high” on Fox Valley Jamaica would be an understatement. “If I ever have a 1:48 pacer, he would be the one,” said an excited Jamaica.

The one bright spot for Fox Valley Langley last year came in an Incredible Finale stake series stake event when he became the only Illinois bred sophomore to beat the eventual division champion Fox Valley Landen.

On the other hand, Jamaica mapped out his freshman filly Hypreyourbesttieup first season to a “T.” He brought her along slowly. She made less than $8,000 in her initial six outings, starting in early June and raced her for small purses at Springfield, Du Quoin and the Lewiston County Fair track.

Jamaica was pointing Hypeyourbestieup for the Illinois State Fair stakes and Hawthorne’s Incredible Tillie championship series and when those major state-bred events rolled around, the Somestarsomewhere offspring out of the broodmare Foolishlittlegirl was more than ready to take on the crème de crème in her freshman division.

After a third-place finish in her $18,666 division of Du Quoin’s Lt Governor stake, Kyle Wilfong took over her lines and steered her to an easy three-length triumph in a split of the Illinois State Fair Colt Stakes at Hawthorne after the contest was rained out a month earlier ay Springfield.

Next up was a $25,000 leg of Hawthorne’s Incredible Tillie. However, the fast-rising filly had enough series points to make the Night of Champions final, so she skipped that start.

Jamaica had her ready for the third Incredible Tillie stake contest with this time Travis Seekman in the bike, the filly’s fifth different driver in eight career starts. Seekman took advantage of the pole position, sending the filly right to the top where she held off the 4-5 favorite Fox Valley Sadie by a neck in 1:55.2.

Hypeyourbestieup was second best in the $187,000 Incredible Tillie final on the Night of Champions to Chickabell who had almost a seven-length lead on Patton’s filly at the half and won it by two and one-half lengths. Hypeyourbesttieup got some revenge on her rival in a $26,550 division of the Violet, their final matchup of the season by grabbing an early lead and parking out Chickabell through 1:54.2 mile.

Jamica thought early last spring that Hypeyourbestieup could be one of the best fillies in her division and she proved the 43-year-old Mississippi native, who began driving horses as a 17-year-old in 1997, was indeed spot-on.

“She’s coming along fine. She’s been trained down to under 2:10. I’m not rushing her. All her biggest races come later in the year, so I’m taking my time with her.” added Jamaica who shares ownership with the Hypeyourbestieup with fellow Mississippian Cedric Daniels of Jackson.

Hypeyourbestieup, another Somestarsomewhere offspring, sold for $11,500 to the Mississippi tandem at the 2021 Walker Standardbred Sale under the name of Fox Valley Juniper.

March Board Meeting Minutes

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 17:23:03 GMT

Push For A Racino in Illinois

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 15:32:38 GMT

Illinois Harness Horsemen Need A Racino

The IHHA has been bringing attention to the lack of movement on the Chicagoland Racinos. Click below the picture for various stories that have been recently published:

IHHA Press Conference... https://youtu.be/-8npU3e_udk

NBC Story... 139008 WMAQHD 2024-04-11 1706 Fight Over Harness Racing Future 00m53s (1).mp4

Harness Racing Update... Push for a racino in Illinois - Harness Racing Update

Tribune... Chicago Tribune story

Brink’s prize filly’s tummy aches likely over

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 13:34:00 GMT

Brink’s prize filly’s tummy aches likely over

Last year's $119,000 Fox Valley Flan freshman champion Stand By Your Man will be a happier filly trotter racing at the age of three. (Four Footed Fotos).

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

The Mike Brink stable’s young ICF filly Stand By Your Man, was an inconsistent trotter as a freshman. It was basically all or nothing at the end of a start., winning a trio of significant state-bred stake races, but not hitting the board in her other four-season outings.

“She didn’t know what she was doing out there on the racetrack,” said Brink, who shares ownership with the talented but thus far fickle filly with fellow Illinoisans Mark Brown (Chatham), Jeff Clauson (Macomb) and Robert Lacey (Nokomis). “She wanted to go fast, but she didn’t know how.

“The filly wasn’t a good eater and could be grumpy at times,” continued the long-time Springfield based conditioner. “I tried a number of things to see what was bothering her but couldn’t come up with the right answer.

“She gained only two pounds over the winter so that’s when I decided to send her to the University of Illinois and see if their vets could figure out what was ailing her. After a few weeks they did. They told me the problem was the filly had serious ulcers.

“That’s probably why she sometimes made breaks. Her stomach was troubling her. The filly couldn’t straighten out her stride like she wanted to do because it hurt to do it. We’ve been treating her and she’s coming along just fine. I trained her down to ‘25’ last week.”

Mike believes Stand By Your Man is going to have a very good 3-year-old campaign.

“I think she’ll do very well this year,” continued Brink. “She made almost $100,000 last year and won Illinois bred stakes at Springfield and Du Quoin and the big race (Beulah Dygert) at Hawthorne on Super Night with a very bad stomach, and she didn’t have much of a clue about racing.”

Just as he’s done with a bevy of his past champion trotters, Brink wants Stand By Your Man to be at the top of her game when the Illinois State Fairs roll around in August.

Brink has also started back with his star Illinois bred pacing mare My Daddys Revenge who has earned $190,892 as a 2 and 3-year-old for Mike and his partner Lori J. Searle, also of Springfield. They paid only $7,000 at the 2020 Illini Classic Sale when the distaffer sold under the name Hopeland’s Revenge.

My Daddy’s Revenge, a Revenge Shark mare, has been third or better on 25 of her first 30 starts, winning 17 times, including an Open 3 event at Hawthorne last November. Earlier, she was second in last year’s Plum Peachy championship.

“My Daddys Revenge will definitely race in Illinois,” continued Mike. “I think she’s good enough to go in the Opens here. She isn’t a big horse, and she has no problems. She’s been trained down to “15”

“I’ve had a lot of people interested in buying her for a broodmare but we’re not at that stage of her career right now.”

Illinois champion gearing up for Springfield

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 12:55:40 GMT

Illinois champion gearing up for Springfield

Three-time consecutive ICF Illinois Horse of the Year Fox Valley Gemini is back in training. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Three-time consecutive ICF Harness Horse of the Year Fox Valley Gemini began training this week for the upcoming Illinois racing season.

The now nine-year-old pride of the Terry Leonard stable is being pointed for the Spring Previews on May 16th and May 23rd at the Springfield Illinois State Fairgrounds, says his regular driver Casey Leonard who also assists in the conditioning the most popular Illinois bred Standardbred of this century.

“He’s well rested. We’ve given Fox Valley Gemini three months off and we’ve just begun to bring him back for the upcoming Illinois season,” said the 46-year-old native of Harvard, Illinois. “He’s still a sound horse. There’s really not a lot wrong with him.”

Fox Valley Gemini boasts some imposing credentials going into his season. The Yankee Skyscraper gelding has prevailed in 61 of 126 lifetime starts, an impressive 48 per cent winning clip, and has finished third or better at a remarkable 79 per cent of the time with the vast majority coming in ICF stake competition or in Open Paces. The Illinois champ’s lifetime earnings sit at $746,312 for owner Jim Ballinger of Atwater, Illinois.

Fox Valley Gemini holds an Illinois Super Night type program record of six consecutive winning championships, a string that was broken last September in the 2023 Robert S. Molaro Memorial Championship by the Triple ZZZ stable’s He’zzz A Wise Sky. “Gemini” had proved best in every one Hawthorne’s Night of Champions from the age of two through his seven-year-old campaign.

Like many ICF horses, Fox Valley Gemini’s season earnings took a good size dip in 2023 with a shortened racing season and plenty of cold weather dates.

“I think what has hurt Fox Valley Gemini is the current Illinois racing schedule,” continued Casey. “We used to race in the summer but not anymore. Last year the Hawthorne meeting didn’t start until the middle of September and went on through February. This year they begin a month later in October.

“For some reason Fox Valley Gemini is not a “winter horse.” Maybe it’s because the track is usually harder in the wintertime or maybe he just doesn’t like cold weather. “

Fox Valley Gemini made a trio of starts last January, winning the first two rather easily early in the month and finishing eighth, beaten nine lengths later on in his last start.

“Gemini’s” January wins were contested with the temperature at race time in the low 30’s. His last race came when it was a 18 degrees at post time.

“He raced like his old self when it was still nice outside but raced poorly when it got much colder,” said Casey.

The good news for the Illinois champ and his connections is that the usual temperature in Springfield for mid-May is in the 70’s.

“Lea” in New Barn: When last year’s Illinois 3-year-old filly pacing champ Fox Valley Leah makes her 2024 debut she’ll being a 10-race winning streak into it for a new barn.

The talented Somestarsomewhere mare was purchased last November by the Illinois threesome of trainer Todd Warren (Monee), Lester Peters (Beecher) and Richard Tomei (Peotone).

Fox Valley Leah dropped her sophomore debut for the Midwest Division of the Erv Miller stable before being triumphant in her last 10 season outings that ended with Hawthorne’s $116,000 Plum Peachy championship.

Legislative Reception

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 15:02:30 GMT

IHHA Hosts Legislative Reception

Grummel on roller coast ride with prize trotters

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 15:03:04 GMT

Grummel on roller coast ride with prize trotters

Trainer Curt Grummel has high hopes this season for Funky Wiggle, shown here trotting to a distaff state-bred record in 2022 at Du Quoin. (Four Footed Fotos).

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

Harness racing horsemen have long realized that their love of labor can at times be a roller coaster ride. The ups and downs can fluctuate from year-to-year, sometimes drastically, as it did for Illinois trainer Curt Grummel.

In 2022 Curt had himself a season that most horse conditioners can only dream of. His 3-year-old filly trotter Funky Wiggle not only blew away the opposition in her division, but also came away as that season’s ICF Harness Horse of the Year, and deservedly so,

The Lou’s Legacy filly out of the Mr Cantab broodmare Hoosier Wiggles rattled off seven consecutive victories in her home state including both the $50,000 and $85,000 Beulah Dygert stake championships at Hawthorne, each of State Fair finals and wowed Illinois racing fans with a 1:51.4 triumph, the fastest ever for a state-bred filly ormare trotter.

Funky Wiggle raked-in over $$277,000 for her owner and breeder Patrick Graham of Lockridge, Iowa and Curt was looking forward to racing his prize trotter as a four-year-old.

Meanwhile her freshman filly stable-mate Marvelous Mystery was unbeatable on a limestone-based track, winning 10 times, capturing each of Hawthorne’s Fox Valley Flan $50,000 and $125,000 two-year-old championships while earning $129,722 for the Grummel’s—sons Curt and Craig, and dad Leo, all of Carrollton, Illinois.

Marvelous Mystery’s only first season losses were a pair of second place finishes to her division rival Fox Valley Shania on the one-mile dirt ovals at Springfield and Du Quoin.

While 2023 was another successful campaign for Curt, it turned out to be disappointing as well. Between them Funky Wiggle and Marvelous Mystery made only 11 starts because of health issues.

Marvelous Mystery’s sophomore campaign started out on a very high note. In her third start of the year, she rather handily beat a very good state-bred field at Springfield composed of the 2023 Illinois Harness Horse of the Year Goomster, division rivals Fox Valley Shania and Radiant Diamond, and last year’s Springfield aged ICF trotting mare champion Reign And Shine.

However, Marvelous Mystery’s 2023 success was short lived. She only made two more starts for the year.

“She chipped a sesamoid bone, so I had to scratch her out of last summer’s State Fair championships and quit with her for the year.” said Curt.

“She’s had a long time off and I feel good about her and “Funky” for the upcoming season. I started back this week with both mares and I’m aiming to get them back racing in July,” added the 51-year-old trainer.

Funky Wiggle made just five trips to the starting gate last year and if Curt had to do it all over again that was two, too many.

The talented mare won her 2023 debut at Springfield on July 21. She finished second on the state’s Fair Grounds the first week of August. A week later she was second best at Hoosier Park in a $14,000 trotting series event. However, she never made the $25,000 final seven days later.

“Funky Wiggle had some lameness issues that we were able to take care of as a 2 and 3-year-old but they flared up again last summer. It was an problem with a tendon, so I stopped with her.

“Hawthorne was advertising that their aged mare trot (Carl Becker Memorial) on Super Night would go for $75,000, and that’s a lot of money, so I decided to push her and bring her back six weeks later for the stake. She didn’t race well and finished fourth. “If I knew the Super Night purse was going to be only around $40,000, I wouldn’t have brought my filly back and raced her.”

The news regarding the Grummel stable’s trotters wasn’t all negative. The barn’s up and coming trotter Whiskey Lou was voted as the best in the state-bred 2-year-old filly division, but that’s a story for another day.

Connel Willis Has Passed Away

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 15:09:54 GMT

Connel Willis Has Passed Away

Connel A. Willis, a revered and well-respected trainer-driver residing in Steger, Illinois, passed away Sunday, March 24, 2024, at the age of 89. Connel was a vital part of the Illinois harness racing scene for more than six decades and was elected in the Illinois Harness Racing Hall of Fame in December 1987. Born July 16, 1934, Connel amassed 2,266 driving wins and $9, 234,773 in earnings, and as a trainer garnered 819 triumphs and $914,299. He is best known for his partnership with the immortal trotter Gumcorner Lad t, 4, 1:56.2 ($669,128) and the pacer Taurus Bomber p, 5, 1:54.3 ($451,356), as well as countless other Prairie State champions. Connel was the beloved husband of Helen Willis, and loving father to Connel “Chuck” Willis, Jr., the late Joyce Black, Judy Gern, Cliff (Jill) Willis, Melinda (Doug) Warriner, the late Loretta Willis and stepfather to Tami (Andy) Galbreath. Connel left behind 19 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren, and his brother Nelson. He was preceded in death by his parents James E. Willis and Letha Dexter Morrison, siblings Luther, Jessie, Clyde Elisie, Mary Bell, Alta May and Ollie Pearl, as well as by a great many horses and dogs.

Visitation is Monday, April 1 ^st from 3 to 8 pm at Smits Funeral Homes-Steger Memorial Chapel, 3045 Chicago Road, Steger, IL 60575. Funeral service to be held Tuesday, April 2 at Smits Funeral Homes-Steger Memorial Chapel, followed by interment at Skyline Memorial Chapel, Monee, IL. Click here for more. Obituary | Connel A. Willis of Steger, Illinois | Smits Funeral Homes Ltd. (smitsfh.com)

Husted stable’s ICF clique is loaded

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 13:43:38 GMT

Husted stable’s ICF clique is loaded

Incredible Tillie champion Chickabell (Todd Warren) is among the Husted stable’s strong contingent of Illinois bred horses. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

With a very productive racing season behind them, the Amy and Kyle Husted stable are in good place for another successful campaign in 2024, buoyed by several talented state-bred horses, two of which were honored recently as the best in their respective divisions.

Fox Valley Landen’s domination of the 3-year-old colt pacing division assured him he was tops in his class while stable-mate Chickabell saved her best for last and came away as the ICF 2-year-old Filly Pacer of the Year award.

It wasn’t until her convincing victory in last September’s Night of Champions final that Chickabell, driven by Todd Warren, earned the honor over her stable-mate Fox Valley Sadie who went onto the championship showdown with a trio of Illinois bred stake triumphs.

“Todd (Warren) and I went back and forth on who was driving which filly on Super Night,” said Illinois horseman Kyle Husted. “I decided to take “Sadie” who broke a cannon bone the first day of training, and for her first racing season wasn’t quite as sturdy as Chickabell.

“Last year on Hawthorne’s Super Nigh It turned out the track was a little hard and my filly made a break at the start. Fortunately for us, Todd got away with his filly nicely and landed in a great spot. He drove Chickabell perfectly and won the race.”

Chickabell took over command on the backside and cruised to a 1:54.3 mile, 2 and 1/2 lengths better than runner-up Hypeyourtieup (Travis Seekman).

The $84,150 winner’s share of the Incredible Tillie purse propelled Chickabell’s freshman earnings to over $130,000. She ended the year with a record of 9 wins and 3 seconds in her 9 starts, and $137,202 on her card with a runner-up placing in her last race, a Violet stake split.

While Fox Valley Sadie’s s seventh place finish in the Incredible Tillie final was disappointing, the Husted stable’s 23-1 longshot Fox Valley Gina (Kyle Wilfong) came up big with a third-place finish, beaten a little more than three lengths.

“I’m optimistic that Fox Vallet Gina is going to have a good season too,” said Kyle. “She got a late start last year and was behind most of the other 2-year-olds. However, she did come on nicely towards the end of the season and she has filled out over the winter.”

Last year with an ample number of Illinois bred pacing fillies, Chickabell and Fox Valley Sadie competed in different divisions until the Night of Champions. Fox Valley Gina didn’t race against her stable mates until legs three and four (second both times) of the Incredible Tillie in September, and the championship.

“I hope there are enough divisions this year, so my fillies won’t often be going against each other,” added Kyle, a cinch this year to go over the 1,000 milestone in driving victories. At last count he had 925.

While Fox Valley Sadie, a half-sister to the stables celebrated mare Fox Valley Exploit ($475,484), sold for $46,000 as a yearling to David Brigham (Litchfield, Michigan), John Schwarz Jr. (Wood Dale, Illinois) and Husted, Chickabell was only a $10,500 buy for the quartet of Viva Las Vegas Racing Plainfield, Illinois), Chris Norder (Troy, Illinois), Michael Arila (Deltona, Florida) and Husted Racing (Altamont, Illinois).

It’s been a “family affair” this winter at the Southern Oaks Training Center in Sorrento, Florida for the Husted kinfolk.

“My wife Amy is out there every morning,” continued Kyle. “Her mother went to work for us last summer and my mother is now on the job for us. It’s been really nice. “Just one problem though: When a mistake happens, I’ve got no one to holler at,” he said laughing.

As they say Kyle, silence is golden.

February Board Meeting Minutes

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 19:00:39 GMT

January Board Meeting Minutes

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 18:53:26 GMT

Illinois longtime trotting queen retires

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 13:43:04 GMT

Illinois longtime trotting queen retires

Danny Graham’s longtime Illinois trotting star Annas Luck Star has been retired. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

Long-time Illinois Trotting Queen Annas Lucky Star has abdicated her throne at the age of ten.

“She’s now retired from racing,” said her owner and breeder Danny Graham “She’s in Kentucky at Judy and Henry Lunford’s farm where we’re trying to get her in-foal this breeding season to the stallion Rebuff. He’s in his second season standing in Indiana.”

Rebuff was a Breeders Crown champion at the age of two and as a three-year-old the fastest trotter in the country with a 1:49.4 mile. A multiple stakes champion, the son of Muscle Hill had career purse earnings of $962,490.

“Annas Lucky Star is a once in a lifetime horse,” continued the 69-year-old native of Salem, Illinois. “She never lost a race at Du Quoin and was a seven-time Illinois-bred stakes champion at Springfield.

“She was all business on the racetrack. Every time she went postward she wanted to finish first. Off the track, she was a sweetheart to be around.”

In a little more than eight years of competition, Annas Lucky Star won 63 races in her brilliant career and never picked up easy ones on the County Fair circuit. In fact, she never raced on a half-miler.

The mare spent most of her career competing state bred stakes, and in Open company events, winning the top overnights events in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.

Annas Lucky Star ended up winning an impressive 41 per cent of her 155 lifetime starts and finished third or better a dazzling 70 per cent of the time.

Even with less-than desirable purses over the last decade in Illinois, the Cassis trotter, out of Danny’s late broodmare Queen Jamie, hauled in $686.694 in her career.

(Queen Jamie was named the 2003 Illinois Broodmare of the Year while Annas Lucky Star was selected the best in her division for the umpteenth time).

Throughout her superb career Annas Lucky Star has been under the care of veteran trainer Nelson Willis.

Annas Lucky Star was named by Graham after his granddaughter Anna Rolla when she was seven. “She’s 18 now and in Junior College,” said the proud grandfather. Anna plays second place on the West Frankfort baseball team and her younger sister is the shortstop.

“Any chance I get I drive the 50-mile trip south to West Frankfort to watch them play. I was there recently when Anna singled the first three times she batted and since I wasn’t feeling very good, I left. It was just my luck that I missed Anna’s homerun in her next at bat.”

Danny did leave a slight opening concerning Annas Lucky Star’s retirement from racing.

“Of course, you never can say never. If my mare doesn’t get in-foal this breeding season, there’s an outside chance that I would bring her back this year to race. She may not be as good as she was a few years ago but she’s still good, and she loves to compete.”

So, stay tuned.

A storybook season for Bell Boots

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 13:26:27 GMT

A storybook season for Bell Boots

Bell Boots (Matt Avenatti) was all alone at the finish of last year’s $83,000 Beulah Dygert Memorial Championship at Hawthorne. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Everybody enjoys a “feel good” story and the Illinois bred filly trotter Bell Boots certainly provided one in her three-year-old season.

The home bred filly began her 2023 campaign as an unheralded and unknown trotter from the barn of Matt Avenatti and by the end of the year, was honored as the best in her division at the recent Horseman’s Banquet.

Bred by her owner Toni Jo Bell, the daughter of Lou’s Legacy out of Bell’s broodmare Honey In A Hurry, had a modest freshman campaign, earning less than $7,000. She finished third or better in 9 of her 10 starts but chalked up only one victory, in a less than spectacular time of 2:18.4 on the Paris, Illinois fair track.

After driving Bell Boots in her last 2-year-old start, Matt took over the training and driving chores on Bell Boots for her 3-year-old season and at the time didn’t know what kind of trotter he had.

Months later he was proud to be the trainer and driver of a champion. “She just got better and better as the year went on,” said the native of Chrisman, Illinois.

After finishing off the board in her first six outings, Bell Boots raised some eyebrows with a second-place finish in a $22,600 division of the Violet stake at Springfield. While she was no match that day for the winner Radiant Diamond (seven lengths the best). she did finish ahead of some very good Illinois bred filly trotters,

Bell Boots went on to win her first race as a sophomore at the Martinsville County Fair in late June and her confidence grew. She rattled off three consecutive first place finishes on fair tracks at Paris, Charleston, and Carmi in mid-summer before heading to the Du Quoin State Fair for the Windy Skeeter stake against the cream of the crop in her division.

Bell Boots came up big at 24-1 odds, dropping a neck decision to Fox Valley Shania and tying Radiant Diamond for second—all timed in 1:58.1.

“That’s when we knew we might have a very good trotter,” said Matt. “From there, we felt she could trot with any of the fillies in her division”.

A month later was the third leg of the Beulah Dygert Memorial trot at Hawthorne, followed by the fourth and final series leg, and Bell Boots proved her connections right. She won both $25,000 events, coming off the pace in each.

“She gets out of there pretty quick, and she can race on the front end, but she likes to race off a helmet. She gets brave passing other horses.”

The $83,000 Beulah Dygert Final was next on Hawthorne night of Champions and Matt again gave his filly a patient drive, and she proved to be much the best with a two and one-half triumph with a new mark of 1:58 flat, ending her storybook season with purse earnings just under $90,000.

“We were fortune to draw inside in all of her Hawthorne Dygert starts,” added Matt. That may be true, however drawing well and performing well when advantageous opportunities come about are two different things.

Interestingly, in all of the Dygert starts Bell Boots appeared to be bottled up coming out of the last turn with track announcer Peter Galassi rightly saying: “Bell Boots has nowhere to go.” Nevertheless, in each one Matt patiently waited for an opening on Hawthorne’s lengthy (1,310) stretch and when it arrived, his talented filly stepped up and showed she has the heart of a champion.

Avenatti started back training Bell Boots for her 4-year-old season two weeks ago. “I want to get her ready for the Oak Grove (Kentucky) meeting in April,” revealed Matt. “Then she’ll head back to Illinois and race in ICF stakes.

ICF pacer’s first season ended in gorgeous fashion

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 14:35:45 GMT

ICF pacer’s first season ended in gorgeous fashion

Gorgeous Big Guy (Todd Warren), shown down here winning Hawthorne’s Incredible Finale 2-year-old championship, was unbeaten as a freshman in Illinois. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

The adage “It’s Not Important How You Start, But How You Finish” has been around for ages but it still holds true nowadays, and a perfect example is the state-bred pacer Gorgeous Big Guy, the recipient of the 2023 Illinois 2-Year-Old Colt Pacer of the Year award at last week’s Horsemen’s Banquet in Springfield.

The homebred son of Ashlee’s Big Guy, out of the Palone Ranger broodmare Gorgeous Ranger, started off his racing career with four consecutive second place finishes in Michigan Bred Colt Stakes, for trainer and owner Tim Roach.

Gorgeous Big Guy did nail down his first career victory near the end of last July at the Big Axe fair track for Roach with a 2:01.1 mile on a “good” racing surface. A few weeks later he was again second best in a Michigan fair outing nevertheless once he was sent to Illinois last September his runner-up finishes were over, and instead the youngster became unbeatable.

Gorgeous Big Guy will begin his second season campaign riding a six-race winning streak, all in ICF stake events, and left no doubt he was No. 1 in his division in 2923.

In Illinois, the juvenile pacer always rose to the occasion. First, he captured his $25,000 Directors Cup split at Du Quoin in 1:52.4 despite being parked out throughout the mile. He followed that performance with an easy victory in a $21,000 Illinois State Fair Colt Stake division—shifted to Hawthorne after the event was rained-out at Springfield—when he blew away his opposition by almost five lengths with a wicked 26.3 last quarter.

Roach then sold his prize freshman pacer in a private transaction to Doug Overhiser of New Smyrma Beach, Florida and Mark Winship of Canton, Illinois, and the horse joined the Midwest Division of the always strong Erv Miller Stable.

Veteran Illinois circuit driver Todd Warren took over the driver chores behind the talented 2-year-old and the Chicago native guided Gorgeous Big Guy to victories in the last two $25,000 legs of the Incredible Finale stake series. The gelding saved his best for the $174,000 Night of Champions final where he pretty much coasted to his fifth straight triumph with a new mark of 1:52.1.

Gorgeous Big Guy finished his initial campaign with another comfortable victory, his sixth in a row, in a $25,825 division of the Cardinal stake at Hawthorne. He banked $115,880 in his first season, with over $116,000 of that amount in his last four season starts for his current owners.

“Gorgeous Big Guy is being trained-down to Florida,” said Atlee Bender who manages his father-in-law Erv Miller’s Midwest division of the Indiana based stable.

“I’ve got good reports on him. “He’s coming along well. He’s gotten stronger. He hasn’t grown much. He’s still a small horse but he has a big motor in him. He’s very athletic.

“As far as I know, the plan is still to send him back to his previous owner (Tim Roach) who will race him in Michigan stakes to start off his second season, and then later have him race in Illinois.

Goomster is 2023 Illinois Horse of the Year

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 16:10:17 GMT

Top Illinois-Breds to be honored. Click here for the entire list. 2023 Horse of Year etc. Illinois.pdf

Wednesday, Townhall Meeting

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 17:04:36 GMT

Wednesday, February 28, 6pm Tele-Townhall Meeting

Will Lou’s Private Eye mimic his brother?

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 14:26:55 GMT

Will Lou’s Private Eye mimic his brother?

Lous Private Eye (Casey Leonard) will be honored Saturday in Springfield as the 2023 Illinois 2-Year-Old Male Trotter of the year. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

Brother or sister comparisons have been an integral part of harness racing since the sport has been around. Sometimes a horse reaches or exceeds the lofty credentials of an older sibling, more often they don’t.

The trotter Lous Private Eye from the barn of veteran horseman Steve Searle will take a giant stride towards following in the hoof steps of his older full brother Lousdobb, a two-time ICF champion, when he will be honored Saturday as the 2023 Illinois Two-Year-Old Male Trotter of the Year at the state’s Standardbred Horsemen banquet in Springfield.

Lous Private Eye didn’t start off his freshman racing campaign like a future trotting champion, however as the season went along the son of the outstanding Illinois sire Lou’s Legacy produced the credentials to secure the prestigious honor.

Lous Private didn’t make his debut until the first week of last July, a third-place finish at Springfield with his regular driver Casey Leonard. The young trotter went his next four more outings with a victory before an impressive win a month later in the $14,470 Downstate Classic at Mt Sterling where he set a two-year-old trotting record (2:02.4) on a half mile fair track that was listed as ‘good.’

Two weeks later, the son of the very successful Flacco Family Farms broodmare Bands One Eye Love, captured his $25,000 Governor’s Cup stake at the Du Quoin State Fair in 1:58.2 with a 28.1 final quarter facilitating his connections to set their sights on the division’s richest and most coveted ICF stake event, the $121,000 Kadabra on Hawthorne’s Night of Champions.

Lous Private Eye showed readiness for the mid-October Kadabra championship with a strong winning performance in the series final leg, proving best by nearly two lengths. A week later the championship, he came from sixth at the half, almost six lengths behind, to win by more than three lengths in a season best time of 1:58 flat.

Last summer Searle told us he thought Lous Private Eye could be a good horse. Is the long-time Illinois trainer even more optimistic on his young trotter for his second season?

“Yes,” answered Searle. “He’s come along very well. There were a couple of times last year after he won a race that Casey told me” ‘He’s got more in him.’

“I’ve started back with him in February. I’m old school. My dad drilled in me that a horse coming back needs to get mileage on him so later in the year he’ll be fit to go faster later on. A week ago, I on a went a slow 2:50 with “Private Eye.’ When the time comes to race him, he’ll be ready.

“I’m fortunate to have an owner like Flacco Family Farms who lets me take my time with their trotters and I have a smart and patient driver in Casey. There’s no need to rush them. I shoot to have my horses ready when August rolls around.”

Searle also revealed that he also has yet another sibling of Lous Private Eye and Lousdobb.”

“Her name is Lous Night Vision. She’s another sired by Lou’s Legacy out of the same broodmare. I’ve gone in 2:45 with her and she trots just like her brothers with her head down and all business on the track.

“It’s very early in her career but it looks like she has pretty good talent. After about six weeks you can usually tell which of your young trotters have talent, and which ones don’t,” added Steve.

Lous Private Eye generated just short of $100,000 in purse money, winning four of his 10 starts to go along with a quartet of third place finishes for Flacco Family Farms of Alexis, Illinois, his owners, and breeders.

Similarly, his brother Lousdobb captured four of 10 outings as a freshman, to go along with one second and one third, while banking $80,771 for co-owners Flacco Family Farms and All-Wright Racing of Morris, Illinois. At three, Lousdobb had a sparkling record of 9 wins in 13 races and hauled in over $117,000 in purse money.

Will his younger brother be as successful? Time will tell.

Small ICF horseman’s dream becomes reality

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 14:22:33 GMT

Small ICF horseman’s dream becomes reality

Dennis Gardner’s Goomster (Travis Seekman) will be honored as Illinois 2023 Harness Horse of the Year in Springfield, IL on March 2nd. (Patricia Fryman Photography)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Like any small horse racing owner and trainer Dennis Gardner fantasized of one day having “a good horse” as an Illinois horseman. After almost four decades at his craft, his dream became a reality, thanks to his very talented trotter Goomster.

The now 4-year-old state-bred trotter has blossomed into not just a “good horse,” but an exceptional one for the third-generation Prairie State horseman and will be honored as the 2024 Illinois Harness Horse of the Year on March 2nd at state’s Standardbred banquet in Springfield.

“He’s been phenomenal,” said Dennis. “He’s for sure a once in a lifetime horse. I thought when I first started racing him, he had a chance to be good, but I never thought he would be this good.”

How good was Goomster in his 3-year-old campaign? Dominance in his class would be the right word to describe it.

The Cassis gelding won an amazing 15 of 17 starts, to go along with a pair of seconds, against other ICF trotters and “ran the board” in Illinois stake competition, capturing his division of the Cardinal and ICS Final last summer at Springfield, along with Du Quoin’s Pronto Don and the $90,000 Erwin F. Dygert Memorial Final on Hawthorne’s Night of Champions. The gifted trotter took his mark of 1:52.4 last July at Springfield.

Goomster ranked in over $137,000 in Illinois and another $20,000-plus in a trio of Hoosier Park events last Fall against older, more seasoned trotters.

Goomster won the $30,000 Workaholic Trot and a $20,000 Open 3 in Indiana. The lone time he didn’t finish first or second last year in a race was a fourth-place finish in Hoosier’s $27,500 Dexter Moss Memorial when he raced first-up and was beaten less than three lengths, trotting in 1:54.3.

“I want to thank Travis and Desiree Seekman for the great job they did with the horse,” said Gardner, who turned over his trainer duties with the horse to the husband-wife team at the end of September. “I had a lot going on training my horses, “breaking” my young horses and it being harvest time, so I asked the Seekman’s if they would help out and take my racing horses from me. They said yes, and Goomster been just great for them.”

Goomster was victorious in his first five starts for the Seekman’s, including the Dygert championship.

“Goomster just got better and better as the season went on,” said Travis. “I think he was his sharpness in his last start of the year when he won a Hawthorne Open in December. He did it pretty handily and I had plenty of horse left at the end of the mile.”

Goomster will also be revered on March 2nd as the ICF 3-year-old Male Trotter of the Year, an honor he was won as a freshman when he was driven exclusively at Kyle Wilfong. With Wilfong committed last year to driving at Hoosier Park, Dennis turned to Seekman to pilot his trotters in Illinois last season.

“As the year went on, I got to know Dennis better and we have become great friends,” continued Travis. “I don’t think I go more than two days without being on the phone with him. His friendship has meant a lot to me and Desiree.”

As far as Goomster’s racing plans for 2024, they’ll begin in Kentucky. “He’ll be off for the next six and one-half weeks and then go to Oak Grove in April,” revealed Gardner.

Bred by Vern Miller of Sullivan, Illinois., the son of Cassis was the first foal of the Muscle Holl mare Sheeza Muscle Girl.

Hawthorne winter meet concludes

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 14:34:07 GMT

Hawthorne winter meet concludes

. The Jim Eaton stable’s Perlucky (No. 3, Kyle Wilfong) captured the featured Open Trot on Hawthorne’s closing night (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Perlucky, flawlessly handled by driver Kyle Wilfong, took advantage of a pocket trip, and pulled off an upset in Monday’s featured $11,100 Open Trot on closing night of Hawthorne’s winter.

Fourth choice in the five-horse field at 9-2 odds, Wilfong, just as he did a week ago, sent Perlucky away for the early lead and again gave it up to Double A Goldrush (Casey Leonard) but this time the Leonard stable’s veteran trotter had to be used a little harder to make the front, arriving there in 28.3.

Perucky was right behind Casey’s helmet when the 2-1 co-favorite Double A Goldrush, owned by Robert Silberberg of Farmington Hills, Michigan, went to a 57.2 first half, one second faster than the previous Monday trot and the three-quarter time of 1:26.4 was also a tick quicker.

Dash Of Luck (Brandon Bates) was full of trot and was gaining on the winner but the Jim Eaton trained 9-year-old Lucky Chucky gelding wasn’t going to be denied, notching his fourth Open Trot victory of the meet by a little less than one length. It was career win No. 41 for Perlucky who has amassed lifetime earnings of $741,546 in slightly more than seven seasons of racing.

Dash Of Luck was a nose better than Double A Goldrush for second place honors. Loulita (Mike Oosting) took fourth and the other 2-1 co-favorite Bluebird Deacon was fifth, beaten less than three lengths.

Casey Leonard reclaimed the Hawthorne driver crown by a large margin. Casey has three more winners Monday night to give him 99 for the meeting. Brandon Bates was next with 76, then came Travis Seekman with 69.

Amy Husted successfully defended her trainer title with 36 winners, two more than the Midwest Division of the Erv Miller stable. Tom Simmons and Jim Eaton had solid meetings, with 31 and 30 winners, respectively. followed by Steve Searle with 28 and Terry Leonard with 27.

Harness racing won’t return to Hawthorne until mid-October. The non-wagering meeting at Springfield starts up in June, with racing days and dates to be announced by the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

Mike Paradise stories will resume on Tuesday, February 20th and will continue every Tuesday thereafter until Springfield begins, when his Illinois harness racing coverage will be expanded.

Can “Goldrush” double up at Hawthorne?

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 14:30:02 GMT

Can “Goldrush” double up at Hawthorne?

Ross Leonard is all smiles with the way his 10-year-old Double A Goldrush, a starter in Monday’s Open Trot, has performed at Hawthorne. (Hoosier Park Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

Hawthorne’s winter harness racing meeting concludes Monday night but not before it’s reinging champion in the Open Trot is decided.

The $11,100 feature, at least on paper, looks to be between last week’s winner Double A Goldrush (Casey Leonard) and Bluebird Deacon (Atlee Bender), who prevailed in the previous two local Open Trots.

The five-horse field with posts assigned in groups by the Hawthorne Race Office, (1) (2) (3) (4-5), also lured Loulita (Mike Oosting), Dash Of Luck (Brandon Bates) and two-time Hawthorne Open champion Perlucky (Kyle Wilfong), in that order, each with the credentials to come out on top.

Whichever trotter prevails in the second race headliner does prevail will be the titleholder for a long time since Hawthorne, and pari-mutuel racing in Illinois, doesn’t start up again until September of this year.

Harness racing at Springfield is expected to be conducted starting sometime in June, however the specifics have not been announced yet by the Illinois Department of Agriculture and sadly for the second consecutive year it will be non-wagering.

As far as tonight’s Open Trot is concerned, can the veteran Double A Goldrush get to the front again and not be collared or will Bluebird Deacon, now trained by Atlee Bender, who didn’t fire a week ago, power past in time like he did in January with the help of a smaller field.

Double A Goldrush has only made six career starts at Hawthorne in his eight seasons of racing and boasts a sparkling record of 4 wins and 2 seconds and those recent runner-up finishes were a combined one length losing margin back in January.

I asked Ross Leonard, his long-time trainer, why the Elegant Man gelding has been so successful at Hawthorne?

“I really don’t know,” replied Ross. “I’ve thought about it a lot, but I don’t have a really good answer. I guess he just likes the track.

“Right now, he’s as good as he has been for a long time. That was a strong performance he had last week. Maybe the recent barn change has something to with him now racing so well.”

Ross was referring to him turning the training over to his father Terry and his older brother Casey who has also taken over the driving chores. “We talked it over and we agreed it might be a good idea to have “fresh eyes” on the horse.”

The trotter was acquired by his current owners Michael and Laura Lee of Bridgeview, Illinois, and Harvard Illinois’ Terry Leonard for $14,000 at the 2017 Hoosier yearling sale and has been a steady money-maker since coming for the Ross Leonard stable. The consistent trotter has made almost $465,500 and will be adding to that total in 2024.

“I’m taking him to Miami Valley meeting. He’ll race there and then I’ll get him ready when Hoosier Park opens,” said Ross, who will race two of his stable’s horses in Ohio on Tuesday.

A Rockin Effort: The 4-5 favorite Play Me Rock put on powerhouse performance in his last race of the Hawthorne winter meeting easily winning Sundays featured $8,000 conditioned pace with 1:50.4 mile despite the temperature hovering in the mid-30’s.

Saddled with the 9-hole in a 10-horse field, driver Mike Oosting sent the 6-year-old Rockin Image gelding out from the starting gate, and so did others. Play Me Rock was parked out through a 27.4 first quarter by the 30-1 pacesetting longshot Yankee Roller.

It wasn’t until another eighth of a mile later that Play Me Rock cleared to the front and Oosting decided not to slow things up. Instead, Mike kept the gas pedal down and the winner uncorked a quick 26.3 second panel, opening a sizable lead.

A couple of 28.1 last half quarters was more than enough to see Play Me Rock ($3.80) prevail by four lengths for owner and trainer Perry Smith of Crete, Illinois.

Playtorock (Juan Franco) was second best, and it marked the eleventh consecutive time the David Brooks trained gelding finished first or second in a race at the meeting. Fox Valley Cayman (Kyle Wilfong) was third.

Hawthorne stands alone on Super Bowl Sunday

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 14:15:28 GMT

Hawthorne all alone on Super Bowl Sunday

The Hector Herrera stable’s Mr Charisma, a past Hawthorne Pace winner, goes postward in Sunday’s feature. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

The final two programs of Hawthorne’s winter meet get underway today and the 12-race card stands alone nationwide on Super Bowl Sunday for harness racing devotees.

All the other pari-mutuel racetracks across the country are dark today. Hawthorne will race on its own but with a much earlier 1 o’clock first post. Monday’s final program of the meeting will have its regular 7:10 pm first post.

Both Opens for pacers saw insufficient entries to be contested for the third straight week, so a high-level viable conditioned pace will be Sunday’s feature and it doesn’t lack in volume or competitiveness for the betting public.

The eighth race conditioned pace for non-winners of $4,001 ($5,000 for ICF horses) has a full field of 10 pacers going to the gate and a number of them have competed in Opens, such as Play Me Rock (Mike Oosting), Ben Racin (Cordarius Stewart) Shakertown (Brandon Bates), Fox Valley Cayman (Kyle Wilfong) and the Héctor Herrera’ stable’s Mr Charisma (Todd Warren).

Sunday’s headliner will be Mr Charisma’s first outing of the Hawthorne winter meet not in the Open, an event he won back in mid-December for his owner Garcia Power, Inc. of Crete, Illinois.

The now six-year-old Betterthancheddar gelding was claimed for $44,000 by Herrera at Hoosier Park in late May and has earned almost $40,000 since his acquisition.

“Mr Charisma loves is work,” said his trainer, one of the rare harness horsemen who is a native of Guatemala. “The horse just loves to compete.”

After the Hoosier Park meeting closed in mid-November, Hector shifted his operations to the Hawthorne winter meet where his 16-horse stable won 25 races going into Sunday’s card. Herrera’s horses banked over $400,000 in 2023, his fourth year on his own as a trainer.

Hector resides near currently defunct Balmoral Park in Crete, Illinois.

“After Hawthorne closes I’ll rest my horses and then get them ready when Hoosier opens again. It’s a six to seven hour drive from my place to the Indiana track, so I make sure by horses get rested before they race. I believe a key to success in thus business is to get your horses the proper time off, and of course, classification.”

Since Hector hails from Guatemala, a country without a racetrack, how did he get into the harness racing?

“Through my cousin Gilbert Garcia Herrera,” he answered, “I worked for him for a while to learn the business.”

Gilbert-Garcia Herrera has trained the winners of over 3,300 races and routinely among the leading trainers at New York’s Yonkers Raceway

Herrara’s Mr Charisma leaves from post five in Sunday’s eighth race feature and will catch-driven tonight by Todd Warren

The first four slots will be manned by Shakertown (Brandon Bates), Yankee Roller A (Patrizio Ancora), Franksnativewestern (Gary Rath) and then ultra-consistent Playtorock (Juan Franco), in that order. Fox Valley Steeler (Casey Leonard), Blacklight (Travis Seekman) Ben Racin (Cordarius Stewart), the 5-2 morning line favorite Play Me Rock (Mike Oosting), and Fox Valley Cayman (Kyle Wilfong, posts 6 through 10) complete the field.

Cordarius Stewart, who has spent the winter working for the Erv Miller stable in Florida, is on hand to tonight to catch-drive. Besides Ben Racin, Cordarius will handle Fox Valley Lizzy (7th race) Fox Valley Falcon (9th race), Copper Teen (10th) and Cutting Class) 11th race)

Gold strike in Hawthorne trot

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 15:16:56 GMT

Gold strike in Hawthorne trot

Double A Goldrush (Casey Leonard) was the upset winner in Monday’s Open Trot at Hawthorne. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Double A Goldrush, capably handled by Casey Leonard, came up with a no-doubt-about-it victory in Hawthorne’s Open Trot to end Bluebird Deacon’s recent domination of the regular Monday $11,100 feature.

Bluebird Deacon won the previous two Hawthorne Open trots in come from behind fashion, but the 6-5 public’s choice was a non-factor Monday evening.

Leonard sent the 6-1 longshot Double A Goldrush out from the seven-slot in the eight-horse field and the 10-year-old trotter out-sprinted Perlucky for control of the race while driver Atlee Bender, as expected, took the 6-5 favorite Bluebird Deacon back.

Casey no doubt was hoping to get away with a one-quarter breather with his horse after a 28.3 first panel. He got that, and surprisingly another soft quarter when he had no challengers.

Double A Goldrush ($15.60) trotted a 29.4 second quarter and coasted to a 29.3 third panel. It wasn’t until the field went into the last turn before the third-place horse Loulita (Mike Oosting) became the first trotter to come after the leader. Meanwhile Bluebird Deacon was eighth, almost nine lengths behind at the top of the lane with Double A Goldrush having plenty left.

The Terry Leonard trainee trotted a 28 flat last quarter to pull away to a one and one-half length win over Perlucky, who held off a fast-closing Dash Of Luck (Brandon Bates) for third. Bluebird Deacon ended up sixth, beaten more than seven lengths.

Double A Goldrush is owned by Michael and Laura Lee of Bridgeview, Illinois, along with Harvard, Illinois’ Terry Leonard.

Pleasant Surprise: Sunday’s Hawthrone mutuel handle was surprisingly the meet’s best when $1,162,725 was wagered. The seven-figure handle dwarfed Monday’s card of just over $400.000.

A reminder that the first post Sunday’s upcoming Hawthorne program has been moved up to 1 pm so it doesn’t go against the Super Bowl being played in the evening.

Early Post Super Bowl Sunday

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 21:05:52 GMT

Super Bowl Sunday, Early Post Time of 1 p.m.

Bluebird Deacon looking for a threepeat

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 14:30:40 GMT

Bluebird Deacon looking for a threepeat

Illinois champion Fox Valley Gemini (Casey Leonard) is now on R & R for the Terry Leonard stable. (Patricia Fryman Photography)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

With the finish line well in sight for Hawthorne’s winter meeting, the high-flying Bluebird Deacon looks to extend his winning streak to three in a row in Monday’s $11,100 Open Trot.

The 7-year-old Indiana bred made it two consecutive come-from-behind triumphs a week ago in the Monday feature with driver Atlee Bender, husband of owner Hannah Miller Bender. The couple run the successful Midwest Division of the Erv Miller Stable.

Blue Deaocn needed all of Hawthorne’s long 1,320 length stretch to get the job done last Monday evening, collaring Double A Goldrush (Casey Leonard) in the final strides of a q:57 flat mile. Bluebird Deacon did it rallying from fifth and last as the prohibitive 3-5 favorite.

Tonight, he’ll likely have to come last again but most likely from further back with the eight-hole. Besides Double A Goldrush, Dash Of Luck (Brandon Bates), Perlucky (Kyle Wilfong), and Lousdobb (Travis Seekman), third through fifth place finishers return for another shot at Bluebird Deacon.

They’ll be joined by the pole sitter Loulita (Mike Oosting), fresh off a 1:56.3 win in a high-level conditioned trot and the veteran Never Mind N p.p. 3) from the barn of Todd Warren.

Now 11-years-old, Never Mind N is a well-traveled New Zealand bred acquired by Warren and Illinoisans Lester Peters (Beecher) and Richard Tomei (Peotone) late last September.

Since his acquisition, the old-timer has put another $12,000-plus on his card in nine starts, with two wins and a pair of seconds for the Illinois trio. A third-place finish or higher would boost Never Mind over the $200,000 mark in lifetime earnings. He’s generated over $175,000 since coming to North America from his South Pacific native island.

Never Mind made the almost 10,000-mile trip New Zealand to eastern Canada as a 7-year-old in 2020 and immediately fared well for his new connections. He made almost $40,000 in a half-season of racing, mostly competing at Woodbine, and he hasn’t been under the $40,000 plateau in earnings since.

Last year the trotter dominated the $25,000 claiming ranks Rideau Down, capturing 6 of 9 consecutive events for trainer Mandy Archer. Shortly thereafter Warren obtained the New Zealander.

Never Mind hasn’t started for about month and the question is: Does he need Monday’s outing? The trotter has been at his best locally racing up close and could be hurrying out from the starting gate along with likely Perlucky, Loulita, and Double A Goldrush.

An early quick duel would enhance the chances of Bluebird Deacon getting to visit the track photographer a third straight time. Driver Atlee Bender has gone on record that his horse has been most effective coming from out of it and could be doing just that tonight.

R & R for “Gemini:” It appears we won’t be seeing Illinois champion Fox Valley Gemini the final two racing nights of the meeting next week.

“He’s probably done for the rest of this meeting,” revealed his driver, Casey Leonard. “There’s nothing major wrong with him but his feet have become a bit of a problem. When the track comes up hard, it’s not a good thing for him. He raced well in his first two starts of the new year, but you saw he wasn’t himself in his last January race.

The Terry Leonard trainee, a multiple Illinois Harness Horse of the Year honoree, made another $44,000-plus in 2023 and has $7,800 on his card after a pair of victories last month. “Gemini,” now nine, boasts 61 career wins, almost all in Illinois, and $748,312 in purse revenues for Atwater, Illinois owner Jim Ballinger.

Let’s hope we see the Illinois champion later in the year at Springfield.

Wise Move: Not wanting to race against the Super Bowl extravaganza, Hawthorne has decided to move up its final Sunday racing of the meeting to 2 o’clock next weekend.

Bluebird Deacon looking for a threepeat

Key to turning horse’s fortunes around

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sun, 04 Feb 2024 14:37:56 GMT

Key to turning horse’s fortunes around

Fox Valley Cayman (Casey Leonard) was one of the horses that benefitted from Springfield not being an extended pari-mutuel meeting. (Patricia Fryman Photography)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

Not many horses have had the kind of roller coaster season that the homebred pacer Key Ingrediant put together for the Terry Leonard stable.

The now five-year-old Illinois bred pacer started 2023 with 15 consecutive losses and then turned things around in his last 8 outings, winning 5 of them at Hawthorne including his last three in a row for owner and breeder Donald Laufenberg of Highland, Wisconsin.

What was the reason, or reasons, for Key Ingrediant’s huge reversal of success on the racetrack?

We asked his driver Casey Leonard, who also routinely works out the horse at his father’s farm in Harvard, Illinois, his thoughts on Key Ingrediant’s turnabout.

“It’s more than one thing,” Casey replied. “A major reason is the conditions he’s been racing in. His only win in 2022 came at Springfield and they don’t have an extended meeting, so the horse was eligible for several low-end condition races when Hawthorne opened. It’s also the reason horses like (Fox Valley) Cayman and Corso were able to do well at the Hawthorne. They were still eligible for the right condition races.

“Also, once Key Ingrediant started winning, his confidence level when up. He got braver. You can see it in his recent races. We also learned that he’s best when taken back and then makes one big move in the stretch.”

Key Ingrediant races Sunday night in Hawthorn’s ninth race where he’ll open as the modest 3-1 favorite from the seven-post in a nine-horse event. One of his main threats is Farmer’s Only, another Leonard stable trainee. Casey has his choice of drives and took Key Ingrediant while Kyle Wilfong will catch-drive Farmer’s Only away from the three-slot.

Casey was spot-on concerning the Illinois breds Fox Valley Cayman and Fox Valley Corso’s 2023 racing seasons in Illinois.

Fox Valley Cayman showed ability as a 2-year-old banking over $35,000 and winning four races. Only his triumph in a division of the Cardinal mattered as far as eligibility for Hawthorne’s condition races. His other three wins at Springfield were discounted.

In his second season “Cayman” was second in his Cardinal split at Springfield and runner-up in his Dudley division at Du Quoin for trainer Tomu Simmons. His first pari-mutuel victory in 2023 came at Hawthorne in a non-winner of two contest after a third-place finish in Hawthorne’s $105,000 Robert F. Carey Memorial stake.

The horse was still eligible for non-winners of three and won at that class a few weeks later. That confidence building victory helped propel the $20,000 yearling purchase to a pair of first place finishes, three seconds, and a third in his next six starts against higher level condition races against open company.

Simmons also took over the training duties on Fox Valley Corso after his conditioner Herman Wheeler returned to his home in Louisiana after Hawthorne’s Night of Champions. The horse had gone winless in 13 tries as a freshman.

Fox Valley Corso’s sophomore season began with his maiden victory at Du Quoin with Casey driving. Five straight loses later he won a non-winner of two condition pace with Bobby Smolin. After nine more losses in a row, the last four competing for Simmons, the trotter had success in another non-winners of two event with Casey in the bike.

Fox Valley Corso finished last year with three consecutive wins, all with Casey, each in non-winners of three races and made almost $38,000.

Both Fox Valley Cayman and Fox Valley Corso will race on Monday’s Hawthorne card.

A No-Go: Insufficient entries are the reason why the Open Pace contests for both the males and females are not on Sunday’s Hawthorne program.

Only three mares, Double Parked, Marvelous Maricia and She’s Magical were entered for the distaff Open. The Open for horses and geldings saw He’zzz A Wise Sky enter, along with four pacers each from Perry Smith’s stable—Round Here Buzz, Town Gossip, Playmerock and Mustang Beach.

December Board Meeting Minutes

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 19:30:29 GMT

Bluebird Deacon soars in Hawthorne Open trot

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 14:39:21 GMT

Bluebird Deacon soars in Hawthorne Open trot

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Bluebird Deacon shrugged off a three-week layoff and rallied strong in the stretch to nail down his second consecutive Open Trot victory at Hawthorne.

Driver Atlee Bender said earlier that Bluebird Deacon is best coming from out of it and the seven-year-old Swan For All gelding proved his the 31-year-old reinsman was right, coming from fifth and last in the final quarter of mile to eke out a head triumph at the end of a 1:57 flat mile.

Double A Goldrush came up with a strong effort for driver Casey Leonard to be second best, nailed just before the finish wire after a two-hole journey behind the front-stepping Perlucky (Kyle Wilfong).

Bluebird Deacon used the same winning tactic back on January 8th however he had to wait until the end of the month before going postward again after perilous weather conditions cancelled the scheduled Open Trot the past two weeks.

As anticipated, Atlee took Bluebird Deacon back at the start from his assigned five-slot. Leonard asked Double A Goldrush to zip out from the three-post and the 10-year-old Elegant Man trotter did, grabbing a quick read and keeping Perlucky parked though almost all of the first quarter, timed in 29.2.

Perlucky then took over command and sped things up a bit, getting to the half in 57.4 and the three-quarters in 1:26.2. Casey patiently waited until mid-stretch before asking Double A Goldrush to make his move, and his trotter powered by. The Terry Leonard trainee looked to be in good shape with an eighth of a mile to go.

On the other hand, Bluebird Deacon had a ton of trot left, and used it in the late going to gain the photo decision to gain the victory for his owner Hannah Miller Bender of Noblesville, Indiana.

Dash of Luck (Brandon Bates) finished third, beaten less than two lengths.

Bluebird Deacon’s win was his 16th in 88 career starts and the $5,550 winner’s share of the $11,100 pot put him less than $300 short of the $300,000 plateau in lifetime purse earnings.

Third time charm for Hawthorne Open Trot?

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 14:38:01 GMT

Third time charm for Hawthorne Open Trot?

Round Here Buzz (Mike Oosting) got up in the final strides to collar He’zzz A Wise Sky (Kyle Wilfong) and capture Monday’s Open Pace at Hawthorne. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

They say that the third time is the charm. We’re hoping they’re right so Monday’s Hawthorne Open Trot can finally be contested.

Old Man Winter has been playing havoc with Hawthorne’s harness racing meeting and the last two Opens Trot cards had to be cancelled. However better weather at long last has arrived.

First it was sub-zero temperatures and wind chill factors from 20 to 30 below that knocked out the Monday January 15th program that included the Open Trot. Then nasty icy road conditions came about and prevented the Monday, January 22nd races from being conducted.

The “all-clear” signal came about last night, and Sunday’s card was completed without any weather-related glitches, so it’s a “go” for tonight’s 10-race card.

Monday’s second race $11,100 feature has four of the five trotters in its field that were intended to tangle a week ago. The lone exception is Mark P’Pool’s Dash Of Luck (Brandon Bates) with the two-post instead of Loulita, who will race later in the card.

Lousdobb (Travis Seekman) was allocated the one slot. Double A Goldrush (Casey Leonard) was given the three. Perlucky (Brandon Bates) landed the four with the January 8th Open winner Bluebird Deacon (Atlee Bender) leaving from the outside five-slot.

The Erv Miller Midwest division’s Bluebird Deacon will open as the 8-5 favorite after coming from out of it with a quick 26.2 last quarter at the end of a 1:56.1 mile.

Before Sunday’s $11,100 Open Pace feature, we had a chance to chat with John Filomeno, trainer of Illinois champion He’zzz A Wise Sky who was overtaken the previous Sunday by Perry Smith’s Town Gossip.

“I feel He’zzz A Wise Sky has a good chance to bound back and this week,” said his trainer John Filomeno. “I knew he wasn’t going to be as sharp last week as he was previously after not racing for three weeks. Plus, the weather conditions made it almost impossible to get him trained the way I wanted during his time off.

“Also, the track last Sunday wasn’t good, and my horse didn’t get a hold of it like he should.”

He’zzz A Wise Sky did bounce back with a very big effort last night but again it was a Perry Smith owned and trained horse, Round Here Buzz ($10.20), perfectly handled by Mike Oosting that collared him, this time in the final strides.

He’zzz A Wise Sky, as expected cut the fractions of 27.3, 55 flat and 1:22/1 with Round Here Buzz racing second. The 4-5 public’s choice opened up a three-length lead heading into the stretch, nonetheless the eventual winner kept digging in and gaining, posting a neck victory in 1:50.3.

Perry’s other two Open starters Play Me Rock and Town Gossip, finished a non-threatening third and fourth, respectively.

Hawthorne’s Open Pace gets intriguing

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sun, 28 Jan 2024 14:26:37 GMT

Hawthorne’s Open Pace gets intriguing

Town Gossip (Casey Leonard) was the unexpected winner of last week’s Open Pace at Hawthorne. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.A.A.

When Illinois champion He’zzz A Wise Sky was passed in the lane in last week’s local Open Pace by Perry Smith’s Town Gossip, it surprised most followers of Illinois racing.

The pride of the John Filomeno stable had easily won his previous four Hawthorne Opens and had little trouble getting to his usual front-end position. After soft fractions, 1 29.2 first quarter and a 58.1 first half, He’zzz A Wise Sky, as usual went to a quicker third quarter (28.2), and looked like a shoo-in to make it five in a row.

However, the pocket horse Town Gossip, aptly handled by Casey Leonard, powered past the 1-9 betting choice, and drew off by four lengths much to the chagrin of “chalk players.”

Was it the strong cold wind coming down the stretch that aided the upset? Was it the less than desirable track conditions? Was the Illinois champ feeling under the weather? Was Town Gossip just the better horse last Sunday evening? Was it a combination of things?

Town Gossip trainer and owner Perry Smith wasn’t sure just why his pacer got the better of He’zzz A Wise Sky in the Open slugfest, but he’s definitely happy he did.

“Town Gossip is a nice horse, but he doesn’t always show up with a big effort in a race,” said Perry. “He did last week, and Casey (Leonard) gave him a great drive.

“It was a tough night for racing. The track was icy underneath in spots and some horses had trouble getting a hold of it. Also, that was a strong wind out here. Not many horses went wire-to-wire on the night.”

Perry was correct, only one horse, Real Slick Chic, won last Sunday by leading at every pole of the 12-race card.

The entire field in last week’s Open, plus two-time Open winner at the meet Play Me Rock, are back to slug it out—Round Here Buzz (Mike Oosting), the third-place finisher for Perry Smith, along with Macdavid (Todd Warren), Mr Charisa (Brandon Bates), Town Gossip (Casey Leonard) and He’zzz A Wise Sky, allocated the outside six post with his regular driver Kyle Wilfong.

The return appearance of Play Me Rock (Mike Oosting) in the Open, gives Perry three of the six starters in the race that he trains and owns.

Many supporters of Illinois racing likely never heard of Town Gossip until Perry brought his stable of horses back to his home state to compete.

Nevertheless, Town Gossip has the credentials to be a major player in Illinois Opens.

“I claimed him for $50,000 at Hoosier last year,” said Perry. The horse had over $500,000 on his card in less than five years of racing and he was beating $40,000 to $50,000 claimers so I took a chance on him.”

The majority of Town Gossip’s earnings came from his time in the New York Sire Stakes as a youngster. A $25,000 yearling buy, the American Ideal gelding made over $155,000 in his first season.

As a 3-year-old Town Gossip went postward 17 times and hauled in almost $270,000 and took his mark of 1:49.2 at Philadelphia Park for trainer Jennifer Bongiormo. The horse won a $77,300 NYSS at Saratoga and a $55,000 NYSS at Batavia. He captured a $104,000 state bred stake at Tioga Downs, a $35,800 division of the Simpson at Philadelphia and was second in the $200,000 New York Sire Stake Final at Yonkers. He also made the 2021 Little Brown Jug final after finishing second in his elimination.

Town Gossip banked just under $80,000 as a 4-year-old while racing in high-end conditioned events at Pocono, Yonkers, the Meadowlands and Philadelphia.

The horse was sent to Indiana under the care of trainer Tyler George for his 5-year-old campaign and was claimed by Perry in his fourth start at Hoosier Park. Since then he’s collected over $66,000 for Perry.

Ice storms cause Hawthorne to cancel

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 03:22:18 GMT

Ice storms cause Hawthorne to cancel

She’s Magical No. 1, (Mike Oosting) pulled off an upset in her Hawthorne Open pace victory over the 1-2 favorite Trick of The Light) on Sunday night. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

Due to unsafe road conditions expected from ice storms Monday’s harness racing at Hawthorne was cancelled.

The outcomes in Sunday’s Hawthorne features certainly didn’t go as expected. Upsets came about in both Opens for pacers and in each it was the horse assigned the pole position that produced the surprising outcome.

Defending ICF Age Pacer of the Year He’zzz Wise Sky brought a four-race winning streak into the $11,100 headliner Sunday for male pacers and none were closer than a two-length winning margin, so the betting public confidently set he front-stepping John Fil0momo trained star off at overwhelming odds of 1-9.

On a windy (18 mph) and chilly (20 degrees) night, his backers were all smiles heading into the stretch after modest fractions of 29.2, 58.1 and 1:26.3. Plus, the pocket horse was the 12-1 longshot Town Gossip beaten an average of six lengths by the Illinois stud in their previous three starts and Town Gossip’s more heralded Perry Smith stable mate Round Here Buzz was far back after going off stride and not making the gate.

However, on this night He’zzz A Wise Sky came up empty, weaking in the stretch as Town Gossip, nicely handled by Casey Leonard, shot past leader with ease and went on to a four length victory in 1:54.3. Round Here Buzz (Mike Oosting) rallied to be non-threatening third.

The 6-year-old American Ideal $26.80 winner is owned by his trainer Perry Smith if Crete, Illinois.

Perry was back to greet the track photographer four races later after his 5-year-old mare She’s Magical took advantage of a two-hole journey from Mike Oosting and wore down the heavy favorite Trick Of The Light (Travis Seekman) in the final strides.

The 1-2 favorite, fresh off a comfortable 1:53 flat triumph two weeks earlier in a Hawthorne distaff Open, had to work hard against a stiff wind to make the front when the winner, and the early second choice in the betting Marvelous Marshia (Todd Warren) also sprinted out at the start.

First, She’s Magical had the lead, then Marvelous Maricia grabbed it away in the first turn, and it wasn’t until about a third of the way done the backstretch that Trick Of The Light got command.

Marvelous Maricia appeared to take a bad step not long after the half mile pole, reached in a slow time of :59.1, and went off stride. Trick Of The Light then opened up the lead to about three-plus lengths when She’s Magical took over the pocket.

Oosting waited until inside the eighth pole to tip She’s Magical out and the daughter of Rockin Image mare responded nicely, capturing a neck decision in the 1:5.4 mile.

Bluebird Deacon defending Hawthorne Open title

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 14:21:48 GMT

Bluebird Deacon defending Hawthorne Open title

Bluebird Deacon looks to repeat his winning performance from two weeks ago in Monday’s $11,100 Open Trot at Hawthorne. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

There’s a new reining champion in Hawthorne’s Open trotting ranks with fresh legs and an impressive local debut on his

résumé.

We’re talking about Bluebird Deacon from the Midwest division of the Erv Miller stable.

The now seven-year-old gelding looks to make it make-to-back triumphs in Hawthorne’s $11,100 Open Trot Monday night and his regular driver Atlee Bender is coming to town to handle the Swan For All gelding,

Bluebird Deacon is owned by Atlee’s wife Hanna and has been a solid money-maker from the get-go for the Noblesville, Indiana couple since he was acquired in October of 2022.

Two weeks ago, Bluebird Deacon uncorked a quick 26.2 last quarter on a chilly winter night to prevail in his initial start of the Hawthorne meeting with a 1:56.1 clocking with Kyle Wilfong at his lines.

Atlee likes what he saw from Bluebird Deacon in his January 8th win and has no problem with the trotter landing tonight’s outside five post.

“I like the way the draw came out,” said the 31-year-old ender. I think Bluebird Deacon is best when he comes from out of it. You can leave with him but then he doesn’t seem to have the same big late move that he has when you take him back at the start and race him reserved.”

Bluebird Deacon’s win came in his second start back after missing almost two months of racing.

“He was sick earlier and even was bleeding through his Lasix. He needed some time off to get back healthy, so we stopped with him for seven weeks. He’s fresh and healthy now.”

Posts were drawn up by groups with the Steve Searle stable’s Lousdobb (Travis Seekman) getting the one and stable-mate Loulita (Mike Oostng) the two. Double A Goldfish (Casey Leonard) from the barn of Terry Leonard was assigned the three.

The Jim Eaton trained Perlucky, a multi-winner of Hawthorne Open trots will likely be sprinting out from the four with driver Brandon Bates. The 9-year-old gelding was parked out through the entire 28 flat first quarter a couple of weeks ago to make the top and faded to third in the late going.

Double A Goldrush had plenty of trot in the final panel (27 flat) and was second best to Bluebird Deacon, beaten less than one length.

Bluebird Deacon was originally a $72,000 purchase as a yearling when he joined the Jay Cross stable. Unraced as a 2-year-old, at 3 he put together a very successful campaign, hauling in over $120,000 in purse earnings with $62,500 of that amount coming with a second-place finish in the $270,000 Indiana Sire Stake Super Final at Hoosier Park.

In 2021 as a 4-year-old, the trotter made 23 starts for Cross, making over $50,000 before going into the 2022 Hoosier Classic sale in October.

“When we learned he was going into the sale, Heather and I were interested in buying him and having a horse of our own to race,” said Atlee. “We went to the sale and made the purchase.”

Bluebird Deacon won his debut for his new stable in a high condition event at Oak Grove and two stars later took a $21,000 at the Kentucky venue, beating the likes of Illinois champions Annas Lucky Star and Louzotic.

In his first full year for the Miller stable Bluebird Deacon put another $43,660 on his card, spending the first half of the year on the east coast, predominantly at Yonkers and Pocono Downs when he was driven by Hanna’s brother Marcus.

The horse made two stops that year at Hawthorne and had a second and third in high-level condition races before heading to Indiana where he competed mostly in Opens, winning one and finishing second in another.

Bluebird Deacon’s 2023 mark of 1:53.3 came in September when he nosed-out his highly regarded stable-mate Ponda Adventure for Atlee with a 26.4 final panel.

Perry rewarded with one-time risky claim

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sun, 21 Jan 2024 14:46:56 GMT

Perry rewarded with one-time risky claim

Perry Smith’s Round Here Buzz goes postward in Sunday’s featured Open Pace at Hawthorne. (Four Footed Fotos

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

Anyone who is a follower of horse racing knows that all the gambling on the sport doesn’t come from the racetrack’s mutuel system. There has always been plenty of horsemen’s money changing hands through the track’s claiming box as well.

Like any other form a of betting, sometimes they win on a claim and sometimes they lose.

In the case of Perry Smith’s talented pacer Round Here Buzz, the long-time Midwest trainer came out a big-time winner when he took a bit of a risky move back in September of 2022, plucking the Arache Hanover gelding out of a $50,000 claiming event at Hoosier Park.

“Round The Buzz was a four-year-old then,” said Perry. “So, I had to pay $62,500 for him because of his age allowance. And I made the claim in September that year, so it was more of a risk. But I watched the horse overtake $40,000 and $50,000 claimers week after week. Also, he was a young horse with not that many races under his belt (42) and had a mark under 1:50 so I took a chance.”

Over $120,000 in purse earnings later Perry is happy he did but admits: “I’ve had my share of claims that went the other way, too.

“I have 21 horses right now and it’s been hard to get them raced in the wintertime, “said the long-time Crete, Illinois resident with two Balmoral Park training titles, and a pair at Maywood Park, on his list of accomplishments among his 1,896 winners as a trainer.

Perry also has 700 winning drives although at the age of 72 he would be the first to admit he isn’t to add to that total. He drove on the Chicago circuit in the late 1970s and the 80’s before he pretty much became a full-time Illinois trainer.

Round Here Buzz won his initial start of the new yar two weeks ago in an Open II event at Hawthorne and the usual late-rushing pacer surprisingly did it in the front end for driver Mike Oosting.

The stalwart of the Perry Smith stable has his work cut out for him tonight. He’ll take on the streaking Illinois champion He’zzz A Wise Sky (Kyle Wilfong), and others, in Sunday’s co-featured $11,100 Open Pace. Round Here Buzz did draw nicely in the five-horse field with the two slot for Oosting. Stable-mate Town Gossip (Casey Leonard) has the pole position.

The Husted stable’s Macdavid (Todd Warren) landed the three-post in Sunday’s third race and Mr Charisma, runner-up to He’zzz A Wise Sky on December 29th has the four.

He’zzz A Wise Sky, assigned the outside five-slot, has rattled off four consecutive Hawthorne Open triumphs and no doubt will be a heavy favorite to extend his most recent winning streak. The now 7-year-old home bred was a 12-time winner in 2023 for trainer John Filomeno and Triple ZZZ Stable of Beecher, Illinois.

For races later on the card is the $11,100 filly and mare Open Pace and a rematch between the two Indiana bred mares Trick Of The Light (Casey Leonard) and Marvelous Marshia (Todd Warren), winners of the last pair of local distaff Opens.

Drawn by groups, She’s Magical (Mike Oosting) was allocated the pole position. Kizzzmelikeumissme (Kyle Wilfong) drew the two while Lady Angel (Kyle Wilfong) procured the three. Bombay Parkway (Casey Leonard) was assigned the four, Marvelous Marshia the five, and Trick Of The Light the outside six.

Hawthorne’s Sunday card is cancelled

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 13 Jan 2024 21:18:54 GMT

Hawthorne’s Sunday card is cancelled

The Gary Rath trained Illinois bred champion Fox Valley Ozzy (No. 3) was looking to get back on the winning track in Sunday’s ninth race at Hawthorne that was cancelled. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.A.A.

Old Man Winter waited a little longer to unload on northern Illinois this harness racing season. Nevertheless, when he did deliver there was no holding back. It was a powerful one-two punch.

Blizzard like conditions dumped loads of snow this weekend and that was followed by extremely frigid weather conditions.

Monday’s schedule program was smartly cancelled by Hawthorne management when the entries drawn last Wednesday were sparse because many trainers simply didn’t want their horses drawing in air that is expected to dip between 10 and 20 degrees below zero.

Sunday’s 13-race card originally was a “go” but Saturday afternoon the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association and Hawthorne wisely negated that card as well, stating: “After careful and thoughtful review, in consideration of the heath and overall safety of horses and horsemen, have decided to cancel racing on Sunday due to dangerous cold and freezing conditions. “

A decision will be made in the upcoming days whether to carry over this Sunday’s schedule program to next weekend or replace it with a new drawing on Wednesday morning.

Winter racing in Illinois is awfully hard on the horses and horseman alike. We had a chance to chat with some Illinois based trainers on their concerns of winter harness racing in the Prairie State.

“It can be rough for both horses and horseman,” said long-time trainer Perry Smith who has a barn of 20-plus horses. “I think the toughest part in winter for a trainer comes in preparation. I wake up in the morning and don’t know how the track is going to be. Am I going to be able to train any horses that day?

“Bad weather can send a trainer back a day or more,” continued the Crete, Illinois resident with five decades as a horseman. “Sometimes you just don’t have good enough weather to get them ready to be raced. You have to keep a close eye on the upcoming weather forecasts and plan accordingly.”

Jamaica Patton trains his horses at Springfield, a short distance from his home in Rochester, Illinois.

“The Springfield crew do a decent job with the track at wintertime but sometimes the weather conditions just make it not possible to get any training done. There’s no use in complaining about it. For me, I just go with the flow and do the best I can when the bad weather arrives.

“Shipping your horses to Hawthorne can also be a problem at times in the winter. You don’t know how the roads are going to be or if a snowstorm is coming your way.”

Veteran conditioner Jim Eaton, who trains at the Sawgrass Farms Racing Center in Crete, Illinois (nae Balmoral Park) says his biggest concern regarding winter racing isn’t about horse racing people like himself, but the horses.

“Sometimes you have a hard track in the winter, and if the weather turns bad it can get slippery out there and a horse can hurt himself. Also, I worry some about horses on Lasix. If it gets too cold, some horses will bleed through the Lasix. I know, I have a few.

“As far as horses breathing in harsh cold air, I am of the opinion that because of horses’ long noses and long necks, by the time that cold air gets down to their lungs it gets warmed up some. I don’t think it affects them as much as a lot of people think it does.”

Monday (January 22) Racing Cancelled

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Sat, 13 Jan 2024 20:46:22 GMT

Due to unsafe road condition expected from the pending ice storm, racing has been cancelled for tonight, Monday, January 22.

Patience pays off for Bluebird Deacon

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 03:10:41 GMT

Patience pays off for Bluebird Deacon

Bluebird Deacon (No.5, Kyle Wilfong) overtook his foes in the late going in Monday’s featured Open Trot at Hawthorne. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

A patience drive from Kyle Wilfong paid off with a come-from-behind victory for Bluebird Deacon in Monday’s featured $11,100 Open Trot at Hawthorne.

The now 7-year-old Swan For Swan gelding looked to be out of it when the seven-horse field turned for home but the Erv Miller trained trotter came from sixth, some six lengths off the lead, to uncock a 26.2 final quarter and post a three-quarter length victory over Double A Goldrush (Casey Leonard) at the end of a 1:56.1 mile.

Rockyroad Aldo (Bobby Smolin) got his nose in front of Annas Lucky Star (Mike Oosting) to be third.

Just as he did in the last two Hawthorne trot Opens, Rockyroad Aldo was the fastest from the gate, taking command going to the first turn. Perlucky (Brandon Bates), looking for his third consecutive front-end Open triumph, left from the assigned outside six-post but couldn’t clear Rockyroad Aldo until part way down the backstretch.

After a 28.3 first panel, Bates was able to slow things down with 30.3 and 30.1 middle quarters while Bluebird Deacon ($4.80) trailed all but the earlier breaking pacer Maple Grove Mangin. field.

Wilfong had Bluebird Deacon on the move going into last turn but was three-deep, still in sixth with two horses in front of him and three more to his inside, when the Indiana bred found another gear and swept past in his first start of the new year for owner Hanna Miller Bender of Noblesville, Indiana.

Former Hawthorne Open trot champion returns

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 14:44:28 GMT

Former Hawthorne Open trot champion returns

Double A Goldrush (Casey Leonard) returns to Hawthorne after more than three-year absence in Monday’s $11,500 Open Trot (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

The veteran Indiana bred trotter Double A Goldrush may have been an infrequent visitor to Hawthorne Racecourse through his first eight racing seasons, however when he has competed on its one mile oval, he certainly has been productive.

Now a 10-year-old the Elegant Man gelding is making just his fourth start at Hawthorne in his very successful career in Monday’s featured $11,100 Open Trot and he came away a winner in his first three local starts.

Casey Leonard is reunited with Double A Goldrush in the second race feature. You have to go back to July of 2020 for the last time Casey drove the winner of 41 races in 202 trips to the starting gate.

Double A Goldrush’s first Hawthorne start came in February of 2019 when his long-time trainer Ross Leonard steered the trotter to victory. Racing tonight out of the Terry Leonard barn, Double Gold Rush won in February of 2022 with Travis Seekman at his lines.

Double A Goldrush will leave from post three Monday night with Casey in an eight-horse field drawn by groups (1-2) (3-6) (7) for Terry, who shares ownership of the seasoned trotter with Michael and Laura Lee of Bensenville, Illinois. He’ll begin his 2023 campaign with a lifetime bankroll of $450,461, with over $400,000 of his earnings money accrued at Hoosier Park.

The Leonard stable trotter will open as the 9-2 third choice. The ultra-consistent Jim Easton trained Perlucky (Brandon Bates) is the early 2-1 favorite.

The Erv Miller stable’s Blue Deacon (Kyle Wilfong) is next, listed at 5-2 after a needed start at Hoosier, a little more than a week ago. The now 7-year-old Swan For All gelding is owned by Hannah Miller Bender, who along with her husband Atlee, are the managers of the Midwest Division of the always strong Erv Miller stable.

The first two Open trot slots belong to Loulita (Travis Seekman) and Maple Grove Mangin (Kyle Husted). Kim Roth’s Rockyroad Aldo (Bobby Smolin), the third-place finisher in his last four Hawthorne Opens, will leave from the four slot.

Illinois longtime trotting queen Annas Lucky Star (Mike Oosting) starts from post six for trainer Nelson Willis. Now 10, “Anna” is less than $15,000 shy of the $700,000 plateau in lifetime purse earnings for breeder and owner Danny Graham of Salem, Illinois.

Bright Debut for New Barn: Trick Of The Light, nicely handled by Kyle Husted, was an easy winner in her first start for the Virgil Morgan Jr. stable, in Hawthorne’s featured $11,100 filly and mare Open Pace.

The now five-year-old daughter of Odds On Equuleus sprinted away from the five-post in the six horse field, and Kizzzmelikeumissme (Kyle Wilfong) did the same from the pole position. Trick Of The Light cleared to the front coming out of the first turn and was racing comfortably at the 28.3 first quarter. Husted had a firm hold on the 1-2 heavy favorite through the second panel with Trick Of The Light’s expected chief threat Marvelous Marcia, winner of the last two distaff Opens at Hawthorne, sixth and last, some seven lengths off the leader.

Trick of The Light stepped things up in the third quarter that went in 28.1 with Marvelous Marcia now on the move but the 2-1 second choice in the wagering was too far back and the winner had plenty left for the stretch drive, finishing the mile in 1:53 flat, three lengths ahead of the runner-up Kizzmelikeumissme. Marvelous Marcia was third best.

Trick of He Light’s victory was her fourth in a row and her first for Odds On Racing of Boca Raton, Florida, who purchased the Indiana bred mare last month. It was also the winner’s initial start in Illinois.

Driver Mike Oosting changed tactics with Round Here Buzz ($11.40) and the result was a front stepping victory in the $9,500 Open II pace for trainer and owner Perry Smith of Crete, Illinois.

The 6-year-old Round Here Buzz usually could be found coming off the pace but instead was sent out by Oosting, getting command at the quarter pole (29.1) and going on to a one-length win over the pocket horse Hello Sweet Boy (Travis Seekman).

The 60-1 longshot Rockin Pulse (Wyatt Avenatti) came on strong in the late going to finish third, another length behind, in the 1:53 flat mile.

Hawthorne’s distaff Open just got stronger

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sun, 07 Jan 2024 14:24:53 GMT

Hawthorne’s distaff Open just got stronger

Indiana champion Trick Of The Light (Mike Oosting) makes her Illinois debut in Sunday’s filly and mare Open Pace at Hawthorne. (Dean Gillette Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.A.A.

There’s a new challenger in the Hawthorne filly and mare Open pace ranks to current champion Marvelous Marshia and she has the credentials to be a major force in Sunday’s third race feature.

Making her first career start for the Virgil Morgan Jr. stable is the now five-year-old mare Trick Of The Light who has piled up purse earnings of over a half million dollars in just three years of racing in the Midwest.

The Odds On Equuleus mare was a sales acquisition by Odds On Racing of Boca Raton, Florida in mid-December after capturing her third consecutive victory at Dayon Raceway in Ohio for trainer Ron Burke. Trick Of the Light’s last win came in a $25,000 Open in 1:51.2. She took her mark of 1:50 flat at Scioto Downs last August.

Trick Of The Light and Marvelous Marshia drew for the outside five and six slots in Sunday’s feature with the latter landing the farther post. Mike Oosting is back to guide Marvelous Marcia while Kyle Husted gets the catch drive behind Trick Of The Light, the 9-5 morning line favorite.

Both are five-year-old pacing mares with a history between them. The talented twosome competed against each other in Indiana Sire Stakes as two and three-year-olds. Trick Of The Light beat Marvelous Marcia as a freshman however the Always A Virgin prodigy finished ahead of her rival each time they met in their second seasons.

A good hunk of Trick Of The Light’s $513,83 career earnings ($125,000) came when she in 2021 won the $270,000 ISS Final in her last start as a 2-year-old while under the care of trainer Brian Brown.

As a 3-year-old, Trick Of The Light competed on the Grand Circuit for Brown, second best by a neck in the Nadia Lobell and a close up fourth (beaten less than two lengths) in the Mistletoe Shalee) championship racing first over.

Trick Of The Light was sold and changed barns in 2023, first racing for trainer Noel Daley at the start of the year, winning high level conditioned races at the Meadowlands and Yonkers before joining the Ron Burke stable where she competed in Miami Valley Opens and then racing in Ohio’s Scioto Downs, Northfield Park, and Daytona Raceway venues.

Trick Of The Light was bought for $50,000 as a yearling while Marvelous Marcia went for $42,000 at the same Hoosier Sale.

Marvelous Marsha joined the Jim Eaton Stable after her last race at Hoosier Park in early December and promptly had impressive back-to-back triumphs in Hawthorne Opens for her McGahan native trainer.

Last week Marvelous Marshia unleashed a quick 27.1 last panel with Mike Oosting at her lines to win in 1:54 flat. A week earlier she was first to go three-wide and still prevailed in 1:53.1 in her Illinois bow.

The strong Indiana bred duo will be challenged by Kizzzmelikeumissme (Kyle Wilfong), Brooke’s Ocean (Brandon Bates), Roan By Design (Travis Seekman) and Bombay Parkway (Casey Leonard), the runner-up to Marvelous Marshia in the last two local distaff opens.

The supporting cast on Sunday’s eleven race card includes a $9.500 Open II event for horses that did not finish first or second in an Open in their last start, basically written to keep out ICF champion He’zzz A Wise Sky, winner of the last four Hawthorne Opens, from competing this weekend.

The conditions also kept the Hector Herrera stable’s Mr Chrisma on the sidelines after a game second place effort a week ago against He’zzz A Wise Sky.

The Open II, which was drawn by groups (1-3) (4-7,) does have a solid and competitive field comprised of Rockin Pulse (Wyatt Avenatti), Fox Valley Cayman (Brandon Bates) and Sweet Truth (Kyle Wilfong), along with Knights Templer A (Juan Franco), Round Here Buzz (Mike Oosting), Hello Sweetie Boy (Travis Seekman) and Town Gossip (Casey Leonard), in that order.

Eaton doubles up in Hawthorne Open trot

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Mon, 01 Jan 2024 14:14:32 GMT

Eaton doubles up in Hawthorne Open trot

Perlucky (Casey Leonard) looks for his third Open trot victory at Hawthorne in Monday’s feature race. 9Four Footed Fotos).

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

Illinois Harness Racing Hall of Fame trainer Jim Eaton will double-up on his chances to have a winning horse in Sunday’s featured $11,100 Open Trot at Hawthorne.

A good portion of the public’s wagering money will go to Eaton’ s ultra-consistent trotter Perlucky, who has been a steady-money maker all season ($!09,508) and at Hawthorne he’s been no worse than third (just once) in seven starts, winning twice and the runner-up on four occasions.

Eaton will also send out the 3-year-old trotter Caldrone, a recent addition to his stable. Eaton’s long-time owner Robert Siberberg dished out $85,000 at a sale last month to purchase the well-regarded trotter who didn’t fare well in his initial Hawthorne start, finishing a far-back fifth a couple of weeks ago.

However, there was a reason for the trotter’s disappointing Hawthorne debut.

“He was too aggressive,” revealed Eaton. “He broke his choke plate in half when making a big move on the backside and was done before the last quarter of the mile.”

Caldrone went from seventh to second in the second quarter but pushed himself so hard and had nothing left for the stretch drive.

Caldrone went from sixth, about eight lengths behind to second, two lengths behind the front stepping Rockyroad Aldo who trotted middle quarters of 28.2 and 27.4 after a slow 30.2 first panel.

“Caldrone has plenty of talent, but I have my work cut out to curb his aggressiveness,” continued Eaton. “He’s a completely different horse off the racetrack. He’s gentle as can be. He’s a wonderful horse to be around but that all changes on the racetrack. He wants to beat those other horses, but he’ll have to

be less aggressive to do it.”

Unraced as a two-year-old, the Chapter Seven prodigy has won seven races in his first campaign, including a division of the Simpson stake, while banking nearly $80,000 before being bought by Robert Silberberg of the Farmington Hills, Michigan, also the proprietor of Perlucky.

The two Eaton trained trotters will start at opposition ends at the starting gate. The draw was by groups, one through four and five through eight and it went well for Caldrone (Kyle Wilfong) who landed the pole position and not so much for Perlucky (Casey Leonard). He will leave from the outside eight slot.

In between you’ll find Never Mind N (Todd Warren), Reign And Shine (Wyatt Avenatti), Maple Grove Mangin (Brandon Bates), Annas Lucky Star (Mike Oosting), Talk About Valor (Travis Seekman) and Rockyroad Aldo (Bobby Smolin), in that order.

A victory for Perlucky would be the Lucky Chuck gelding’s 40th in seven seasons of racing. His career earnings of $727,116 are tops in the eight-horse field. Illinois long time trotting queen Annas Lucky Star is next with $685,251 amassed for owner and breeder Danny Graham of Salem, Il. The Cassis mare’s 63 lifetime wins are far and away the most in the field.

The now 9-year-old Talk About Valor will be making his first start for trainer Gerald Hanson since the first week of November. The Yankee Valor gelding earned another $60,000-plus for Monee, Illinois owner Shelley Steele in 2023 after back-to-back seasons as the Illinois Aged Male Trotter of the Year.

Favorites prevail in Hawthorne Opens

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 30 Dec 2023 14:03:40 GMT

Favorites prevail in Hawthorne Opens

He’zzz A Wise Sky (Kyle Wilfong) won his fourth consecutive win Friday night in Hawthorne’s $11,100 Open Pace. (Four Footed Fotos )

By Mike Paradise

He’zzz A Wise Sky and Marvelous Mystery concluded their 2023 campaigns with convincing repeat victories in their respective Open Paces Friday night at Hawthorne.

He’zzz A Wise Sky’s (Kyle Wilfong) triumph was his fourth straight Open local triumph. The former Illinois Harness Horse of the Year finished the year with a gaudy record of season wins in exactly half of his outings and all 12 victories in 24 starts came in Open paces or ICF championship events.

The John Filomeno trained home bred stallion will enter his seven-year-old season in 2024 with over a 50 per pent lifetime winning clip, going 48 for 102 while raking in almost $668,000 for his Beecher, Illinois owners Triple ZZZ Stable.

As expected, Wilfong hustled He’zzz A Wise Sky out from the assigned outside seven-post as the starting gate wings flew open and as anticipated, the even money pacer had company. Hello Sweetie Boy (Travis Seekman) flew out from the six-post and Mr Charisma (Brandon Bates) was full of pace exciting out from the four-slot.

He’zzz A Wise Sky was three-wide through the first turn before clearing the eventual pocket horse Hello Sweetie Boy. With the temperature at freezing (32 degrees), a 28 flat first quarter was sufficient to take command. There were no changes in the race when the son of Yankee Skyscraper hit the half-mile pole in 56.2. After the three quarters (1:24.1) the outcome wasn’t in doubt.

He’zzz A Wise Sky pulled away and won in 1:52.3 while the three-hole horse Mr. Charisma rallied past for runner-up honors over Hello Sweetie Boy.

Marvelous Again: A couple races earlier on the eight-race program in the Open for filly and mare pacer, driver Todd Warren was content to take the even-money favorite Marvelous Marsha back to fifth and last through the early going as Kissmelikeumissme (Kyle Wilfong) got away with a comfortable 29.1 first quarter on the front-end.

Kizzzmelikeumissme stepped things up in the second quarter, pacing a 28 flat panel with Roan By Design (Travis Seekman) in the pocket.

Soon after the 57 half Warren put Marvelous Marsha on the move and out of last. The Jim Eaton trained mare picked up live over when the 3-year-old filly Stormy Serena came out of third, following the Ohio bred invader through most of the third quarter, timed in 1:26 flat.

In the lane Marvelous Marsha ($4.00) took an outside lane and kept gradually gaining ground on the early leaders. In the last sixteenth f the mile, the 4-year-old Always A Virgin mare sprinted past with authority, winning by one length in 1:54 for her second consecutive Hawthrone Open victory.

Marvelous Marsha is owned by William C. De Long Clinton, Wisconsin) and William P. De Long of South Beloit, Illinois.

Illinois trainer gets much more than a thanks

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 14:22:57 GMT

Illinois trainer gets much more than a thanks

Marvelous Marsha (inside) and Bombay Parkway, the one-two finishers in last week’s Hawthorne distaff Open, square off again Sunday night. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Most of the time when someone does a favor for someone else, the usual reply is a thank you. However, there are instances when the response is totally unexpected and much more than just thanks.

That was the case for Illinois Hall of Fame trainer Jim Eaton who recently welcomed the newest addition to his barn. She’s Marvelous Marsha, the 7-5 morning line favorite in Sunday night’s $11,100 Hawthorne Open for filly and mare pacers.

“The last night of the Hoosier meet I had a couple of horses in and Marvelous Marsha raced there for the De Long’s. They asked me if I would also van their 4-year-old mare Marvelous Mystery back with me to Illinois and I said I would.

“Later I got a text from them saying why don’t you just put her in your barn and race her in Illinois. I gladly accepted their offer, knowing she’s a very good mare and had a terrific season as a three-year-old.”

In 2022, Marvelous Mystery was one of the top Indiana bred pacing mares when she raced under the care of former Illinois based trainer Roger Welch, winning 7 of 15 starts, mostly in the rugged Indiana sire stakes, and amassed $188,660 for owners William C De Long (Clinton, Wisconsin) and William P. De Long.

The Always A Virgin mare, out of the Sportsmaster broodmare Honey’s Luck, won two $50,000 Indiana Sire stake legs and was a close-up third in Hoosier Park’s $270,000 Super Sires Stake championship, beaten only by a neck while pacing in 1:51.1. Earlier that summer she took her mark of 1:50.1 on the Indiana racetrack.

Marvelous Marsha didn’t begin her 2023 season until September. A month later Tabatha De Long took over her training duties.

Marvelous Mystery was an impressive winner in her first start for Eaton a week ago in a Hawthorne Open with Todd Warren at her lines. The mare was handclapped with the outside seven slot but easily overcame it with a first-over three-wide winning move, pacing the mile in 1:53.1.

Friday night she was again allocated the outside post by the Hawthorne Racine Office but since there are only five starters, it shouldn’t be much of a deterrent.

“She’s a nice horse to be around,” said Eaton. “She’s a big filly. I mean really big. She got around Hawthorne just fine. I’m very happy to have her in my barn.

Taking on Marvelous Marsha tonight are Roan By Design (Travis Seekman), Stormy Serena (Brandon Bates), Kizzzmelikeumissme (Kyle Wilfong) and the late rushing Bombay Parkway (Casey Leonard), in that order.

The newcomer in the field is the 3-year-old Ohio bred filly Storm Serena, now trained by her co- proprietor Mark P’oole of Anderson, Indiana who shares ownership with Dolna Farm Servies of Indianapolis, one of the breeders of the Fear The Dragon Filly.

Stormy Serna spent the year competing in Ohio sire stakes and in early September captured the $100,000 Ohio Sire Stake Championship at Scioto Downs for trainer Melanie Wrenn. The filly hasn’t raced since going unplaced in a division Hoosier’s Park’ Pegasus stakes.

However, the talented filly qualified at Hawthorne 12 days ago in 1:56.2, crushing that field by more than a dozen lengths. Her Trackmaster Rating of 89.72 is tops among tonight’s Open field horses. Marvelous Marsha is next at 85.89.

A chat with driver Brandon Bates

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sun, 24 Dec 2023 14:33:28 GMT

A chat with driver Brandon Bates

A happy Brandon Bates gives a “thumbs up” to fans after one of his many winning drives. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

Brandon Bates is thoroughly enjoying driving at the current Hawthorne Racecourse meeting and by the looks of the driver standings and the number of opportunities the 48-year-old Ohio native is getting, trainers are very happy he made the move to compete in Illinois as well.

Brandon’s winning percentage at Hawthorne is a lofty 22 per cent, tops among all drivers. While he, or for that matter anyone else is going to catch Casey Leonard (77 winners) as the meet’s leading driver, Bates had four winning drives last night and moved into second place 59.

Bates has been among the leading drivers at Hoosier for several years and was third in their driver standings before he made the decision to compete at Hawthorne.

“I enjoyed driving at Hoosier, but I got some days for a track violation that I didn’t agree with and that soured me. I’ve driven at Hawthorne in the past and enjoyed it, so I decided to drive there for their meeting.”

It’s not a decision that Brandon has regretted.

“I’m enjoying it. The horsemen there have been very supportive, and I’ve been impressed with the dedication they have for their horses.”

Brandon’s services have been in demand. He was listed on 20 different horses to drive in Saturday’s card before he whittled it down only to pick-up more catch drives and will compete in all 15 races tonight.

Bates has been known as a “patient” driver and he is, but not always.

“Every race and every horse are different. There are times when you have to be aggressive out there, then again there are times when it makes sense to be patient with your horse. I think you need to be versatile to be successful.”

In an era where horse racing relays are readily available, Bates takes full advantage of the situation.

“After the races my routine is to go home and watch the replays, particularly with the drives that I didn’t do well with. Maybe I can pick up something that I can do better with that horse the next time.

“Preparation plays a big part in being a successful driver. Studying the program and watching replays are essential.”

Speaking of the Hawthorne program, Brandon has his own thoughts on some things that can be improved.

“If you’re going to have a Trackmaster race, keep it strictly a Trackmaster race. Adding other conditions or claimers to it skews the race. I realize they want to get as many horses raced on a card but sometimes those added conditions can slant the race.

“I think the Trackmaster ratings are going in the right direction, but it needs to get better. I believe it’s about a four-week delay between a horse’s start and getting the information of that race on the horse’s current rating. Right now, that’s too long. They’ve got to get that time in between shorten.”

I agree, what happened a month ago isn’t a big deal when handicapping a race. The current form, however, is a big deal.

A Merry, Healthy and Safe Christmas to all our readers.

Pre-holiday Hawthorne card a big hit

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 23 Dec 2023 14:04:28 GMT

Pre-holiday Hawthorne card a big hit

Perry Smith’s former Open champ Play Me Rock (Travis Seekman) goes postward in Hawthorne’s Saturday’s feature. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.A.A.

When a horse racing secretary takes a look at the entries for a particular program, it’s sort of like partaking in a Christmas Grab Bag undertaking. . . you don’t know just what you’re going to end up with.

Hawthorne’s Race Secretary Robin Schadt had to be stunned by the sheer volume submitted for a late winter card. The number that arrived for this Saturday’s program turned out to be a lot more than anyone expected. . . a lot more.

Over 170 horses were entered, and the vast majority will get to compete tonight because the program has been expanded to a king-size 15 race extravaganza. As they say, the more the merrier, especially at Christmas time.

An uncommon Saturday program came about when the Christmas holidays fell on Sunday and Monday this year. With no racing on those days, a single pre-holiday Saturday program was carded instead. Eleven of the 15 races are 9 or 10 horse fields, which should delight the gimmick players.

While there are no Open’s on the card (none were written on the Hawthorne condition sheet), there still are many top-notch horses going to the gate.For example, the sixth race for non-winners of $5,001 (ICF $6,250) in their last four starts lured two talented pacers from the Perry Smith stable—Play Me Rock (Travis Seekman) and stablemate Round Here Buzz (Mike Oosting). They’ll start side-by-side with posts 4 and 5, respectively.

Play Me Rock was a two-time Hawthorne Open winner earlier in the meeting while Round Here Buzz was holding his own in $100,000 claiming events at Hoosier Park. Both have lifetime marks under 1:50 and interestingly, the same Trackmaster ratings of 90.41.

Three-time Illinois Horse of the Year Fox Valley Gemini (Casy Leonard) returns to the races after more than a month off to take on the Perry Smith duo. Fox Valley Crete (Juan Franco), Marshall Malone (Wyatt Avenatti), Sweet Truth (Kyle Wilfong), Copper Teen (Bobby Smolin), Tookadiveoffdipper (Todd Warren), Star Commander N (Matt Avenatti) and Fox Valley Cayman (Brandon Bates) complete the solid field.

The eighth race for fillies and mares with the same NW of $4,000 (ICF $5,000) last four conditions as their male counterparts will possess six of its nine starters from this season’s Hawthorne Opens has its participants. They are Kizzmelikeumissme (Kyle Wilfong), Martha Max (Todd Warren), She’s Magical (Mike Oosting) Dandy’s MNM (Bobby Smolin), JD’s Queen Lori (Brandon Bates) and Bombay Parkway (Casey Leonard)

Ideal’s Nicole (Phil Knox), Roan B Design (Travis Seekman) and Lorraine Smoke (Kyle Husted) are the other aspirants in the race.

Tough Post to Buck: The last seven races on tonight’s card carry 10-horse fields. Thus far of the 86 starters from Hawthorne’s 10-hole, only three have crossed the finish line first, a meager 3.5 winning percentage.

Looking Ahead: Next week’s racing schedule will have a card on Friday, December 29th to make up for the lost program on this week’s Christmas schedule. Hawthorne will also race on Sunday, December 31st and Monday, January 1st.

Entries for next Friday’s and Sunday programs close Tuesday, December 26th. Entries for the Monday, Jan. 1st card close on Thursday, December 18th.

Hawthorne’s filly and mare open returns

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 14:16:48 GMT

At nine, Annas Lucky Star still sparkles

The Nelson Willis stable’s Annas Lucky Star (Mike Oosting) shows her winning form in Monday’s Open II trot at Hawthorne, (Four Foot Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Illinois long-time trotting queen Annas Lucky Star may be nearing the end of her 9-year-old season as a racehorse, but the pride of the Nelson Willis stable still knows how to win races.

The even-money favorite came on with a rush in the stretch to comfortably capture her second straight Hawthorne victory in the $8,500 Open II trot with Mike Oosting in the bike. It was the seventh win of the year for Annas Lucky Star, the 63rd in her brilliant career, as she continues to close in on $700,000 in lifetime earnings. She’s a little more than $15,000 short.

Despite leaving from the pole position, Oosting was satisfied to let the 10-1 longshot Rockyroad Aldo (Bobby Smolin) shoot out to the lead and tucked his Cassis mare into third in the early going. Rockyroad Aldo only needed a 30.2 first quarter to be maintain command before then sped things up a bit, covering the second quarter in 28.2.

Calderone (Kyle Wilfong) came from sixth to challenge the leader at the half and it appeared that Annas Lucky Star could be bottled-up inside, however the pocket horse Never Mind (Todd Warren) made a break and even though the winner was third, about four lengths from Rockyroad Aldo, Oosting had a clear shot at the leader heading into the stretch drive.

Annas Lucky Star used an inside path to zip to the front and pulled away, winning under a hold by three lengths over a fast-closing Lousdobb (Travis Seekman) at the end of the 1:56 flat mile. Dash Of Luck (Brandon Bates) rallied for third.

Annas Lucky Star is owned by her breeder Danny Graham of Salem, Illinois.

Marvelous Debut: The $11,1000 Open for filly and mare pacers followed and the 4-5 favorite Marvelous Marsha (Todd Warren) left no doubt she was the best Monday night, prevailing rather handily in 1:53.1 in her debut for the Jim Eaton Stable.

The Hoosier Park invader was assigned to the outside seven slot but that didn’t affect the four-year-old Indiana bred mare.

She’s Magical (Travis Seekman) seized the early lead (28.4) and on the backside Fox Valley Kia (Phil Knox) made a bold move, coming out of the four-hole, to attempt to grab the lead, however the 3-year-old ICF filly couldn’t clear. Todd Warren smartly hustled Marvelous Marsha from fifth to be second over at the 56.3 half-mile pole.

When the field turned for home, Warren had Marvelous Marsha perfectly situated for the stretch drive. The Always A Virgin mare zipped past for a three-quarter length victory, her third in 10 season starts for owners William O. De Long (Clinton, Wisconsin) and Williams P. De Long (South Beloit, Illinois).

Bombay Parkway (Casey Leonard) came on strong for second place and Brooke’ Ocean (Brandon Bates) also rallied nicely for third.

Hawthorne’s filly and mare open returns

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 14:05:51 GMT

Hawthorne’s filly and mare open returns

Kizzzmelikeumissme (Mike Oosting), fresh off two consecutive wins, steps up to Hawthorne’s distaff Open Monday night, (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.A.A.

Boyed by a strong influx of horses from Indiana, Hawthorne’s Open for fillies and mares returns Monday evening after a four-week absence.

With the 2023 Hoosier Park meeting ending last weekend, a large number of horses entering Hawthorne events increased substantially. Of the 103 horses going postward Monday evening 33 per cent didn’t make their last start in Illinois, with the vast majority of those coming over the state lines from Indiana.

Sunday’s Hawthorne card, like Monday’s, was a jammed pack 12-race program with eight of its dozen races either a nine or 10 horse field.

Perry Smith’s She’s Magical (Mike Oosting) and the Jim Eaton stable’s Marvelous Marsha (Todd Warren), the two mares allocated the outside six and seven horse posts in tonight’s fourth race headliner, are among the Hoosier Park invaders.

They’ll be tested by last year’s ICF filly champion Fox Valley Kia (Mike Oosting), along with Brooke’s Ocean (Casey Leonard), Bombay Parkway (Todd Warren), Kizzzmelikeumissme (Mike Oosting), and Apple Valley (Juan Franco).

Fox Valley Kia, assigned the one-slot, has spent the last month and a half competing at Hoosier Park while racing out of the barn of former Balmoral Park leading trainer Ken Rucker where she was a two-time winner in a pair of different series showdowns for owner Julie Collins of Bullhead, Arizona.

She’s Magical, a 4-year-old daughter of Rockin Image, has 10 season wins to go along with a half-dozen seconds and five thirds, boasting a $132,428 season bankroll.

Marvelous Marsha, a winner of almost $190,000 as a three-year-old is making only her tenth start at the age of four and she comes off some strong recent efforts in Indiana. The Always A Virgin mare had a 1:52.2 victory on November 25th, and followed with a third placing earlier this month with a 26.4 last panel, and a game runner-up finish nine days ago, the last two in Open 3 events.

Both Michele Morgan’s Brooke’s Ocean, and Kizzmelikeumissme, trained by John Filomeno, bring two-race winning streaks into the Monday headliner.

A race earlier on the program is a $8,500 Open II trot, limited to horses who have not won an Open in either of their last two starts.

The eight-horse competitive field consists of Annas Lucky Star (Mike Oosting), Justa Hintof Spice (Brandon Bates), Lousdobb (Casey Leonard), Dash Of Luck (Brandon Bates), Calderone (Casey Leonard), Loulita (Casey Leonard), Never Mind N (Todd Warren) and Rockyroad Aldo (Robert Smolin), in that post-position order.

Both the Mark P’Pool trained Dash of Luck and Calderone, from the barn of Jim Eaton, are making their Hawthorne debut. The 3-year-old Calderone was a recent purchase by Robert Silberberg of Farmington Hills, Michigan.

Chalk Up Another: He’zzz A Wise Sky had little trouble extending his latest winning streak to three in a row in Sunday night’s $11,100 Open Pace.

The John Filomeno six-year-old home bred did it in his usual front-stepping way but with a little different strategy from driver Kyle Wilfong. He’zzz A Wise Sky, assigned the outside nine-post, was one five horses sprinting away from the starting gate but instead of keeping on going with the 3-5 favorite, Kyle wisely let the field settle in and then asked The Yankee Skyscraper stud for another gear once the first turn was cleared.

He’zzz A Wise Sky responded in a big way, powering past the early leader and eventual second place finisher Hello Sweetie Boy (Travis Seekman), and into command. The first quarter went in a moderate 28.2 while the winner covered the second panel in 27.4, getting to the half in 56.1.

Just as he did in his last two Open wins, knowing his horse is just as fast in the turns as he is in the straightaways, Wilfong sent He’zz A Wise Sky scampering to a quick 27.1 third quarter, opening up the lead and had plenty left for a two and one-half length triumph in 1:53 flat. Hello Sweetie Boy at 23-1 odds, was second best while the 13-1 longshot Town Gossip (Wyatt Avenatti) grabbed third place honors.

The victory was He’zzz A Wise Sky’s 11th in 23 season starts and his 47th in 101 lifetimes trips to the starting gate for his owners Triple ZZZ Stable pf Beecher, Illinois.

Hawthorne’s leading driver Casey Leonard brought home five more winners Sunday while Kyle Wilfong had a three-bagger.

Several deserving horses for top ICF honor

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sun, 17 Dec 2023 14:09:54 GMT

Several deserving horses for top ICF honor

The Triple ZZZ stable’s He’zzz A Wise Sky is among those horses in the mix for Illinois highest harness racing honor. Terry Young photo

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

It’s been a fascinating year for state-bred horses as far as balloting for the upcoming 2023 Illinois Horse of the Year is concerned in the fact that there are a number of horses who deserved to be in the conversation for the honor.

We talked about the 3-year-old Desirare Seekman trained trotter Goomster last week with now 16 season wins and two seconds and over $158,000 in purse earnings for West Salem, Illinois owner Dennis Gardner.

We be remiss if we didn’t mention such gifted Illinois breds as the 3-year-old male pacer Fox Valley Landen, the sophomore filly pacer Fox Valley Leah, the 2-year-old colt Gorgeous Big Guy and of course, the aged pacer He’zzz A Wise Sky.

All are a cinch to be named the best in their respective divisions. Whether the criteria to take the top prize consists of money won, number of victories, winning percentage, and caliber of competition, both in and out-of-state, they all have impressive credentials in most, and some instances all, of those categories.

“Of course, I would love for my horse to win it,” said He’zzz A Wise Sky’s trainer John Filomeno. “There are others that deserve it, too. Let’s give credit where credit is due, all the horses you mentioned also had great years and anyone of them that got the award would be okay with me.”

Hezzz A Wise Sky had another banner year for John and the other members of the Triple ZZ stable. Thus far the six-year-old home bred has put another $133,102 on his 2023 card, boasting a record of 10 wins, 7 seconds and one third in 22 starts with more to come.

“I want to keep racing him at Hawthorne though the winter meet,” said Filomeno. However, John knows full well that racing his star pacer in Illinois on a consistent basis hasn’t been the case.

“My horse has been written out (by the Hawthorne Race Office) a few times and this year we didn’t start racing at Hawthorne this year until mid-September. I did get a chance to race him at Springfield and Du Quoin (in their aged Illinois bred championships).”

The Yankee Skyscraper pacer out of the Filomeno’s broodmare Gimmeazzzmooch won the State Fair championships rather easily in sub 1:50 miles.

He’zzz A Wise Sky competed in Indiana and in Minnesota this year where he won the $50,000 Dan Patch open company pace. Last season He’zzz A Wise Sky had to compete in three different Ohio tracks, at Hoosier, and in Kentucky because there simply weren’t a lot of opportunities to perform here in Illinois.

“It doesn’t matter who he races against, He’zzz A Wise Sky gives you everything he’s got in every start. It’s been unbelievable that our little homebred colt goes out there and hangs tough with some of the best horses. There was a time when we didn’t know if he would even live.”

John was referring to the colt’s 2-year-old season when he was found to be suffering from the neurological disease equine protozoal Myel encephalitis (EPM).

“The day before we sent him to the University of Illinois the horse couldn’t take three steps before falling. He was in that bad of shape. My dad and I even talked about putting him down. I called the U. of I. Vet school to see if they could help, and they said send him down here and they’ll see what they can do.

“We did and they treated him and three weeks later we had him back. They said he’s at where horses they treated for six months would be.”

He’zzz A Wise Sky began his racing career in August that season and won 5 of 7 races and nearly $80,000. One season later as 3-year-old he was named the 2020 Illinois Horse of the Year, winning 9 of 18 starts, Hawthorne’s Night of Champions Incredible Finale final and earning over $122,00.

Sunday night the gifted homebred returns to racing after a one-week rest and a strong test awaits. He was assigned to the outside nine-slot in the deeper than usual $11,1000 Open.

From the one-slot down the sixth race feature features Shavertown (Todd Warren), Town Gossip (Wyatt Avenatti), Hello Sweetie Boy (Travis Seekman), Fox Valley Ozzy (Gary Rath), Fox Valley Gemini (Casey Leonard), VP Rockin (Juan Franco), Round Here Buzz (Mike Oosting), Mr Charisma (Brandon Bates) and He’zzz A Wise Sky (Kyle Wilfong).

2024 memberships are now available.

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 21:06:04 GMT

2024 memberships are now available. Your 2023 membership will conclude on Dec. 31. Click here for a 2024 application

2024 Membership Application.pdf

November Board Meeting Minutes

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 20:25:30 GMT

Cordarius Stewart cashes in for 2023

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 13:59:47 GMT

Cordarius Stewart cashes in for 2023

Cordarius Stewart’s engraving of “Cash Deposit” on his helmet was right on the money for the 2023 racing season. Terry Young photo

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Cordarius Stewart will concluded his breakout year as a driver this weekend at Hawthorne Racecourse. The 29-year-old Mississippi native took advantage of an opportunity to drive the Erv Miller stable’s Midwest Division youngsters in Illinois this season and as the old cliche says: “Knocked it out of the Park.”

This is only the sixth full-time racing season for Cordarius and the likeable young man has come a long way. Two years ago, Stewart had 52 winning drives, in 2023 he’s at 112. His money won has jumped from $359,376 in 2021 to $842,602. His UDRS rating has scored from .147 to .327.

It’s one thing to get an opportunity to display your talent, it’s another to rise to the occasion and prove that you belong. Cordarius has done just that.

How did Stewart’s chance to drive for the Miller stable come about?

“I got a phone call from Atlee Bender (Erv’s Midwest division trainer). He said he would be driving the barn’s horses in Indiana this year and asked if I want to handle the stable’s horses in Illinois.”

How long did it take you to answer Atlee? “No long, that’s for sure,” said Cordarius laughing. “It was a great opportunity to drive lots of good horses.”

Cordarius had abundant success with the Miller barn’s ICF 3-year-old filly pacer Fox Valley Leah, an Illinois Horse of the Year candidate. He drove and won a division of the ISFCS at Springfield, the Pronto Don at Du Quoin and a Cardinal split with the top-notch state-bred trotter Niko’s Man. Stewart also effectively guided other Miller talented wining youngsters like Fox Valley Durham, The Magical Woman, and Illini Belle, among others.

Then came the opportunity to steer some of the Miller stable’s older horses in Hawthorne Opens, and he won with the Australia bred pacing mare No Fee No Win A, trotters Big Christian and Ponda Adventure, and the Aussie star pacer Ilikemebetter A.

Did one of Miller’ horses stand out to him more than some of the others?

“Not really,” he answered. “There were so many that were so good. Atlee and his wife Hanna would ship them to Illinois fit and ready to go. It was a pleasure to drive them.”

Cordarius season’s achievements wasn't limited to just the Miller stable horses. He won numerous races for Illinois horseman Kevin Miller; he drove the Nelson Willis trained Fox Valley Kodiak to his Incredible Finale stake consolation win and followed that on the same mid-October night by steering the Steve Searle barn’s Honoloulou to her Fox Valley Flan stake consolation triumph.

One of Cordarius most memorable drives came with the Carroll Hays trained six-year-old mare Reign and Shine on Hawthorne’s Night of Champions. Largely ignored at the betting windows at 11-1 odds in the $45,000 Carl Becker Memorial for aged ICF trotter mares with the likes of Funky Wiggle and Annas Lucky Star in the field, Cordarius sent his trotter out from the outside five slot.

“I knew I wanted to go out with her,” said Cordarius. “She finished strong the week before when those of the mares got the jump on us. “

Reign And Shine was parked out to a quick 28.2 first quarter in the championship by Funky Wiggle but once Cordarius settled his horse in on the front end, he slowed things down with 30.3 and 29.4 middle quarters and his mare’s 28.1 last panel was plenty good enough for a 1:57 flat victory by more than two lengths.

Cordarius’ nickname by his follow horsemen is C.D. “It stands for Cash Deposit,” said the Mississippian. No doubt there were some ample deposits made this year.

“I’m leaving after this weekend for Mississippi to see my family. Then it’s off to Florida for the winter to work for the Miller stable.”

Cordarius didn’t have to mention that he’s looking forward to the warmth of Florida over the upcoming blustery winter of northern Illinois.

That was a given.

It’s Goomster Again : The Illinois bred three-year-old trotter Goomster (Travis Seekman) rolled to his 16th season victory Monday night in Hawthorne’s $11,100 Open Trot.

The Desirae Seekman trained gelding took command on the backside and went unchallenged the rest of the 1:55 flat mile Perlucky (Casey Leonard) was second best, beaten almost two lengths and Rockyroad Aldo (Robert Smolin) finished third.

Goomster us now 16 for 20 with four seconds in his sophomore campaign and increased his earnings to $158,084 for West Salem, Illinois owner Dennis Gardner.

IHHA Update

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 23:06:34 GMT

IHHA has scheduled a Tele-Townhall Meeting

Please join us for an Illinois horsemen's tele-town hall meeting this Wednesday at 7pm.

If you are a member who submitted their phone number with their membership, we will call you at approximately 7pm to join.

For those horsemen who may not be members but would still like to participate, please call 630-756-6915 at 7pm on Wednesday, December 13th.

Goomster good enough for top ICF honor?

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 13:55:55 GMT

Goomster good enough for top ICF honor?

Goomster (Travis Seekman) will be looking for season win No. 16 in Monday’s Open trot at Hawthorne. (Patricia Fryman Photography)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

How good is the three-year-old Illinois bred trotter Goomster? Very good, would be the correct answer. But has he been good enough in his sophomore season to be named the 2023 Illinois Harness Horse of the Year?

The Desirae Seekman trained Cassis offspring certainly must be in the conversation and another win in Monday’s second race Open trot will no doubt boost the trotter’s chances.

Goomster put together a very strong freshman campaign when he earned over $120,000 for owner Dennis Gardner of West Salem, Illinois and finished first or second on 9 of his 12 starts, earning the ICF two-year-old male trotter of the year award.

This year he’s been even better.

Goomster has banked over $150,000 and has a whopping 15 first place finishes in 20 starts with four seconds. He’s missed being in an Exacta only once all year, a fourth-place finish back in mid-November at Hoosier Park when he raced first over part of the mile against open company.

Goomster has not just dominated his Prairie State division. After capturing the $90,000 Erwin F. Dygert Memorial final on Hawthorne’s Night of Champions with his season long driver Travis Seekman, the talented trotter ventured to Hoosier Park where he won a $20,000 series trot and an $20,000 Open 3 event.

Goomster came back to his home state in the latter part of November when he finished second to the Erv Miller stable’s well-regarded trotter Ponda Adventure in a Hawthorne Open and then went on to post victories in his next two races, a high-level conditioned pace and last week’s Hawthorne’s Open by almost six lengths.

Goomster will open as the prohibitive 4-5 favorite in Monday’s second race. He was assigned the outside post but with only five horses going to the gate that should not be a problem. The trotter has shown he doesn’t need the lead to make it three consecutive victories at Hawthorne.

Goomster’s main threat appears to be the Jim Eaton stable’s Perlucky again and. As usual, he’s a lock to scoot away from the starting gate. Perlucky has had the lead in all his recent Hawthorne starts.

Rockyroad Aldo likely will make his presence felt leaving from the pole position with driver Robert Smolin. The Kimberly Roth trained 6-year-old most likely will be pushing the early pace.

Lousdobb (p.p. 2, Mike Oosting) will be making his first start in about a month while Primed And Powerful (p.p. 3, Brandon Bates) obviously needed his latest outing after being sidelined for about seven months.

From Last to First: T aking advantage of a fast early pace by others, the 15-1 longshot Mr Charisma came roaring down Hawthorne’s long stretch to finish first in a three-horse photo in Sunday’s $11,100 Open pace.

Patiently handled by Brandon Bates, Mr. Charisa left from the outside post in the eight horse and raced last through much of the contest as the 70-1 longshot RJ Rock (Robert Smolin) took the feature field to a brisk 27.1 first quarter and then the 3-5 favorite Round Here Buzz (Mike Oosting) had command at the half, timed in :55.4.

Mr Charisma ($32.60) still trailed with the length of the stretch to go. However, the Hector Herrera trained five-year-old gelding found in his stride in the last eight of the mile and nipped runner-up Macdavid (Todd Warren) and Round Here Buzz in the final strides of the 1:52,2 mile for winning owner Garcia Power Inc., of Crete, Illinois,.

Early Hawthorne feature a smart move

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sun, 10 Dec 2023 14:42:55 GMT

Early Hawthorne feature a smart move

Juan Franco takes over the lines on Captain Sleaze in Hawthorne’s Sunday $11,100 first race Open Pace. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Hawthorne’s Race Office made an interesting decision to begin Sunday’s nine race card with its best event as the opener. It’s an unusual choice and one that this author believes was a good idea.

Why not offer harness racing wagering to fans across the country your best from the get-go? Perhaps some will switch from another racing venue to bet on it and maybe a number of them will stay on for more of the Hawthorne card.

Saving your best for last, ala Balmoral Park in the past on its Super Nights, never made much sense. After five or six hours of racing most on-track players are “tapped-out” The richest Super Night race of the gala evening was only viewed, and bet on, by a very small percentage of what earlier was a very large crowd and the result of sometimes a $300,000 race was much too late to be printed in the major Chicago newspapers.

With the reigning Hawthorne Open champion He’zzz A Wise Sky getting a well-deserved rest after three tough consecutive weeks of racing, the door was left ajar for another horse to come in with an “up for grabs” event and win the weekend feature.

Eight solid pacers passed the entry box for the $11,100 first race that was drawn for groups. The first two posts went to RJ Rocks (Robert Smolin) and Marshall Malone (Cordarius Stewart), respectively.

Slots three through eight when then drawn. They’ll be manned by Round Here Buzz (Mike Oosting), Captain Sleaze (Juan Franco), Tookadiveoffdipper (Casey Leonard), Macdavid (Todd Warren), Hello Sweetie Boy (Travis Seekman) and Mr Charisma (Brandon Bates), in that order.

Macdavid and Captain Sleaze were the second and third place finishers last weekend against He’zzz A Wise Sky while Hello Sweetie Boy beat the Illinois champion on November 20th. Both Tookadiveoffdipper and Mr Charisma come off easy victories in Hawthorne’s higher level conditioned paces.

The morning line lists Round About Buzz (3-1) and Macdavid (7-2) as the pre-race favorites and your author agrees.

Round About Buzz is a one-time Illinois circuit horse who has blossomed into a sub 1:50 pace (a mark of 1:49.3 at Hoosier Park) who should love Hawthorne’s long stretch. The gelding has had some wicked late closes in recent races with a 27 flat last quarter the slowest in his last four starts.

Mike Oosting is reunited tonight with Round the Buzz for owner and trainer Perry Smith of Crete, Illinois, a former Chicago circuit leading conditioner who is nearing 2,000 winning horses out of his barn.

Oosting returns Sunday night to his home state with over 7,300 dash winners in his career, many coming earlier in this decade when he often dominated the Balmoral Park driver standings.

Round The Buzz, a Aracache Hanover offspring out of the Illinois broodmare Pride Park, was bred by Terry Leonard of Harvard, Illinois and raced for the Leonard stable in 2021 and in most of 2022 for trainer Tyler George when he was owned by both Terry and Tyler, doing very well, with earnings of over $100,000.

When the horse was put in a conditioned-claiming event at Miami Valley in Ohio, Perry pounced to claim the horse for $62,000 and subsequently Smith got his money back . . . and a lot more. Round The Buzz has banked over $110,000 since acquired and he’s only five years old.

A Message from the IHHA President

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 01:00:13 GMT

A Message from the IHHA President Jeff Davis

Since being elected in September as President of the Illinois Harness Horsemen's Association, I have promised to be more transparent in our actions to help and represent our members and all involved in harness racing in Illinois. With that goal in mind, I am releasing the text of an email I sent to the Illinois Racing Board earlier today in regards to our recent racing issues at Hawthorne Race Course:

Dear Chairman Dan Beiser and the Illinois Racing Board Members and staff,

I am writing to you on behalf of the Illinois Harness Horsemen's Association (IHHA) to address some recent challenges we've encountered at Hawthorne Race Course, which have significantly impacted our racing schedule.

On November 26th, we faced a noteworthy setback with the absence of a working track conditioner (piece of equipment used to keep the racetrack surface safe and even) and issues with both starting gate vehicles at Hawthorne. This resulted in the cancellation of the day's races after a considerable delay. This incident not only disrupted our schedule but also raised concerns about the readiness of essential equipment for racing. These are safety issues that we take very seriously.

Following this, a meeting with Hawthorne representatives on November 27th, originally scheduled for routine discussions, gained added importance. I am pleased to report that for the race card held on that day, the track was well-maintained, and we had one operational starting gate vehicle.

However, on the evening of December 4th (last night), we encountered another major issue with both starting gate vehicles being non-functional. Our drivers and trainers, knowing our limited racing opportunities in 2023 and 2024, agreed to a "gentlemen's start." While this solution worked temporarily, it is not a sustainable or appropriate method for professional racing.

Today, I was informed by John Walsh of Hawthorne Race Course that they have acquired two new conditioners, which is a positive development towards resolving some of our concerns.

As the regulatory body overseeing horse racing in Illinois, we seek your assistance in ensuring that these issues are addressed promptly and effectively. The IHHA values the integrity of the sport and the fair opportunity for all participants to compete under optimal conditions. We believe that with your support, these challenges can be rectified, allowing us to resume our regular racing schedule starting next Sunday and Monday.

We appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to a swift resolution. Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to maintaining the high standards of horse racing in Illinois.

Jeff Davis

President, Illinois Harness Horsemen's Association

He'zzz A Wise Sky, Goomster breeze in Opens

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 14:39:35 GMT

He'zzz A Wise Sky, Goomster breeze in Opens

Goomster (Travis Seekman) was all alone at the finish of Monday’s $11,100 Open trot at Hawthorne. (Four Footed Fotos).

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

The old adage “If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It” holds true in most everything and that includes racing horses. Driver Kyle Wilfong used the same tactic Monday night at Hawthorne as he did a week earlier, and the result was another impressive front-stepping victory for Illinois champion He’zzz A Wise Sky in the $11,100 Open Pace.

Wilfong sent the 3-5 prohibitive favorite out from the four-slot in the five-horse co-feature, quickly grabbed the lead before the 27.2 first quarter, coasted to a 55.1 half and then opened up on the field like he did in He’zzz A Wise Sky’s previous start with a 27.1 third quarter and coasted to a winning 1:50.4 mile.

At one time in the lane the John Filomeno trained winner had a six-length lead on the pocket horse Hello Sweetie Boy (Travis Seekman) who faded to fifth at the finish as Captain Sleaze (Casey Leonard) came on for runner-up honors, some four lengths behind the six-year-old Illinois home bred at the finish.

He’zzz A Wise Sky’s ($3.20) win was his tenth of the season and the Yankee Skyscraper offsring’s 46th in at even 100 lifetime starts. It doesn’t take a math major to know that’s a sparkling 46 per cent winning clip. The win boosted his career purse earnings to just under $655,00 for his owners, Triple ZZZ Stable of Beecher, Illinois.

The race went off about 50 minutes later than scheduled because of an earlier malfunction of the starting car’s wings. From the second race on it was a “gentleman’s start” for each wingless event.

The $11,100 Open trot was next up, and it was a dominate performance from the 1-5 overwhelming favorite Goomster (Travis Seekman) at the end of a 1:55.3 mile.

Four of the trotters in the six-horse field went out for the lead with Goomster (No. 5) three wide in the first turn and Perlucky (No. 6, Casey Leonard) four deep. Goomster got to the front, but Perlucky quickly swept by and grabbed command. The Jim Eaton trained six-year-old took the field to moderate fractions of 29 flat and 58 flat with Seekman biding his time with Goomster in the two-hole.

Goomster came out in the las turn before the three-quarters pole (1:27.1) and steadily pulled away in the lane, ending up about six lengths the best over Perlucky. Trained by Desiree Seekman and owned by Dennis Gardner of West Salem, Illinois, Goomster’s win was his 15th in 19 season tries and pushed his three-year-old bankroll over the $150,000 level.

Casey Leonard shines in Hawthorne series

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 14:32:21 GMT

Casey Leonard shines in Hawthorne series

Hawthorne’s leading driver Casey Leonard guided both of Sunday’s Pop-Up series winners. (Terry Young Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

Casey Leonard completed a driving sweep of Hawthorne’s Pop-Up series for ICF freshmen horses Sunday night when he guided Lou’s Amazon and Mazin Blazin to victories in their respective events.

The Steve Searle trained Lou’s Amazon ($3.40) showed she was the best in the state-bred two-year-old trot series with her third consecutive triumph in the $20,000 final with a 1:58.2 clocking.

The race couldn’t work out any better for Casey and the daughter of Lou’s Legacy. Lou’s Amazon had a two-hole trip in the early going before the 46-year-old Harvard, Illinois native took the big filly out and rolled to the front on the backside. Once there, the outcome wasn’t in doubt. She prevailed by more than one length over Lous Enchantress (Todd Warren)

The win was the sixth in 15 season starts for the late-blooming trotter owned and bred by Flacco Family Farms of Alexis, Illinois.

Mazin Blazin’s victory in the Pop-Up series for first season male pacers was far from an easy one. The 1-2 favorite had to make up 13 lengths in the last three-quarters of the mile to be a nose better than Doctor Cruise (Kyle Husted) at the finish wire who had never got a breather in the race.

The Terry Leonard trained Mazin Blazin was still eighth and some six lengths off the lead at the three-quarter pole (1:29.3) but managed to get up in the final stride to win in 1:56, the fourth time in seven freshman starts for owner and breeder Donald Laufenberg of Highland, Wisconsin.

Casey had four winners on the night to increase his lead in the driver stands to six, 61 to 55, over Cordarius Stewart.

Twin Features: Hawthorne’s Open headliners will double-up this Monday evening.

The $11,100 Open for pacers will go as part of the early Daily Double (race two) with He’zzz A Wise Sky (Kyle Wilfong) and Hello Sweetie Boy (Travus Seekman) dueling after posting victories in their respective last starts.

The Triple ZZZ Stable’s He’zzz A Wise Sky (p,p, 5) was given a heady drive by Wilfong a week ago, opening up in the third quarter and going on to win comfortably in 1:52.3 on a track listed fast but was a bit off because of the weather conditions.

Hello Sweetie Boy (p.p. 6) is on a three-race winning streak for trainer and owner Kimberly Roth. The five-year-old gelding was scratched “sick” last Monday. A week earlier Seeman provided Hello Sweetie Boy a two-hole journey and the son of Aracache Hanover overtook He’zzz A Wise Sky in the final strides.

Looking to pull off an upset over the likely co-favorites are Machdavid (Kyle Husted), Captain Sleaze (Casey Leonard) and Fox Valley Ozzy (Gary Rath), from posts one, two, and three, respectively.

The third race Open for trotters will follow with a six-horse field consisting of Reign And Shine (Cordarius Stewart), first-time Hawthorne starter Flat Out Foxy (Kyl Husted), Annas Lucky Star (Kyle Wilfong), Rockyroad Aldo (Robert Smolin), Goomster (Travis Seekman) and Perlucky (Casey Leonard), in that order.

Hawthorne series finals pop up week later

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 14:15:29 GMT

Hawthorne series finals pop up week later

First leg Pop-Up series winner Doctor Cruise (Kyle Husted) goes postward in Sunday’s $10,000 final for ICF two-year-old male pacers. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

The second try to get a pair of the $20,000 Pop-Up series finals for ICF freshmen raced comes about Sunday night at Hawthorne after an embarrassing cancellation a week ago of most of the scheduled card when just two inches of snow fell on the one-mile oval.

The $20,000-Pop Up final for state-bred pacing fillies, won by the Terry Leonard table’s Dandy Ms Swifty, was one of the first two races that were contested after more than a one-hour delay between the events.

It’s been speculated on social media that some portions of the track were frozen last Sunday which makes one wonder was the racetrack sealed the previous night knowing some perception and dropping temperatures were on the way .

If not, why not?

Granted it was the initial night of the meeting where the temperature plunged below the freezing mark (32 degrees) but doesn’t the temperature drop below freezing for the first time every winter.

There had to be a lack of preparation by the track maintenance crew and incompetence is not an excuse.

For more than 50 years of harness racing at Hawthorne there was a better chance of the Bears winning the Super Bowl than Hawthorne cancelling a racing card due to snow or a frozen track. Many times, “the show went on” safely even with some brutal blizzard conditions.

But 1nough of my grumbling, let’s take a look at tonight’s headliners.

The fifth race series for Illinois bred first season males is an intriguing contest with a full field of ten horses with two of the likely favorites, Mazin Blazin (Casey Leonard) and Super Shark (Travis Seekman), both two-time series leg winners, landing the seven and ten posts, respectively.

Mazin Bazin (Casey Leonard) does his best racing in the stretch, so the seven slot isn’t a big deal to his chances. However, the 10-hole must be a concern for the followers of Super Shark. The youngster has sprinted out in all three of his series legs, although two were from the inside, and you can expect the Nick Prather trainee to be hustled out again.

Mazin Blazin is one of three freshmen from the barn of Terry Leonard to being going postward. Almost Gone (Kyle Wilfong) and Fox Valley Bruin (Robert Smolin), are both improving maiden stablemates who likely will offer fair odds.

Trainer Amy Husted also sends out a pair of solid contenders in Doctor Cruise (Kyle Husted) and Fox Valley Carlos (Todd Warren). Of course, the Husted pair and the Leonard trio will race uncoupled.

Boy, do I miss the days of entries when you could get two or maybe three horses in a race on one betting ticket.

Fox Valley Carlos is a Somestarsomewhere gelding out of the Sportsmaster dam Fox Valley Lyn, making him a half-brother to the Gary Rath stable’s talented ICF pacer Fox Valley Ozzy.

“I like the horse,” said Fox Valley Carlos co-owner Kyle Husted. “He’s also coming along nicely. He’s a big horse in that he’s a long horse. He trained down as a baby as well as any of my two-year-olds. Todd (Warren) will drive him Sunday. He won with the horse earlier in the year.”

Kyle will guide Doctor Cruise tonight, a first leg series winner and the runner-up to Mazin Blazin the last two legs.

“He was a late starter for us,” continued Kyle who shares ownership of the homebred with his wife Amy. “The horse is named after Amy’s grandfather who was called Doctor Cruise. He was the first horse that she ever trained.

“Doctor Cruise is a very small horse and that why he got started later than my other two-year-olds. He’s coming along very well, too. When he’s out there on the track you can see how small he is compared to Mazin Blain, a big two-year-old.”

My Buddy Steve (Cordarius Stewart), Hezarengade (Juan Franco), Ashlee’s Silver Guy (Brandon Bates) and Who’zzz This Sly complete the field.

The seventh race Pop-Up series trot final will have a heavy post time favorite in Lous Amazon from the barn of trainer Steve Searle. The sizeable freshman filly followed a second-place finish to first leg winner Change The Tune (Travis Seekman) with strong back-to-back triumphs with Casey Leonard.

Lous Amazon drew very well with the two post in a seven-horse field. The Steve Searle trained filly is gunning for her sixth first season victory owners and breeders Flacco Family Farms. The Alexis, Illinois outfit also has Lous Gambler (Clark Fairley) and Lous Enchantress (Todd Warren) going to the starting gate.

Change The Tune gets away from the four post for trainer Gerald Hansen and figures to be the main threat to Lous Amazon. Slots five through seven will be handled by Ally Baba (Brandon Bates), Honolulou (Cordarius Stewart), Gritty Gator (Bobby Smolin) and the first-time starter Slipside (Mike Brink).

New Paddock Procedures Announced

Sat, 02 Dec 2023 17:43:27 GMT

New Paddock Procedures Announced

Horses will be grouped by trainer and all horsemen will be required to post a security sign stating if a horse is or is not on Lasix.

Horsemen will still be required to check in at the same security check-in we have been using at the SE corner of Barn D.

Upon check in, horsemen will be given their stall signs to be posted.

Hawthorne will have the signs available in two different colors:

RED SIGNS indicate the horse will receive Lasix

BLUE SIGNS indicate the horse is not on Lasix

On Sunday evenings, qualifying horses will also go into Barn D and be stabled with trainer's horses that are in that evening.

Those horses will need to fill out a security sign for those in a qualifier.

For each race, horses will be brought to line up in Barn 1 so they may go out in order.

Hawthorne will be posting stall assignments for each night on their website:

https://betting.hawthorneracecourse.com/news/

December Draw Schdeule

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 16:51:20 GMT

Adjusted draw schedule for December

Because of the holiday season, there have been changes to the December draw schedule. Click here for more. 2023 Dec & Holiday draw schedule.pdf

Purses Paid for Cancellation

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 17:09:25 GMT

All purse dollars from Sunday’s cancelled races have been paid out and have been deposited into the appropriate accounts. The money has been evenly distributed between all horses scheduled to race, except horses that had been scratched. For example, a $5,000 race with 8 horses, each horse gets $625. The two $20,000 races were not included in the cancellation payout as they were postponed and will be raced next week.

Clever move keys He’zzz A Wise Sky Hawthorne win

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 14:21:17 GMT

Clever move keys He’zzz A Wise Sky Hawthorne win

He’zzz A Wise Sky (Kyle Wilfong) was a convincing winner in Monday’s Open Pace a Hawthorne. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Illinois champion He’zzz A Wise Sky was given a shrewd drive by Kyle Wilfong and the result was almost a two-length victory in Hawthorne’s $11,100 Open Pace Monday might.

Sent off as the 7-5 second choice the six-year-old speedball raced in his usual front-end style but after a 56 first half Wilfong asked He’zzz A Wize Sky to step things up for the third quarter and the John Filomeno trained gelding did, going from a one length lead to being four lengths ahead with a quick 27.3 panel on a cold (17 degrees) night.

He’zzz A Wise Sky ($4.80) only needed a 29 flat last quarter to hold off the even-money favorite Ilikemebettor A (Cordarius Stewart) and the two-hole pacer Play Me Rock (Travis Seekman), the second and third place finishers, in that order.

The victory snapped a three-race losing streak and was the ninth win on the season for the Yankee Skyscraper homebred owned by Triple ZZ Stable of Beecher, Illinois. He’zzz A Wise Sky showed that he is probably just as fast in the turns as he is in the straightaways when he increased his 2023 bankroll to $126,886 and his lifetime earnings to just under $650,000 in less than five full seasons of racing.

In Monday’s secondary feature $8,000 conditioned pace for non-winners of $4,000 in their last four starts the even-money favorite Tookadiveoffdipper (Casey Leonard) found the drop out of the Open ranks a winning move for trainer Jim Eaton and Onley, Illinois owner Jane Cross.

With RJ Rocks a late scratched, Leonard sent out Tookadiveoffdipper away from the outside five-slot and the nine-year-old gelding was three-deep throughout the first turn before settling on top with Brandon Hanover (Todd Warren) taking the pocket.

A 28.2 first quarter on the chilly night was needed to have command and Tookadiveoffdipper ($4.00) wasn’t challenged through the 56.3 half. Casey slowed things down with the Always Virgin gelding in the third quarter while Brandon Bates took Julerica out from fourth and went after the leader.

Julerica closed the gap between the two to one length at the three-quarter pole (1:26.1), however Tookadiveoffdipper took off and drew away from the field, four-plus lengths the best in the 1:55 flat mile.

Marshall Malone (Travis Seekman) came from last to win the photo for second over Julerica. Tookadiveoffdipper’s win was the first of four consecutive first place finishers for driver Casey Leonard.

Surprising end to Hawthorne’s Sunday’s card

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 03:48:12 GMT

Surprising end to Hawthorne’s Sunday’s card

Hello Sweetie Boy (Kyle Husted) looks to extend his winning streak in Monday’s Hawthorne featured Open Pace. (Four Footed Fotos).

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

Sunday night’s races at Hawthorne Racecourse ended abruptly after only one race because of unsafe racetrack conditions.

The cancellation had to come to a surprise to patrons and horsemen alike because the first Chicagoland snowfall of season was a modest two inches, it ended several hours before first post, and it had been whisked away by Hawthorne’s track crew.

The first race went off about 12 minutes late which wasn’t unusual, however it was more than one hour later when Dandy’s Ms Swifty rolled to her second race victory after leading at every pole in the $20,000 Pop-Up series final for ICF state-bred pacing fillies on a racing surface listed “good” by the stewards.

It was the second consecutive victory for the homebred Stevensville filly who was nicely rated by Casey Leonard.

Dandy’s Ms Swifty left from the five-slot in the six-horse race where it appeared her driver was looking for an up-close hole and when that didn’t materialize Casey decided to take his filly to the front, getting there just ahead of the early leader Delight Moon (Brandon Bates) at the first quarter pole that went in 30 seconds flat.

The 6-5 favorite was able to get away with another 30 second panel with the 2-1 second choice right behind her and when she wasn’t challenged a modest 29.2 third quarter was recorded. Delight Moon had dead-aim on Dandy’s Ms Swifty in the lane but couldn’t pass her, falling about a half-length short in the 1:58.3 mile.

Dandy’s Ms Swifty ($4.60) is owned by her Illinois breeders Dandy Farms Racing (Glenview and Ft Racing Stable (Glenview), along with trainer Terry Leonard (Harvard) and Peter Kouches (Palos Heights).

The long delay between the first and second race was due to “track maintenance,” according to track officials. Nevertheless, soon after the second race was official, last year’s leading Hawthorne driver Kyle Wilfong decided not to compete for the rest of the scheduled program, a strong hint that the Sunday card was in jeopardy.

Soon after, another delay notice was posted by Hawthorne. Not long after it followed by track announcer Peter Galassi declaring that the rest of Sunday’s racing program has been cancelled due to track conditions.

Racing resumes at Hawthorne Monday evening. The feature is the seven-horse sixth race Hawthorne Open and it’s probably the local meets most talented depth of pacers.

. A strong indication is that posts four through seven were all drawn, none were assigned. And you could make a case that No. 3 Captain Sleaze (Casey Leonard), a four-year-old with a season mark of 1:50.1 taken earlier at Hoosier Park belongs among in the elite foursome draw.

Recent Open winner Hello Sweetie Boy (Kyle Husted) puts his three-race winning streak on the line. To his right is Play Me Rock (Travis Seekman), a three-time 2023 Chicago circuit conqueror. Next is the Night of Champions titleholder He’zzz A Wise Sky (Kyle Wilfong), a two-time Illinois Harness Horse of the Year, and on the outside is Likemebettor A (Cordarius Stewart), another Erv Miller gifted import who won rather easily in is lone Hawthorne Open start earlier this month.

Clearchoice De Vie (Todd Warren), who hasn’t missed a check in five consecutive Hawthorne Opens, and Fox Valley Ozzy (Gary Rath), an Open II victor two starts ago, with posts one and two, in that order, complete the strong field.

Trio of Hawthorne series finals on tap

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 14:26:15 GMT

Trio of Hawthorne series finals on tap

Third round Pop-Up series winner Dandy’s Ms Swifty (inside) and Delight Moon (outside) will tangle again in Sunday’s $20,000 ICF two-year-old pacing final. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

A threesome of $20,000 state-bred freshman series finals will be decided Sunday evening at Hawthorne Racecourse and in two of the showdowns it’s anyone’s guess who will be the betting favorites at post time, let alone which horses will come out on top.

The second race Pop-Up series for ICF two-year-old pacing fillies may have only six horses going to the gate however it had a different winner in each of its first three legs—Adalecia (Travis Seekman), Time To Ryde (Kyle Wilfong) and Dandy’s Ms Swifty (Casey Leonard).

And the Tom Simmons youngster Delight Moon (Brandon Bates) was just a head short of her sixth first season triumph last week. Mattie Shark (Jua Franco) and Carli Bay (Wyatt Avenatti) are the race’s longshot hopefuls.

Time To Ryde, from the Jim Eaton stable, does her best racing up-close and the move from the seven slot to the pole position could be huge for her chances. Delight Moon shouldn’t be far off leaving from the three. Adalecia has had command in all three of her series races and likely will on be or near the front again, while Dandy’s Ms Swifty comes off a lifetime mark and possible swift early fractions by others could benefit her.

Mazin Blazin is sharp and capable of getting up in time for his third consecutive triumph. Super Shark has a pair of series wins under his belt. Then there’s Doctor Cruise (Kyle Husted) from the barn of Tim Simmons who has been first or second in all three series contests and was just a head behind Mazin Blazin last week.

Hezarengade (Juan Franco) notched a series victory in his second leg drew well with the three slot while obtaining the eight post could make tonight’s task a difficult for Fox Valley Carlos (Todd Warren) the probable swift pace will help the late rushing Amy Husted trainee who comes off a pair of close-up second place finishes.

Almost Gone (Kyle Wilfong), My Buddy Steve (Cordarius Stewart), Fox Valley Bruin (Todd Warren), Ashlees Silver Guy (Brandon Bates) and Who’zz This Sky (Brandon Bates) are longshot possibilities.

The seven race Pop-Up series trot final does have a very likely post time favorite in Lous Amazon from the barn of trainer Steve Searle. The sizeable freshman filly followed a second-place finish to first leg winner Change The Tune (Travis Seekman) with strong back-to-back successes in legs two and three with Casey Leonard.

One of three Flacco Family Farms owned and bred trotters in the field, Lous Gambler (Clark Fairley) and Lous Enchantress (Todd Warren) are the others, Lous Amazon looks to be in great shape with the two-slot as she aims for her sixth first season victory.

Change The Tune gets away from the four post for trainer Gerald Hansen and figures to be the main danger to Lous Amazon. Slots five through eight will be manned by Ally Baba (Brandon Bates), Honolulou (Cordarius Stewart), Gritty Gator (Bobby Smolin) and the first-time starter Slipside (Mike Brink).

First post Sunday is 7:10 p.m.

October Board Meeting Minutes

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 20:39:17 GMT

Toss out He’zzz A Wise Sky’s “clunker”

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 14:01:40 GMT

Toss out He’zzz A Wise Sky’s “clunker”

Illinois champion He’zzz A Wise Sky (Kyle Wilfong) looks to rebound after last week “clunker” in Monday’s Hawthorne Open Pace. (Four Footed Fotos).

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

A “clunker.”

It can occur in just about every sport. Your best pitcher can’t get out of the first inning. Your star quarterback keeps making poor decisions. Your best shooting guard keeps missing easy baskets.

It happens in horse racing as well and last weekend Illinois current best aged pacer came up with a rare “clunker:” when He’zzz A Wise Sky finished up the track at Hoosier Park in their $22,000 Open

“Sitting in the two-hole I thought he was a winner turning for home,” said his trainer, John Filomeno. “Then I said “oh, oh,” he just doesn’t have it.”

“It was just one of those nights,” continued Filomeno. “It’s only happened a handful of times in his racing career. The good news is he’s sound and he’s not sick. I think he’ll rebound this week (in Monday’s Hawthorne Open).

It’s no secret He’zzz A Wide Sky is most relaxed and is at his best on the front-end but when a longshot pushed the six-year-old to a torrid 26 flat first quarter and the eventual winner (Billy Clyde) powered past and went to a 53.2 first half, were those blistering fractions the reason for the Illinois champion was on empty in the stretch?

“Naw,” answered John. “I watched him parked out to 25 and a piece and go on to win that race. It was just of those nights where he wasn’t himself.”

He’zzz A Wise Sky (Kyle Wilfong) was designated to the outside six-slot in the sixth race $11,000 Open by the Hawthorne Race office. An assigned outside post usually brings about the morning line favoritism but that isn’t the case Saturday night.

The computer-generated morning line has Hello Sweetie Boy (Travis Seekman) the 5-2 pre-race favorite after two straight Hawthorne triumphs wins in conditioned paces, including last week’s 1:50.4 lifetime mark for Crete, Illinois owner and trainer Kimberly Roth.

He’zzs A Wise Sky is listed next at 3-1, followed closely by Clearchoice De Vie (Todd Warren) who was allocated the pole position. Fox Valley Ozzy (Gary Rath) opens at 4-1 with the two post, Tookadiveoffdipper (p.p.4, Casey Leonard) is at 9-2 and Get E Up (p.p. 5, Kyle Husted) the longshot of the race at 7-1. Posts two through five were drawn.

Your author listed He’zzz A Wise Sky at 4-5 odds in his morning line as a “solid play.”

There are two other Open contests on Hawthorne’s Saturday card, the second race trot and the fourth race filly and mare pace.

Back after a week off in the “penalty box” for winning two consecutive Hawthorne Opens is the Jim Eaton stable’s Perlucky (Casey Leonard) with the outside slot in the six-horse race.

Ponda Adventure (Cordarius Stewart) who stepped in nicely for the Midwest division of the Erv Miller stable with a comfortable victory in last week’s Hawthorne Open II with a 1:55 flat clocking, starts on Perlucky’s left.

Scorecard Dan (Brandon Bates), Jack Vernon (Todd Warren), Goomster (Travis Seekman) and Rockyroad Aldo (Robert Smolin) round out the solid field of trotters.

The distaff Open will see the reappearance at Hawthorne of the Miller stable’s Australian bred No Win No Feed (Cordarius Stewart). The eight-year-old mare took air from the 54:4 first half on in her November 6th local debut and still was won by one and one-half lengths in 1:52.3.

Bombay Parkway, a four-year-old Illinois bred mare who starts slow but comes on with a rush in the lane for trainer Mike Brink, was second best to No Win No Feed two weeks ago and she procured the pole position.

The first three slots were drawn with Skeeter Machine (Travis Seekman) getting the two and Dandy’s MNM (Kyle Husted) the three. Hawthorne newcomer Uncut Gem (Kyle Wilfong), a 1:51.1 victor this season at Scioto Downs, was allocated the four while two-time Illinois Aged Pacing Mare of the Year Fox Valley Exploit was allotted the five.

Pop-Up series favorites prevail at Hawthorne

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sun, 19 Nov 2023 14:47:54 GMT

Pop-Up series favorites prevail at Hawthorne

Mazin Blazin (outside, Casey Leonard) edged Doctor Cruise (Kyle Husted) in Saturday’s third leg of Hawthorne’ Pop-Up series for freshman pacers. (Four Footed Fotos).

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Two-year-old ICF pacing Pop-Up Series betting favorites Mazin Blazin and Super Shark rewarded their many supporters Saturday night to set up next Sundays awaited $20,000 showdown.

After trading victories in the first two rounds of the Hawthorne series Donald Laufenberg’s Mazin Blazin got the best of his ICF rival Doctor Cruise in Saturday’s third leg contest for series for state-bred two-year-old pacers, but just barely.

Well handled by Casey Leonard, the 3-5 favorite Mazin Blazin ($3.40) to advantage of a second over journey behind Doctor Cruise (Kyle Husted) and beat the Amy Husted trainee in the final strides by a head with a 1:55.3 clocking, more than two seconds off the home bred pacer’s previous fastest mile.

Both Leonard and Husted were content to take their respective horses back at the start as the 50-1 longshot Downtownleroybrown (Bobby Smolin) hurried out to a quick lead from the pole position with a 28.2 first quarter with Doctor Cruise racing fifth and Mazin Blazin sixth and last.

Hezarengade (Juan Franco) made a quarter move to take over command and slowed things down a bit with a 30 flat second quarter. On the backside, Doctor Cruise was first to pull with Mazin Blazin doing the same, right behind him. These two battled side-by-side down Hawthorne’s long stretch with Mazin Blazin’s better trip likely contributing to his narrow victory.

It was a much easier victory for Super Shark ($4.80) in his Pop-Up division. Driver Travis Seekman gave the Nick Prather trained freshman a flawless pocket-trip behind the pacesetting Who’zzz This Sky and the son of Revenged Shark did the rest, holding off the late changers of Fox Valley Carlos (Kyle Husted) and Fox Valley Bruin (Todd Warren), the second and third place finishers, in that order, by about one length.

Lous Amazon (Casey Leonard) made it back-to-back wins in the third leg of the Pop-Up series for Illinois freshman trotters, this time in 2:00 flat.

The Steve Searle trainer winner showed early speed to get the lead and gave it up to Change The Tune (Trvis Seekman) after a modest 31.1 first panel. Casey waited for the stretch drive to get the big filly out and rolling and she was more than one length better at the finish. Moppie Mooss (Gary Rath) came on strong to nip Change the Tune for runner-up honors.

Round Three Coming Up: The third and last leg of the Pop-Up series for state-bred freshman filly pacers will go as the eighth and final race on Sunday’s card.

First leg winner Adalecia (Travis Seekman) and second round conqueror Time To Ryde (Kyle Wilfong) will tangle for a second straight week. Adalecia drew the better of the two with the four post but Time To Ryde got away nicely a week ago from the nine-hole and turned the pocket trip into a 1:56.1 victory. While it’s no sure-thing, it’s likely the Jim Eaton trained two-year-old will be asked by Wilfong to sprint out in a hurry once more.

The Jamaica Patton trained Adalecia was a 1:56 flat front-end winner two weeks ago and probably will be the one to catch again. The home-bred will open as the 5-2 favorite. Time To Ryde is listed at 4-1 in the morning line.

Dandy’s Ms Swifty should also get plenty play with the pole position for driver Casey Leonard. The Terry Leonard trained juvenile has been showing good late speed in recent races and no doubt was hurt last week when the front stepping Adalecia strolled to a soft 59 flat half.

Delight Moon (Brandon Bates), Karatop Mooss (Todd Warren). Mattie Shark (Juan Franco), Carli Bay (Wyatt Avenatti) and Peaceloverocknroll (Bobby Crivokapich Jr., a first-time starter, are the other series aspirants.

New series winners keep popping up

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 18 Nov 2023 13:44:44 GMT

New series winners keep popping up

Pop-Up freshman series winner Hezarengade (No. 1), driven by Juan Franco and Fox Valley Carlos (Kyle Husted) compete in separate divisions Saturday night at Hawthorne. (Four Footed Fotos).

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

Maybe the naming of Hawthorne’s current Pop-Up Series was right on target after all. As we head into Saturday’s third round of ICF two-year-old series it’s clear that new winners keep popping up.

Each of this weekend’s Pop-Up Series divisions have seen the first leg victors go down to defeat in the second phase, and some as the prohibitive favorite.

The freshman state-bred trot grouping saw Lous Amazon (Casey Leonard) even the score with first leg upset winner Change The Tune (Travis Seekman) a week ago. Let’s see which youngster his successful this time around or will it be one of the dark horse candidates:

In the freshman pacing series divisions, both Super Shark (Travis Seekman) and Doctor Cruise (Kyle Husted) were overwhelming favorites and didn’t disappoint the “chalk” players.

However, it was a different story the second time around. Again, both were set off as heavy wagering favorites and each failed to reward their many supporters.

Super Shark was fifth in the six-horse race, producing a $772 payout on the 20 cent Superfecta. Doctor Cruise was given a “how-slow-can-I-go” journey on the front-end (1:31.3 for the three-quarters) and came home in a quick 26.3 last quarter only to see Mazin Blazin fly past with an even quicker 25.3 last panel.

They’ll line-up side-by-side in Saturday’s first race with Doctor Cruise with the five-post and Mazin Blazin with the outside six as the very likely co-favorites.

“Mazin Blazin is a huge horse,” said his driver, Casey Leonard. “He’s raced well all season, especially earlier at Springfield. He had some growing up do to and he’s coming along nicely. He’s from a successful family of Illinois bred horses. “I’m looking forward to see what he can do as a three-year-old.”

Mazin Blazin’s dam Finance The Farm was a very good filly earlier this century. She won almost $100,000 as a three-year-old, capturing the Springfield championship (1:51.2) and a division of Du Quoin’s Time Dancer stake, both with Ronnie Marsh at her lines for Wisconsin owner and breeder Donald Laufenberg.

The Matt MacKenzie trained Hezarengade (Juan Franco) looked very good a week ago with a second leg victory in 1:55 flat drew nicely with the two-slot for Charleston, Illinois owners Mike Titus, Mitchell Titus, and Dennis Wright,

Downtownleroybrown (Robert Smolin), Ashlees Silver Guy (Brandon Bates) and My Buddy Steve (Cordarius Stewart) are the first division longshot hopefuls.

The second colt and gelding freshman sixth race group is headed-up by Super Shark (Travis Seekman) who looks to bounce back from last week’s disappointing finish for trainer Nick Prather.

Awaiting the Revenge Shark gelding is U S S Ark (Robert Smolin), the improving Fox Valley Bruin (Todd Warren), Whoz’zzz This Sky (Wyatt Avenatti), Fox Valley Carlos (Kyle Husted) and Almost Gone (Casey Leonard).

The third leg of the Pop-Up series for first season state-bred trotters is another match-up between first round winners Lou Amazon (Casey Leonard) and Change The Tune, with posts 5 and 6, respectively, in the seven horse field.

A possible sleeper in the race is Moppies Mooss (Gary Rath) with a flat mile from the Lindy’s Tru Grit youngster. Landing the one slot tonight could be huge for gelding who has been hurt by outside posts in his last five starts, never drawing better than the six.

Also looking to pull off a surprise win in the trotting division is Lous Gambler Clark Fairley), Lous Enchantress (Todd Warren), Honoloulou (Cordarius Stewart) and Gritty Gator (Robert Smolin).

One thing is certain in the series trot. The winner will be either a son or daughter of Lou’s Legacy or Lindy’s Tru Grit since all seven starters were sired by one or the other Illinois based stallions.

Racing Day Update

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 20:51:41 GMT

Change in Upcoming Racing Dates

At today's (Thursday, Nov. 16) Illinois Racing Board meeting, the change we anticipated was finalized. Recently, due to many two-year-olds getting turned out and many stables heading back down South, there has been a shortage of horses to fill three nights of racing. While no one necessarily likes losing a day, the reality is that we should not lose any racing opportunities and we should see an increase in nightly handle. Given the choice of racing 24-25 races over three nights or racing them over two nights was part of the thought process. For the complete schedule click here. ihha notice - race dates.pdf

Miller stable has ample Hawthorne replacements

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 14:41:34 GMT

Miller stable has ample Hawthorne replacements

Open Pace champion Western Era (Cordarius Stewart) returns to Hawthorne Monday night. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

In any sport, and that includes horse racing, having quality depth is a big advantage to continuing success and that’s the standard for the Midwest Division of the Erv Miller stable.

A week ago, the Miller stable sent out Australian breds No Win No Feed and Ilikemebetter and both came up with Open convincing victories at Hawthorne, the former in the mare division and the latter in the male pacing grouping.

Both won’t be back this week since the Hawthorne Race Office didn’t write an Open I on its Monday conditioned sheet and instead went with a trio of Open II events with the stipulation that any horse with an Open win in his or her last start is not eligible.

No problem for the Erv Miller stable. They had replacements ready and able to step for their stable-mates and both are good enough to be handicapped by the Race Office with the outside posts in their respective events and very likely will be the post time favorites.

New to Hawthorne is the Miller stable’s Ponda Adventure (Cordarius Stewart) and this four-year-old trotter has dazzling credentials. In her sophomore campaign the Swan For All mare hauled in $13,560 in purse money and went 14-for-16, often competing against elite companies.

At one time Ponda Adventure won 10 consecutive races at Hoosier Park, mostly in Indiana sire stakes, and a $35,388 division of the Horseman stake. After three straight second place finishes, one in the $90,000 Langley stake and another in the $270,000 ISS Super Final, he proved best in his $28,500 Pegasus division and in a $30,000 Circle City split.

The gelding’s only out-of-the-money outing was a seventh-place finish in the $200,000 Erskine. However, he then rebounded to end his second season of racing with wins in the $57,000 Star Destroyer and the $56,000 Thanksgiving Classic. His last five starts were all in Open company added money events.

Monday night Ponda Adventure leaves from the outside eight-slot for owners the Engel Stale of Northbrook, IL, Louis A Willinger (Louisville, Ky), and Jerry Graham (Salem Illinois),

He’ll face a solid field of local trotters consisting of Lousdobb (Casey Leonard), Never Mind N (Travis Seekman), Jack Vernon (Todd Warren), Loulita (Wyatt Avenatti), Scorecard Dam (Brandon Bates), Rockyroad Aldo (Robert Smolin) and Annas Lucky Star (Kyle Wilfong).

Open Champ Returns: Earlier on the card (race two) Western Era (Cordarius Stewart), also from the Miller barn, makes a return visit to Hawthorne in the $9,500 Open II for male pacers and was assigned the outside seven-slot and rightly so. Earlier in the meet the four-year-old Indiana bred romped to a six-length Hawthorne victory in 1:50.4, six lengths ahead of runner-up Fox Valley Gemini.

The four-year-old gelding paced a winning 1:49.1 mile this summer at Hoosier Park. Tonight, he’ll take on Clearchoice De Vie (Todd Warren), RJ Rocks (Travis Seekman), Fox Valley Ozzy (Gary Rath) and Tookadiveoffdipper (Casey Leonard).

The third Open II on Monday’s program is for filly and mare pacers and will go as race four. From the pole position out you’ll find My Daddys Revenge (Casey Leonard), Dandy’s MNM (Robert Smolin), My Uptowne Girl (Travis Seekman), Lorraine Smoke (Kyle Husted), Wild Rosa (Kyle Wilfong) and Bombay Parkway (Brandon Bates).

Different tactic produces a better result

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sun, 12 Nov 2023 14:55:18 GMT

Different tactic produces a better result

Jamaica Patton’s filly Adalecia looks to repeat Sunday in Hawthorne’s Pop-Up series for ICF freshman pacers. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Driver Casey Leonard changed tactics with the Steve Searle trainee Lous Amazon in Hawthorne’s second leg of the Pop-Up series for freshman state-bred trotters and the result was a better outcome Saturday for the daughter of Lou’s Legacy.

Last week Lous Amazon raced on the front as he 4-5 favorite, went to a rather quick 57.2 half only to give way to the late charging winner Change the Tune (Travis Seekman).

This time around after Lous Amazon ($5.80) sprinted out from the three-slot Casey was content to let the 8-1 longshot Lous Enchantress (Todd Warren) get command and cut the fractions, while his horse enjoyed a two-hole journey.

Lous Amazon, the 9-5 second betting choice looked to be lacking racing room coming out of the last turn, however the winner did get clearance and went on for a three-length victory with a new career mark of 1:58.1. The 8-5 favorite Change The Tune raced third throughout but didn’t find her best stride until it was too late and did well to come on for second over a tiring Lous Enchantress.

Bombs Away: Longshot players were all smiles with the result of the first Pop-Up series second leg for juvenile Illinois bred pacer when the prohibitive 2-5 favorite Super Sharp finished off the board.

It was all longshots (1-5-4-2) providing a $770.48 payoff for a 20-cent Superrfecta wager when Hezarengade (Juan Franco) finished first at $39.80, Fox Valley Carlos was second at 8-1, the 27-1 longshot Almost Gone was third, and Fox Valley Bruin at 13-1 took fourth.

Almost Gone (Casey Leonard) paid a plentiful $93.20 to Show.

Super Shark (Travis Seekman) and Gotta Go Gram (Matt Avenatti) duked it out through the middle quarters (58.3 and 1:27). Franco had Hezarengade in the middle of the pack before taking him out on the backside and getting behind the parked-out Super Shark.

Hezarengade then proved best in the stretch for trainer Matt Mac Kenzie, posting a new career best mile of 1:55 flat for his owners Mn & D Racing of Charleston, Illinois.

Too Slow a No Go: T he second colt and gelding division looked more like a training mile than a pari-mutuel race for the first three quarters.

My Buddy Steve took the field to a pedestrian 31 first quarter. With such a slow pace, driver Kyle Husted took the 4-5 favorite and first leg winner Doctor Cruise out of third and to the front, but the first half only went in a sluggish time of 1:01.2 and that was followed by a modest, to say the least, 30.1 third panel.

All the while Casey Leonard was slowly getting Mazin Blaze ($5.80) into striking position and once they straighten out for home the Terry Leonard trained two-year-old was full of pace, powering past for the win in 1:58.1, thanks to a very quick 25.3 last quarter.

Mazin Blazin knocked three full seconds off his previous fastest mile for owner and breeder Donald Laufenberg of Highland, Wisconsin.

More in Store: Sunday’s eight-race Hawthorne card features the second round of the Pop-Up Series for ICF two-year-old pacing fillies with first leg victor Adalecia as the 2-1 morning line favorite.

Travis Seekman made his first drive behind the Jamaica Patton trained filly a successful one a week ago went she went off as the prohibitive 6-5 public’s choice and pretty much cruised to a 1:56 flat win.

Travis didn’t know much about the filly going into the race however a study of her recent past performances told him a lot.

“She had plenty of bad tracing luck,” said the Michigan native. “Broken equipment, bad trips, poor position, things like that. I wanted to give her a clean trip and see what she could do.”

Seekman did and Adalecia handily prevailed.

Travis made the winning move soon after the first quarter, going from third to first where the filly was never headed for breeder Ron Phillips (Athens, IL), who shares owner of the Time To Roll filly with Ryan Spearle (Springfield, IL) and trainer Jamaica Patton (Rochester, IL).

Adalecia leaves from the two-spot tonight two of her biggest threats alongside of her, Fox Valley Tatum (Cordarius Stewart) on the left and Dandy’s Ms Swifty (Casey Leonard) on the right.

Posts four through ten will be manned by Yankees Party (Todd Warren), Jimmylai (Kyle Husted), Delight Moon (Brandon Bates), Carli Bay (Wyatt Avenatti), Amy Mooss (Gary Rath) Time To Ryde (Kyle Wilfong) and Mattie Shark (Juan Franco).

Seekman popping up with more winners

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 11 Nov 2023 14:27:48 GMT

Seekman popping up with more winners

Change The Tune (Travis Seekman) goes for another win in Saturday’s Pop-Up Series at Hawthorne.

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

It’s leg two of three rounds of Hawthorne’s Pop-Up Series for ICF two-year-olds after last weekend’s first leg turned out to be the Travis Seekman show.

The 33-year-old Michigan native drove three of the four division winners and will be back in the bike on the youngsters, the trotter Change The Tune and the pacer Super Shark Saturday night. Travis will guide the third, the filly Adalecia, tomorrow evening.

Change The Tune pulled off at upset in the single leg of the Pop-Up for state-bred freshman trotters, storming down the stretch at 10-1 odds for her maiden victory after continuous breaks often kept the Linda’s Tru Grit off the board in her first seven career starts.

The 2:00.4 winning mile came when trainer Gerald Hanson put Change The Tune on trotting hobbles for the first time.

“That’s the reason for her turnaround,” said Travis. “I’ve been lobbying for hobbles on her since the summer. The filly has enough speed, but she was over trotting herself and going off stride. That wasn’t the case last week.”

Change The Tune, owned by Illinoisians Shelly Steele (Monee), Zacharski (Tinley Park) and the Sam Lilly Racing Stable (Downers Grove), overlook the 4-5 favorite Lous Amazon (Casey Leonard) in the late going after the Steve Searle filly had to work a but too hard to make the front and then went on to a 57.2 first half.

Lous Amazon only trotted a 31.1 last quarter in her less than one length loss.

New to the second leg series is Honoloulou (Cordarius Stewart), also from the barn of Steve Searle. The filly got last week off after three consecutive weeks of racing that included an easy 2:00.1 triumph in the $25,000 Fox Valley Flan Consolation on October 15th.

Back for another try in the series is Lous Gambler (Clark Fairley), Gritty Gator (Robert Smolin), Moppies Mooss (Gary Rath), Lous Enchantress (Todd Warren) and Ally Baba (Brandon Bates).

While Change The Tune series win was a surprise to many, Super Shark comfortable victory in a division of the Pop-Up for Illinois bred male pacers wasn’t. The Nick Prather trained gelding went off at 40 cents to the dollar.

“Super Sharp is a real good fit in the series,” said Seekman. “He’s a small horse but he does everything right. He tries hard and always gives his best. And he’s from a good family.”

Sired by Revenge Shark, Super Shark sold for $7,000 to George Pollock (Rushville, IL) at the 2021 Illini Classic Sale. He’s out of the Park Place broodmare Parkontheroad, making him a half-brother to such successful Illinois horses as Dakota Roadster (1:51, $403,202), Double Parked (1:50.1) and Bombay Parkway (1:53.1).

Seekman has driven Super Shark on five occasions and the gelding has responded with four victories and a second.

Super Shark has the outside six-slot in the second race tonight with Hezarengade (Juan Franco), Fox Valley Bruin (Todd Warren), Gotta Go Gram (Matt Avenatti), Almost Gone (Casey Leonard) and Fox Valley Carlos (Kyle Husted) manning posts one through five, in that order.

Cruising Along: The lightly raced freshman Doctor Cruise looks like an even-money favorite, or lower, in the fourth race second division after an easy win in his first leg for driver Kyle Husted.

The Somestarsomewhere gelding was sent off at 1-2 odds a week ago for the Husted Stable and didn’t disappoint with a 1:56 victory. Mazin Blazin (Casey Leonard), second best to Doctor Cruise finished strong and should get good play as well.

The second Pop-Up split also brings out Ashlees Silver Guy (Brandon Bates), Downtownleroybrown (Travis Seekman), My Buddy Steve (Cordarius Stewart) and Who’zzz This Sly (Wyatt Avenatti)

Dylan Nietfeldt Passes Away

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 18:12:51 GMT

Dylan Nietfeldt has passed away. Click here for more. Dylan W. Nietfeldt Obituary 2023 - Fedde-Helfrich-Cross Funeral Home (feddehelfrichcrossfh.com)

Hawthorne newcomer can impact distaff Open

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 14:17:16 GMT

Hawthorne newcomer can impact distaff Open

The gifted Australian bred mare No Win No Feed makes her Illinois debut Monday at Hawthorne. (Plainridge Park photo)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

There’s a new mare in town and by the looks of her accomplishments she should have a strong impact in Monday’s filly and mare Open pace.

The Australian bred No Win No Feed A. (Cordarius Stewart) makes her Chicago circuit debut in the fifth race $11,100 distaff Open with a dazzling résumé upon her arrival.

The eight-year-old mare made over $300,000 racing in Australia before she acquired by the Erv Miller stable for Floridian Doug Overhiser in August of 2021.

A large hunk of her Down Under bankroll came in 2019 when the Rocknroll Dance swept the Australian “Big Three” Group 1 events—the Bathurst Gold Bracelet Final, the Breeders Challenge, and the Breeders Crown Final.

A year later in her first season in the United States she added another $236,205 to her career earnings while under the care of former Illinois based trainer Erv Miller and vaulted over the half million-dollar plateau in money won.

No Win No Feed had 11 first place finishes in 2022, including Open wins at the Meadowlands, Philadelphia, Hoosier Park, and Plainridge Park. She finished second in her Breeders Crown elimination and secured the fifth-place check in the $400,000 championship and paced a career fastest 1:49 flat mile at Hoosier Park.

The gifted mare was on the sidelines from December of 2002 through mid-June of this year and has since gone 3-for-14, adding almost another $50,000 on her card. Her best season mile came in an October Hoosier Open with a 1:51.3 clocking.

No Win No Feed was allocated the seven-post in Monday’s eight-horse filly and mare open. Donna Holt’s Rock It Out (Casey Leonard) was assigned the outside slot by the Hawthorne Race Office. The Rockin Image mare has been triumphant in 3 of the last 4 distaff features at Hawthorne.

There’s no shortage of strong challengers tonight with Skeeter Machine (Travis Seekman), Apple Valley (Juan Franco), Bombay Parkway (Brandon Bates), Tell The Dream (Todd Warren) and Wild Rosa (Kyle Wilfong), in that post-position order.

Need Win No Feed’s stablemate Ilikemebetter A (Cordarius Stewart) also made the trip from Indiana Monday night. He was assigned the four slot in the third race $11,100 Open for male pacers where he takes on He’zzz A Wise Sky (p.p, 5, Kyle Wilfong) and Play Me Rock (p.p. 6, Travis Seekman). Between them the pair have captured the previous five Hawthorne Opens.

Clearchoice De Vie (Todd Warren), Get E Up (Kyle Husted) and Fox Valley Gemini (Casey Leonard) will look to pull off an upset from one of the first three posts.

The third Open on Monday’s card is for trotters and it’s another very spirited event. The last four Open trots at Hawthorne have been won by four different horses.

Last week’s winner Perlucky (Casey Leonard), from the barn of trainer Jim Eaton, was handicapped with the outside six-hole. A third place or higher finish will put the Lucky Chuck gelding over the $100,000 level for this season.

Heath Bar (Cordarius Stewart) was awarded the pole while the two through five slots were drawn and went to Rockyroad Aldo (Kyle Husted), Scorecard Dan (Brandon Bates), Talk About Valor (Travis Seekman) and Annas Lucky Star (Kyle Wilfong), in that order.

Wheeler home after successful season

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 13:41:37 GMT

Wheeler home after successful season

Trainer Herman Wheeler is back home in Louisiana after both of his youngsters prevailed in the recent Cardinal stakes. (Terry Young Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

A pair of two-year-olds turned trainer Herman Wheeler’s just “okay” racing season into a very fruitful one for the 54-year-old Louisiana native.

Wheeler sent out his freshman gelding Shady All Star (Todd Warren) in the recent $47,950 Cardinal Trot and his juvenile stable mate You Never Can Tell (Casey Leonard), and both came up with impressive victories with the latter coming through at 8-1 odds.

Since 2007, Wheeler has been making the long 800-mile trek from his farm in Monroe, Louisiana, located in the northern part of the state, up north to Chicago circuit racetracks and 2023 was one of the most effectual.

This year Wheeler’s horses eclipsed $200,000 in purse earnings in 95 starts, second only to the $240,000-plus banked in 2017 and that came with almost twice as many horses of Herman’s going to the starting gate.

In the Cardinal You Never Can Tell was reunited with Casey Leonard who drove the youngster in his first four starts, winning once on the front end, and finishing second three times. While the Somestarsomewhere gelding has never missed a check for Wheeler in his 10 career starts, he had just that July 14th victory at Springfield going into the Cardinal.

Casey hustled You Can Never Tell ($19.00) away from the six-slot in an eight-horse field getting the top before the 28.2 quarter mile pole and putting the two heavy favorites Guitar Man and Fox Valley Durham some 18 and 20 lengths behind respectively. They were still 6 and 8 lengths back with a quarter mile to go and You Can Never Tell still had something left in the tank with a 1:55 clocking on the sloppy track, two and one-half lengths the best.

“My horse can be really good on the front,” said Herman. “Me and Casey went back and forth about the race tactics, but Casey knows the horse and he decided to leave with him. You Never Can Tell has a burst of speed when asked and Casey got him away in a hurry.”

“Todd (Warren) also did a very good job driving Maple Lane Alstar to his win. He had the horse in a great position with the two-hole. The horse was sharp and ready for the race. Earlier he had some health issues, but we got those straighten out and he was all set for the Cardinal.”

While the three programs a week cards at the Hawthorne meet will continue through the end of the year, Wheeler is already back home in Louisiana.

“I left last Sunday,” said Herman from his Monroe, Louisiana home. “It’s a long 13-hour drive and I’m happy it’s over. I’ll be turning my horses out soon for the winter and I’ll be back in Illinois next year.”

New series pops up at Hawthorne

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 04 Nov 2023 13:17:06 GMT

New series pops up at Hawthorne

Lous Amazon (Casey Leonard) heads up Hawthorne’s Pop-Up series for state-bred freshman trotting fillies. (Terry Young Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

With a calendar page turned over to the month of November the last of the Illinois bred stakes are behind us and that usually means conditioned or claiming series have arrived. In this case, they have at Hawthorne on Saturday night where the first of three legs “Pop Up” series will be contested.

Originally called the Winter Series on Hawthorne’s nomination series form, it was changed to the “Pop-Up Series.” Not sure why, maybe it’s to honor Pop Tarts, Corn Pop, or Poppin Corn (great with lots of butter) or maybe the name just popped-up on the Race Office computer,

At any rate, there will be three legs of each Pop-Up series with $20,000 finals on the line on November 26th. Total points accumulated will determine the finalists.

Most of the seven-horse field that makes up the fourth race $7,000 Pop-Up, are first season trotters that have participated in either the recent Fox Valley Flan or Kadabra state-bred stakes. Since this series is limited to ICF two-year-old trotters that are non-winners of $20,000 (F &M $25,000) lifetime, obviously none fared very well in most of their Night of Champions legs.

The morning line favorite most likely will be Lous Amazon (Casey Leonard), one of two freshmen in the race from the Steve Searle stable. She got her name “Amazon” because of her size and that’s likely the main reason why she doesn’t get around the turns well and shows breaks in her last two Fox Valley Flan legs. However, the big daughter of Lou’s Legacy has shown ability. She was a competitive third in her September 24th “Flan” division and easily won a pair of Illinois Department of Agriculture races on Springfield’s all-dirt oval in mid-Summer.

Lous Amazon took her mark of 1:58.1 at Hawthorne in mid-September, more than four seconds faster than any other trotter’s best winning mile in the field.

Stable-mate Lous Enchantress (Todd Warren) is looking for her maiden win. Another of Lou’s Legacy offsprings owned and bred by Flacco Family Farms of Alexis, Illinois, the youngster went off stride on the lead in the Violet final. She’ll have to be caught tonight.

Ally Baba (Brandon Bates), Lous Gambler (Clark Fairley), Change The Tune (Travis Seekman), Gritty Gator (Robert Smolin) and Moppies Mooss (Gary Rath) are the other first leg aspirants.

The ICF two-year-old male Pop-Up series lured 15 entries and had to be split into two $8,000 divisions. The seven-horse third race grouping is anybody’s guess who will go off as the public’s choice.

Who’zzz This Sky (Wyatt Avenatti), Mazin Blazin (Casey Leonard), Gotta Go Gram (Matt Avenatti) and Doctor Cruise (Kyle Husted) all are possibilities. Looking to pop at a double-digit mutuel are Downtownleroybrown (Travis Seekman), Fox Valley Bruin (Todd Warren) and Hezarengade (Phil Knox).

Super Shark (Travis Seekman) and Fox Valley Carlos Kyle Husted) both 1:55.1 victories on their first season and are the pre-race co-favorites in the second male freshman pacing division.

Super Shark, p.p. 1, from the barn of trainer Nick Prather, landed a start in the series with a field best earnings of $14,194, just $806 under the $15,000 series limit in money won.

The pair will be tested by Almost Gone (Casey Leonard), Dandy’s Ship (Todd Warren), R Tyler Towne (Robert Smolin), April’s Big Guy (Cordarius Stewart), Ashlees Silver Guy (Brandon Bates) and My Buddy Steve (Wyatt Avenatti).

The ninth race nightcap brings out a full field of ten pacers in the opening leg of the ICF two-year-old filly pacing group that haven’t made $15,000 as of October 15, 2023.

Public favoritism is expected to be divided among Adalecia (Travis Seekman) and Mattie Shark (Juan Franco). However, the 8, 9 and 10 horses, Dandy’s Ms Swifty (Casey Leonard), Fox Valley Tatum (Cordarius Stewart) and Delight Moon (Todd Warren) all have shown at times they’re capable as well.

Longshots Karatop Mooss (Phil Knox), Jimmylai (Kyle Husted), Carli Bay (Wyatt Avenatti), Amy Mooss (Gary Ryan) and Yankees Party (Brandon Bates) round out the filly field.

Alan Bowen Passes Away

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 15:03:34 GMT

Alan Bowen has passed away. Click here for more. Alan Bowen, 77, dies – U.S. Trotting News (ustrottingnews.com)

Buddy Simpson Passes Away

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 15:24:00 GMT

Buddy Simpson passes away. Click here for more. Perry “Buddy” Simpson, 93, dies – U.S. Trotting News (ustrottingnews.com)

Hawthorne’s Violet stakes decided

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sun, 29 Oct 2023 14:13:36 GMT

Hawthorne’s Violet stakes decided

Trainer Curt Grummel guided his stable’s two-year-old filly Whiskey Lou to a victory in Saturday’s $48,250 Violet trot at Hawthorne. (Terry Young photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

As expected, post position played an important component in the outcome of Saturday’s Violet ICF stakes at Hawthorne.

In the first $26,550 Violet pace division the 3-5 favorite Chickabell, the recent winner of the $187,000 Incredible Tillie stakes on the Night of Champions, found the outside nine-slot too much to overcome.

The Amy Hustle trainee was ducked at the start by driver Kyle Husted and fell more than 11 lengths behind the pacesetting and eventual winner Hypeyourbestie up (Travis Seekman). Chickabell made up about 10 lengths on the Jamaica Patton trained filly but with modest middle quarters of 29.2 and 29.1 fell a length and one half short at the end of a 1:54.1 mile.

Hypeyourbestieup’s well-rated victory was her fifth in 10 season starts for Patton, who shares ownership of the Somestarsomewhere filly with Cedric Daniels of Jackson, Missouri,

In the second Violet pace split it was the Husted stable that benefited from the draw as Fox Valley Sadie ($4.60) was much the best from the pole position as First Of Her Name and Stevie Nae, the second and third place finishers had more difficult journeys leaving from the 10 and 9-posts, respectively.

Kyle Husted settled Fox Valley Sadie into fourth on the early going, used a quarter move to grab command before the 56.1 half, and was more than four lengths better at the end of her 1.53.4 mile for the winning owners John Schwartz (Wood Dale, IL), David Bringham (Concord, MI) and Husted Racing (Altamont, IL).

With Whiskey Lou’s regular driver Kyle Wilfong unavailable, trainer took over the lines on his stable’s two-year-old state-bred filly and guided her to a one-length triumph in the $48,250 Violet trot.

Curt hustled Whiskey Lou away from the three-post and into a successful two-hole journey for her fourth first place finish in eight outings for proprietor Randy Wilt of Savannah, Missouri who also bred the daughter of Lou’s Legacy.

Calypso Moon had to work hard in the early going to get to the top from the 10-hole and gave up command in the stretch to finish third. Peekaboo Sal (Travis Saekman) came up with a strong effort to take the bridesmaid role, beaten one length in the 1:59 flat mile.

Triple Sunday Features : It’s another Sunday night Hawthorne program with three Opens on the card. Two will come early with the Open for pacing fillies and mares as the second race and the Open trot to follow.

The D & R Racing Stable’s Rock It Out (Casey Leonard) has her sights set on winning the featured distaff pace for the third time in her last four starts with driver Casey Leonard. She’ll open at 7-5 odds. Her four challengers are Lorraine Smoke (Todd Warren), Double Parked (Brandon Bates), Fox Valley Exploit (Kyle Husted) and two-time Hawthorn Open season winner Tell The Dream (Merv Chupp).

Illinois champion Talk About Valor returns to the races after a week off against five rugged trotters in race three. The Gerald Hansen trainee eight-year-old will leave with regular driver Travus Seekman from the outside six slot.

Lousdobb (Branon Bates), Rockyroad Aldo (Kyle Husted, Wilmar Spark (Cordarius Stewart), Annas Lucky Star (Juan Franco) and last week’s open trot runner-up Perlucky (Casey Leonard), the 2-1 programmed favorite.

With the speedy Illinois champ He’zzz A Wise Sky taking the week off the sixth race Open Handicap is wide-open for the taking.

After a two-week rest, three-time former Illinois Harness Horse of the Year Fox Valley Gemini (Casey Leonard) is back to pad his $738,474 lifetime purse earnings for the Terry Leonard stable. The now eight-year-old was assigned the five post in the six horse race by the Hawthorne Racing Office.

The outside slot belongs to Perry Snith’s Play Me Rock (Travis Seekman) who had back-to-back Hawthorne Open triumph earlier at the meet.

Hoping to pull off an upset is Great Seats (Wyatt Avenatti), who was allocated the pole position. Fox Valley Ozzy (Gary Rath), Get E Up (Kyle Husted) and Clearchoice De Vie (Todd Warren), in slots two, three and four, respectively, are stronger Open contenders tonight.

Violet stake draws significant

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 28 Oct 2023 13:40:28 GMT

Violet stake draws significant

Whiskey Lou, trained by her driver Curt Grummel, goes postward in Saturday’s second $48,250 Violet stake division for ICF freshman trotting fillies. (Terry Young Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

When a trainer enters his or her horse into a stake event what is the first question he or she likely will ask? Most would answer: “What post did the horse draw?”

While post position is much more important on a small track compared to a big oval, it does have strategic importance on a mile track as well, especially at Hawthorne.

While Hawthorne boasts the longest stretch in the country at 1,320 feet, 330 longer than The Meadowlands, it also has one of the shortest distances from its starting point to the first turn. It’s not unusual to see a horse sprint out at Hawthorne from outside posts in a large field to be three and even four-wide in the first turn trying to make the front or find an up-close hole.

Thus far this season Hawthorne has seen only ONE horse leaving from the 10-post that has had gone on to win a race in 55 starts. The winning percentage from the 10-slot is at a paltry 1.8 per cent. It’s better from the nine-hole but a 9.2 winning percentage isn’t an reassuring statistic for the betting public, either.

It Could Be Worse: The Husted stable entered a trio of ICF freshman filly pacers into Saturday night’s Violet stakes with both bad and good results.

The “bad” went to their recent Incredible Tillie champion Chickadee who landed the outside nine-slot in the first $28,550 division. The “good” saw Fox Valley Sadie, fresh off a strong win a week ago in a “Tillie” consolation event, secure the pole position in the second Violet split while stablemate Fox Valley Gina is good shape with the three post.

Chickadee (Kyle Husted) has gone out for early position in her last six starts, five of them wins, and likely will again tonight. The Somestarsomewhere filly is in peak form and is expected to go off as the public’s choice.

The Amy Husted trainee will be challenged by Fox Valley Reeva (Cordarius Stewart), Big Flicka (Wyatt Avenatti), Feisty Val (Cornelius Cavett), Platinum Shark (Casey Leonard), Hypeyourbestieup (Travis Seekman), Delight Moon (Todd Warren), Fox Valley Tasha (Brandon Bates) and Karatop Moose (Phil Knox), in that post-position order.

Lady Luck was with the Husted barn in the second Violet grouping as Fox Valley Sadie (Kyle Husted) winner of 4 of her 7 season starts including a ISFCS division last month, was awarded the rail and their improving freshman Fox Valley Gina (Casey Leonard) two slots further out.

On the other hand, one of Fox Valley Sadie’s dangerous rivals in the race, First of Her Name (Travis Seekman), is on the outside looking in with the 10-gap for trainer Nelson Willis. Another major contender, Illini Belle (Cordarius Stewart) starts in the middle of the pack from the five.

Hoping to pull off an upset is Fox Valley Tatum (Wyatt Avenatti), Sour Grapes (Phil Knox), Cupid’s Revenge (Todd Warren), Unhynged Zenzero (Bobby Smolin) and Stevie Mae (Brandon Bates).

Sandwiched in between the two Violet paces is the $48,250 Violet trot for state-bred juvenile filles. It’s another 10-horse field and this time Funky Wiggle’s two-year-old sister Calypso Moon (Casey Leonard) had the misfortune to land Hawthorne’s dreaded 10-post.

The Lou Legacy prodigy won four of her first eight races, including a division of Du Quoin’s First Lady and two legs of the Fox Valley Flan series, but was too far back in the early going of the championship and finished third.

Whiskey Lou (p.p. 2, Kyle Wilfong), a Curt Grummel stablemate of Calypso Moon who has been no worse than second in her seven carer outings, and Fox Valley Flan champion Stand By Your Man (Brandon Bates), from the barn of Springfield based trainer Mike Brink, will likely vie as to the post time favorite.

Looking to put up a double-digit winning payoff is Dejoma (Cornelius Cavett), Peekaboo Lou (Travis Seekman), Lous Enchantress (Wyatt Avenatti), Gjlindagrit (Matt Avenatti), Ally Baba (Todd Warren), Illini Diva (Cordarius Stewart) and Honoloulou (Kyle Husted).

Cardinal Wrap-ups: It was a rainy Friday night of racing on a sloppy track but that made little difference to the current ICF two-year-old pacing colt leader Gorgeous Big Guy, nicely rated by his driver Todd Warren in his first $25,825 Cardinal pace victory.

The Erv Miller trained youngster led at every pole of a 1:54.4 mile at 1-5 odds for his sixth consecutive win for owners Doug Overhiser of Smyra Beach, Florida and Mark Winship of Canton, Illinois.

The 95-1 longshot Erico Pallazzo (Travis Seekman) held off the late rushing 3-1 second choice Fox Valley Julian (Casey Leonard) for runner-up honors.

The second $25,825 Cardinal split saw Your Can Never Tell pull off an upset at 8-1 odds in front-end fashion as well. Driver Casey Leonard sent the Herman Wheeler two-year-old trainee to the front from the six-slot where he had no trouble holding off the late rushes of Guitar Man and Fox Valley Durham, the co-favorites who finished second and third, respectively.

The $19.00 winner is owned by the out-of-state threesome of Louisianans Adam Hawthorne (Marlboro) and Devin White (Cotton Valley) and William Johnson of Holiday, Texas.

Despite drifting through the stretch, the Herman Wheeler trained freshman Shady Maple Alstar put on a late surge to capture the $47,950 Cardinal male trot. It was the second straight triumph for Sutton gelding, and both have come with Todd Warren at his lines.

Little Chipper (Jared Finn) grabbed the early lead and cut fractions 30.4, 29.3 and 29.4 with Shady Maple Alstar in the pocket. Warren pulled the winner out going into the last turn and he proved best on the rain-soaked racing surface, two and one-half lengths the best in 1:59.3.

Little Chipper held on for second while the 9-5 favorite Lous Private Eye Casey Leonard) settled for third.

Change of Racing Days

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 16:28:17 GMT

New Race Days Begin Next Week

Beginning in November, we will start racing on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. This will coincide with our 2024 schedule which begins on Monday, January 1 and has us racing on Sundays and Mondays through Tuesday, February 12.

Cardinal stake events on Hawthorne card

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 12:44:36 GMT

Cardinal stake events on Hawthorne card

Gorgeous Big Guy (Todd Warren) eyes his fifth consecutive victory Friday in a $25,825 Cardinal stake division. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the I.H.H.A.

We are a little more than a month into Hawthorne’s 2023 harness racing meeting and the last of the ICF stake events has already arrived.

Friday it’s the two-year-old state bred Cardinal added money events for both pacers and trotters. Saturday evening the spotlight turns to the freshman gals for the Violet stakes.

A $400 entry fee was needed to start a horse in these Illinois Department of Agriculture events.

Friday’s Cardinal contests will have an impact when the balloting time comes around for juvenile division awards.

A victory tonight in the fourth race first $25,825 division for Gorgeous Big Guy would likely sew up the son of Ashlee’s Big Guy bid for the top ICF male pacing spot. The gelding posts a flashy record of 6 wins and 4 seconds in 10 trips postward and he is undefeated in Illinois against his division foes.

Gorgeous Big Guy started his first season racing out of the barn of Tim Roach on the Michigan fair circuit winning once with a quartet of runner-up finishes. He burst on the prairie state scene with a victory in his Director Cup division at Du Quoin in 1:52.4 despite being parked out much of the race.

The youngster’s next start came in a $21,000 division of the Illinois State Fair Colt Stakes held at Hawthorne on September 10th where he proved best again. He was sold that same day to Floridian Doug Overhiser and Mark Winship of Morris, Illinois, joining the Midwest division of the Erv Miller stable.

Todd Warren proceeded to take over the driving chores on Gorgeous Big Guy for the Incredible Finale series and its championship where the freshman continued to show his heels to the opposition, extending his winning streak to five in a row and his purse earnings to just a shade under $143,000.

Awaiting Gorgeous Big Guy is Fox Valley Julian with the pole position, giving driver Casey Leonard a good opportunity to have the Somestarsomewhere in good position to have success.

The Mike Brink trained Fox Valley Julian has been second best to Gorgeous Big Guy in their last three races. The James Happ owned freshman won his $21,000 ISFCS division last month in 1:52.1, the same season mark as Gorgeous Big Guy.

The other Cardinal first division aspirants are Fox Valley York (Todd Warren), R Tyler Towne (Robert Smolin), Super Shark (Juan Franco), Hezarengade (Phil Knox), Enrico Pallazzo (Travis Seekman) and Gotta Go Gram (Matt Avenatti).

Two races later is another Cardinal Pace split where the two pre-race favorites Guitar Man (Travis Seekman) and Fox Valley Durham (Cordarius Stewart) landed the outside posts, the seven and eight, in that order.

After back-to-back triumphs in the Illinois state fair stake races, Guitar Man wasn’t himself in his first two October with a third-place finish and a disappointing seventh in the Incredible Finale final. However, the Rob Rittof trained youngster bounced back nicely with an easy triumph last week, coming home in 26.3 at the end of a 1:54.2 mile. Earlier Guitar Man speed to a 1:51.3 clocking in his Du Quoin stakes win.

Fox Valley Durham (Cordarius Stewart) boasts five victories and a trio of thirds in his nine first season outings and a mark of 1:52.3 for the Midwest division of the Erv Miller table.

They’ll be tested, from the one post out, by JR Strike Three (Brandon Bates), Ashleecoldmuffler (Juan Franco), Fox Valley Kodiak (Wyatt Avenatti), Doctor Cruise (Kyle Husted), Redhot Sky (Todd Warren) and You Can Never Tell (Robert Smolin).

The Cardinal trot showdown will go as race five on one division with a $47,950 purse on the line. Lous Private Eye (Casey Leonard), from the barn of trainer Steve Searle, is fresh off his $121,000 Kadabra championship conquest and should get plenty of the public’s support.

With Lous Private Eye receiving the seven-slot in a 10-horse field, look for Tru Cash (p.p. 1, Cordarius Stewart) and Shady Maple Alstar (p.p. Todd Warren) to also receive good play.

The Erv Miller stable freshman Tru Cash was hurt by the nine-hole in the Kadabra final when he finished fourth. Shady Maple Alstar looked strong winning last week with a 28.3 last panel in 1:59.2 for his new driver in the trotter’s second start on Lasix. The Herman Wheeler trainee went off stride in the Kadaba, his initial outing on the bleeder medication.

September Board Meeting Minutes

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 20:53:41 GMT

Trio of Opens on Hawthorne Sunday card

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sun, 22 Oct 2023 13:31:28 GMT

Trio of Opens on Hawthorne Sunday card

Tell The Dream (Cordarius Stewart) and Rock It Out (Casey Leonard) will square off again in Sunday night’s Open pace for fillies and mares. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

It’s not often that Illinois harness racing followers get to see three Opens on the same card but that’s the scenario Sunday night at Hawthorne.

The $11,100 co-features will go in consecutive races, the sixth, seven, and eighth, with the latter for male pacers likely to garner the most attention with seven talented horses doing their best to catch the speedy Illinois champion He’zzz A Wise Sky (Kyle Wilfong), saddled with the outside (eight) post just has he was in his first two unsuccessful Hawthorne starts.

The homebred six-year-old Yankee Skyscraper pacer is the 2-1 morning line favorite and deservedly so. Unlike in his first two Hawthorne losses, He’zzz A Wise Sky is much sharper now than he was earlier. He was tons the best in the Robert S. Molaro Memorial prep and final with a 1:49.2 romp, and then breezing in 1:50 flat in the final on the Night of Champions.

It’s no secret what as to the racing strategy of his regular driver Kyle Wilfong: “It’s catch me if you can.” In 43 of He’zzz QA Wise Sky’s 94 career starts, they haven’t. The gifted state-bred pacer has made over $630,000 in four and one-half seasons for his Beecher, Illinois owners Triple ZZZ stable.

His trainer John Filomeno has often said that He’zzz A Wise Sky races more relaxed on the front end and that’s why he’s raced there.

Of course, his opposition knows the horse’s tactics, too and will try to push the likely favorite hard in the early going with perhaps a pocket-trip in mind, with the hopes of out-close the Illinois standout on Hawthorne’s very long (1,320 feet) stretch.

It’ll be interesting to see what horse will grab the two-hole. It was Get E Up (Kyle Husted) in the Molero final when he was second best. Then there’s the David Brooks trained longshot Clearchoice De Vie, a newcomer to the local Open ranks, who has sprinted out in every one of his Hawthorne season starts.

Your author believes it will be the Hoosier Park invader Ilikemebettor A, who will leave from the six-slot with Cordarious Stewart. The Erv Miller trained seven-year-old likes to race up close, and in his last five starts either in Indiana or Ohio, the first quarter times in his races have been in 26.2, 26 flat, 25.2, 26.2, and 25.4.

Ilikemebettor took his lifetime mark of 1:48.2 at Hoosier in early Augusti with a two-hole journey, thanks to a 25.1 first quarter and a 26.3 last panel.

Playmerock (Travis Seekman) will also get plenty of play after winning the first two Hawthorne season Opens and beating He’zzz A Wise Sky in both. Playmerock has enjoyed a three-week hiatus since. The Perry Smith trainee was assigned to the seven-slot Sunday night.

The field is rounded out with Great Seats (Wyatt Avenatti), Trey Rockette (Casey Leonard) and Fox Valley Ozzy (Gary Rath).

The Open for pacing fillies and mares and the Open trot precede the horse and gelding with post positions in all drawn by groups.

No Clear Choices: The sixth race distaff Open brought out Merv Chupp’s Tell The Dream (p.p. 8, Cordarous Stewart), a two-time Open winner at the meet, and Donna Holt’s Rock It Out (p.p. 7, Casey Leonard) who won the gals feature three weeks ago.

They’ll vie for favoritism with Kim Roth’s Wild Rose (p.p. 5, Kyle Husted), who has missed only one purse check in her last 20 starts while racing at Hoosier Park, often in Opens. Skeeter Machine (Travis Seekman), Bombay Parkway (Brandon Bates), Dandy’s MNM (Richard S. Finn), Lorraine Smoke (Kyle Husted) and Graceful Horizon (Todd Warren) complete field.

The seventh race Open trot lured a field of seven and while the programmed morning line lists Louscardamon (Kyle Wilfong) as the 2-1 early favorite, expect the outside trotter, Perlucky (Casey Leonard) to get the bulk of the public’s wagering money.

The eight-year-old Perlucky has made close to $90,000 this year compared to $5,128 for the Illinois bred Louscardamon. The Jim Eaton trainee has amassed more than a half-million dollars in career earnings more than the seven-year-old Curt Grummel trained gelding and has a mark of two seconds faster as well.

The competitive field also brings out Wilamar Spark (Cordarius Stewart), Heath Bar (Jack Killeen), Chiplosive (Travis Seekman), Scorecard Dan (Brandon Bates) and the Todd Warren stable’s Jack Vernon (Todd Warren) still going strong at the age of 10.

Fox Valley Sadie out to make amends

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 21 Oct 2023 13:04:37 GMT

Fox Valley Sadie out to make amends

Fox Valley Sadie (Kyle Husted) looks to rebound tonight after her unfortunate outing in the Incredible Tillie championship (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise

Sometimes you see a horse in a race where he or she was never expected to compete. That’s the case Saturday night at Hawthorne with the Husted stable’s well-regarded state-bred freshman filly pacer Fox Valley Sadie.

Tonight’s second race is a $12,500 event limited to ICF two-year-old fillies that were eligible for the Night of Champions series that did not finish one through five in the championship or 1 through 3 in its consolation.

Fox Valley Sadie, a full sister to the Husted stable’s pacing queen Fox Valley Exploit, brought a flashy first season record into last Saturday’s $187,000 Incredible Tillie final of three victories in a row, including a division of her Lt Governor stake at Du Quoin and a Illinois State Fair Colt Stake split, and a narrow nose defeat in the last leg of the NOC series.

Fox Valley Sadie was the co-favorite going into championship and got off to a quick start in the race, vying for the lead into fist turn when disaster struck for her many supporters . . . she went off stride and ended a far back seventh in the contest.

Since she didn’t compete in the series consolation, Fox Valley Sadie is eligible to perform tonight where she’ll be a prohibitive favorite.

The obvious question was: “Why did she make a break?”

“She hit the cart with her right back hind leg, the one she had surgery on,” said her driver, Kyle Husted. “I’ve taken it easy on her because of the off-season surgery. That’s why she had such few starts (5) going into the championship.”

It wasn’t all bad news for Kyle and his wife Amy, the barn’s trainer on Championship Night. Fox Valley Sadie’s stablemate Chickabell, nicely handled by Todd Warren, won the Incredible Tillie final in comfortable fashion and their filly Fox Valley Gina rallied for third, and earlier on the card the stable’s three-year-old gelding Fox Valley Landen had no trouble disposing of his nine rivals in the $105,000 Robert F. Carey Jr with a 1:51.4 clocking.

“Both Fox Valley Sadie and Chickabell are nice young fillies,” continued the 32-year-old Altamont, Illinois native. “I decided to drive Sadie because of my concern about her surgical hind leg.”

The Time To Roll filly, at even-money in your author’s morning line, leaves from the six-slot in a seven horse field tonight with Sour Grapes, Amy Mooss, Revenge Rosie, Dandy’s Ms Swifty and Fox Valley Reeve inside of her and Feisty Val to right.

A couple of races later is another $12,500 Incredible Tillie consolation event with the Mike Brick stable’s Stevie Mae the filly to beat. She’ll open at even-money. Her competition consists of Unhynged Zenzero, Karatop Moose, Cupid’s Revenge, Platinum Shark, RK’S Toni and Adalecia.

Those who disappointed in the Fox Valley Flan juvenile filly trot championship get their chance to snare the $6,250 winner’s share of the seventh race.

Illini Diva (Cordarius Stewart) one of the favorites in the Fox Valley Flan final where she also went off stride, should get most of the public’s support with the rail and a mark of 1:57.4, taken in a series leg last month. It’s almost a full second better than any other filly that has trotted in the nine-horse field.

Trained by Kevin Miller, the daughter of Lou’s Legacy, battles on Illini Isabella, Ally Baba, Fox Valley Nautica, Shady Maple Alstar, Deenbo, D’Louigi, Moppies Mooss and Dashing Durango.

You got to love rivalries

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 13:27:15 GMT

You got to love rivalries

Goomster (Travis Seekman) is back in the groove. (Patricia Fryman Photography)

By Mike Paradise

Rivalries in any sport make matchups more enticing to watch and we’ve got one currently going on the Illinois racetracks that’s a dandy.

It’s in the three-year-old Illinois bred male trot division between Goomster and Niko Man, two talented horses in their second season of racing.

Dennis Gardner’s Goomster got the better of his rival in most of as a two-year-old events, including their Night of Champions showdown, and went on to capture the division honors.

This season it looked like the Erv Miller stable’s Niko Man was going to be the best in the division after winning seven consecutive races and beating Goomster in the Pronto Don at Du Quoin and the Illinois State Fair Colt takes, contested this year at Hawthorne.

Then the month of October came about, and the rivalry did an about-face with Goomster beating his adversary in both the last leg of the Erwin F. Dygert stake series and again last week in the $90,000 championship with Travis Seekman at his lines.

The winning margin was a diminishing half-length at the end of the 1:54. 1 mile for the front stepping Goomster, trained by Travis and his wife Desiree.

“I got a little nervous in the last sixteenth when I saw Niko Man gaining on us, but my horse heard him and dug in, and then Niko Man kind of petered-out,” said Travis.

“Goomster is a nice horse to be around but when it’ race time, the horse is all business,” continued the 33-year-old Michigan native.

The gelded son of Cassius joined the Seekman stable last month after being in his West Salem, Illinois owner’s barn all his life and for his first 11 stars as a 3-year-old.

“The Night of Champion series came about later this year and with Dennis having about 1,000 acres of land to harvest, he called us about a month ago and asked if we would take over Goomster’s training because he had his hands full at this time.

“We said we would love to have him, and he’s been with us for a few weeks now.” Stablemates Deenbo and Tankmetodennyland also moved to the Seekman’s.

Goomster has nicely adapted to his new surroundings quite comfortably, winning all three of his starts with the Seekman’s, including the Dygert championship.

As a two-year-old Goomster won five of 12 season starts to go along with four second place finishes and made $120,125 and took a mark of 1:54.2.

This year he’s put up even better numbers, capturing 11 of 14 starts and has been no worse than second on three occasions. The good-looking trotter has lowered his mark to 1:52.4 and already has added another $115,864 on his card this season with more opportunities on the horizon.

Nico Man, another son of the late Illinois stallion Cassius. also has some impressive figures. He’s seven for 11 this year with a pair of seconds with over $94,000 in earnings for owners Doug Overhiser of New Syama Beach, Florida and Another Lombardi of Morris, Illinois.

In less than two full seasons of racing Niko Man has won 11 of 20 outings and hauled in almost $175,000 in purse earnings.

Hawthorne’s Night of Champions in history books

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sun, 15 Oct 2023 14:17:24 GMT

Hawthorne’s Night of Champions in history books

Bell Boots (Matt Avenatti) proved best in the Beulah Dygert Memorial championship for three-year-old ICF rotting fillies. (Four Footed Fotos).

By Mike Paradise

The 2023 edition of Hawthorne’s Night of Champions saw the betting favorites prevail in Saturday night’s last eight races and repeat champions a scarcity.

Only the Triple ZZZ stable’s He’zzz A Wise Sky Kyle Wilfong) duplicated his 2022 victory in the Robert S. Molaro Memorial aged pace and the three-year-old trotter Goomster (Travis Seekman) follow his two-year-old NOC championship with another in the Erwin F. Dygert Memorial final for sophomore males.

Here’s how championship night at Hawthorne unfolded on a track listed “good.”

Patience Pays Off : A patient drive from trainer Matt Avenatti paid off as the 5-2 second betting choice Bell Boots ($7.80) worn down the pacesetting 20-1 longshot Shespertifulkpert (Brandon Bates) in the final sixteenth of the 1:58 flat mile in the opener, the $83,000 Beulah Dygert Memorial trot three-year-old ICF trotting fillies.

The 30-year-old Chrisman, Illinois native had Bell Boots fourth through most of the way as Shespertifulikpert trotted to a modest 59.3 first half and led through most of the stretch drive, and when called upon in the lane the winning daughter of Lou’s Legacy rushed past with authority for her eighth season win by two and one-half or Windsor, Mississippi. Illinois owner Toni Jo Bell.

Third place went to the 27-1 longshot Zena Lou (Steve Searle). Both 2-1 post time favorites Fox Valley Shania and Radiant Diamond went off stride in the race.

Three consecutive champions for aged Illinois bred horses followed the opener of the12-race card.

A Pocket Rocket: The pre-race favorite Apple Valley came up sick and was scratched out of the $5,000 Tony Maurello Memorial final for older pacing mares as Skeeter Machine ($9.80), given an advantageous pocket trip from driver Travis Seekman, proved best by more than a length in the 1:53.3 mile for Peoria, Illinois owner, James Greer.

The eight-year-old Nick Prather trainee won the Maurello championship back in 2019 as a four-year-old. The win was Skeeter Machine’s sixth in 13 season starts. The battle for second went to Dandy’s MNM (Kyle Wilfong) over her Amy Husted stable mate Fox Valley Exploit (Kyle Husted), the 2-1 favorite.

All the Way: The $45,000 Carl Becker Memorial mare trot saw Carroll and Diane Hays’ homebred Reign And Shine pulled off a major upset at 10-1, thanks to a heady driver by Cordarius Stewart who got the Cassis mare to the front from outside five slot in the first turn, a lead she never relinquished in her 1:57 mile.

Loulita (Casey Leonard) at 23-1 rallied for second as the favorites (3-5) Annas Lucky Star and (8-5) Funky Wiggle could do no better than third and fourth, in that order. Reign And Shine ($23.20) is trained by Carroll Hays (Williamsville, IL).

In a Class By Himself: As expected, the prohibitive 1-9 favorite He’zzz A Wise Sky (Kyle Wilfong) ended Fox Valley Gemini’s streak of seven straight Night of Champions victories in the $45,000 Robert S. Molaro Memorial.

He’zzz AWise Sky $2.10), again led from start to finish for Triple ZZZ stable of Beecher, Illinois, cutting fractions of 27 flat, 54.4, 1:22.1 and finishing in 1:50 flat, more than four lengths ahead of the 47-1 longshot Get E Up (Kyle Husted). Fox Valley Gemini was third.

The six-year-old winning home bred, trained by John Filomeno, saw his season earnings vault to $108,688. The defending Molar

o champ has banked over $630,000 in his illustrious career.

Standing Tall: Next up was the $119,000 Fox Valley Flan championship for Illinois bred sophomore trotting fillies where Stand By Your Man (Brandon Bates) upset the 3-5 heavy favorite Whiskey Lou (Kyle Wilfong) for trainer Mike Brink, who shares ownership of the Lou Legacy filly with Illinoisians Mark Brown (Chatham), Jeffrey Clawson (Macomb) and Robert Lacey (Nokomis).

Bates had Stand By Your Man ($12,60) in fourth through most of the 58.1 first half, took out the filly on the backside, raced her first over, and still had plenty left at the end of the 1:57.2 mile. Calypso Moon (Casey Leonard) was third best.

Simply the Best: The 1-2 favorite Fox Valley Landen solidified that he’s the “King of the Hill’ in the ICF 3-year-old male pacing division, with s no-doubt-about-it triumph in the $105,000 Robert F. Carey Memorial championship by almost seven lengths.

Trained by Amy Husted and aptly driven by her husband Kyle, Fox Valley Landen ($3.00) got a second over journey and used it to overpower his nine foes with a 1:51.2 mile, his 10th win in 12 season starts for proprietors David Brigham (Concord, MI), John Schwarz (Wood Dale, IL) and Kyle Husted (Altamont, IL)

Nicely Rated: Goomster, well handled by Travis Seekman, got the early jump on Niko Man (Atler Bender) and used to his advantage, holding off his rival in the $90,000 Erwin F. Dygert Memorial for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters.

Trained by Travis wife Desiree, Goomster ($3.60) needed a 28.4 first quarter to take over the lead from the 80-1 longshot Zions Realy Chilly, but once there was able to get away with moderate middle quarters, going to a 58.2 half and a 1:27 flat three-quarters. Niko Man was full of trot in the lane however he had a bit too much ground to try and makeup, finishing a half-length short in the 1:54 mile. Lous Andiamo (Casey Leonard) came on for third.

Chalk Up Another: The east coast invader On Higher Ground, trained by Jennifer Bongiorno, (Kyle Husted), just as he did in last week’s Plesac Prep, showed again why he made the long trip to Hawthorne with another easy win (1:55.1) in the $45,000 championship, over runner-up Heath Bar (Jack Killeen).

The third-place finisher Talk About Valor (Travis Seekman) took the field to a 58.3 half but couldn’t hold off the 1-5 public’s choice On Higher Ground ($2.60) who poured it on in the stretch for season win No. 10 in 27 tries and now has earned over $190,000 this year for owners Robert Weinstein (Bellmore, NY) and JB Racing (Freehold, NJ).

The Right Strategy : Content to race the luke-warm 5-2 favorite Lous Private Eye in the middle of the pack most of the way turned out to be the winning tactic for driver Casey Leonard in the $121,000 Kadabra championship for freshman state-bred male trotters.

The Steve Searle trained Lou’s Legacy colt came on strong in the lane to pull away to a three-length victory in a new lifetime mark of 1:58 flat for Flacco Family Farms (Alexis, IL), the owners and breeders of Lous Private Eye.

Fox Valley Parker (Gary Rath) closed well to get second while the front-stepping Fireballs Pride (Kyle Wilfong) ended up third.

Public Had it Right: The even money favorite Gorgeous Big Guy (Todd Warren) was a comfortable winner of the $174,000 Incredible Finale two-year-old colt pacing final, rallying from fifth at the 56 flat half for the Erv Miller stable.

It was the fifth consecutive triumph for the son of Ashlee’s Big Guy, this one in a season best time of 1:51.2 for owners Doug Overhiser (New Smyma Beach, FL) and Mark Winship (Canton, IL). Fox Valley Julian (Casey Leonard) was second, beaten by more than two lengths while Fox Valley Durhan came on for third.

He’s Back: Driver Todd Warren returned to the winner’s circle one race later after guiding the Amy Husted stable’s Chickabell ($4.20) to a two and one-half length win in the $187,000 Incredible Tillie championships for juvenile state-bred pacing fillies.

Warren made the winning move soon after the first quarter to put Chickabell on the front end where she pretty much coasted to her 1:54.3 clocking for the foursome of Husted Racing (Altamont, IL), Viva Las Vegas Racing (Plainfield, IL), Chris Norder (Troy, IL) and Michael Argila (FL).

It Wasn’t Easy: Fox Valley Leah (Atlee Bender) made it 10 consecutive victories in the $116,00) Plum Peachy three-year-old filly pace final, but it was far from an easy triumph.

The Erv Miller trainee was passed in the lane by My Daddy’s Revenge (Casey Leonard) but came back in deep stretch to eke out a neck triumph in 1:53.2 for owners Doug Overhiser, the Erv Miller Stable (Wind Cap, Pa) and George Golemes (Oak Brook, IL).

Saddled with the eight-slot in a 10-horse field, My Daddys Revenge took air from start to finish, racing without cover throughout in a very game effort.

Hawthorne’s Night of Champions has arrived

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 13:17:42 GMT

Hawthorne’s Night of Champions has arrived

It's time for the Night of Champions

By Mike Paradise

It’s about a month later than usual but “Show Time” for Illinois harness racing is here.

The best ICF pacers and trotters of both gaits and sexes will be on display Saturday night when Hawthorne Racecourse presents this year’s Night of Champions. Twelve state-bred stake races, with over $1.1 million in purse money, will be on the line.

Let’s take a look at the Night of Champions card in the order they’ll be offered:

$83,000 Beulah Dygert Memorial 3-year-old filly Trot:

Heading into September Radiant Diamond (Kyle Wilfong) was standing tall in this division with four wins in 7 starts however her last couple were sub-par, and she drew the outside 10-slot.

Bell Boots (Matt Avnatti) has some on to capture her last two Dygert serries stake and drew nicely with the rail making her the program favorite. Fox Valley Shanian took both her ISFCS champion and Du Quoin’s Windy Skeeter only to go off stride in her last two starts. Atlee Bender takes over her lines tonight. Dawn Of Creation may be ready to drop her recent bridesmaid role.

Mike’s Pick: Fox Valley Shania.

$45,000 Tony Maurello Memorial 3 and up F&M Pace:

It’s a wide-open event. Fox Valley Exploit (Kyle Husted) is the two-time defending champion and has never lost om the Night on Champions. Apple Valley (Kevin Lambright) showed grit and determination in last week’s prep. Skeeter Machine (Travis Seekman) should relish the move inside. Dandy’s MNM (Kyle Wilfong) has raced game in her recent starts and Bombae Parkway packs a big late wallop.

Mike’s Pick: Apple Valley.

$45,000 Carl Becker Memorial 3 and up F & M Trot:

On paper this appears to be a battle between the 2022 Illinois Harness Horse of the Year Funky Wiggle (Curt Grummel) and the long-time Prairie State trotting queen Annas Lucky Star (Kyle Wilfong).

The 4-year-old Funky Wiggle missed two months before her second-place finish to “Anna” and has the pole position. Annas Lucky Star, the star of the Nelson Willis barn did win rather easily last week and could make the front again. She has the two-slot.

Mike’s Pick: Annas Lucky Star.

$45,000 Robert S. Molaro Memorial Aged Male Pace:

Any doubts about He’zzz A Wise Sky (Kyle Wilfong) being ready for the NOC after a month on the sickbed was erased last week when the speedy six-year-old home bred crushed this same field by nine lengths in 1:49.2. They’ll have to try and catch the John Filomeno trainee again.

The three-time Illinois Horse of the Year was a distant second a week ago but when the chips are down, the Terry Leonard stable star delivers. He’s raced in six Night of Champion finals and won them all.

Mike’s Pick: He’zzz A Wise Sky.

$119,000 Fox Valley Flan 2-year-old trot

Interesting race. Whiskey Lou (Kyle Wilfong) and Calypso Moon (Casey Leonard) are the early co-favorites and deservedly so. Whiskey Lou breezed in his last Fox Valley Flan leg and has been first or second in all six career starts. Calypso Monn has prevailed in 3 of her 4 series legs and keeps getting better and better,

Then there’s Illini Diva (Cordarius Stewart) who won a series leg two weeks ago and has been right there in the thick of it in others. You can’t discount Stand My Her Man (Mike Brink) who looked so good mowing then down the fields in the state fair finals only to be plagued by breaking problems since and Gjlindagrit, a seven time winner, has been third or better in all of her 13 trips to the gate.

Mike’s Pick: Calypso Moon.

$105,000 Robert F. Carey Memorial 3-year-old male pace:

The Amy Husted stable’s Fox Valley Landen has pretty much dominated this division thus far this year. He has a pair of 1:50 flat victories and had an eight-trace winning streak against his division rivals.

Fox Valley Langley did beat “Landen” in last month’s Carey leg match-up and it was only his second start of the season, and the first since late June because of a bad abscess on a front leg. However, drawing the 10-hole tonight makes his task very difficult.

Fox Valley Patriot (Casey Leonard) is always a major factor in this division and certainly merits your wagering consideration.

Mike’s Pick: Fox Valley Landen.

$90,000 Erwin F. Dygert Memorial 3-year-old male trot:

Let’s face it, a win in this stake by any horse not named Nicko Man (Atlee Bender) or Goomster (Travis Seekman) would probably be the upset of the night.

The seven-time season winner Niko Man has beaten Goomster a number of times this year however Goomster got the best of the Erv Miller trainee in last week’s final series leg, and he did draw inside of his rival (post 4 compared to post 8) tonight.

Note that Goomster’s owner Dennis Gardner turned over the training chores on his prize trotter after the September 24th series leg to the Seekman stable and the Cassius gelding is two-for-two since.

Mike’s Pick: Goomster.

$45,000 Plesac 3-year-old male trot:

On Higher Ground or Talk About Valor; Take your pick.

The Gerald Hansen stable’s Talk About Valor (Travis Seekman) had it his own way in Illinois until recently. He was hurt by the 10-hole in a recent Hawthorne Open and didn’t have it in last week’s prep, giving way to On Higher Ground (Kyle Husted) in the lane. However, “Valor’s” three post tonight is his best starting slot since early August.

On High Ground has been a moneymaker for the Jennifer Bongiorno stable this season and came to town looking to be $35,000 richer with a win in this series prep and its championship. The smallish six-horse field helps the Cassis gelding’s chances.

Mike’s Pick: On Higher Ground.

$121,000 Kadabra 2-year-old male trot:

Not sure who will be the post time favorite in this division, let alone the winning trotter.

It could be the front-stepping El Champee’onn (Robert Smolin) who won last week’s series leg comfortably. Or maybe Lous Private Eye (Casey Leonard) who was a game victor in his leg and earlier captured a division of Du Quoin’s Governor Cup stake.

What about Fireballs Pride (Kyle Wilfong), one or two in 9 of his 10 season starts, who got out too late last week. Or maybe Tru Cash (Cordarius Stewart) who looks to be in his best season form. The Erv Miller trainee moves to an outside slot (post nine) but that will help his wagering value.

Mike’s Pick: Los Private Eye.

$174,000 Incredible Finale 2-year-old male pace:

Very competitive race with a quartet of youngsters likely getting the bulk of the public’s wagering dollars.

The owners of Gorgeous Big Guy (Tidd Warren) may have bought themselves a lucrative champion when they acquired the Ashlee’s Big Gut gelding in mid-September. He’s chalked up two series legs since and he’s in a great spot with the two-post to win another.

Fox Valley Julian (Casey Leonard) also had a big shot. He’s the Hawthorne track-record holder for a 3-year-old gelding (1:52.1) looks very dangerous with the pole position.

Fox Valley Durham (Cordarius Stewart) is very sharp and after three wins in a row is a confident pacer as well. Guitar Man owns the fastest mile thus far this season for an ICF freshman (1:51.2) and is capable 0f powering past this field at maybe a fair price.

Mike’s Pick: Gorgeous Big Guy.

$187,000 Incredible Tillie 2-year-old filly pace:

The post time favoritism will likely be divided between a pair of Amy Husted stable’s fillies Fox Valley Sadie (Kyle Husted) and Chickabell (Todd Warren). Both have peaked at the right time.

It looks like Chickabell prefers to be up-close and probably will be there. Her stable mate has won on or off the pace.

Sleazy Gal’s 10-post hurts her chances, but she does have gate speed to gain good position. Fox Valley Tasha (Cordarius Stewart), Fox Valley Taran (Matt Avenatti), Stevie Mae (Brandon Bates), Hypeyourbestieup (Travis Seekman), and Fox Valley Gina (Atlee Bender) all have a decent shot at double-digit payouts.

Fox Valley Tessa (Brandon Bates) and Platinum Shark (Robert Smolin) are the longshots to grab the $93,500 winner’s share of the purse.

Mike’s Pick: Chickabell

$116,000 Plum Peachy 3-year-old filly pace:

Can any filly in this race end Fox Valley Leah’s winning streak at nine in a row?

Erv Miller’s assistant trainer Atlee Bender, who knows the filly best, came in from Indiana to drive her tonight to try and seal the deal with the Somestarsomewhere offspring.

The Mike Brink stable’s My Daddys Revenge (Casey Leonard) arrives in the race in top form and could give Fox Valley Leah all she can handle. Last season’s ICF freshman champ Fox Valley Kia (Phil Knox) is a game and talented filly. Her 10-post helps her post time price.

Mike’s Pick: Fox Valley Leah.

“Fresh Legs” approach for Night of Champions

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 13:11:02 GMT

“Fresh Legs” approach for Night of Champions

A well-rested Fox Valley Langley (Travis Seekman) races in the Robert F. Carey Memorial final Saturday on Hawthorne’s Night of Champion. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise

Last weekend’s last leg of Hawthorne’s Night of Champions stake series saw last year’s ICF freshman pacing titleholder Fox Valley Langley conspicuously absent.

The talented 3-year-old pacer was not entered for the final Robert F. Carey Memorial leg after upsetting the series leader Fox Valley Landen a couple of weeks earlier in Fox Valley Langley’s only second start of the year and his first since late June in the Cardinal.

“I checked the series standings, and he had 50 points with his win and was listed fourth,” said his trainer Jamaica Patton. “He had enough points to safely get into the final, so I gave him another week off.”

As Jamaica conveyed in an earlier article, Fox Valley Langley missed about two months because of a nasty abscess on his right front leg. Despite the long layoff Jamaica was confident he would do well in leg three of the Carey series and he was proven correct when the Sometarsomewhere offspring overtook Fox Valley Landen in the late going in 1:51.4.

“I thought it was a no brainer to skip the last series leg with him,” continued Jamaica. “He’s been training well, and he’ll be ready for the final. The horse has got a big motor and a big heart.”

On the other hand, lady luck wasn’t kind to Fox Valley Langley. In the computer-generated draw for post position, the horse landed the outside 10-hole.

The “fresh legs” approach has worked at times in past Super Night type confrontations for trainers. Will it Saturday night?

We won’t have to wait long to find out.

The Big Gainers: The last legs of the Night of Champion series proved to be invaluable to several 2 and 3-year-old state bred horses.

Deenbo’s made the final starting berth in the Kadabra when he finished fifth, worth five points. Freedom’s Playboy’s was fourth, good for eight points in his Incredible Finale leg to grab the final spot and advance.

The biggest shakeups came in the Incredible Tillie where the two-year-old fillies Platinum Shark, Fox Valley Gina and Stevie Mae made big leaps to gain that final. Platinum popped at 57-1 while Fox Valley Gina and Stevie Mae had big efforts to be second (25 points) in their respective divisions and vaulted into the championship.

All in the Family: Can a pair of siblings both come away with championships Saturday evening?

Possibilities include sisters Funky Wiggle and Calypso, Moon, Fox Valley Exploit and her sister Fox Valley Sadie, brothers Coal Creek and On Higher Ground, Zeno Lou and her bro Louzotic, and the mare Loulita and the gelding Louscardamon.

It’s been done before. On Super Night 1990 at old Sportsman’s Park the freshman pacer Plum Peachy won the Orange and Blue 2-year-old filly pace and later on the card her older brother Buck And Wing captured the Dan Patch final. Walter Paisley drove both champions.

Funky Wiggle returns for Night of Champions

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sun, 08 Oct 2023 14:12:25 GMT

Funky Wiggle returns for Night of Champions

On Higher Ground (Ridge Warren), the 2019 Springfield freshman trotting champion, returns to his home state Sunday at Hawthorne in the $20,000 Plesac prep. (Four Footed Photos)

By Mike Paradise

It’s the last lap Sunday night for ICF two and three-year-old trotters to earn a starting berth in next weekend’s Night of Champions lucrative finals at Hawthorne.

On tap are three divisions of the Kadabra for state-bred freshman male trotters, a pair of splits of the Fox Valley Flan stake series for juvenile fillies of the same gait, along with a single event of the 3-year-old Beulah Dygert Memorial filly series and the Erwin F. Dygert Memorial for second season colts and geldings. All with $25,000 pots on the line.

A quartet of $20,000 prep races for the older Illinois bred horses of both sexes and gaits ae also sprinkled throughout the 13-race program and with some interesting developments occurring in the Carl Becker Memorial aged trotting mare division and the Plesac for male trotters three and upward.

Returning after a two-month layoff is the 2022 Illinois Harness Horse of the Year Funky Wiggle fir the Curt Grummel stable. Curt will drive the now four-year-old mare away from the four slot in the second race five-horse field.

This will be the daughter of Lou’s Legacy’s only third start of the year after a 16-race freshman campaign that saw her capture nine ICF stake races and bank over $130,000 for owner and breeder Dr. Patrick Graham of Lockridge, Iowa.

Funky Wiggle has been plagued much of the season with lameness issues. Nevertheless, she showed eight days ago she was ready for the Plesac, trotting in 1:58 flat with a second-place finish in her qualifier.

Illinois long reigning trotting queen Annas Lucky Star (Kyle Wilfong), along with Louzotic (Travis Seekman), Reign And Shine (Cordarius Stewart) and Lolita (Casey Leonard) will provide the opposition.

A surprise entry into the Plesac is the now six-year-old trotter On Higher Ground (Kyle Husted). Illinois Standardbred followers might remember the former Mike Brick trainee who was the Springfield champion at two in 1:55.1, and the third-place finisher in the 2020 Erwin Dygert championship.

The Cassius gelding was sold later that year and all he’s done since is make money for his proprietors. As a four-year-old in 2021 he raked-in over $105,000. At five he added another $118,510 to his card. This season he’s made almost $160,000 while racing for the Jennifer Bongiorno stable and lowered his career mark to a quick 1:51.2 mile, taken at Pocono Downs.

Awaiting On Higher Ground is the defending Plesac champion Talk About Valor (Travis Seekman) with the outside six-post, along with Louscardamon (Kyle Husted), Heath Bar (Jack Killeen), Lousdobb (Casey Leonard), and Lousraptor (Cordarius Stewart).

Shark Shocker: Platinum Shark, patiently handled by Brandon Bates, pulled off the surprise of Saturday night when the ICF freshman filly came from out of it and popped at odds of 57-1 in the first $25,000 Incredible Tillie stake series division.

The $116.20 winner is trained by Mike Brink and is owned by the Illinois trio of Darin Tournear (Liberty), Michelle Blackburn (Springfield) and Josh Carter (Williamsville).

The victory, worth 50 series points. vaulted the Revenge Shark gelding from 21st place in the standings to a top 10 finish and a starting berth in next week’s $100,000 (est.) Incredible Tillie championship.

Well rated by Travis Seekman, Hypeyourbestieup ($7.60) held off the late rushing Fox Valley Sadie (Kyle Husted) to gain a neck victory in the second Incredible Tillie division with a 1:55.2 clocking.

Another Somestarsomewhere offspring, Hypeyourbesttieup is trained by Jamaica Patton who co-owns the ICF pacer with Cedric Daniels of Jackson, Mississippi.

The 1-2 favorite Chickabell (Kyle Husted) put on a game winning performance in the third Incredible Tillie split, proving best by a head over Stevie Mae (Brandon Bates) in 1:55.1.

Leaving from the outside nine-post, Chickabell was three-wide in the first turn, settled into fifth, took plenty of air racing outside of Fox Valley Tasa before clearing to the front, put away a strong challenge from Fox Valley Kia (Phil Knox), and held off a late rush by the pocket horse Stevie Mae (Brandon Bates).

Brandon Bates was back in the winner’s circle after guiding My Daddys Revenge ($3.00) to a comfortable two and on-half length triumph in the first $25,000 Plum Peachy division for state-bred filly sophomore pacers. The 80-1 longshot Senorita Mouse (Kyle Husted) was second in the 1:53.4 mile.

Winning trainer Mike Brink (Springfield, IL) shares ownership of the Revenge Shark filly with Lori Searle, also of Springfield.

The Erv Miller stable’s Fox Valley Leah (Cordarious Stewart) won for the ninth consecutive time in the second Plum Peachy grouping although she was all-out to be a neck better than Rona Mae (Brandon Bates) in the 1:55 flat mile.

Gals last chance to gain NOC finals

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 07 Oct 2023 13:35:11 GMT

Gals last chance to gain NOC finals

My Daddys Revenge goes postward Saturday night. (Patricia Fryman photography)

By Mike Paradise

A total of forty-two different ICF two-year-old filly pacers have gone to the gate thus far in the Incredible Tillie series and Saturday’s fourth and last legs will determine which ten are left to move on to next week’s Night of Champions showdown with an estimated $150,000 purse up for grabs.

Fox Valley Sadie (150 points) and Chickabell (125), a pair of talented young gals from the Amy Husted stable have already sewed up a starting berth in the Incredible Tillie championship and so as Sleazy Sister (112) from the barn of Gary Rath.

Fox Valley Sadie, who heads up Saturday’s seventh race second division leg captured all three of her Incredible Tillie legs. Her stable-mate Chickabell has two “Tillie” leg wins and a second while Sleazy Sister has chalked up a pair of leg triumphs to go along with a third-place finish.

Interestingly, Sleazy Gal (Casey Leonard) and Chickabell (Kyle Husted) square off tonight in the ninth race with “Sleazy” leaving from the pole position while Chickabell must buck the outside nine-hole.

The fourth race first division is where some of the fillies “on the bubble” to make the final could make up some ground. The 2-1 morning in favorite Fox Valley Taran (Casey Leonard) has the eight-slot in the nine-

horse field and there’s no clear choice who will be second choicet in the wagering.

An upset win, worth 50 points, by either First Of Her Name, Fox Valley Gina, Platinum, Cupid’s Revenge, Adalecia, Karatop Mooss, Amy Moose or Fox Valley Tatum would likely propel that filly into a Top Ten finish. In some cases, a 25-point second place finish will suffice.

The final leg of the Plum Peachy series for state-bred sophomore pacers has a pair of $25,000 divisions on the card starting with the sixth race first grouping.

Time Dancer champion My Daddy’s Revenge (Brandon Bates) and The Magical Woman (Cordarius Stewart) with a second and two thirds in the series will slug it out.

Later on the card (race ten) eight fillies will try to keep the Erv Miller stable’s Fox Valley Leah (Cordarius Stewart) from her ninth consecutive win. The Somestarsomewhere offspring won her last Plum Peachy leg from the eight-hole, parked the mile, and still much the best in 1:53.4.

The 2002 ICF filly champion Fox Valley Kia (Phil Knox), fresh off her own Plum Peachy triumph (1:53.3), with the seven slot, looks like Fox Valley Leah’s main threat.

Friday’s NOC Wrap-up : The Fox Valley fraternity had it all their way in the first division of the $25,000 Robert F. Carey Memorial stake series Friday night as the 3-5 favorite Fox Valley Landen got up in time for the Amy Husted stable by a half-length in 1:51.4.

Kyle Husted gave “Landen” a second over trip behind the runner-up Fox Valley Patriot (Casey Leonard) who raced first up. The front stepping Fox Valley Cayman (Brandon Bates) was third. The first three finishers are all sons of the Fox Valley Standardbreds stallion Somestarsomewhere.

The win was Fox Valley Landen’s eighth in 10 trips to the gate for owners David Brigham (Concord, MI), John Schwarz (Wood Dale, IL) and Kyle Husted (Altamont, IL).

The second Carey split for ICF three-year-old colts and geldings saw Todd Warren nicely rate Illini Jetset ($3.60) to a neck victory over Fox Valley Steeler (Brandon Bates) in 1:54 flat for owners Doug Overhiser (Smyma Beach, FL), trainer Erv Miller and Sara Miller, both Pennsylvania residents.

Illini Jetset held off a strong bid by his stable-mate Fox Valley Jasper (Cordarius Stewart) in the lane, who ended up third.

The first of two $25,000 Incredible Finale series events for state-bred freshman pacing males turned out to be a comfortable three-length triumph for the Erv Miller stable’s Gorgeous Big Guy at 1-2 odds.

Todd Warren gave the Ashlee’s Big Gut gelding a pocket trip behind the pacesetting, and eventual runner-up Fox Valley Julian (Casey Leonard) in the 1:53.4 mile

Gorgeous Big Guy is owned by Floridan Doug Overhiser and Mark Winship of Canton, IL.

It was a clean sweep in the Incredible Finale final series leg for the Midwest division of the Miller stable when Fox Valley Durhan ($5.40) also handled by Cordarius Stewart, took the second $25,000 grouping in 1:53.3.

Erv Miller and Doug Overhiser share ownership of the Time To Roll gelding who finished almost two lengths ahead of You Can Never Tell (Robert Smolin). The betting favorite Guitar Man (Kyle Husted) ended up third.

It’s ICF freshman make-or-break time

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 13:11:31 GMT

It’s ICF freshman make-or-break time

Fox Valley Durham (Cordarius Stewart) is one of several Erv Miller trained youngsters competing Friday in Hawthorne’s Night of Champion series stakes. (Patricia Fryman Photography)

By Mike Paradise

It’s “make-or-break” Friday night for a number of ICF two -old male pacers. Either they do well in one of their Incredible Finale final series legs and advance to next week’s Night of Champions showdowns, or they fail and are bound for consolation events.

Previous series stake winners like Gorgeous Big Sky (150 total points), Guitar Man (125), Fox Valley Julian (87), Fox Valley Durham (72) and JR Strike Three (58) have clinched a starting berth in the $150,000 (est) Incredible Finale championship.

Others like Fox Valley York (49), You Can Never Tell (45), Erico Pallazzo (37) look to be in good shape to advance.

However, as we like to say “on the bubble” is the current No. 10 pacer Love Is Blue with 27 points. The Gary Rath trainee is closely followed by Freedom’s Playboy (26), Ashleecoldmuffler (17), Fox Valley Kodiak (15.5) and R Tyler Towne (14).

Even youngsters such as Gotta G Gram (11), Dowtownleroybrown (10), Bellas First Mooss (10), and Who’zzz This Sky (7) aren’t out of it. A surprise win or place can see any of them move on.

A pair of $25,000 final series divisions of the Incredible Finale are on tap Friday evening starting with the seventh race first split where much of the public’s betting dollars will go the recently required Erv Miller stable’s Gorgeous Big Sky (post 2, Todd Warren) and the Mike Brink barn’s Fox Valley Julian (post.5, Casey Leonard).

A couple of events later the highly regarded juveniles Guitar Man (post 6, Kyle Husted), trained by Rob Rittof, and Fox Valley Durham (post. 8, Cordarius Stewart) another Ern Miller trained freshman, will tangle.

Guitar Man’s 1:51.3 win in his Director Cup division at Du Quoin last month is the fastest mile by a ICF 2-year-ild thus far this season. The Somestarsomewhere gelding saw his three-race winning streak snapped last week by a scant nose to JR Strike Three

Also on the Friday care are two $25,000 Robert F. Carey Memorial division for state-bred pacing freshman. The Amy Husted stable’s Fox Valley Landen looks to get back to returning to the winner’s circle after his eight-race victory streak was snapped two weeks ago by Fox Valley Langley.

He’ll be challenged tonight by Shark Solicitor (Matt Avenatti), Fox Valley Patriot (Casey Leonard), Kage Daniel (Juan Franco), Fox Valley Presley (Todd Warren), and Fox Valley Cayman (Brandon Bates).

The other Carey event on the card (race six), is headed up by Fox Valley Jasper (Cordarius Stewart), Illini Jetset (Todd Warren) and Ghost Shark (Travis Seekman).

Hoping to pull ff an upset is Dinger Gram (Wyatt Avenatti), Fox Valley Newport (Gary Rath) and Unhynged Speed (Kevin Lambright).

While Fox Valley Landen (125), Fox Valley Patriot (87), Fox Valley Jasper (83), Fox Valley Langley (50), Ghost Shark 41) and Fox Valley Cayman (31) are pretty much locked-in to the Carey showdown, it’s still up in the air for the remaining starting berths.

Going into tonight, the 7, 8, 9 and 10 spots belong to Fox Valley Steeler (21), Shark Solicitor (21), Fox Valley Presley (14) and Kage Daniel (14). Just two points behind the last two pacers is Illini Jetset with 12. Unhynged Speed with 6 points needs a big placing to leap over some horses.

The final Night of Champion series legs for state-bred pacing fillies highlights Saturday’s Hawthorne card while the 2 and 3-year-old trotters grab the Sunday spotlight along with eliminations or, if necessary, preps for the Robert Molaro pace, Tony Maurello mare pace, Plesac male trot, and the Carl Becker female trot.

Competitive Opens Sunday at Hawthorne

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 13:22:00 GMT

Competitive Opens Sunday at Hawthorne

The red-hot Talk About Valor (Travis Seekman) is handicapped with the 10-post in Sunday’s Open trot. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise

A very competitive 10-horse Open trot field contest and a spirited Open with seven solid pacers going to gate takes over the betting public eyes on Sunday’s 13-race card at Hawthorne.

The two-time defending ICF aged trotter of the year Talk About Valor (Travis Seekman) puts his four-race winning streak on the line in the tenth race $11,100 Open for trotters. The pride of the Gerald Hansen stable has his work cut out to win for the 36th time in 95 lifetime starts after being assigned the outside 10-hole against a very good field of diagonal gaited specialists.

The eight-year-old Yankee Valor gelding has been prevailing on the front end and that may very well be the tactic again Sunday. However, getting there could be difficult. There are plenty of other trotters with gate speed whose drivers would love to give their horses an up-close journey.

Dropping back and coming from tenth and last to pop likely isn’t in the cards for Talk About Valor although some of his three dozen or so career wins have come from out of it.

Six of Talk About Valor challengers Sunday spent time in the Open handicaps trots at Running Aces in Minnesota: Chiplosive (Jim Lackey), Perlucky (Casey Leonard), Scorecard Dan (Brandon Bates), Rock Party (Juan Franco), Winnerup (Kevin Lambright) and Jack Vernon (Todd Warren).

The lone Hoosier Park invader is Big Christian (Cordarus Stewart) and he’s a good one. The four-year-old Swan For All gelding has made over $102,000 this year and has a mark of 1:53.1, taken on the Indiana track. Landing the 9-slot with so many horses will make his task an arduous one, to say the least.

Also going postward is Danny Graham’s longtime Illinois trotting queen Annas Lucky Star with her gaudy credentials. The now nine-year-old made has banked over $650,000 for her Salem, Illinois owner while making an amazing 60 winner’s circle visits.

The Jamaica Parron’s Heath Bar (Jack Killeen), making her first start since Jule, completes the excellent field.

Every horse in Sunday’s Open trot has earned six figures in their career with the Jim Eaton stable’s eight-year-old mare Perlucky topping the list with $703,584. Todd Warren’s 10-year-old Muscle Hill gelding Jack Vernon comes nest with $631,025 and he raced very well, losing to Talk About Valor by less than one length.

“Wise Sky” Attention Getter: The sixth race Open for pacers centers around the two-time Illinois Harness Horse of the Year He’zzz A Wise Sky who will be handled by his regular driver Kyle Wilfong.

The six-year-old home bred returned to the races in last week’s Open after a month on the sidelines and showed that he needed the start, fading to a sixth at the finish after leading the way through 1:22.3 three-quarters.

“The horse had been sick,” said his trainer, John Filomeno. “He needed that start. There’s a lot of mucus sickness going around. All my horses in the barn have been affected. He’zzz A Wise Sky trained better this week, but he isn’t in his tip-top racing shape just yet.”

He’zzz A Wise Sky landed the outside seven-post Sunday and inside of him are six very talented aged pacers (from the pole position out): Mr Charisma (Brandon Bates), Bet Mine (Toss Warren), Tookadiveoffdipper (Casey Leonard), Mac’s Marvel (Kevin Lambright), Play Me Rock (Travius Seekman) and Round Here Buzz (Juan Franco) the latter pair are from the Perry Smith stable.

Play Me Rock put on a strong move in deep stretch to capture last week’s Open in 1:50.1 over Round Here Buzz who uncorked a wicked 26 flat last quarter in his half-length loss.

Mac’s Marvel trained by Maria Alvarez, was a stalwart foe at Running Aces this summer, consistently in the top three finishers in most of the Open handicaps in Minnesota despite leaving from outside posts in September.

Shake up in NOC male series divisions

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Sat, 30 Sep 2023 13:28:37 GMT

Shake up in NOC male series divisions

JR Strike Three (No. 5, Casey Leonard), at 19-1, got past the 1-9 prohibitive favorite Guitar Man (inside) in their Incredible Finale series leg. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise

Hawthorne’s Night of Champion series for ICF colt and gelding pacers was shook up last weekend with some significant surprises in both the Incredible Finale and Robert F. Carey series legs.

One of the most notable came in the freshman Incredible Finale series when Guitar Man, who dominated the opposition in both the Du Quoin’s Director Cup and the Illinois State Fair Colt Stakes, was overtaken by the 20-1 longshot JR Strike Three in their match-up.

The Tom Simmons trained homebred looked good earlier in the season but then tailed off, finishing no better than a non-threating fifth in his previous four starts.

However, it was a much different story last weekend. Nicely guided by Casey Leonard, the Time To roll gelding rolled past the heavy 1-9 favorite to eke out a nose victory, his third of the season. The winning mile of 1:52.4, was more than seven seconds off his best previous time of 2:00 flat back on July 7th.

“Last week he got a very good trip, and I had a chance to train him down for the start,” said trainer Tom Simmons whose wife Benita shares ownership of the horse with James Cravens of Buffalo, Illinois.

After back-to-back wins at Springfield in July with Casey, JR Strike Three finished up the track in his last July outing. It would be a month before the youngster made another start.

“He got sick,” explained Tom. “It took a while to get over his sickness and then I had a hard time getting him some starts because of the weather.”

It wasn’t until Du Quoin at the end of August before JR Strike Three went to the gate and he didn’t start behind it. He had post 11 in the second tier. He fell back early and raced a far-back tenth through the first half and did well to come on for a fifth-place check.

“Big Guy” Cashes In : Another Incredible Finale leg upset occurred when the two-year-old track record holder (1:52.1) Fox Valley Julian (Casey Leonard) had too much ground to try and make-up and the 1-2 betting choice was non-threatening second to Gorgeous Big Guy (Todd Warren) in a 1:53.3 mile.

Gorgeous Big Guy was purchased in mid-September by trainer Erv Miller for Doug Overhiser (Florida) and Mark Winship (Illinois). The Ashlee’s Big Guy gelding came into the race with triumphs a Director’s Cup division at Du Quoin and his ISFCS split, contested at Hawthorne.

Fox Valley Landen (Kyle Husted) took a seven-race winning streak into his Carey leg but that’s where it ended abruptly as the 1-5 prohibitive favorite was passed in the lane by the 8-1 longshot Fox Valley Langley (Travis Seekman).

The Jamaca Patton trained Fox Valley Langley was last year’s ICF freshman colt and gelding champion but was making only his second start of the year and his first since June 22nd.

Again, it was health issues that kept this two-year-old on the sidelines. A bad abscess on the front leg of the Somestarsomewhere gelding was the reason for his long absence.

Despite missing the first two legs of the Carey series, Fox Valley Langley’s win gave the youngster a 50-point boost and likely sewed up a starting berth in the Night of Champions final.

The fourth Carey leg will be contested next weekend, a week before Hawthorne’s showcase racing evening.

Filly Bell Boots shows she’s a player

mikefparadise@att.net (Mike .) — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 13:26:13 GMT

Filly Bell Boots shows she’s a player

Bell Boots, trained and driven by Matt Avenatti, has become a player in the ICF filly trotting division. (Terry Young Photo)

By Mike Paradise

It’s long been known that the only certainty in horse racing is its uncertainly and we were reminded of that in last Sunday’s Hawthorne leg of its Night of Champion series for two and three-year-old ICF trotters.

Of the six stakes series races conducted the favorite was beaten in five of the $25,000 series legs. Only the talented three-year-old Niko Man, driven by Cordarious Stewart, came through for “chalk” players in his Erwin F. Dygert Memorial leg.

Some of the results weren’t major surprises, such as the Curt Grummel trained Calypso Moon victory in her first Fox Valley Flan division. The two-year-old Lou’s Legacy filly was the second post time choice at 2-1 behind the 6-5 favorite Gjlindagrit, and the win from Tru Cash (Cordarious Stewart) the public’s second selection at 7-2 behind the 4-5 “chalk” Fireballs Pride in their Kadabra leg.

On the other hand, Illini Diva (Cordarius Stewart) popped at $13.20 in her Fox Valley Flan grouping, and Fox Valley Parker (Gary Rath) got his maiden win at $13.40 in his Kadabra split.

The biggest surprise was when Bell Boots, driven by her trainer Matt Avenatti, captured the single $25,000 division of the Beulah Dygert Memorial leg at 12-1 odds, holding off the 7-5 favorite Radiant Diamond (Travis Seekman) by a half-length.

The Lou’s Legacy homebred, owned by Toni Jo Bell (Windsor, Mississippi) who, along with Freddie Patton Jr. bred her to the Cassis broodmare Honey In A Hurry, got a great trip from her 30-year-old driver and proved best in 1:56.2, knocking more than five seconds off her previous lifetime mark of 2”02 set at the Charleston Fair.

“We were able to get a good inside trip with her Sunday and she showed what she can do (in the stretch)” said the Chrisman, Illinois native. “She’s been good at the right time.”

That she has.

Bell Boots dead-heated for second with Radiant Diamond in the $30,000 Windy Skeeter at Du Quoin, picking up 25 series points to go along with 50 from Sunday’s win, locking up a starting berth in the Plum Peachy championship on October 14.

Matt was able to get Bell Boots away from the two-slot and into third in the early going. The heavy favorite Fox Valley Shania, winner of both State Fair ICF stakes, never made the gate, going off stride before the start and again at the half.

The 4-1 second choice Dawn Of Creation never fired, the pacesetting Shespertiifulpert was on empty in the stretch, and Radiant Diamond, winner of 3 of her 4 previous races, was more than five lengths behind with a quarter of a mile to go.

Obviously, the door was open for an upset, and Bell Boots trotted her way through it at $25.80 for her sixth win in a busy 22 season starts.

Bell Boots raced out of the barn of owner Toni Bell as a two-year-old and was one for 10, although she never missed a check on the County Fair circuit. She made a modest $6,714. However, she’s added another $43,318 on her card this year while under the care of the much-traveled Avenatti.

Matt has crisscrossed the state many times while competing on the County Fair circuit and driving on the Springfield and Du Quoin Fairgrounds.

“It’s a three- and one-half-hour drive from my place in Chrisman (IL) to Hawthorne and I’ve already made the trip three times,” said Matt.

As long as Bell Boots keeps showing she has the ability to race with the bigger names in the Illinois bred second season filly pacing division, Matt won’t mind the drive a bit.

Matt and his younger brother Wyatt are sons of the veteran Illinois horseman David Avenatti who has been a stable on the state’s County Fair Circuit for decades.

Matt dropped Bell Boots right back in the entry box and she’ll race in Saturday’s first race in a major class drop. Next up could be next week’s (October 6th) fourth and final leg of the Beulah Dygert trotting series.

August Board Meeting Minutes

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 21:41:29 GMT

Focus shifts to Illinois young trotters

Sun, 24 Sep 2023 13:45:03 GMT

Focus shifts to Illinois young trotters

Shady Maple Alstar (Juan Franco) is a Kadabra trot contender on Sunday. (Terry Young Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Illinois bred Standardbreds of the diagonally gaited category get their opportunity to advance towards next month’s Night of Champions at Hawthorne Sunday night in several $25,000 series divisions for either two or three-year-olds.

First up is the initial division of the Fox Valley Flan for freshman trotting fillies. The likely post time favorites in the second race grouping are the Darla Martin-Lohman trained Gjlindagrit (Kyle Wilfong), the bridesmaid in a recent ISFCS division, and Du Quoin’s First Lady champion Calypso Moon (Casey Leonard) from the barn of trainer Curt Grummel.

They’ll be confronted by Dandy’s Girl (Gary Rath), Honoloulou (Cordarius Stewart), Change The Tune (Travis Seekman), Fox Valley Jessie (Jack Killeen), Ally Baba (Todd Warren), and Lous Enchantress (Wyatt Avenatti).

The sixth race second Fox Valley Flan pits the two ISFCS champions Whiskey Lou (Kyle Wilfong), another Curt Grummel trainee, and the Mike Brink stable’s Stand By Your Man (Mike Brink). Whiskey Lou took last weekend off while the lightly raced Stand By Your Man’s inexperience showed when she went off stride at the start of her third career race at 20 cents the on the dollar.

The Kadabra legs (races three and ten) have some interesting matchups. The first $25,000 split pits State Fair stake titleholders Fireballs Pride (Kyle Wilfong), from the Darla Martin Lohman stable, Herman Wheeler’s Shady Maple Alstar (Juan Franco) and ISFCS upset victor Lous Mandalorian (Juan Franco), trained by Roshun Triggs.

Other first division aspirants are Tru Cash (Cordarius Stewart), El Champee’on (Jamaica Patton), Britelitesbigcity (Kyle Husted), Shattered Dreams (Stan Banks), Fox Valley Nautica (Phil Knox) and Moopies Mooss (Gary Rath).

The tenth race other Kadabra split is an easier grouping consisting of Fox Valley Bono (Kyle Husted), Gritty Gator (Robert Smolin), D’Louigi (Curt Grummel), Lous Private Eye (Casey Leonard), Hope’s Star (Todd Warren), Fox Valley Parker (Gary Rath), Lota Grit (Kyle Wilfong), Dashing Durango (Jerome Daniels) and Deenbo (Travus Seekman),

The three-year-old “Dygerts” will go in single $25,000 series divisions with a larger than normal 12-horse field in the Erwin F. Dygert Memorial for ICF colts and geldings.

The streaking Niko Man (post two, Cordarious Stewart) puts his six-race winning streak on the line in race five and his chief rival Goomster (Travis Seekman) starts on his right with a gaudy season record as well. The Dennis Gardner owned and trained gelding is 8 for 10 with a pair of seconds.

Aint’t No Mojo (Wyatt Avenatti), Zions Realy Chilly (Kyle Husted), Lous Andiamo (Casey Leonard), Fox Valley Corso (Robert Smolin), Tankmetodennyland (Jack Killeen), Party Of Two (Jamaica Patton), Whatta Year (Juan Franco), Youain’tnofool (Todd Warren) and the two trailers Eyesontheprize Lou (Todd Warren) and Coal Creek (Kyle Wilfong).

Expect a quick first quarter with plenty of horses sprinting out with a pair of second tier trotters.

Sunday night’s $25,000 Beulah Dygert Memorial for sophomore fillies looks like a superb race headed up by Radiant Diamond (post 3, Travis Seekman), Dawn Of Creation (post 4, Casey Leonard) and Fox Vally Shania (post 6, Cordarius Stewart), all expected to get plenty of the public’s wagering support.

The longshot hopes in the 10-horse field are Shespertifulikepert (Kyle Wilfong), Bell Boots (Matt Avenatti), Mariah Lou (Wyatt Avenatti), Fox Valley Adira (Gary Rath), Memorial Storm (Juan Franco), Lou Sangreal (Kyle Husted) and Zena Lou (Steve Searle).

Girls Night Out: The gals got their chance in Hawthorne’s Night of Champions series Saturday evening with a triad of Incredible Tillie events for freshman pacers and a pair of Plum Peachy contests for 3-year-old pacing fillies.

The first $25,000 Incredible Tillie division of the night saw a secure first-over victory from the 8-5 second choice Fox Valley Sadie, trained by Amy Husted and driven by her husband Kyle. The 1:54.2 mile was the third win in a row for the Time To Roll filly in four lifetime outings

Fox Valley Sadie ($5.40) was pulled from fourth on the backside, powered past the even money pacesetting favorite Fox Valley Taran (Casey Leonard), and was one and one-half lengths the best thanks to a 55.2 last half. First Of Her Name (Travis Seekman) was second best, holding off the third-place finisher Sour Grapes (Phil Knox)

Casey Leonard perfectly rated the Gary Rath stable’s Sleazy Sister to a 1:54.3 first place finish in the second Incredible Tillie split, a head better than the 17-1 fast closing longshot Fox Valley Gina (Kyle Husted).

Casey hustled the Somestarsomewhere filly away from the two-post and into a quick lead. After a 28.3 first panel, Sleazy Sister ($7.80) had her own way to a 57.1 half, held off the eventual fourth place finisher Fox Vallet Tasha through the third quarter (1:26.1), and prevailed for the fourth time in five freshman starts for the Engel Stable of (Northbrook) Illinois.

The Husted stable’s Chickabell ($3.40) had an easy time capturing the last Incredible Tillie event on the card, almost six lengths ahead of runner-up Illini Belle (Cordarius Stewart) in the 1:53.4 mile.

Driver Kyle Husted was able to get away with a very soft 59.1 first two quarters and a 26.3 last quarter by the Somestarsomewhere prodigy ended any mystery of the outcome.

No Stopping “Leah:” Fox Valley Leah (Cordarius Stewart) looked to be much the best going into the initial Plum Peachy match up and she was pacing to her ninth consecutive triumph for trainer Erv Miller.

The prohibitive 1 to 9 betting choice came from sixth at the half (56.4) in the eight-horse field, rolled past the early leaders and put away a good effort from runner-up Rona Mae (Casey Leonard), proving best by more than a length in the 1:53.4 mile.

Last season’s juvenile state-bred champ Fox Valley Kia (Phil Knox) came from out of it to take the second Plum Peachy by two lengths over My Daddys Revenge (Casey Leonard).

Yet another offspring of Sometarsomewhere, Fox Valley Kia ($3.80) was more than eight lengths back at the first quarter in her 1:53,4 mile. Phil Knox also trains the winner for Arizona owner Judy Collins.

Bombs Away! It was a huge night for Mike Paradise’s Price Shots with Fox Calley Carlos popping in the sixth race at $59.20 and Always Miki coming through at $20.20 in the nightcap. The third pick Illini Belle was second best in race eight.

Illinois gals take over the spotlight

Sat, 23 Sep 2023 13:16:30 GMT

Illinois gals take over the spotlight

ISOBA champ Fox Valley Sadie (Kyle Husted) eyes another victory. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise, for the IHHA

The state-bred pacing gals get their opportunity Saturday evening to add to their owners’ finances and earn their way to Hawthorne’s Night of Champions, just three weeks away.

On tap are a trio of $25,000 Incredible Tillie series divisions for two-year-old fillies and a pair of $25,000 Plum Peachy contests for second season ICF staffers.

First up in the Incredible Tillie divisions is the second race 10-horse field that pits two of the recent ISFCS winners—Fox Valley Taran (Casey Leonard) and Fox Valley Sadie (Kyle Husted).

Fox Valley Taran, from the barn of conditioner Rob Rittof), followed a disappointing performance at Du Quoin where she went off stride, with a game victory two weeks ago in 1:54.2. Fox Valley Sadie was parked most of the way in her ISFCS event and still prevailed in 1:53.4. Two weeks prior she coasted to a 1:54.3 triumph in her Lt. Governor’s start.

They’ll be tested by Unhynged Zenzero (Todd Warren), Sour Grapes (Phil Knox), First of Her Name (Travis Seekman), Paradise Tomorrow (Wyatt Avenatti), Dandy’s Ms Swifty (Casey Leonard), Platinum Shark (Travis Seekman), Amy Moose (Gary Rath) and Ticktock Ticktock (Cordarius Stewart).

Two races later Du Quoin champion Sleazy Sister (Casey Leonard) Fox Valley Tasha (Cordarius Steward) figure to receive the bulk of the betting public’s backing in another 10-horse Incredible Tillie division.

Fox Valley Tatum (Juan Franco), Adalecia (Kack Killeen), Fox Valley Gina (Kyle Husted), Cupid’s Revenge (Travis Seekman), Sage’s Sandstorm (Ghary Rath), Fox Valley Reeva (Cordarius Stewart) and Big Flicka (Juan Franco).

The third “Tillie” group has the other two ISFCS titleholders, Hypeyourbestieup (Travis Seekman) and Fox Valley Tessa (Casey Stewart) taking on Illini Belle (Cordarius Stewart), Somestarsandi (Todd Warren), Karatop Moose (Gary Rath), Delight Moon (Phil Knox), Chickabell (Kyle Husted) and Stevie Mae (Travis Seekman).

Both Chickabell, Hypeyourbestieup, and Illini Belle are expected to get the greater part of the mutuel handle.

Chickabell, a winner at Du Quoin for the Husted stable, dropped a neck decision in her ISFCS division despite a 26.2 last quarter. The Erv Miller trainee Illini Belle came a long way to be a head short in her debut a week ago, pacing a 27 flat last panel.

Th $25,000 Plum Peachy series three-year-old splits are events three and seven on the nine-race program.

The Miller stable’s Fox Valley Leah (Cordarius Stewart), victorious in her last seven outings will be a heavy favorite against One R Andis Star (Phil Knox), Senorita Mouse (Kyle Husted), Rona Mae (Travis Seekman), Ashlee’s Lil Angel (Jordan Patton), Keen Kathy (Casey Leonard), South Gate Sally (Kyle Husted) and Some Dancing Star (Matt Avenatti).

The second Plum Peachy should see three fillies—My Daddys Revenge (Casey Leonard), The Magical Woman (Cordarius Stewart) and last season’s Illinois freshman champion Fox Valley Kia (Phil Knox)—get plenty of the public’s wagering dollars.

Fox Valley Cha Cha (Jordan Patton), Can’t Stay To Long (Todd Warren), Dandy’s Showtime (Casey Leonard), Tyler Ty (Juan Franco), Filly’s Revenge (Juan Franco) and Fox Valley Bustier (Cordarius Stewart) are the other Plum Peach aspirants.

Heavy “Chalk” Strikes Out: Friday night’s Incredible Finale series leg produced a huge upset in the first race when Casey Leonard rallied the Tom Simmons trained JR Strike Three, at 20-1, to a nose decision over the overwhelming 1 to 9 public’s choice Guitar Man (Kyle Husted).

You Can Never Tell (Juan Franco) was third, beaten only a head in the 1:52.4 mile.

The second $25,000 Incredible Finale freshman division saw Gorgeous Big Guy, nicely handled by Todd Warren, make it a winning debut for his new connections with a 1:53.3 clocking.

The 3-5 favorite Fox Valley Julian (Casey Leonard), eighth and last turning for home, came on strong on the lane but was no threat to the Erv Miller trained winner.

Sent off at 1-5 odds, Fox Valley Durham (Cordarius Stewart) didn’t disappoint his many supporters as the Time To Roll youngster pulled away to an easy victory in the third Incredible Finale grouping.

Another Erv Miller trainee, Fox Valley Durham got to the front on the backside and kept pulling away for his fourth win in seven season starts. Redhot Sky (Casey Leonard) came on to take third over the early pacesetter Fox Valley York (Kyle Husted).

Another Surprise Winner: The Robert F. Carey Memorial series got a lot more interesting after Fox Valley Langley (Travis Seekman) came off a long layoff and ended Fox Valley Landen’s eight race winning streak at 8-1 odds.

It was only Fox Valley Langley’s second season start and his first since the Cardinal in late June, nevertheless trainer Jamaica Patton certainly had last year’s ICF 2-year-old champion ready with a 1:51.4 lifetime best mile. “Langley” came from fifth at the half (:56.2) to mow down the 1-5 favorite by one length at a $19.20 mutuel. Longshot (55-1) Fox Valley Steeler (Mike Rogers) was third.

Fox Valley Patriot (Casey Leonard) triumphed by a comfortable three and one-half length in the first sophomore division with a new career mark of 1:51.3. Stable mate Fox Valley Jasper (Cordarius Stewart) was second best.

The winning Somestarsomewhere gelding is trained by the Midwest Division of the Erv Miller stable. Shark Solicitor (Matt Avenatti) took third.

IHHA Update

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 15:17:12 GMT

Tele-Town Hall Meeting Planned

Everyone that submitted a phone number with their IHHA membership will receive a call with a recorded message inviting them to participate in our telephone town hall. Others that are not members can still call the above number to participate.

Reigning Illinois champion returns

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 13:35:13 GMT

Reigning Illinois champion returns

Trainer Jamaica Patton will have Fox Valley Langley back tonight. (Terry Young Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

The march to Hawthorne’s Night of Champions continues Friday night for ICF male pacing two and three-year-olds with one major change in the sophomore division.

Returning to the races is for only his second start of the year and his first in almost three months is last season’s ICF the-year-old pacer of the year Fox Valley Langley for trainer Jamaica Patton.

Fox Valley Langley’s lone 2023 trip to the starting gate came in a division of the Cardinal stake on the June 22nd at Springfield where he was a non-threatening fourth.

“The horse has been dealing with an abscess on his right front leg. We’ve been working on it for months. I thought about bringing him back for Du Quoin, but I wanted to make sure he was at 100 per cent when he raced, so I waited for this series leg at Hawthorne.”

Fox Valley Langley faces a difficult task to make next month’s Robert F. Carey championship. The final field is based on the total number of points earned in the four legs of the series with a limit of a 10-horse field. Fifty points for a win, 25 for second, 12 for third, 8 four fourth and 5 for fifth. A single point is awarded for a series start.

“If he does well enough in these last two legs to make the final, that’s great. If not, that’s okay, too. He’s a good horse with a good future ahead of him.”

In his freshman season Fox Valley Langley was a seven-time winner, mostly state-bred stakes, and banked almost $58,000 for Illinois owners Lyle Lippe (Springfield) and Melvin Schoneweis (Petersburg).

“The horse raced very well in his qualifier (1:55.1, 27.2 last quarter,” continued the Mississippi native. “He gets excited to race and now that there are no issues with him, he’ll get his chance.”

Fox Valley Langley drew nicely with the two-post for driver Travis Seekman in Friday’s seventh race, second Carey division where he’ll have to take on the ICF three-year-old leader Fox Valley Landen (post 5, Kyle Husted) currently on an eight-race winning streak with a pair of 1:50 flat miles on his card this season.

Awaiting “Langley” and “Landen” are Fox Valley Treason (Phil Knox), Fox Valley Cayman (Casey Leonard), Fox Valley Steeler (Cordarius Stewart), Illini Jetset (Todd Warren), Kage Daniel (Juan Franco) and Unhynged Speed (Kevin Lambright).

The first $25,000 Carey split goes as the third race with six starters. From the pole position out you’ll find Shark Solicitor (Matt Avenatti), Fox Valley Presley (Todd Warren) Fox Valley Patriot (Casey Leonard), Fox Valley Jasper (Cordarius Stewart), Ghost Shark (Travis Seekman) and Dinger Gram (Wyatt Avenatti).

With 24 horses entering the first Hawthorne leg of the Incredible Finale series, three $25,000 divisions, each with eight juvenile pacers, were necessary.

The current “King of the Hill” in the ICF freshman male pacing Guitar Man heads up the first race initial grouping. The Rob Rittof trained gelding has won his last three races by an average of more than seven lengths and owns the fastest time this year in his state-bred class of 1:51.3.

Taking on Guitar Man (Kyle Husted) are Who’zzz This Sky (Watt Avenatti), Love Is Blue (Gary Rath), Rayjen (Travis Seekman), Rockonbigstar (Jamaica Patton), JR Strike Three (Casey Leonard), Fox Valley Kodiak (Cordarius Stewart) and You Never Can Tell (Juan Franco),

The fourth race second Incredible Finale division has both recent ISFCS champions dueling—Fox Valley Julian (Casey Leonard) and Gorgeous Big Guy (Tidd Warren).

The Mike Brink trained Fox Valley Julian paced a Hawthorne freshman track raced 1:52 flat mile two starts ago. Meanwhile, Gorgeous Big Guy has new connections for tonight’s race. He was sold to Doug Overhiser and Mark Winship and now is in the barn of trainer Erv Miller’s Midwest Division.

They’ll be confronted by Downtownleroybrown (Travis Seekman), R Tyler Towne (Juan Franco), Erico Pallazzo (Juan Franco), Freedom’s Playboy (Kyle Husted) and My Buddy Steve (Cordarius Stewart).

The Erv Miller stable’s Fox Valley Durham (Cordarius Stewart) will open as the 6-5 favorite on the sixth race third grouping. Ashleecoldmuffler (Todd Warren), Redhot Sky (Casey Leonard), Catatonic Iguana (Phil Knox), Holy Lucifer (Matt Avenatti), Bellas First Mooss (Gary Rath), Fox Valley York (Kyle Husted) and Gotta Go Gram (Travis Seekman) all are looking to pull off an upset.

2024 Pari-Mutual Dates

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 19:41:20 GMT

2024 Illinois Pari-Mutual Dates

The Illinois Racing Board held their annual dates meeting today. Here is a schedule of the pari-mutual races. An agreement is in place to race 28 additional harness days at Springfield or Du Quoin from June to early October. Illinois Racing Board Approves 2024 Race Dates.pdf

Fox Valley Julian oozes with potential

Sun, 17 Sep 2023 13:39:34 GMT

Fox Valley Julian oozes with potential

The Mike Brink stable’s Fox Valley Julian (Casey Leonard) shows his winning stride in a division of last weekend’s ISFCS track record performance. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise

Last weekend’s Illinois State Fair Colt Stakes lengthy card at Hawthorne produced some impressive victories by young state-bred pacers and trotters and maybe the most notable was a track record performance by the freshman Fox Valley Julian.

One of three Mike Brink trained winners on the program, Fox Valley Julian 1:52.1 mile with Casey Leonard at his lines was a Hawthorne track record for a two-year-old male pacer and the Somestarsomewhere gelding did it with a sizzling 26 flat quarter.

Both Brink and Leonard believe there’s more in the tank once Fox Valley Julian becomes more controllable and learns to be a racehorse for his Steeleville, Illinois owner James Hepp.

Fox Valley Julian got the attention of a lot of Prairie state fans when he romped by almost 10 lengths in 1:55 flat, in mid-August, just his second lifetime start. It was the first time Casey drove the youngster.

Nevertheless, the freshman’s next outing in a division of the Director’s Cup was a disappointment. Fox Valley Julian did well to be a non-threatening third after racing eleventh and last at the half, about a dozen lengths behind the heavy winning favorite Guitar Man who paced a 1:51.3 mile.

“He just wasn’t manageable that day,” said Casey. ”I don’t know if he was distracted or what. He was just a handful to drive. However last Sunday he was much better. Mike did some rigging changes with him. Give him the credit for the horse’s strong performance.”

Fox Valley Julian’s dam is the Jate Lobell broodmare Theladyappealstome, a name that may be familiar to those who follow the Illinois circuit. Her second foal was Fox Valley Topaz, the only Illinois-bred Breeders Crown champion, winning the 2007 filly pacing final as a two-year-old.

The Fox Valley Standardbred broodmare also delivered Foz Valley Appeal (1:50 flat), Fox Valley Escort (1:53.4), and Maximus (1:50.4) to the Illinois racing circuit..

Fox Valley Julian will get back to work Sunday evening in the third race for ICF two-year-old pacing colts and geldings. He’ll leave from post six with Casey in a seven-horse field.

“I put him in to get more racing experience,” said Brink. “He’s only had four starts and next week is a leg of Hawthorne’s Super Night series.”

F & M Open Headliner: The first $11,100 Open Pace for fillies and mares is the Sunday night feature. The six-horse field was drawn by groups with the Indiana invader She’s Magical from the barn of former Chicago circuit leading trainer Perry Smith likely post time favorite.

The four-year-old Rockin Image mare was third best in last weekend’s $22,000 Hoosier Park Open, pacing in 1:52.3 with a 26.1 last panel. She’s Magical is already a 10-time winner this season and has earned over $130,000 for Perry, who also owns the mare.

Lining up to challenge She’s Magical are five Illinois bred or owned mares: Fox Valley Kia (Phil Know), Dandy’s MNM (Richard S Finn), Apple Valley (Kevin Lambright), Fox Valley Exploit (Kyle Husted) and Tell The Dream (Cordarius Stewart).

The Amy Husted stable’s Fox Valley Exploit is the defending ICF aged mare champion with over $466,592 while the Robert Taylor trained Apple Valley took the state’s three-year-old distaff pacing honor and has won I 1:50 flat this year.

Brink has them ready at the right time

Sat, 16 Sep 2023 13:26:51 GMT

Brink has them ready at the right time

Stand By You Man, driven by her trainer Mike Brink, goes postward Sunday after ICF stakes freshman trotting triumphs in her first two career starts. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise, for the IHHA

Long time Springfield, Illinois based horseman Mike Brink has had the same philosophy with his young horses every year: “Have their ready for the State Fairs and Super Night.”

Being patient with his youngsters has always been a smart virtue for the 70-year-old Quincy, Illinois native and it’s paid off for Mike many, many times in his forty-plus years as a driver or trainer.

Brink has sent a bevy of stake champions from his barn such as 2007 Illinois Harness Horse of the Year King Mufasa, Rock Hollywood, Allbeastnobeauty, Just By Design, Fistfullofdollars, Crooked Creek, Illinimight, and Tour Hall along with a number more.

This year Brink could add a few more names to his impressive listing champion horses.

Mike had three of his horses win Illinois State Fair Colt Stake championships last Sunday—two-year-olds Stand By Your Man, Fox Valley Julian and the three-year-old pacer My Daddys Revenge.

His sophomore filly trotter Dawn Of Creation was a close second to Fox Valley Shania, beaten a half-length after flying home the last quarter ion 27 flat.

Right on cue, My Daddys Revenge was at the top of her game, capturing both a $15,000 division of the Time Dancer stake at Du Quoin and her $23,500 ISCFS stake last Sunday at Hawthorne. The Revenge Shark filly has banked over $130,000 in 21 career starts for the Illinois owned quartet of Brink, Mark Brown (Chatham) Jeffrey Clauson, and Robert Lacey (Nokomis).

Brink’s lightly raced well-regarded freshman trotter Stand By Your Man is in to “go” Sunday after capturing come-from-behind victories in a division of Du Quoin’s First Lady stake and last week’s ISFCS split in her first two career starts with Brink at the controls.

“She’s racing Sunday to gain some experience with two stake legs (Fox Valley Flan) and the final three weeks down the road. Right now, she doesn’t know what to do out there (on the racetrack). We need to build up her confidence.”

Stand By Your Man, a Lou’s Legacy filly out of the Deweycheatumnhome broodmare Little Riggs, was a $41,000 yearling buy at last year’s Walker Sale. “I like breeding so much that a couple of weeks ago I paid $34,000 for her sister What A Legacy.” added Brink.

“I had Stand By Your Man already for the ISFCS at Springfield but a week before the race (which was rained out), there was blood all over my jog cart when I was ‘training her. It turned out she popped a ‘quarter” and that set her back a few weeks.

“She has the potential to be a very good filly,” continued Mike. “She came home in 27 and 2 last Sunday. She wants to go fast, and I believe one day she could go in 1:55. But for now she has some learning to do.”

We’ll catch up on Brink’s other two-year-old ISFCS champion Fox Valley Julian in tomorrow’s (Sunday) story.

Huge class plunge bodes well for “Patriot”

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 21:16:48 GMT

Huge class plunge bodes well for “Patriot”

Casey Leonard will again be at the lines of the I CF 3-year-old pacer Fox Valley Patriot, the heavy favorite in Friday’s third race at Hawthorne. (Terry Young Photo)

By Mike Paradise

Now that the dust has settled from last Sunday’s marathon 18-race ICF stake program at Hawthorne, some trainers of the non-winning pacers and trotters are, not surprisingly, dropping their horses into much easier spots this time around.

After a wealthier stakes’ night program, the winners often get a week or more of rest unless they’ve been lightly raced going into stake finals. Not always so for many of the losers. It is back to work to earn some dough for the people who pay the bills.

There are class drops and then there are huge class plunges on some horses and that is the case for the Erv Miller Stable’s Fox Valley Patriot. The Somestarsomewhere gelding has been second best thus far behind the ICF three-year-old division leader Fox Valley Landen and has not finished worse than third in his nine season starts.

Fox Valley Patriot dropped a narrow neck division at Du Quoin to the latest star from the barn of Amy Husted and came home with a swift 25.4 last quarter, his fourth runner-up finish on the season.

Last weekend he rallied from tenth at the first quarter to be third to Fox Valley Landen. Back in late July at Springfield Fox Valley Patriot’s mile time was 1:50.4 in yet another second best finish to “Landen” who motored to his second 1:50 winning mile of the season.

However, drawing the three-slot last week with two trailers made the task for driver Casey Leonard a difficult one, to say the least.

“I expected a lot of horses to sprint out of there and they did,” said Casey. “Some of them weren’t the caliber of horses that belonged in a stake race and that caused traffic problems. With a couple of horses in the second tier, we got away near the back of the pack.

“My horse tries hard, and he did again on Sunday We just had too much round to try and makeup. He did very well to be third.”

As for tonight, Fox Valley Patriot drops down to a low-end non-winner of two races lifetime conditioned pace with his current regular driver Casey Leonard. Drawing the outside eight-slot did “Patriot” no favors but he’s expected to make his first winner’s circle stop of 2023 in convincing fashion.

One of Fox Valley Patriot’s two wins as a freshman came early as a two-year-old at Springfield, and since racing at the State Fairgrounds isn’t an extended meeting, the youngster is still eligible for Friday’s third race conditioned pace.

Interestingly, one of Fox Valley Patriots main threats tonight is the Tom Simmons trained three-year-old Fox Valley Presley, one of the trailers in Sunday’s ISFCS championship.

“Presley” landed the pole position tonight. On Sunday he left from the inside 10-post with a wall of horses in front of him, and a trailer on his right, and was a non-factor, finished last and far out of it. Another Somestarsomewhere prodigy, Fox Valley Presley does own four season wins, and all came when Casey was driving him earlier this summer. The $35,000 yearling buy will be more competitive tonight.

Major Harley, Arcadia Sportacular, Isle Coach, Fox Valley Treason and Sunmaster are the other third race hopefuls Friday night.

ISFCS marathon in the history books

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 14:48:20 GMT

ISFCS marathon in the history books

Radiant Diamond (Kyle Wilfong) was an easy winner in her ISFCS division for three-year-old trotting fillies. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise, for the IHHA

The Husted stable’s Fox Valley Landen proved once again he belongs on top of the ICF three-year-old colt and gelding pacing division with an impressive 1:51.1 victory in Sunday’s $41,000 Illinois State Fair Colt Stakes showdown at Hawthorne.

Trained by Amy Husted and smartly handled by her husband Kyle, the Somestarsomewhere gelding extended his winning streak to seven with the help of a heads-up move from his 32-yeear-old driver.

Fox Valley Landen raced in the two-hole behind Fox Valley Jasper (Cordarius Stewart) from the first half (:56.2) on and was begging for racing room at the top of the stretch. When his driver saw daylight along the rail, he sent his prize pacer to it where “Landen” burst through and pulled away.

The only question was how much the heavy 1-2 favorite would win by. Ghost Shark (Travis Seekman) was second best, beaten almost five lengths. Fox Valley Patriot (Casey Leonard) came on for third.

Fox Valley Dominance: Sunday’s 18-race marathon began with the first of a quartet of $17,250 divisions of the ISFCS for two-old state-bred fillies and it saw the third choice in the wagering Fox Valley Sadie, perfectly handled by Kyle Husted, carve out a winning trip from the outside eight-slot, getting up in time for trainer Amy Husted and owners John Schwarz (Wood Dale, IL), David Brigham (Concord, IL) and the Husted Stable (Altamont, IL) with a new lifetime mark of 1:53.4. The same trio also own Fox Valley Landen.

Kyle was able to get a second over journey for Fox Valley Sadie ($7.40) behind the 9-5 second choice, and eventual runner-up Fox Valley Tasha (Cordarius Stewart). The pacesetting 8-5 betting favorite Sleazy Sister (Casey Leonard) held on for third.

In the second juvenile filly grouping, Kyle Wilfong aptly rated Fox Valley Taran ($7.80) to a wire-to-wire victory over the 2-5 public’s choice Chickabell (Kyle Husted) who enjoyed a pocket trip but did some costly drifting in the lane and had to settle for the bridesmaid role, a neck behind in the 1:54.3 mile.

Trained by Rob Rittof for Floridan owner Doug Overhiser, Fox Valley Taran was able to get away with very soft first half fractions of 30 flat and 29 flat before posting her third victory in five career 0utings.

The first double-digit winner on the card came in race five when the Steve Searle trained Fox Valley Tessa ($14.20) patiently handled by Kyle Wilfong proved fastest in the lane at 6-1 odds in the third freshman filly division.

The 1:56.1 mile was the first triumph in four career starts for the Time To Roll filly and her proprietors Brian Code (Bradford, IL, James Nellinger (Peoria, IL), Gretchen Barnett (San Diego, CA) and Searle (Grant Park, (IL).

The fourth and last $17,250 split for the gals went as expected as the even-money choice Hypeyourbestieup gave Kyle Wilfong his fourth championship drive of the night. The 1:53.4 mile was a season best for the Jamaica Patton trained Somestarsomewhere filly co-owned by Jamaica (Rochester, IL) and Cedric Daniels (Jackson, Mississippi).

Strumming Along: The overwhelming 1-9 favorite Guitar Mam (Kyle Husted) hardened his early position at the top of the ICF two-year-old male pacing divisions with an easy win in 1:54 flat, more than six lengths better than 28-1 longshot Love Is Blue (Gary Rath).

Once the 9-2 second choice Erico Palazzo (Casey Leonard) made a break in the first turn, Husted sent the Rob Rittof trainee after the early leader Catatonic Iguana (Travis Seekman). Guitar Man ($2.20) had command before the leisurely 59.2 half and the first of two $21,000 divisions became a race for second place with Guitar Man coming home in a sizzling 26 seconds flat.

Doug Overhiser (New Smyma Beach, FL) and Mark Winship (Canton, IL) share ownership of the promising Somestarsomewhere freshman who is 5 for 6 in his initial campaign.

The second division went to the 6-5 favorite Fox Valley Julian (Casey Leonard) in 1:52.1, equaling the track record for a two-year-old male pacer. The Mike Brick trained gelding wore down the front-stepping You Can Never Tell (Juan Franco) with a wicked 26 flat last panel.

James Happ of Sterling, Illinois owns the Somestarsomewhere offspring who sold for $19,000 at the 2022 Walker Standardbred sale.

Looking Gorgeous: Du Quoin titleholder Gorgeous Big Guy ($3.40), owned and trained by Tim Roach, was a comfortable five length winner in the second $21,000 colt split in 1:54.2. The 3-5 favorite got to the front on the backside and after an easy-going half (:59.1), the outcome was not in doubt for the Michigan based Roach, who also owns the Ashlee’s Big Guy colt.

The first-time starter Freedom’s Playboy (Kyle Wilfong) had traffic problems and did well to come on strong in the stretch to be second.

Standing Tall: A well-timed move from driver and trainer Mike Brink saw the even-money favorite Stand By Your Man ($4.00) overtake the early leaders in the initial $28,000 first ISCFS split for first season Illinois bred colt and gelding trotters.

The son of Lou’s Legacy is now two-for-two in his young career after also prevailing in a division of the First Lady stake at Du Quoin for the Illinois quartet of Mark Brown (Chatham), Jeffrey Clauson (Macomb), Robert Lacey (Nokomis) and Mike Brink (Springfield)

Driver Kyle Wilfong was back to get his picture taken by the track photographer after guiding the Curt Grummel trained Whiskey Lou to a rather comfortable first place finish in the other state-bred stake for juvenile filly trotters.

Wilfong brushed Whiskey Lou ($3.00) to the front on the backstretch and the daughter of Lou’s Legacy wasn’t really tested from there, pulling away from the second-place trotter Ally Baba (Cordarius Stewart) by five lengths for Savannah, Missouri winning owner Randy Will.

On Cruise Control: It was strictly “no contest” as the Midwest division of the Erv Miller stable’s Niko Man ($2.20), steered by Cordarius Stewart, breezed to his sixth consecutive victory in the first of a couple of $23,500 divisions stake for sophomore male trotters.

When Lous Andiamo (Casey Leonard) and Tankmetodennyland (Travis Seekman) both went off stride at the start, Niko Man (post one) easily grabbed command of the five-horse field and floated to a :59.4 half. The talented trotter then waved “bye-bye” to his foes and was almost an 11 lengths winner at the end of the 1:54.2 mile for co-owners Doug Overhiser (Florida) and Anthony Lombardi of Morrison, IL.

It was just as easy for the prohibitive favorite Goomster ($2.10) in the second season male trotting stake as Goomster was more than four lengths conqueror for owner and trainer Dennis Gardner of West Salem, Illinois.

Confidently handled by Travis Seekman, the winning Cassis gelding sailed to a 58.2 first half, and then gradually drew away from his rivals while heading to the three-quarters (1:27 flat). The 1:55.3 triumph was Goomster’s eight in ten season tries.

Sparkling Performance: Fox Valley Shania (Cordarius Stewart) chalked up her seventh season win in 16 starts in the first $23,500 ISFCS division for three-year-old trotting fillies. The Erv Miller trained distaffer held off Dawn Of Creation (John De Long) by a half-length in the 1:57.3 mile

The 15th race was the second of a pair of $23,500 three-year-old filly trotting splits. In the first division Radiant Diamond (Travis Seekman) at 1-5, went from near the back of the pack at the quarter mile pole (:29.1) to the front at the 59.4 half in what turned out to be the winning move.

The Richard Schrock trained Dontcheatonmenow filly was strong on the front-end, drawing away from the second-place finisher Lou Sangreal (Casey Leonard) in the lane to pick-up her sixth first place finish of the season in 1:56.4 for the Illinois duo of Jodi Peacock (Cantrall) and Carol A. Reynolds (Springfield).

Staying Hot: The two $28,500 ISFCS two-year-old colt and gelding trot divisions looked to be very competitive, and the first split certainly was as the 9-5 co-favorite Fireballs Pride got up in deep stretch to overtake the other 9-5 choice Shady Maple Alstar (Juan Franco) by one length in a 1:59.1 mile. Tru Cash (Cordarius Stewart) at 2-1 was a game third.

Fireballs Pride gave driver Kyle Wilfong a five-bagger on the lengthy program. Trained by Darla Martin-Lohman (Effingham, IL), who shares ownership of the Dejarmbro gelding with Charles Doehring (Brownsville, IL), the winner has a flashy first season record of five wins and 3 seconds in eight starts.

The second division favorites Lous Private Eye and Little Chipper failed to land in the top three finishers as the 25-1 longshot Lous Mandalorian (Juan Franco) came on with a rush to pop at $52.60 in 1:59 flat, knocking more than 10 seconds off his previous best winning mile of 2:09.3 on a fair track.

Owned by Flacco Family Farms and trained by Roshun Triggs, Lous Mandalorian won for the fifth time in his first campaign. Lota Grit (Kyle Wilfong) was second and Fox Valley Parker (Gary Rath) took the third spot.

Chalk Up Two More: In the $23,500 two sophomore filly pacing splits the streaking Fox Valley Leah (Cordarius Stewart) was successful for the eighth time in a row for the trio of Florida resident Doug Overhiser, George Golmes (Oak Brook, IL) and trainer Erv Miller of Pennsylvania.

The winning time of 1:51.3 was a tick faster than her Time Dancer stake conquest last month at Du Quoin.

Fox Valley Kia (Phil Knox) ratted off a quick 55.3 first half but couldn’t keep Fox Valley Leah from rolling past for a three-length triumph.

Second

The second filly pace concluded the more than six hour plus epic program with the heavy 2-5 favorite My Daddys Revenge (John De Long), from the barn of Mike Brink, holding off The Magical Woman (Cordarius Stewart) in a 1:53 flat clocking.

It was season victory number five for the Revenge Shark filly owned by the Springfield, Illinois twosome of conditioner Mike Brink and Lori Searle

When It Rains It Pours

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 20:44:26 GMT

When It Rains, It Pours

After experiencing the cancellation of our Springfield State Fair races due to rain, it feels as though nothing is going right for Illinois horsemen. Those rains, coming at the most inopportune times, made many of us question our commitment to racing here. Without question, there has never been a more difficult time to be involved in Illinois harness racing. The current position of our entire industry is surely at a crossroad. While disagreements amongst ourselves have always existed, collectively, our current state of mind has never been more conflicted. There are people that say, “I'm mad as Hell and I'm not going to take this anymore.” Some believe that we should do everything in our power to disrupt the current status quo, even if it means sacrificing our future racing opportunities. Some believe that this “slow death” is not worth saving in its current form. The other opinion is that we need to stay in business here for as long as possible. It is said that even with this limited schedule, it is better than the alternative of leaving for another state or quitting the business. This faction of our membership wants to see this through, stay in business and hang on until our racinos are built.

Who is correct?

The truth is both opinions have validity. It really depends on the horsemen’s personal current situation. The IHHA, who represents all groups, is in an unenviable position. More so than ever, not everyone will be happy with the direction that the board takes. We represent owners, trainers, drivers, grooms and breeders. Each category of our membership sees things a little different. We are empowered with the responsibility of making potentially life changing decisions for many lives and we take this very, very seriously. The IHHA directors make all major decisions after thorough, in-depth debates, many of which do get heated. Those debates can get heated because the director’s care. They all love the game and want it to succeed. The 15 directors of the IHHA were voted onto the board by their peers. Keep in mind, there are many specific details that the IHHA board of directors are privy to but cannot be shared publicly. It doesn’t mean they are secrets; it simply means that discretion is sometimes needed when strategizing our positions. We want everyone to understand this. The board is listening to you and making these decisions on what is in the best interest of the entire industry, sometimes, unfortunately at the detriment of some of others. It’s important for us to remember, that we are all on the same team with the same goals. It’s obviously everyone’s right to disagree, but let’s do it without all of the vitriol and some mutual civility.

Free Programs Return

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 20:33:33 GMT

Free Hawthorne Programs

The IHHA has decided to offer free programs again this year for all of our loyal owners and fans. Click on the "FANS" tab and then "Free Programs." Enjoy!

Lynn Wilfong Has Passed Away

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 19:24:26 GMT

Lynn Wilfong Has Passed Away

Lynn Wilfong has passed away. Click here for more. Lynn Wilfong, 84, dies – U.S. Trotting News (ustrottingnews.com)

Third time the charm for ISFCS huge card

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 18:35:28 GMT

Third time the charm for ISFCS huge card

Little Chipper (Jared Finn) a 16th race ISFCS two-year-old trot starter, easily won his Illinois debut in a division of the Governor’s Cup at Du Quoin for trainer J D Finn. (Four footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

HINSDALE, IL—It’s often said that the third time is the charm. More often than not that idiom has been proven wrong. However, in the case of the belated Illinois State Fair Colt Stakes, that phase will be spot-on Sunday evening.

The shifting of the ISFCS events to Hawthorne and its all-weather mile oval means rain or shine, they’ll finally be raced.

You might remember that tonight’s program was originally to be held as ISFCS eliminations back on August 11that Springfield. However, that old State Fair bug-a-boo, rain, caused the all dirt track to be muddy and unfit to race. So, the entire racing card of eliminations was divided into 18 finals and shifted to Springfield’s scheduled last day of racing on Friday, August 17th.

However, that move turned out to be all wet as well.

About a half-hour before the first race post a brief shower came about, and with a popular concert on tap earlier that night, there was no way to get the track prepared in time for the 18 championships to safely be contested. For this reason, they were cancelled and rescheduled for tonight at Hawthorne.

In some instances, being raced almost a month later than normal has made the handicapping of these finals a bit of a challenge. Most of the horses have raced at least once, and in some cases twice, since last month. Driver changes have occurred. Some potential finalists have been scratched.

And, importantly, Du Quoins State Fair stake championships, usually conducted before the Springfield finals, have already been decided.

For instance, in Sunday’s fourth race ISFC S division for two-year-old pacing males, back in mid-August little was known about Tim Roach’s Gorgeous Big Guy except that the Ashlee’s Big Guy colt posted first four starts were on half-mile fairs tracks in Michigan.

Now, he’s the pre-race favorite after an impressive victory in his $25,000 Directors Cup at Du Quoin where he left from the second tier, was parked out the entire mile, and still came home in 27.2 at the end of his winning 1:52.2 mile.

Then there’s Little Chipper, one of the favorites in the 16th race two-year-old male trot. At Springfield all we knew was he raced twice at the fairs, both wins, and did no better than fourth in his three starts at Hoosier Park. Trainer J D Finn however had him ready to roll for driver Jared Finn in a division of Du Quoin’s Governor’s Cup, winning comfortably in 1:57.3.

In tonight’s same 16th race, the Steve Searle barn’s Lous Private Eye showed an easy victory at Mt Sterling but nothing special earlier. Well, he was pointed for the State Fairs where the younger brother of Lousdobb breezed in his Governor’s Cup split at Du Quoin in 1:58.2 with driver Casey Leonard.

Also keep in mind that on the State Fair all-dirt softer ovals, some trainers race their trotters without shoes on their hind legs or no shoes at all. That’s often not the case on Hawthorne’s harder limestone surface. Also note when handicapping that Hawthorne’s stretch is more than 400 feet longer than Du Quoin’s and more than 800 feet longer than Springfield’s.

One of the major driver changes with the ISFCS move away from Springfield is that former Chicago-based driver John De Long will be at Hawthorne Sunday to drive. The Wisconsin native will handle the Mike Brink trainees Red Hot Sky (race 2), Dawn Of Creation (race 10), Astra Viking (race 11) and My Daddys Revenge (race 16) also trainer Ivar Hyngstrom’s Unhynged Speed (race 8) and Unhynged Zenzero (race 12).

On paper, it looks like a good night for “chalk” players but as you know anything can happen in a horse race, so sit back and enjoy tonight’s king-size wagering card.

Hawthorne ends its harness racing drought

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 18:18:22 GMT

Hawthorne ends its harness racing drought

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Hinsdale, IL–It’s been a long time coming. After a one-year hiatus, harness racing returns to Hawthorne Racecourse Saturday, the opening night program of its 2023 Standardbred racing season.

When Arlington Park surprisingly officials pulled the plug on horse racing in 2021 and sold its land to the Chicago Bears, it tossed the Illinois horse racing industry into disarray and made Hawthorne the lone all-weather harness racing facility in the state, causing a major headache to the scheduling of both the thoroughbreds and Standardbred racing.

It’s been a full year since harness racing was conducted on the Stickney, Illinois mile oval. The thoroughbreds have occupied the facility since mid-September of 2022. Fortunately for harness racing fans, that will change Saturday night with the opening card Hawthorne card will see the “big guns” of the ICF program underscore the 13-race card.

The seventh race $11,100 Open for pacers lured the former Illinois Horse of the Year He’zzz A Wise Sky (Travis Seekman) to compete against four other very good pacers: Admiral Adam (Ryan Ver Hage), Fox Valley Ozzy (Gary Rath), Fox Valley Gemini (Casey Leonard) and Western Era (Cordarius Stewart).

Hre’zzz A Wise Sky comes inti the fray with a pair of sub 1:50 winning miles in the aged state fair pacing championships at Springfield and Du Quoin.

A victory tonight will boost the homebred six-year-old gelding’s lifetime purse earnings over the $600,000 plateau for his Beecher, Illinois owners Triple ZZZ Stable. The Yankee Skyscraper stud boasts a lifetime record of 74 finishes of third or better in 90 starts, 41 of those wins.

Fox Valley Gemini has been second best to the John Filomeno trained pacer in both State Fair showdowns nevertheless has beaten He’zzz A Wise Sky the last two times they’ve met on Hawthorne’s Night of Champions. A win Saturday would give the pride of the Terry Leonard stable 60 first place finishes in 116 trips to the starting gate.

A race earlier brings together three of last year’s Illinois trotting champions—Talk Abou Valor (Travis Seekman), handicapped with the outside six slot; Annas Lucky Star (Juan Franco) and Lous Dobb (Casey Leonard). They’ll be challenged by La Lolita (Matt Avenatti), Reign And Shine (Jamaica Patton) and Swan Of Dreams (Phil Knox),

The two-time defending ICF aged male trotter Talk About Valor breezed to back-to-back Illinois State champions last month for trainer Gerald Hansen and will be a heavy favorite to extend his two-race winning streak for Monee, Illinois owner Shelley Steele.

Annas Lucky Star (post three) also got back on the winning track at the Illinois State Fairs, taking both older aged mare pace championships for owner and breeder Danny Graham of Salem, Illinois. Nelson Willis has trained the now nine-year-old mare throughout her brilliant career consisting of 60 winner’s circle stops.

Travis Seekman will take over the driving chores tonight with the mare’s regular pilot Kyle Wilfong competing at Hoosier Park.

The Steve Searle trained Lousdobb (post four) was the best in the Illinois bred colt and gelding trot division as both a two and three-year-old. Now four, the Lous Legacy gelding has been consisting of hitting the tote board, second best against Talk About Valor at both Springfield and Du Quoin.

The four-year-old mare La Lolita bested Annas Lucky Star earlier this summer for her Kentucky owner Darek Harmon and her rail position should have the four-year distaffer racing near the front tonight.

Reign And Shine (post two) is putting together a strong campaign Williamsville, Illinois owners Carroll and Diana Hays. The six-year-old homebred mare was a close second to Annas Lucky Star in their State Fair showdowns and has banked over $20,000 in her first 11 season starts.

The best two and three-year-old ICF pacers and trotters are sprinkled through a huge 18-race card on Sunday where the post time has been moved up to 4:30 pm to accommodate the three-dozen state-bred stakes rained out twice at the recently concluded Springfield State Fair.

Keep an eye on these ICF “Lous”

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 18:09:35 GMT

Keep an eye on these ICF “Lous”

The Steve Searle trained Lous Private Eye (Casey Leonard) beat some of the top ICF freshman male trotters in his $25,000 Governor’s Cup division at Du Quoin. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

When the State Fairs meetings at Springfield and Du Quoin roll around in mid and late August, it’s the time you see some of the two-year-olds start to blossom and show their potential.

It was no different this year and among the state-bred freshman trotting division horses like Lous Esmeralda, Calypso Moon, Shady Maple Ace, Little Chipper, Lous Amazon, El Champee’onn, Stand By Your Man, and Lous Private Eye all showed their heels to their opponents with victories at the recent Du Quoin State Fair.

Some of those victories were expected, some weren’t.

One of the double-digit priced winners was Lous Private Eye, from the barn of trainer Steve Searle. A son of the reigning Illinois Trotting Sire of the Year Lou’s Legacy, the juvenile colt wasn’t a factor in his first four starts.

The freshman brother of the barn’s Illinois 2 and 3-year-old champion Lous Dobb turned his fortunes around at Mt Sterling Fair in early August when his regular driver Casey Leonard gave Lous Private Eye a pocket-trip and the colt ended up a nine-plus length winner in 2:02.1 on a “good” track over Deenbo, then the leader in the ICF juvenile trot grouping.

Despite the comfortable win, Lous Private Eye ($12.40) was, not surprisingly, the fourth choice in the betting last Tuesday in the $25,000 second split of the Governor’s Cup with the early leaders Shady Maple Star, Deenbo and Tru Cash all also going postward in the same event.

Casey raced Lou’s Private Eye inside in third most of the way only to find the Flacco Family Farms homebred shuffled to nest to last in the eight-horse field at the top of late. However once Casey found daylight in the lane, his colt powered past the field with a 28.1 last panel, more than one length the best at the end of a 1:58.2 mile over Shady Maple Alstar.

“I watched the replay the other day and I still thought Casey wasn’t going get out with the horse,” said Steve laughing. “I’m lucky to have patient owners like Flacco Family farms and a patient driver (Casey Leonard),” continued Searle. “I try to get my two-year-olds ready for mid-August like we did with Lou’s Private Eye. I think he has a chance to be a really good trotter. He raced well in his last start in July, and we took him to Mt Sterling for the Downstate Classic where he set a two-year-old trotting record (2:02.4) on a track that was listed ‘good.’

"I thought he would be good for Springfield but we got rained out. Casey did a great of a job driving him at Du Quoin. He told me the horse was full of trot coming down the stretch.”

Searle also sent out another offspring of Lou’s Legacy, Lous Amazon, a day alter at Du Quoin in a IDOA race, and she came up victorious in 2:01.3 with a 28.2 last quarter rally.

“She’s a big filly, that’s why we call her ‘Amazon’. She didn’t fare well at the fairs earlier because she doesn’t get around the half very well. We also have been patient with her and it’s starting to pay off.”

Early Sunday Post: We will get to see most of the two-year-old winners at Du Quoin this weekend on the all-weather mile track at Hawthorne. Opening night for the 2023 meet is Saturday and they’ll also race on Sunday night.

First post Saturday is 7:10 pm, however with 18 races thus Sunday the first race post has been moved up to 4:30 pm

Wyatt Red Hot: Wyatt Avenatti had himself one heck of driving night Wednesday on the Morrison, Illinois fair track. The 27-year-old Chrisman, Illinois resident drove eight horses and had seven first place finishes and was second best in the other.

July Board Meeting Minutes

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 21:34:14 GMT

June Board Meeting Minutes

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 21:30:35 GMT

May Board Meeting Minutes

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 21:23:16 GMT

Du Quoin State Fair Championships Decided

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 20:22:00 GMT

Du Quoin State Fair Championships Decided

Fox Valley Landen (Kyle Husted) kept his top position atop the ICF 3-yeat-old male pacing division with his seventh consecutive victory Tuesday at the Du Quoin State Fair. (Patricia Fryman Photography)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

HINSDALE, IL—After a season where a case could be made for about a half-dozen two-year-old male pacers to be named the 2022 ICF champion in the division, it’s been quite a different narrative as three-year-olds.

The Amy Husted Stable’s Fox Valley Landen had a respectable freshman campaign banking almost $30,000 with two wins and three seconds in 11 starts however what a difference a year has made for the muscular son of Somestarsomewhere.

Fox Valley Landen has already won in 1:50 flat twice this year, five seconds faster than the two-year-old mark of 1:55.

Fox Valley Landen (Kyle Husted) did have more trouble than usual to extend his winning streak to seven in a row Tuesday at the Du Quoin State Fair. It came in the $15,000 first division of the Dudley Hanover, thus solidifying his position as the leader in his class.

The winning margin was only a long neck over Fox Valley Patriot, cleverly driven by Casey Leonard.

Fox Valley Patriot took a quick lead with Fox Valley Landen settling in third and went to a slow 30.2 first quarter. Casey had Fox Valley Patriot on his way to another pedestrian panel when Husted took “Landen” out of third and brushed him to the front just before the 59.4 half with “Patriot” in the pocket.

It took a speedy 26 flat last quarter by the winner to hold on for his owners David Brigham (Concord, MI), John Schwarz Jr. (Wood Dale, IL) and Kyle Husted (Altamont, IL at the end of the 1:52.1parked-out mile.

The second Dudley Hanover division went a lot quicker, from start to finish, as the 6-5 favorite Fox Valley Jasper (Cordarius Stewart) was three-quarters of a length the best over a fast-closing Fox Valley Cayman (Casey Leonard).

Ghost Shark (Travis Seekman) took the field to first half fractions of 28 flat and :28.4 and soon after Cordarius hauled Fox Valley Jasper out of the pocket, where he raced outside of Ghost Shark through the third quarter (1:23.3) and went on to gain a 1:51.4 victory, a new lifetime mark for the Somestarsomewhere gelding.

The 8-5 favorite Fox Valley Jasper is owned by Doug Overhiser of New Smyma Beach, Florida and the Engle Stable of Northbrook, Illinois.

Two Gorgeous Efforts: The first $25,000 Director’s Cup for first season colt and gelding pacers saw Gorgeous Big Guy ($9.00), owned, trained, and driven by Michigander Tim Roach overcome a start from the second tier (11 post) and prove best in 1:52.3.

The Ashlee’s Big Guy colt showed a lot of fortitude in his initial Illinois start, going a rugged trip parked-out but still proving best over a game try by runner-up Erico Pallazzo (Casey Leonard). There were five lead changes going to the 56.2 half.

The Second Director’s Cup split turned out to be “no contest” as Guitar Man (Kyle Husted) was a dominating seven length winner in 1:51.3, thus far the fastest mile for an ICF two-year-old pacer.

Husted settled Guitar Man into seventh while others sped to a 55.2 first half. On the backside Kyle made his move with Guitar Man, and it was a bold one, as the Somestarsomewhere offspring powered to the front effortlessly and simply pulled away to his fourth win in five career starts for trainer Rob Rittof and his owners Doug Overhiser and Mark Winship if Canton, Illinois.

Chipping Away: Two $25,000 divisions of the Governor’s Cup for freshman male trotters were contested. In the first split Little Chipper ($18.40), nicely handled by Jared Finn, came away to an almost four-length triumph over the 3-2 favorite Fireballs Pride (Kyle Wilfong) in 1:57.2 for trainer John D Finn and owner Larry Longnecker of Summer. Illinois.

It was another upset winner in the second Governor’s Cup grouping as Lous Private Eye at 5-1 beat the division leaders Shady Maple Alstar and Deebo thanks to a nifty inside move in the stretch by his driver Casey Leonard.

The Steve Searle trained Lou’s Legacy colt, owned and bred by Flacco Family Farms of Alexis, Illinois, trotted the mile in 1:58.2 in his fifth career start.

Kevin Miller’s Double Parked pulled off a shocker in the $7,000 ICF aged mare pace showdown with a sizzling 1:50.2 clocking at 9-1. Driver Cordarus Stewart sent the Sagebrush mare to the front where she cut fractions of 27.2, 54.2 and 1:21.1 and held off the late rushing 1-2 heavy favorite Fox Valley Exploit by one and one-quarter lengths.

In the nightcap, the speedster He’zzz A Wise Sky (Kyle Wilfong) made it a sweep of the Illinois State Fair colt championships with a quick 1:49.4 victory in his first ever start on the Du Quoin mile oval. Fox Valley Gemini gave it a game effort, finishing one length behind.

More ICF stakes in store at Du Quoin

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 20:16:01 GMT

More ICF stakes in store at Du Quoin

Dennis Gardner’s two-year-old trotter Deenbo (Travis Seekman) goes after his sixth season victory in Tuesday’s $25,000 second Governor’s Cup twelfth race trot. (Terry Young Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Hinsdale, IL: It’s day two of the Du Quoin State Fair’s abbreviated three programmed meet and if Monday’s opener is any indication were in for more competitive ICF stake races.

The last eight events on Tuesday’s 15-race card will decide titleholders in the two, three and older state bred pace and trot categories.

The Amy Husted stable’s Fox Valley Landen puts his six race winning streak on the line in the eighth race first division of the $15,000 Dudley Hanover for ICF sophomore pacing males and with the one post in his six-horse split, he’ll be a heavy favorite to make another winner’s circle visit.

The Somestarsomewhere gelding will be on Lasix for the first time after qualifying in 1:51.4 on the bleeder medication at Hoosier Park 10 days ago.

Cardinal stake champ Fox Valley Jasper (Cordarius Stewart) and Ghost Shark (Travis Seekman), the two-year-old Du Quoin champion, head up the 10th race second Dunley Hanover grouping.

The Director’s Cup for freshman pacing colts and geldings has a pair of 11-horse divisions with $25,00 pots in each. The Erv Miller stable’s Fox Valley Durham (Cordarius Stewart) is the likely post time favorite in the eleventh race after back-to-back triumphs at Springfield while Guitar Man (Kyle Husted) is the 8-5 early choice in the thirteenth race after an almost 12 length romp in a snappy time of 1:52 flat a month ago.

The Governor’s Cup for two-year-old trotter was also separated into $25,000 groupings with the twelfth race second gathering the tougher of the pair with division leaders Deebo (Travis Seekman) and Shady Maple Alstar (Juan Franco) duking it out for a third time. Deebo won their first two encounters while Shady Maple Alstar captured the last.

Springfield ICF aged mare champ Fox Valley Exploit (6-5, Kyle Husted) and the six-year-old gelding victor He’zzz A Wise Sky (1-1, Kyle Wilfong) both look to sweep this year’s older State Fair pacing championships. They’ll compete in the last pair of events on the card.

Monday’s Recap: The initial $25,000 division of the First Lady’s Cup for two-year-old trotting fillies kicked-off the first of eight Illinois bred stake events and produced a major upset when Stand My Your Man, patiently handled by her trainer Mike Brink, blew past the field in the lane at 24-1 odds in her very first lifetime start.

The $50 winner went off stride in her last two qualifiers, but Mike certainly had the $41,000 yearling purchase her ready to roll for her debut as the daughter of Lou’s Legacy rallied strongly from the middle of the pack to win it in 1:55.2.

There was no surprise winner in the second split as the 3-5 favorite Calypso Moon (Casey Moon) pulled away from the field despite taking air most of the second half. The baby sister of 2022 Illinois Horse of the Year Funky Wiggle trotted the mile in 1:59.2 for trainer Curt Grummel and owner and breeder Dr. Patrick Graham of Lockridge, Iowa.

The Gary Rath stable’s Sleazy Sister stayed unbeaten in three starts and she had to do it the hard way in the first division of the $25,000 Governor’s Cup for first season pacing fillies,

Nicely handled by Casey Leonard, the Somestarsomewhere filly overcame the outside 10-hole in an 11-horse field and despite a not-so-easy trip, triumphed by almost three lengths in 1:55.2 over the 5-2 favorite Nae’s Rendezvous (Travis Seekman).

Sleazy Sister is owned by bred by the Engle Stable of Northbrook, Illinois.

Fox Valley Sadie (Kyle Husted) showed why she was a $46,000 yearling buy for the Amy Hustle stable, taking the second freshman filly pace split by three lengths in 1:54.4.

The 5-2 second choice in the betting is the younger half-sister of the barn’s champion mare Fox Valley Exploit and had made just one start before Monday, that coming a month ago for owners John Schwarz Jr. (Wood Dale, IL), David Brigham (Concord, MI) and the Husted Racing (Altamont, IL).

The third $16,666 Lt. Governor’s Cup split was expected to b a tight battle between Chickabell (Kyle Husted) and Fox Valley Tasha (Cordarius Stewart) and it was just that as they both hit the finish wire in 1:54.3,

By a scant nose the front stepping even money public’s choice Chickabell held off the late rushing Fox Valley Tasha for owners Husted Racing (Altamont, IL), Viva Las Vegas Racing (Plainfield, IL), Chris Norder (Troy, IL) and Michael Argila (Deltona, FL).

The first division of the Time Dancer stake for 3-year-old fillies was next and a heads-up drive by Casey Leonard enabled the even-money favorite My Daddys Revenge to squeeze through along the rail and prevail in 1:56.2.

At the top of the stretch, it appeared the Mike Brink trained filly wasn’t going to find room to get up in time, but Casey swung the Revenge Shark offspring to the furthest inside path where the Mike Brink and Lori Searle owned filly won for the fourth time in eight season outings.

The second Time Dancer went as anticipated as the overwhelming 1-9 favorite Fox Valley Leah (Atlee Bender) cruised to her sixth consecutive conquest, this one in a quick 1:51.4 by about six lengths. Over Fox Valley Kia (Phil Knox).

The winning daughter of Sometimesomewhere is owned by her trainer Erv Miller (Wind Gap, PA), Doug Overhiser (New Smyma, FL) and George Golemes (Oak Brook, IL).

The $30,000 Pronto Don stake for second season male trotters was one for the record brooks as Niko Man (Atlee Bender) came from more than six lengths behind in the last quarter of the mile to collar Goomster (Travs Seekman) in deep stretch. The 1:53.3 mile was a full second off the previous stake record time.

The win was the Erv Miller trainee’s fifth in a row for owners Doug Overhiser and Anthony Lombardi of Morris, Illinois)

The Midwest Division of the Erv Miller stable won its third consecutive stake when Fox Valley Shania (Cordarius Stewart) held off the fast-closing Radiant Diamond (Travis Seekman) and the 24-1 longshot Bell Boots (Matt Avenatti) in the $30,000 Windy Skeeter trot for state-bred sophomore fillies in 1:58.1.

The even money betting choice was successful for the fourth time in eight season tries for owners Doug Overhiser, Engle Stable of Northbrook, Illinois and Mystical Marker Farms of Portage, Indiana.

Danny Graham’s Annas Lucky Star (Kyle Wilfong) made it 7-for-7 lifetime at the Du Quoin State Fair, winning the ICF aged mare trot championship in 1:58.4. It was the Nelson Willis trained mare’s 60th career victory.

Talk About Valor (Travis Seekman) joined Annas Lucky Star with State Fair sweeps in their respective trotting divisions. The Gerald Hansen trained eight-year-old Yankee Valor gelding led at every pole with a 1:54.3 clocking for Monee, Illinois proprietor Shelley Steele.

Sunny Du Quoin State Fair Meet Opens

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 20:09:46 GMT

Sunny Du Quoin State Fair Meet Opens

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

HINSDSALE, IL: Trainers driving their horses to the Du Quoin State Fair Monday morning with the truck radio on got the good news from the weatherman: “It’s sunny and clear today.”

After rain cancelled 5 of the 6 days at the mid-August Springfield State Fair, the “all clear” news was well appreciated for Illinois horsemen who will send their horses out for only the second time in the month of August not including half mile country fair meets.

The opening card of the jam-packed 15 race Du Quoin State Fair program shines the spotlight on ten ICF stakes mostly for two-year-olds of both sexes and gaits.

The Lt Governor’s Cup for state-bred freshman pacing fillies lured 32 entries, necessitating a three-race split with a $16,666 purse on each and there appears to be no “locks” in either of them.

The seventh race first division morning line favorite Sleazy Girl (Casey Leonard) landed the outside 10-post with a trailer in the field. Stevie Mae (Atlee Bender), a 1:56.2 winner in her last start didn’t draw much better with the nine post.

Brendasblazingstar (Juan Franco), Nae’s Rendezvous (Kyle Husted), Illini Judy (Richard S Finn), Adalecia (Kyle Wilfong), Always Gin (Travis Seekman), Sour Grapes (Phil Knox), Gorgeous American (Cornelius Cavett), Itty Bit Secret (Cordarius Stewart) and First Of Her Name (PP 11, Travis Seekman) are their challengers.

The Gary Rath stable’s two-year-old filly Sleazy Sister (Casey Leonard) must buck the outside 10-post in Monday’s Lt Governor’s Cup first division to stay unbeaten. (Terry Young Photo)

The ninth race second grouping is a “take-your-pick” event with Big Flicka (Mike Rogers), Amy Mooss (Gary Rath), Feisty Val (Jordon Patton), Jimmylie (Casey Leonard), Shark Queen (Tim Roach), Fox Valley Sadie (Kyle Husted), Cupid’s Revenge (Travis Seekman), Counselor EM (Cornelius Cavett), Unhynged Zenzero (Wyatt Avenatti), Fox Valley Taran (Kyle Wilfong) and Hypeyourbesttieup (Jamaica Patton) in the second tier.

The third split (race 10) is headed up by Chickabell (pp 4, Kyle Husted) and Fox Valley Tasha (pp 7, Cordarius Stewart) who have traded wins the last two times they’ve met back in late July.

They’ll be tested by Karatoip Mooss (Travis Seekman), Somestarsandi (Casey Leonard), Carli Bay (Freddie Patton Jr), Ticktock Ticktock (Atleee Bender), It’s Crystal Clear (Wyatt Avenatti), Fox Valley August (Jared Finn), Fox Valley Tessa (Kyle Wilfong), CW Wise Lady (Juan Franco) and Sage’s Sandstorm (pp 11, Gary Rath).

The First Lady’s Cup for first season trotting ICF fillies will go as a pair of $25,000 contests with the sixth race first division appearing to be the tougher of the two with a field composed of Dandy’s Girl (Gary Rath), Whiskey Lou (Curt Grummel), Zora Moon (Jamaica Patton), Stand My Your Man (Mike Brink), Illini Diva (Cordarius Stewart), Peekaboo Sal (Wyatt Avenatti). Change The Tune (Travis Seekman) and Fox Valley Tiegen (Atlee Bender).

The eighth race second grouping will see Sally Sunshine (Mike Cox), Lous Enchantress (Wyatt Avenatti), Dejoma (Cornelius Cavett), Calypso Moon (Casey Leonard), Mississippi Model Jerome Daniels), Ally Baba (Travis Seekman), Gjlindagrit (Kyle Wilfong) and Astra Viking Mike Brink), in that order, battle it out.

The three-year-old Illinois bred championships on the line Monday are two $15,000 divisions of the Time Dancer for pacing fillies, the $30,000 Pronto Don for trotting colts and geldings and the $30,000 Windy Skeeter trot where Radiant Diamond (Travis Seekman) and Fox Valley Shania (Cordarius Stewart) are expected to get a good portion of the betting public’s support.

Also, to be decided are the $7,000 aged ICF trot championships where Springfield titleholders Annas Lucky Star (Kyle Wilfong) and Talk About Valor (Travis Seekman) look for a sweep in their respective State Fair divisions.

First post is at 4 pm.

State Fair Finals Scheduled For Hawthorne

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 18:10:26 GMT

State Fair Finals Scheduled For Hawthorne

The originally scheduled finals for the Springfield State Fair that were postponed because of rain, will be raced on opening weekend at Hawthorne. All of those races will be raced on Sunday. No need to re-enter for those races. Post positions will be the same as drawn at Springfield. Early post time, still to be determined. Click below for the opening weekend details from the condition sheet.

Congrats to the 2023 County Fair Champions

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 18:01:30 GMT

Congrats to the 2023 County Fair Champions

The IHHA congratulates the 2023 County Fair Champions

Leading Driver – Wyatt Avenatti
Leading Trainer – Jamaica Patton
Leading Owner – Kevin Miller
Leading Trainer – Fair Meadow Farms

Winners will be officially acknowledged with a trophy presentation in the winner’s circle at next week’s Du Quoin State Fair.

April Board Meeting Minutes

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 15:22:29 GMT

Keep an eye on this "Lou"

Sat, 02 Sep 2023 17:38:56 GMT

Keep an Eye on this "Lou"

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Hinsdale, IL—When the State Fairs at Springfield and Du Quoin roll around in mid and late August, it’s the time you see some of the two-year-olds start to blossom and show their potential.

Some of those victories were expected, some weren’t.

News Not Marvelous on ICF Trotting Champs

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 18:07:50 GMT

News Not Marvelous on ICF Trotting Champs

Filly trotting champion Marvelous Mystery (Curt Grummel) shown here beating ICF freshman titleholder Goomster, is likely done for her three-year-old season. (Patsy Fryman Photography)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

As we await today’s draw for Monday’s opening program for the Du Quoin State Fair meet and it’s two and three-year-old ICF stake events, let’s catch up on some Illinois racing happenings:

Last season’s ICF freshman filly champion trotter Marvelous Mystery appears to be done for this year.

“She has a little piece of her sesamoid broken and she most likely won’t be racing anymore this year,” said her trainer and co-owner Curt Grummel.

Marvelous Mystery was to race at Springfield in the August 15 ISFCS championship for three-year-old trotters that got rained out, along with all the other finals. However, trainer Curt Grummel scratched her before the Illinois State Fair championships were rescheduled to Sunday, September 10th at Hawthorne.

And don’t look for her illustrious stable-mate Funky Wiggle any time soon either. The news wasn’t good on the defending Illinois Harness Horse of the Year’s situation as well.

“Funky Wiggle has been battling lameness problems” continued Curt. “It flared up again. She had it back when she was two and three as well. We’ll take it slow to get her healthy again.”

A Dreary Month: A rainy August has brought about a lengthy absence of racing in the state, except for last weekend’s County Fair events at Anna and Morrison, placing many of our best two and three-year-old horses on the sidelines. In some instances, it’ll be four weeks in between starts.

That won’t be the case for a trio of well-regarded pacers from the Amy Husted Stable.

Fox Valley Landen, the stable’s talented three-year-old pacer, stayed sharp in a qualifying race last Saturday at Hoosier Park. The Somestarsomewhere colt easily won his qualifier in a speedy time of 1:51.4, coming home in 26.4 with Kyle Husted in the bike,

Fox Valley Landen will bring a six-racing winning streak into the upcoming Dudley Hanover stake at the Du Quoin State Fair. His two-year-old filly stable mates Chickabell (Kyle Husted) and Fox Valley Sadie were also busy over the weekend. Chickabell breezed in her 1:55.3 winning qualifier (28.2 last panel) by four and one-half lengths ahead of the barn’s second place finisher Fox Valley Sadie who paced in 1:55.2

Avenatti Brothers on Rise : The Chrisman, Illinois Avenatti brothers, Matt, and Wyatt, are undoubtedly enjoying this summer while plugging away at their craft.

The 30-year-old Matt is doing exceptionally well in both the trainer and driver categories. Matt currently sports a very solid UTRS of .335 as a conditioner and has a robust driver rating of .339. He’s a cinch to surpass this racing season his previous highs in races and money won in both groupings.

Wyatt, three years younger than his brother, has concentrated on just driving and his having a career year. His UDRS is at a lofty .345 and Wyatt’s current 68 dash winners is a new high and there’s four-plus months left of racing in Illinois. He’ll also blow by last year’s money won total of $273.69 by a large margin. He’s presently only $43,553 beneath it.

The brothers are sons of long-time Illinois based horseman David Avenatti.

It’s Miller Time: Former Illinois based driving champion Andy Miller became the 21st driver in North America to win 10,000 races last Sunday at The Red Mile. The Mattoon, Illinois native. who will turn 55 on September 7th, drove the three-year-old trotter Samwise The Brave to his first career victory in a leg of the Kentucky Goldenrod Series.

Illinois State Fair Finale Cancelled

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 18:02:20 GMT

Illinois State Fair Finale Cancelled

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

The unpredictable weather again played havoc with the Illinois State Fair meeting and its three dozen ISFCS championships, forcing a cancellation of Thursday’s program.

The Illinois State Fair Colt Stake finals will be moved to the opening week of the Hawthorne meeting, September 9th, and 10th.

Track conditions and time restrictions were the reasons for the scheduled 18-race program postponement on the final day of the Springfield meeting.

The popular Tim McGraw and Landon Parker concert will take place at the Springfield Fair Grounds later in the day.

Three Dozen ICF Championships on the Line

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 17:50:12 GMT

Three Dozen ICF Championships on the Line

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

While not done in a deliberate fashion, Friday’s Illinois State Fair Colt Stakes program of 18 separate champions on a single day is most likely the most in the long history of the Illinois State Fair.

The culprit for the two-day much shortened meeting has been the rainy weather that plagued Springfield, Illinois area for the past week, making the Fair Grounds racetrack unsuitable for racing.

However, with predicted sunny skies we should have an exciting day of harness racing with three-dozen inviting pots on the line starting at 10 am with the strongest of the four $17,250 two-year-old ISFCS state-bred pacing filly events.

The nine-horse field is headed by the Kevin Miller stable’s Fox Valley Tasha (Cordarius Stewart) with four wins in her last six starts including a 1:55.1 clocking three weeks ago before the rains came that cancelled last week’s schedule ISFCS eliminations.

Fox Valley Tasha, a daughter of Time To Roll didn’t fare well by drawing the eight-slot. However, one of her strongest challengers Stevie Mae (Travius Seekman), a 1:58.2 winner in her last, didn’t fare much better, landing the seven-post.

The possible post time favorite could be Sleazy Sister, from the barn of trainer Gary Rath, who is two-for-two in her brief career, the latest in 1:55.4. She has the five-slot for driver Casey Leonard).

Three other $17,500 finals for the first season gals are also on the line Thursday.

The Rob Rittof stable’s Guitar Man (Kyle Husted) has his sights set on a ISFCS championship Thursday. (Patricia Fryman Photography)

Strumming Along: The early leader in the ICF freshman colt grouping is the Rob Rittof stable’s Guitar Man (Kyle Husted) who will be a heavy favorite in the second race first of three division finals.

The Somestarsomewhere colt rallied off a 1:52 victory a couple of weeks ago and drew off by almost a dozen lengths. Earlier he had a 26.2 last quarter in one of his other two season triumphs.

About four hours after the first race is the single division battle for the three-year-old colt or gelding supremacy that currently belongs to the streaking Fox Valley Landen (Kyle Husted) from the barn of trainer Amy Husted.

The 18th and final race on the card will offer a $41,000 pot and you can expect Fox Valley Landen to get plenty of play in it after four consecutive victories and two in a quick 1:50 flat.

Fox Valley Landen raced first over in his last and still was four lengths the best under a hold. And the Somestarsomewhere offspring starts from the inside two-post in a race with two trailers: Fox Valley Presley (post 10, Phil Knox) and Fox Valley Cayman (post 11, Jamaica Patton).

Shark Solicitor has the rail while posts three through nine belong to Fox Valley Patriot (Wyatt Avenatti), Kage Daniel (Juan Franco), Isle Coach (Jordon Patton), Fox Valley Steeler (Casey Leonard), Unhynged Speed (Matt Avenatti), Ghost Shark (Travis Seekman) and Fox Valley Jasper (Cordarius Stewart).

The present leader in the state-bred sophomore filly division is Fox Valley Leah (Cordarius Stewart) from the Midwest Division of the Erv Miller Stable and she’s in a sweet spot with the pole position in her $23,500 final, one race earlier.

Looking for More: Another offspring of Sometarsomewhere, Fox Valley Leah beings a five-race victory streak into the seventh race contest where she’ll take on (from post two out) Fox Valley Kia (Phil Knox), Fox Valley Cha Cha (Jordan Patton), Some Dancing Star (Matt Avenatti), Fillys Revenge (Juan Franco (Golden Fort (Kyle Wilfong) and Rona Mae (Travis Seekman).

Some much-anticipated matchups between three-year-old colt trotting rivals Goomster (Kyle Wilfong, race nine) and Niko Man (Codarius Stewart, race 16) along with sophomore filly trot adversaries Marvelous Mystery (Kyle Wilfong, race 10) and Radiant Diamond (Kyle Wilfong. Race 15) will have to wait until the Du Quoin State Fair meet that gets under way in two weeks since they all drew into different championship divisions today.

No Surprises: There was no catching former Illinois Horse of the Year He’zzz A Wise Sky in Wedneday’s ISFCS aged male pace championship.

Nicely rated by Kyle Wilfong, the heavy 1-9 favorite John Filomeno trainee sped to a 1:49.1 clocking, almost five length the best over runner-up Fox Valley Gemini (Casey Leonard). The six-year-old home bred winner is owned by Triple ZZZ stable of Beecher, Illinois.

One race later, the 1-5 public’s choice Talk About Valor was much the best in the older male trotting championship for Monee, Illinois owner Shelley Steele, trainer Gerald Hansen, and regular driver Travis Seekman.

The eight-year-old Yankee Valor gelding pulled away to about an 11-length romp in 1:53.2. Lousdobb (Casey Leonard) was second best.

A 1-2 prohibitive favorite Fox Valley Exploit (Kyle Husted) needed a new lifetime mark of 1:50.4 to gain a head victory over stable-mate Dandy’s MNM (Casey Leonard) in the aged mare showdown.

The six-year-old Sportsmaster mare came from fourth at the 1:23.1 third quarter to get up in the final strides for owners David Brigham (Concord, Michigan) and Kyle Husted (Altamont, Illinois), Fox Valley Exploit’s her 34th lifetime win.

Illinois long-time trotting queen Annas Lucky Star, owned and bred by Danny Graham of Salem, Illinois, turned the table on last year’s ISFCS aged trotting mare Reign And Shine (Jamaica Patton) with a 1:56 mile in Wednesday’s rematch.

Given an very favorable second over trip by regular driver Kyle Wilfong, the Nelson Willis trained mare followed up Reign And Shine and won a Illinois State Fair championship for a record seventh time in her illustrious career.

Casey Leonard and Cordarius Stewart topped all drivers with five winners each Wednesday afternoon. Travis Seekman, Kyle Husted and Kyle Wilfong all made three winner’s circle stops. Roshun Trigg had a training triple.

Illinois State Fair’s Shorten Meet Begins

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 16:38:16 GMT

Illinois State Fair’s Shorten Meet Begins

The Gerald Hansen stable’s Talk About Valor (Travis Seekman) goes for his fourth consecutive ISFCS male trotting title Wednesday for Monee, Illinois owner Shelley Steele. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

The idiom “The Long and the Short of It” pretty much sums up this year’s Illinois State Fair harness meeting on the state’s fairgrounds.

The “Long” is today’s (August 16th) very lengthy program of twenty-two races, making for a long day for everyone involved. Post time has been moved up to 10 am to accommodate the extra-large card.

The “Short” is the fact that Springfield State Fair meet lasts for only two days. It ends tomorrow (Thursday, August 18th) with eighteen events, all Illinois State Fair Colt Stakes championships.

The reason for both is that old Springfield racing bug-a-boo: Rain.

There was plenty of it last week forcing all three scheduled days of racing to be cancelled, which also included the elimination races for the ISFCS events, hence the 18 championship races on Thursday and the carryover of last week’s fourteen Illinois Department of Agriculture races for two and three years olds of both sexes and gaits, along with four ISFCS championships for older Illinois bred pacers and trotters that hopefully will go to the post today.

If you’re counting, that’s forty races in two afternoons. That may or may not be a record but in my 50-plus years of covering Illinois harness racing, it certainly is the most I’ve handicapped for two consecutive cards.

The Springfield oval is a great place for horses to race with its wide turns and a mile in circumference. It’s wonderful for horses because the all-dirt track never gets hard and therefore it’s easier on horses’ legs, so they get less sore or lame.

However, Mother Nature doesn’t always cooperate on race days and, surprise, sometimes it rains in Illinois. With no limestone or clay to absorb any moisture, the dirt track becomes muddy and unsuitable for racing. And a muddy mile track can’t be just whisked away, at least not in a short period of time.

We have our fingers crossed that today and Thursday will be sunny and dry, and both shows will go on as scheduled.

Older Finals? You Bet: The aged championships will go as races five, six, seven and eight on Wednesday’s 22-race card. Defending their division champions are He’zzz A Wise Sky (Kyle Wilfong) in the male pace, Talk About Valor (Travis Seekman) in the male trot, Skeeter Machine (Travis Seekman) in the mare pace, and Annas Lucky Star (Kyle Wilfong) in the gals trot.

Unlike the recently concluded Hawthorne Downstate meeting, these is pari-mutuel betting both Wednesday and Thursday at Springfield and the same goes for the Du Quoin State Fair meeting that begins on Monday, August 28th.

Did I mention that Du Quoin is also a one-mile all-dirt oval?

Rain Knocks Out Another Springfield Card: Finals Set

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 16:30:11 GMT

Rain Kayos Another Springfield Card: Finals Set

By Mike Paradise, for the IHHA

The weather has played havoc with racing at this year’s Illinois State Fair with Thursday’s, Fridays and now Saturday’s cards being called off because Springfield’s dirt track has been pelted by rain the last few days, making it unfit for competition.

A new racing schedule for next Wednesday and Thursday’s programs has been worked out. There will be no Illinois State Fair Colt Stakes eliminations. Those previously drawn elims will go as division championships on Thursday (August 17) afternoon. First post is 10 am

Entries for those finals have closed.

The freshman filly pace will have 34 horses going postward in four divisions, worth approximately $17,250 each. The freshman colt and gelding juvenile is set with three divisions of eight pacers apiece, likely with $19,000 pots on the line.

The two-year-old filly trot showdown will have two divisions, worth about $28,500 each. The first season colt trot also has a pair of finals, valued at $20,000 apiece.

The three-year-old pacing finals have an estimated $47,000 in purse money available. While the gals will be divided into two $13,500 divisions, their male counterparts have only a single 11-horse championship event.

Aged Horse Showdowns Set: Also, to be decided on Thursday are a quartet of championships for aged horses.

The horse and gelding pace conflict will have a small (four horses) but a strong field comprised of two time Illinois Harness Horse of the Year He’zzz A Wise Sky (Kyle Wilfong), Holden Steady (Cordarius Stewart), Fox Valley Ozzy (Gary Rath) and Fox Valley Gemini (Casey Leonard), who took the top ICF horse annual award on three occasions, 2018 through 2020.

Annas Lucky Star (pp 5) will be reunited with Kyle Wilfong when she defends her mare trotting championship once more against Creations Dream MV (Cordarius Stewart), Louzotic (Travis Seekman), Loulita (Casey Leonard) and Reign And Shine (Jamaica Patton).

Skeeter Machine (pp 5, Travis Seekman) will look to make it back-to-back Springfield aged mare pacing titles when the veteran eight-year-old make dukes it out with Double Parked (Cordarus Stewart), Kandi’s Fortune (Danarius Dortch), Dandy’s MNM (Casey Leonard), Castielle (Wyatt Avenatti), Fox Valley Exploit (Kyle Husted) and My Uptowne Girl (Jamaica Patton).

Talk About Valor (Travis Seekman) returns to Illinois to protect his ISFCS aged male trotting crown for a fourth straight time against Lousdobb (Casey Leonard), Lous Adonis (Martin-Lohman), Lousraptor (Cordarius Stewart) and Heath Bar (Jamaica Patton).

It’s “D-Day” at Springfield State Fair

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 16:19:08 GMT

It’s “D-Day” at Springfield State Fair

The Erv Miller stable’s Fox Valley Duram (Cordarius Stewart) sets his sights on a third consecutive victory in Friday’s second race division of the ISFCS freshman colt pace elimination . (Patricia Fryman Photography)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

It’s “D-Day” at the Illinois State Fair a Springfield for ICF two-year-old pacers and trotters. The “D” stands for “Decision” Just who will advance to next week’s ISFCS championships and who won’t.

Elimination races can be tricky events. In some cases, a driver can just get the job done and advance his horse with something left in the tank for the final.

For example, in the case of both the male and female trotting eliminations where just being fifth or better is good enough to move on and most are seven horse fields.

However, that’s not the case with the two-year-old state-bred colt and gelding or filly pacing divisions. There’s no “holding back” and coasting into those pacing finals.

With 25 horses entered in the filly pacing eliminations, four divisions were needed, meaning only the first two finishers in each division are assured of moving into the distaff final. A drawing by lot will determine which two of the four third place finishers advance.

Just my opinion, but I always preferred that the fastest of the third-place horses would advance. That way a horse who was a non-contending third with a much slower time, and maybe in an softer split, is not rewarded.

It doesn’t get much easier to also advance in the freshman colt or gelding class. With three eliminations, only the first three finishers move on. A drawing will see one of a trio of fourth place horses go into the final.

Some of the anticipated Illinois State Fair marquee matchups will have to wait another week to wager on.

Yes, after eight weeks of non-wagering races that followed almost nine months of no racing at all in our state, we can at long last bet on Illinois harness races.

Dennis Gardner’s Deenoo (Travis Seekman) and Shady Maple Alstar (Juan Franco) from the barn of Herman Wheeler, the two early leaders in the male trotting category drew into different divisions.

Maple Shady Alstar, who beat Deebo the last time they met after finishing second best to his rival in their previous two outings, has the rail in the eighth race first split while Deenbo, with 5 wins and 2 seconds in 8 lifetime starts, leaves from post four one race later.

Last year’s ICF freshman male trotting champ Goomster (Travis Seekman), another Gardner trainee, has been victorious in 7 of his first 8 starts as a three-year-old and has the four slot in the first sophomore colt and gelding division while his rival Niko Man, currently riding a four race winning streak against some tough open foes at Hoosier for the Midwest division of the Erv Miller stable, has the pole position in the 13th and final race of the day.

The ISFCS elimination races for three-year-olds pacers and trotters will take place on Saturday’s card along with a quartet of championships for aged ICF horses. Post time is 11 am.

Illinois State Fair Opener Rained Out

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 16:13:32 GMT

Illinois State Fair Meet Opener Rained Out

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

It was supposed to be the first day of the 2023 Illinois State Fair harness racing meeting at Springfield however its scheduled double header racing program was cancelled because of rain.

As we await what will decided with the rained-out Thursday card it’s a fact that trainers can take different paths to what they hope will have their Illinois bred two-year-olds in the right situation when those six-figure pots roll around later in the fall.

Some horsemen have the youngsters ready early and begin taking in as much purse money as they can before the tougher competition comes around. Others, for one reason or another, start their freshman horses later in the year and hope they’ll peak at the right time when the bigger purses are on the line.

Remember this year with the Hawthorne meet starting much later than usual, its showcase Night of Champions is about a month later than customary. It’ll be held in mid-October (the 14th) instead of its normal middle of September date.

While some ICF two-year-olds will have as much as seven, eight or more starts on their resume’ for Friday’s Illinois State Fair Colt Fair Championship eliminations at Springfield, others will compete with just one outing on their card.

That’s the scenario for one of the well-regarded youngsters from the barn of last year’s leading Hawthorne trainer Amy Husted.

Fox Valley Sadie, a $46,000 yearling purchase by John Schwarz Jr (Wood Dale, IL), David Brigham (Concord, MI) and Husted Racing (Altamont, IL), won her qualifier lst weekend at Hoosier Park in 1:56.3 and was well in hand at the end of her front-stepping triumph. The Time To Roll filly’s dam is She Likes It All, making her a half-sister to Illinois champions Fox Valley Exploit (1:51, $456,392) and Allbeastnobeauty (1:50.4, $382,865).

However, the draw wasn’t kind to Fox Valley Sadie. She landed the outside nine-hole in the toughest of four two-year-old fully divisions where only the first two finishers are assured of making next week’s championship. A draw will determine which of the four third place finishers will advance.

Inside of “Sadie” is Gary Rath’s Sleazy Sister (pp 5,, Casey Leonard ) who has won her first two starts, the last in 1:55.4; Stevie Mae (pp 7, Travis Seekman), winner last week in 1:56.3 for trainer Mike Brink, and Fox Valley Tasha (pp 8, Cordarius Stewart), a Kevin Miller trained filly who was a nose short of four consecutive wins and owns a 1:55.1 mile.

Completing the fourth division elimination field are Delight Moon (Phil Knox), Hermia’s Star (Jordon Patton), It’s Crystal Clear (Jamel Denson), Brendasblazingstar (Juan Franco) and Adalecia (Kyle Wilfong).

Like Mother, Like Daughter? On Friday’s same card trainer Erv Miller is sending out the two-year-old trotting filly Fox Valley Tiegen (Cordarius Stewart) for her career debut.

The Can’t Afford filly is out of the former Illinois champion mare Fox Valley Diva who dominated her division at the turn of this century for Erv, winning 21 of 27 career starts including numerous ICF stake triumphs while hauling in $423,800 between 2001 and 2002.

A fifth-place finisher or higher by Fox Valley Tiegen in the seven-horse field will see the $13,500 yearling purchase advance to that division’s championship.

Fox Valley Tiegen is a full sister to the stable’s Fox Valley Shania who captured both Illinois State Fair championships in her freshman campaign. “Shania” competes Saturday afternoon in a three-year-old ISFCS elimination form state-bred sophomore fillies where she’ll meet up with her rival Marvelous Mystery, the reigning division champion.

Spotlight Turns to Springfield State Fair

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 21:00:35 GMT

Spotlight Turns to Springfield State Fair

Fox Valley Julian (Casey Leonard), from the barn of trainer Mike Brink, made it be known he’s a player in the ICF freshman male pacing group with a 10-length romp last week. (Photo Courtesy of Terry Young)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

With Hawthorne’s summer Downstate meeting in the rear-view mirror, it’s time to look ahead at the upcoming Illinois State Fair at Springfield session that gets under way next Thursday, August 10th.

A double header program featuring Illinois Department pf Agriculture events kick off the opening card with posts times of 11 am and 5 pm, in that order. Next week’s attention getter follows on Friday, August 11th when the Illinois State Fair Colt Stake elimination races for both the two and three-year-olds of both gaits and sexes are rolled out.

At stake is a starting berth in the ISFCS championships the following week. A glance at the nomination list for these meaningful start-bred stakes indicates there will be numerous elimination divisions, especially concerning the freshman pacers.

The ISFCS juvenile filly pace had 81 youngsters nominated while 72 Illinois bred male pacers are eligible for their first stake event of the season. Many ICF two-year-olds made starts in the recent Hawthorne downstate session and some did so in impressive fashion and have emerged as early leaders in their respective classes.

Among the freshmen colt and geldings that looked very good were Guitar Man from the Rob Rittof stable, Fox Valley Julian, from the barn of trainer Mike Brink, and the Erv Miller stable’s Fox Valley Durham.

Guitar Man (Kyle Husted) blew away a nice field of juveniles last Thursday by almost a dozen lengths with a quick 1:52 clocking. The Somestarsomewhere offspring did it on the front end after racing off the pace in his previous three outings, two of which were victories with quick last quarters of 27 flat and 26.3.

After a needed first start from the eight hole where he was raced easy, Fox Valley Julian (Casey Leonard), another son of Somestarsomewhere, uncorked a 1:55 flat winning mile the same day when he was almost 10 lengths the best, coming home in 27.1 for trainer Mike Brink.

Fox Valley Durham (Cordarius Stewart) comes off two strong come-from-behind triumphs. In his July 20th start he motored home in 27 flat at the end of a 1;54.4 mile. Last Thursday the Time To Roll gelding used a 27.2 last panel in his 1:58 mile where he was almost seven lengths off the pace to a leisurely 1:00.3 half.

Among the ICF two-year-old filly pacers that have come forward in the last eight weeks are Gary Rath Stable’s Sleazy Sister, Kevin Miller’s Fox Valley Tasha, and the Amy Husted stable’s Chickabell.

Sleazy Sister (Casey Leonard), a Somestarsomewhere homebred, is two-for-two in her brief career and showed plenty of determination last week in her 1:55.4 mile where she raced first over through the middle quarters and still held off a fast-closing Fox Valley August who also looked very good.

The Erv Miller stable’s Fox Valley Tasha (Cordarius Stewart) has emerged as one of the leaders in the ICF two-year-old filly pacing division. (Patricia Fryman Photography)

Fox Valley Tasha (Cordarius Stewart) is already a four-time season winner and was nosed out by Chickabell on July 14 with an eight-hole trip or would be riding a four-race winning streak. The Time To Roll filly prevailed in 1:55.1 last Friday despite racing first up again.

Fox Valley Kia (Phil Knox), last at the half, and Fox Valley Taran (Matt Avenatti), stuck inside most of the way, are two other fillies in the July 28th race that look to be players in the upcoming ISFCS filly added money events.

The Somestarsomewhere filly Chickabell (Kyle Husted) has traded wins with Fox Valley Tasha in their last two starts and raced outside of her rival last Friday when she was beaten less than one length. She won her first pair of career starts with a quick 26.3 last panel in her July 6th debut and posted a 1:54.3 successful mile a week later.

Hawthorne’s Night of Champions Incredible Tillie final is a long way off (October 14), so expect several other freshman fillies to make their presence felt in the division as the season progresses.

He’s Ready: Dennis Gardner’s ICF champion trotter Goomster (Travis Seekman) tuned-up for next week’s ISFCS three-year-old male trot eliminations with a resounding six length victory at the Charleston Fair Wednesday in 1:58.1 (28.1 last quarter).

Springfield Finals Postponed

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 17:22:35 GMT

Springfield State Fair Finals Postponed

Due to heavy rain fall, just minutes before the first post, the Springfield Finals have been postponed. These races will be held at Hawthorne Racecourse during our opening weekend. Details are still in the works, but the hope is to run these races either Friday night, September 8th or over the following two days, Saturday and Sunday. We will update when that decision is made final.

2023 Election Results

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 17:08:28 GMT

2023 Election Results

2023 IHHA Board of Directors Election Results

The following are the results from the IHHA Board of Directors election which took place today, Saturday, August 19, 2023. The top five vote getters will serve three-year terms as directors.

1. Clark Fairley
2. Craig Grummel
3. Juan Franco
4. Jeff Jones
5. Kyle Husted

———————————————————-

6. Hosea Williams

Congratulations to all the candidates that participated in this election.

Thanks to all members who participated in the election process. It is through your voice and support that the IHHA can continue to address and work on the issues of concern to our industry.

Robert Decker Passes Away

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 16:59:17 GMT

Bobby Decker Has Passed Away

Bobby Decker has passed away. Click here for more. https://ustrottingnews.com/robert-decker-86-dies/

Kay Willis Has Passed Away

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 16:31:45 GMT

Kay Willis Has Passed Away

Kay Willis has paced away. Click here for more. https://www.freepressnewspapers.com/content/cynthia-willis?fbclid=IwAR0XWT5iazVM2SnDhB0sefQhMsZzMqzhRowVWIEpdBG2ihgV_HMxbB8znN8

GoFund Me Set Up

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 16:02:13 GMT

GoFund Me Account Set Up

A GoFundMe page has been set up for the Finn family. Click here to donate. https://www.gofundme.com/f/m346t-the-finn-family Also, there has been an account set up at Hawthorne, where you can transfer money directly out of your personal account if you prefer. Call Barb the bookkeeper to donate. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Sizzling Finish to Springfield Meet, Drivers’ Race

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 18:06:13 GMT

Sizzling Finish to Springfield Meet, Drivers’ Race

Fox Valley Landen (Kyle Husted) made it five straight victories Friday at Springfield,

his second in a quick 1:50 flat. (Patricia Fryman Photography)

By Mike Paradise, for the IHHA

The racing action was “hot and heavy” in the finale of Hawthorne’s summer downstate meeting Friday afternoon at Springfield with the emphasis on the word ‘hot.’

After a huge 20 card and more than six hours of racing in the sweltering heat we learned that heat Fox Valley Landen solidified his top spot in the ICF three-year-old male pacing division, and then some; Fox Valley Leah has risen to the top of the state bred filly sophomore pacing group, and the gritty Fox Valley Gemini has moved to within just one victory of the 60 lifetime winner’s circle visits.

Fox Valley Fever: Fox Valley Landen, nicely handled by his driver Kyle Husted, powered his way to his fifth consecutive victory in a very quick time of 1:50 flat, equaling his mark set in his Cardinal triumph last month at Springfield.

Fox Valley Landen’s five wins were tops at the meet and his pair of 1:50 miles were the fastest at the downstate summer session.

Fox Valley Steeler (Casey Leonard) took the field to a quick 55 first half with “Landen “in third but on the move. In the lane, the son of Somestarsomewhere was in complete command, winning by four widening lengths over runner-up Fox Valley Patriot, a nose better Kage Daniel.

Fox Valley Leah has been much the best in her last four starts that included a 1:51.1 romp in a Violet stake division three weeks ago. The Erv Miller trainee, unraced as a two-year-old, coasted to a 1:52.3 clocking in Friday’s opener.

No. 60 is Next: Just as he’s done countless times in his racing career Fox Valley Gemini showed his grit and determination when driver Casey Leonard calls upon him, winning the top pacing event on Friday’s program in 1:50.3.

The now eight-year-old star of the Terry Leonard stable had to take quite a bit of air to collar the pacesetter Great Seats (Wyatt Avenatti) who sped to a speedy 54.4 half, but as usual Fox Valley Gemini dug in a little deeper in the lane, coming home in 27.2 to win for the 59th time in his brilliant career for owner Jim Ballinger of Atwater, Illinois.

Friday’s featured trot race saw Matt Avenatti perfectly rate the four-year-old mare La Lolita to an upset victory over some very good state-breds with a career best 1:53.3 mile.

Matt also trains La Lolita who he sent right to the front, where the Cantab Hall mare rattled off fractions if 28.1, 56.2 and 1:24.1 before holding off Funky Wiggle by a nose for Kentucky owner Derek Harmon. Lousdobb (Casey Leonard) came on to be third.

Down to the Wire It came down to the last couple of races on the program to decide the leading driver of the eight-week meet and it went to Casey Leonard by just one win, 39 to 38 for Cordarius Stewart.

Cordarius, who had five winners on the program, came through with his last drive of the day, Illini Diva in race 17 to tie Casey. However, one race later the Harvard, Illinois native later drove the Tom Simmons stable’s Senorita Mous a new winning lifetime mark of 1:55.1.

Travis Seekman also had an excellent meet with 27 winners, good for third best.

The trainer title went to Erv Miller with 21 first place finishers. Kevin Miller was second with 13. Fox Valley Standardbreds ran away with the meet’s top breeder award with 42 victories, while their stallion Somestarsomewhere led the way in the meet’s sire category with 39 winners.

Now That’s Hot: To say it was a scorching day of work for horses and horsemen alike might be a bit of an understatement. When the six plus hour racing program concluded the temperature had reached 97 degrees, a Springfield July 28th record, with a stifling heat index of 113 degrees.

The Heat is on for Springfield Finale

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 15:43:53 GMT

The Heat is on for Springfield Finale

Chickadee (No. 7) tries to stay unbeaten as a two-year-old for the Amy Husted Stable in Friday’s sixth race. She’s two-for-two thus far. (Patricia Fryman Photography)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Whoever came up with the adage “The Older You Get, the Faster Time Seems to Go By,” most likely wasn’t talking about horse racing, nevertheless the saying does apply to many of us concerning the current Hawthorne’s downstate harness racing meeting.

The two days of racing eight-week meeting concludes with a mind-boggling 20 race program on Friday afternoon at the State Fairgrounds and boy, did this summer meeting go awfully fast.

It seems like it just melted away.

Speaking of melting, more than five continuous hours of racing today with an extreme heat advisory (98 degrees is expected with a heat index of up to 115 degrees) throughout the afternoon perhaps wasn’t the wisest decision concerning the well-being of horsemen, their help, track employees, and racing fans.

Maybe an one hour break in between two 10-race programs to cool off might have been a better option.

Be that as it may, the show will go on despite the scorching weather conditions and one of the more intriguing races on Friday’s card comes early. The third race pits the reigning ICF Harness Horse of the Year Funky Wiggle against a much tougher field than she easily disposed of last week in her four-year-old debut.

Co-owner, trainer and driver Curt Grummel will leave with Funky Wiggle with three-time Springfield meet winner Reign And Shine (Jamaica Patton) and Illinois long-time trotting queen Annas Lucky Star (Juan Franco) inside of him with posts one and two, respectively.

Charles Arthur’s three-year-old Whatta Year, multi-Illinois sakes titleholder Lousdobb (Casey Leonard), and the sharp mare La Lolita (Matt Avenatti), are the other trotting aspirants.

Friday’s first race has a strong field of three-year-old state bred pacing fillies in what looks like a preview of the division’s Illinois State Fair Colt Stake showdown on Thursday, August 17.

It’s headed up by Erv Miller Stable’s Fox Valley Leah (Cordarius Stewart) already with four season wins, including a sparkling 1:51.4 victory that came in the filly’s Violet division on June 22nd, just her fourth lifetime start. She was unraced as a wo-year-old.

Fox Valley Leah will be tested by Some Dancing Star, Runaway Delight, Fox Valley Cha Cha, My Daddy’s Revenge, Rona Nae, 2002 ICF freshman filly Fox Valley Kia, and Dandy’s Showtime.

Friday’s fifth race brings out most of the crème de la crème state-bred sophomore pacing colts and geldings. All eyes will be on the Husted stable’s Fox Valley Landing (Kyle Husted), riding four race winning streak that includes a wicked 1:50 flat mile in last month’s Cardinal stake division.

Fox Valley Landen drew the coveted rail for trainer Amy Husted, making the task of ending his current division rein even more problematic.

The Somestarsomewhere offspring will be confronted by Kage Daniel (Juan Franco), Fox Valley Patriot (Cordarius Stewart), Fox Valley Steeler (Casey Leonard), Unhynged Speed (Matt Krueger) and Fox Valley Cayman (Travis Seekman) from posts two through six, respectively.

Illinois champion Fox Valley Gemini (Casey Leonard) could move one step closer to 60 lifetime victories in race seven. The eight-year-old star of the Terry Leonard Stable fracked up No. 58 a week ago when Casey found a small opening in the late going.

“Gemini” will go the gate with five season wins in six outings when he takes on (from the rail out) Joe McDude (Jamaal Denson), Skyway Gymmaster (Cordarius Stewart), Great Seats (Wyatt Avenatti), Toxic Rock (Travis Seekman), Fox Valley Ozzy (Gary Rath) and Showboat Shooting (Juan Franco).

The Gary Rath stable’s Fox Valley Ozzy, the reigning ICF sophomore male pacing champion, will be making his initial start in his home state as a four-year-old after eight outings at Running Acres, several in Opens Handicaps at the Minnesota track.

Deebo Even Surprising His Trainer

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 15:24:22 GMT

Deebo Even Surprising His Trainer

Dennis Garner’s streaking two-year-old trotter Deebo (Travis Seekman) guns for her fifth consecutive victory and his sixth in seven lifetime starts Thursday at Springfield. (Terry Young Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

There are plenty of youngsters, both pacers and trotters, prepping Thursday or Friday afternoon for the upcoming ICF stakes being offered at the Springfield State Fair, where at long last some five figure events will have a crooked number going first.

Thursday’s card is fully loaded with 14 races, but that program will take a back seat to Friday’s when, get this, 20 races will go postward. The first post has been moved up to 11 am both day and tomorrow because of the expected extreme heat conditions.

One of the early favorites in the Illinois bred male trotting division is Dennis Garner’s Deebo. While it’s much too early to try and compare the Cassis offspring to his champion stablemate Goomster, Deebo has already made it known that he’s a prominent player in his division.

Deebo carries a four-race winning streak into Thursday’s ninth race with regular driver Travis Seekman and he’s 5-for-6 in his young career. His lone loss was a close second place finish back on June 3rd.

“He’s really going good,” said trainer and owner Dennis Gardner of West Salem, Illinois. “He really has surprised me. He just keeps getting better and better.”

The draw certainly went Deebo’s way in the seven-horse field. The talented youngster secured the rail, so another journey on or very close to the front seems very likely.

“Deebo is just a nice, consistent young horse,” continued Dennis. “He loves his job and like I said, he just keeps getting better at it.”

Looking to put halt to Deebo’s winning streak are Go Max Go (Jamaica Patton), Fox Valley Parker (Gary Rath), Shady Maple Alstar (Juan Franco), El Champee’soon (Russel Power), Gritty Gator (Kyle Husted), and Lous Private Eye (Casey Leonard).

The Herman Wheeler trained Shady Maple Alstar has been the runner-up to Deebo the last two times they’ve met.

Goomster, last season’s ICF two-year-old colt trotting champion, is taking the week off and is being pointed for Springfield State Fair. “He’s been really good,” said Dennis. “I’m just trying to keep him healthy. It’s a long season and I want him good when the Hawthorne stakes roll around later.”

She’s Sparkling: Rick Schrock’s Radiant Diamond (Travis Seekman), fresh off last week’s notable victory over the 2022 division champion Marvelous Mystery, heads up Thursday’s featured third race trot for ICF three-year-olds.

With Marvelous Mystery taking this week off, Radiant Diamond (PP 5) aims for her third consecutive triumph against the ICF quartet comprised of Lou Sangreal (Wyatt Avenatti), Dawn Of Creation (Juan Franco), Zena Lou (Casey Leonard), and Daisy’s Duchess (Cordarius Stewart).

Easy Pickings: Back in her home state is the reigning ICF pacing mare champion Fox Valley Exploit (Kyle Husted). The pride of the Amy Husted stable drops all the way down to a non-winner of $2,500 (ICF $3,125) in the last four distaff conditioned event (race eight).

With Trent Stohler’s Cult Icon, a 1:51.1 winner earlier this season at Hoosier Park scratched out of the race, Fox Valley Exploit should get back on the winning track against a soft field of five other mares and rack up career victory No. 34.

Kudos to Triple ZZZ: Congratulations go out to Triple ZZZ Stable’s He’zzz A Wise Sky and his trainer John Filomeno after making Illinois proud with a victory in last Sunday’s $50,000 Dan Patch Free For All at Running Aces. The six-year-old ICF pacer sped to a front-stepping 1:50.1 winning mile with driver Jacob Cutting.

"Funky" Comes Back In The Groove

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 16:50:46 GMT

Funky Comes Back In Grove

By Mike Paradise, for the IHHA

Funky Wiggle, the reigning Illinois Harness Horse of the Year no doubt enjoyed her eight-month vacation but when it was time to get back to work, she was more than ready to do her job, easily winning her 2023 debut Friday afternoon at Springfield.

The now four-year-old daughter of Lou’s Legacy, out of the Mr. Cantab mare Hoosier Wiggles, overcame the outside eight-hole for trainer and driver Curt Grummel and pretty much coasted to a 1:55 flat mile.

Curt took the champ out from the outside slot, cleared some heavy inside traffic going into the first turn and put Funky Wiggle on top where she remained throughout.

After a 28.1 first quarter Funky Wiggle was backed down to a soft 29.4 second panel and when unchallenged she got to the the three-quarter pole in 1:27.3. Grummel asked the mare for a little more in the lane and she answered with a 28 flat last quarter,

The veteran mare Louzotic (Juan Franco) was second best, beaten more than two lengths while her Steve Searle trained stable mate Loulita (Wyatt Avenatti) was a non-threatening third.

Aglow Again: Reign And Shine came up with a game winning performance in Friday’s feature trot, edging the front stepping La Lolita (Matt Avenatti) with a new lifetime mark of 1:54 flat for owners and breeders Carroll and Diane Hays of Williamsville, Illinois.

The six-year-old Cassius winning mare raced without cover from the half-mile pole (57 flat) on for regular driver Jamaica Patton and collared La Lolita in the final strides for her third triumph on the mare’s home-based track. Lousdobb (Casey Leonard) came on to be third.

Mystery Solved: The ICF three-year-old filly trot division got very interesting when the Rick Schrock Stable’s Radiant Diamond collared and pasted the current ruling champion Marvelous Mystery (Curt Grummel) a race later in 1:57 flat by a little less than one length.

Driver Travis Seekman was content to give up the early lead to Marvelous Mystery and take what turned out to be a winning pocket trip for the recent Violet titleholder bred by her owners Jodi Peacock (Cantrall, IL) and Carol Reynolds (Springfield, IL)

Make That Five Straight : The Amy Husted stable’s Fox Valley Landen extended his winning streak to five in a row on Thursday to retain his top spot in the ICF three-year-old male pacing division, but it didn’t come easy.

Fox Valley Landen was sixth in the seven-horse field, five lengths off the pace at the three-quarter pole and appeared to be locked-in and buried for the stretch drive when driver Kyle Husted saw a slight opening in the last sixteenth. It allowed the Somestarsomewhere gelding to burst through between horses and go on to a 1:52.2 clocking, thanks to a sizzling 26 last quarter.

Squeezing One Out : One race earlier Illinois champion Fox Valley Gemini also was begging for room in his stretch drive. And he got it when driver Casey Leonard was able to squeeze the eight-year-old star of the Terry Leonard stable through a small gap that enabled the three-time Illinois Harness Horse of the Year to pick up his 58th career victory, this one in 1:52.3.

The win was one of six for Casey on the Thursday Springfield card. He had three more winners on Friday, and so did Cordarius Stewart. Casey leads Cordarius by one winner, 32 to 31, with next week’s two scheduled days of racing left for the downstate meet.

Livestreaming Continues

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 14:43:26 GMT

Livestreaming Continues

Livestreaming of the races at the Springfield State Fairgrounds continue. Click this link to watch. Trot N Pace. Replays will also be available the following day by clicking here. https://www.trotandpacemarketing.com/ then click “Racing,” “Illinois,” and the date on the calendar. Enjoy!

Time To Get Funky

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 14:36:58 GMT

Time To Get Funky

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

The 2022 Illinois Harness Horse of the Year Funky Wiggle makes her belated season debut today after a long eight-month absence.

The Curt Grummel stable’s talented trotter, now four years old, goes postward in the eighth race in a “low-end” conditioned trot where she’ll have to buck the outside eight-hole.

Why refer to the race as “low-end “trot you might ask?

It’s a trot for non-winners of $5,000 in 2023 with a paltry $3,000 purse on the line, an embarrassing pot for a horse of Funky Wiggle’s stature.

Afterall “Funky” dominated the ICF three-year-old trotting division last year with multiple stake victories among her nine wins, amassed over $130,000 in purse earnings, and sped to a 1:51.4 mile at Du Quoin, the fastest ever for any Illinois bred gal on the trot, and just a tick off National Hall of Famer Kadabra’s all-time record for a state bred trotter.

“I won’t complain about the purse,” said trainer Curt Grujmmel, who shares ownership of Funky Wiggle with his brother Craig and their dad Leo. “I needed to get her a start and it was either this race or an Open and after her long layoff I didn’t want her going against the best at the meeting just yet.

The Lou’s Legacy mare qualified last week at Hoosier Park in a leisurely time of 1:59 flat, cutting fractions of :30.2, 1:00.4 and 1:30.4 before coming the last panel in 28.1, more than four lengths the best.

“She just coasted in her qualifier,” continued Curt. “I did ask her for a little more in the last quarter and she responded like she always does. She always gives her best out there.”

The current Springfield meet are non-wagering races.

“With no betting I can race her easy Friday. I’ll use the race to tighten her up a bit to get her ready for what’s ahead. It could be a long season for her. The upcoming Hawthorne meet goes all the way to the end of the year and maybe beyond.”

Taking on Funky Wiggle are a trio of Steve Searle trained trotters owned by Flacco Family Farms–Loulita, Louzotic and Lousraptor—along with Sudden Approach, Noble Prize and Creations Dream MV.

Driver Casey Leonard brought home SIX winners on Thursday’s Springfield card. (Photo Courtesy of Terry Young)

Curt has a very busy Friday afternoon ahead of him. Four other trotters from his barn are on the card, his 2022 two-year-old ICF champion Marvelous Mystery, and a trio of freshmen. Marvelous Mystery is in the sixth race for strictly ICF filly trotters. “I’m glad to get her back in her own class,” said Curt.

The winner of 10 of 12 starts in her first season has been taking on the likes of male ICF champions Goomster, Lousdobb, and older open company trotters at the Springfield meet.

Curt will send out Funky Wiggle’s two-year-old sister Calypso Moon (Casey Leonard) in race three and will drive the barn’s first-time starter Rainbow City, an Indiana bred, in the same event.

Later on the card (race 12), Curt will unveil the Sam Daddono owned and bred D’Louigi, a Lou’s Legacy colt out of the dam D Lee More who gave us the Illinois bred stakes winning filly trotter Coco D’Lascito (1:57.3) a few years ago.

Well Worth It: It’s over a 200-mile journey from Harvard, Illinois in the Northern part of the state to the Springfield Fairgrounds in the middle but it certainly was worth the long drive Thursday for Casey Leonard. The 45-year-old prairie state native had himself quite an afternoon, driving SIX winners on the14-race card.

The huge driving achievement moved Casey from second place at Hawthorne’s Springfield-Du Quoin meet to first, one winner ahead of Cordarius Stewart with Friday’s card and two more programs still to be raced next week before the session concludes.

Cream of ICF Sophomores Duke It Out

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 16:12:32 GMT

Cream Of ICF Sophomores Duke It Out

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Week seven of Hawthorne’s ten-week downstate meeting is in the record books and some ICF youngers have already stepped up as major contenders for next month’s Springfield and Du Quoin State Fair championships.

The three-year-old colt and gelding pacing picture should get even clearer today when many of the top candidates duke it out in Thursday’s ninth race at the Springfield Fairgrounds.

It’s only taken a few starts in June and one in July to establish that Amy Husted Stable’s Fox Valley Landen has ascended to the top of his division. The muscular gelding is riding a four-race winning streak into today’s contest against six state-bred rivals, and he’s looked very effective doing it.

After a fourth-place finish at Hoosier Park in his initial sophomore start back on May 5th against open company, Fox Valley Landen raised quite a few eyebrows when he sped to a quick 1:51.1 clocking at the same level a week later. A three-week rest was followed by a dominant seven-plus length triumph against fellow state-breds on June 9th.

Two weeks later the Cardinal was next, and the talented youngster was once more much the best in his division, this time with a dazzling 1:50 flat mile. A couple of weeks later “Landen” made it four in a row in 1:53.1 when he came from six lengths halfway through the mile with a sub 55 last half.

Fox Valley Landen landed the four slot in Thursday’s seven horse field with regular driver Kyle Husted while the Erv Miller stable’s Fox Valley Jasper, second best to “Landen” earlier this month drew the outside seven post.

You can toss out “Jasper’s sixth place finish at Hoosier last week. The gelding left from the nine-hole, was parked out to a bruising 27.1 first panel and pushed to a blistering 54.1 half before he obviously tired in the lane.

Team Miller has also brought back Fox Valley Patriot (pp 2, Jamaica Patton) from Kentucky for the today’s encounter. “Patriot” finished third to “Landen” in their Cardinal meeting.

Springfield based trainer Tom Simmons has a pair of strong contenders in today’s race, Fox Valley Steeler (Casey Leonard) on the rail and Fox Valley Cayman (Travis Seekman) with the seven-slot.

The only non Somestarsomewhere progenies in the field are Unhynged Speed (pp 3, Matt Krueger), beaten only by a neck by Fox Valley Jasper in their Cardinal split, and Kage Daniel (pp 5, Juan Franco), the fourth-place finisher in that race.

The Champs Return : Back in action today after a two-week rest is Illinois champion Fox Valley Gemini (Casey Leonard), upset by L Dees Jack earlier this month after going four-for-four to begin his eight-year-old campaign.

It’s a very rare start from the rail for the three-time Illinois Harness Horse of the Year who takes on Toxic Rock (Matt Krueger), Joe McDude (Jamaal Denson), Primo Giovanni (Travis Seekman) Get E Up (Kyle Husted), Tell The Dream (Cordarius Stewart) and Showboat Shooting (Juan Franco) in Thursday’s eighth race.

Fox Valley Gemini is only three victories shy of 60 career wins.

Speaking of 60 lifetime victories, returning after a month of R & R is Danny Graham’s Annas Lucky Star (Juan Franco) Friday afternoon. The now nine-year-old ICF trotter has 58 first place finishes in her brilliant career, under the care of veteran trainer Nelson Willis, and is closing in on $650,000 in purse earnings.

Annas Lucky Star takes on a small, but solid field of trotters in Friday’s fourth race consisting of Reign And Shine (Jamaica Patton), Tankmetodennyland (Travis Seekman), La Lolita (Matt Avenatti) and Lousdobb (Casey Leonard).

Goomster Makes Owner Proud

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 15:57:14 GMT

Goomster Makes Owner and Illinois Proud

By Mike Paradise, for the IHHA

You could understand why owner and trainer Dennis Gardner was pumping his fists upward after Friday’s feature event at Springfield. His three-year-old ICF trotter Goomster not only avenged his only loss of the season, but he also made the Illinois bred program proud by beating some very good open company trotters.

Perfectly rated by Travis Seekman, the Cassis gelding was sent right to the front, and cut fractions of 27.4 and 56.4 before rattling off consecutive 28 flat panels to a 1:52.4 winning mile, a new lifetime mark for his elated West Salem, Illinois owner.

A week ago, the front-stepping Goomster was overtaken in the late going by the Illinois two-year-old champion filly Marvelous Mystery however on this Friday afternoon the star of the Dennis Gardner’s stable wasn’t going to be denied his 11th victory in 19 career starts and his 6th in 7 tries this year.

Bluebird Deacon (Cordarius Stewart). an Open trot winner last month at Oak Grove, came on to be second best, beaten by two and one-half lengths. Reign And Shine won the battle for third over Marvelous Mystery.

Looking Good: Several state bred two-year-olds were prominent winners on Friday’s card as they prepare for next month’s Illinois State Fair ICF championships at the Springfield and Du Quoin fairgrounds.

The Amy Husted stable’s Chickadee motored to a 1:54.3 clocking when she nosed out Fox Valley Tasha (Cordarius Stewart) in their third race matchup and the two-year-old ICF filly pacer did it coming from the seven-post in an eight-horse field. She’s now two-for-two for her career.

Fox Valley Taran, nicely handled by Matt Avenatti, stayed perfect in her initial pair of freshman starts for trainer Rob Rittof, easily prevailing in 1:55.3 in race six.

The Herman Wheeler Stable’s You Can Never Tell (Casey Leonard) let it be known he means business in the ICF juvenile colt and gelding division with a 1:55.3 triumph in his second career start, avenging the gelding’s first season loss to Guitar Man who was third best this time behind the runner-up Erico Pallazzo.

Chickadee, Fox Valley Taran, and You Can Never Tell all are progenies of the 2022 Illinois Stallion of the Year Somestarsomewhere who stands at Walker’s Standardbreds of Sherman, Illinois.

On the Illinois second season trotting category, Zora Moon (Jamaica Patton), winner of 3 of her first 4 career starts, had another strong effort but couldn’t hold off the first starter Whiskey Lou, driven by her conditioner Curt Grummel, who also trains the third-place finisher Calypso Moon in the 1:59.3 mile.

Calypso Moon is the two-year-old full sister of last year’s ICF Harness Horse of the Year Funky Wiggle who won her qualifier at Hoosier Park on Thursday in 1:59 by almost five lengths.

After five second place finishers in as many seasons starts Dennis Gardner’s three-year-old trotter Tankmetodennyland got his initial triumph the hard way in race 12. Despite being parked out in both turns, Goomster’s stablemate pulled away to win in 1:56.4, taking almost four seconds off his previous best time.

Deebo on a Roll : The Cassis freshman Deenbo has quickly established himself as one of the favorites in the Illinois two-year-old male trotting division.

Also owned and trained by Dennis Gardner, the promising freshman coasted Thursday to his fifth victory in six lifetime starts, and his fourth in a row at Springfield with Travis Seekman driving.

The Rob Rittof trained Showboat Shooting captured Thursday’s featured conditioned pace at the Springfield Fair Grounds and he did it the hard way, rallying from seventh, and last, at the half-mile pole, thanks to a heady drive from Juan Franco.

The eight-year-old gelding Mingo, catch-driven by Casey Leonard, snapped a 26-race losing streak Thursday afternoon for Mattoon, Illinois owner Jon D. Huddleson. The Jill Brown trained pacer did it from the eight-hole in front end fashion with a 1:54 flat mile.

Getting Interesting: Casey Leonard had a four-bagger on Thursday and four more successful drives on Friday to move into second place with 23 at the Hawthorne Downstate meet, just four behind the leader Cordarius Stewart.

Travis Seekman is in third place with 19 after bringing home five winners on the Thursday program and adding two more Friday.

Tom D. Tetrick Passes Away

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 15:22:08 GMT

Tom D. Tetrick Passes Away

Click here for more. Obituary for Tom D Tetrick | Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home, Inc. (johnsonvaughn.com)

Six Candidates File Petitions for IHHA Election to Board

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 15:15:51 GMT

Six Candidates to Run for Board of Directors

The 2023 IHHA Board of Directors election will take place at the Annual Meeting on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at 12:00 noon at the IHHA office located at 15 Spinning Wheel Road, Suite 432, Hinsdale, Illinois.

To be elected at the annual meeting will be five (5) directors to serve terms of three (3) years each. The following six (6) candidates filed petitions to be placed on the ballot for election to the Board: Clark Fairley, Juan Franco, Craig Grummel, Kyle Husted, Jeff Jones, Hosea Williams.

Ballots will be mailed to all IHHA members (in good standing as of June 30, 2023) on July 24, 2023, through the offices of Legacy Certified Public Accountants, which have been retained as the official Election Supervisor in conjunction with Article III of the IHHA By-Laws.

Illinois Filly Champion Looking Marvelous

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 19:40:01 GMT

Illinois Filly Champion Looking Marvelous

The filly Marvelous Mystery (Curt Grummel) is shown going past last year’s freshman colt titleholder Goomster (Travis Seekman). The pair of ICF champs will tangle again Friday at Springfield. (Patsy Fryman Photography)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

You wouldn’t expect a two-year-old state-bred champion trotting filly to start her sophomore season taking on colts and geldings and some much older, however that’s what Marvelous Mystery has been up against.

Nevertheless, the gifted filly will carry a two-race winning streak into Friday’s feature at Springfield.

After somewhat surprisingly overtaking the ICF freshman colt trotting champion Goomster (pp 3, Travis Seekman) in the late going a week ago, Marvelous Mystery will try to do so again and this time the awaiting field is even more loaded.

Back after a three-week rest is the Steve Searle trained Loussdob (pp 5, Casey Leonard), the 2022 Illinois bred male three-year-old trotting titleholder and coming in from Kentucky is the Erv Miller stable’s Bluebird Deacon (pp 6, Cordarius Stewart), a six-year-old who had been holding his own while competing in $35,000 Opens at Oak Grove.

Another six-year-old Oak Grove invader is Swan of Dreams (pp 7, Matt Krueger), an Open II competitor from the barn of trainer David Brooks.

Then there’s Reign And Shine (pp 1, Jamaica Patton), who beat Lousdobb and others last month at Springfield and she sheds last week’s eight-hole for today’s one-post.

Some Kinda Knight (pp 4, Chad Svendsen) who started the year on the east coast, and Justa Nother Bag (pp 8, Wyatt Avenatti) round out the thirteenth race feature.

“That’s a strong field racing for a $7,500 purse,” quipped Curt.”

And he’s right. That’s not a lot of money on the line for such a nice field of trotters but as they say: “It is what it is.”

Last week Marvelous Mystery was given a perfect pocket trip by Curt and boy, did his filly respond when called on.

“Even with the two-hole trip I didn’t think we were going to pass Goomster but my filly is very sharp now and she proved me wrong. I told my dad each week she just gets better and better.”

Curt, his brother Craig, and their father Leo own the winner of 10 of 12 races as a two-year-old with earnings of almost $130,000.

Following a nine-month layoff, Marvelous Mystery began her second season finishing third behind Goomster and Lousdobb in her three-year-old debut, a tune-up for the Violet stake that followed a week later.

Unexpectedly Marvelous Mystery went off stride in the ICF filly stake, dropping more than 20 lengths behind, and somehow, she made up about 17 lengths to get the third-place check.

“That was my fault, not the filly’s,” said Curt. “I didn’t have her rigged up quite right.”

However, the daughter of Lou’s Legacy rebounded in a big way, winning on June 30th in 1:56.1 and seven days later motoring to a career fastest 1:55 flat victory.

All the same, if there was wagering on the race, unfortunately there isn’t, the post time favoritism would likely go to Bluebird Deacon, owned by Erv Miller’s daughter Hannah Miller Bender.

Each of Bluebird Deacon’s 2023 starts have come at the recently concluded Oak Grove meet in Kentucky. In five outings he’s made just under $20,000.

The Swan For All gelding has banked over $250,000 in a little more than four racing seasons with $62,500 of that amount coming with his second place finish in Hoosier Park’s $270,000 Indiana Sire Stakes Super Final at the end of 2020.

Bluebird Deacon (pp 6) was acquired by Hannah in mid-October of 2021 and went to Oak Grove where he captured a $21,000 Open not long after.

Bluebird Deacon didn’t make his first start of 2022 until late May at Pocono Downs. A few races later he won a conditioned race at the Pennsylvania racetrack with Hanna’s older brother Marcus Miller at his lines.

After stops in New York at Yonkers and Saratoga, the trotter had a second and a third-place finish in high conditioned trots at Hawthorne before ending his season mostly competing in Opens at Hoosier where he did annex an Open 3 contest.

Unfamiliar Setting for ICF Mare Champ

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 19:05:23 GMT

Unfamiliar Setting for ICF Mare Champ

Defending ICF aged pacing mare champ Fox Valley Exploit finds herself in an unfamiliar situation today in the eight-year-old’s return to her home state.

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

The pride of the Amy and Kyle Husted’s stable leaves the filly and mare ranks in Thursday’s Springfield feature and instead takes on “the boys” after a couple of disappointing finishes at Hoosier Park.

Following a $12,000 Open triumph at Springfield in early June, Fox Valley Exploit went unplaced in an Open 3 against the gals at Hoosier Park and was a far back fifth in a $12,500 Indiana conditioned pace that saw the winner Sweet Charlie motor to a speedy 1:48.1 clocking.

Awaiting the Illinois bred mare with over $463,000 in lifetime earnings and unbeaten in four consecutive Night of Champion finals at Hawthorne are seven geldings headed by the Aussie import Montana Chief A from the always strong Erv Miller Stable.

The Tom Simmons trained ICF three-year-old Fox Valley Presley will be going to the gate again Thursday at Springfield. (Terry Young Photo)

The eight-year-old Australian bred was acquired by Miller for transplanted Floridian Doug Overhiser and John Koliopoulos of Bridgeview Illinois in February of 2022 and didn’t disappoint his new connections, hauling in over $83,000 and did it often while taking on some tough foes.

Montana Chief started his U.S. career at The Meadowlands and ended the year competing in 13 consecutive Opens at Hoosier Park earning checks in 10 of those encounters. The Art Major offspring picked up two Open II first place finishes including a lifetime best mark of 1:49 flat last summer.

This season Montana Chief has been strictly an east coast horse, racing at Yonkers, Philadelphia, Pocono Downs and Tioga Downs where he was a two-time winner with former Chicago Circuit driver Marcus Miller in the bike.

Montana Chief, earner of over $112,000 when he raced in Australia, will be guided out of the two-slot in the fifth race headliner by Cordarius Stewart who sits atop the driver standings at the current Hawthorne’s State Fairgrounds meeting.

Coach Cutsinger (Wyatt Avenatti), Downbytheocean (Travis Seekman), Iamamanatheart (Darrel Moore), Killer Martini (Archie Buford), Showboat Shooting (Juan Franco) and Rock Steady Ron (Matt Krueger) provide the competition.

Downbytheocean is coming off a three-week rest after going two-for-two in June at Springfield for the Brett Wilfong stable. The 11-year-old Killer Martini comes in from the recently concluded Oak Grove meet in Kentucky with over $600,000 in career earnings on his card.

Aiming for Four: Later on the Thursday card (race 11 of 14) the good looking two-year-old trotter Deenbo (Travis Seekman) guns for his fourth straight win and the Cassis youngster’s fifth in six fist season starts. Dennis Gardner of West Salem, Illinois owns and trains the son of the late trotting sire Cassius.

All in the Family: It’s unusual to see siblings racing on the same card and it’s even rarer to see two of them out of the same race but that’s the case in Thursday’s fourteenth event.

The two-year-old Redhot Sky (post three) is a half-brother to Super Taco (race 12), both from the dam Fox Valley Stefeni. Quick Desire (race 12) is a half-brother to Whiskey Tango (race four). Each is a son of the broodmare Dancin Desire and both race out of the barn of Springfield based conditioner Mike Brink.

Champion Filly Ends Goomster’s Streak

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 21:43:30 GMT

Champion Filly Ends Goomster’s Streak

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Last season’s ICF two-year-old filly trotting titleholder Marvelous Mystery put an end to the seven-race winning streak of Goomster, the 2002 state-bred male trot champion, Friday at Springfield.

Curt Grummel, the trainer, and co-owner of Marvelous Mystery gave the daughter of Lou’s Legacy a perfect journey and his filly responded with a nifty last quarter (:27.1) to overtake Goomster (Travis Seekman) in the late going.

Marvelous Mystery’s half-length victory was in 1:55 flat, a new lifetime mark for the Grummel family ownership of Curt, brother Craig, and their father Leo, all of Carrollton, Illinois.

Marvelous Mystery had more than a one length lead at the 28 first panel but relinquish it when Seekman took Goomster out of the pocket and to the front and did it with a modest 30.1 second panel. The Cassis gelding had to put away a strong move by Lous Andiamo (Matt Krueger) to hold a nose lead at the three-quarter pole (1:27.2).

All the while Grummel was sitting chilly with his talented filly. Once asked to get into a higher gear Marvelous Mystery poured it on in the lane to notch her 12th win in 16 lifetime starts.

Good as Advertise: The battle of the recent Cardinal pacing champions Fox Valley Landen (Kyle Husted) and Fox Valley Jasper (Cordarius Stewart) turned out to be as good as touted.

The two talented ICF three-year-olds went head-to-head down the State Fair Grounds stretch with Fox Valley Landen proving best at the end of a 1:53.1 mile. It was the third consecutive triumph for the Amy Husted trained gelding owned by David Bingham of Concord, Michigan, John Schwarz of Wood Dale, Illinois, and Kyle Husted of Altamont.

The third-place finisher Fox Valley Steele (Casey Leonard) dictated the fractions of 28.4, 57.3 before Cordarius took Fox Valley Jasper out of fourth with Fox Valley Landen right on his back. While “Jasper” was taking air, “Landen,” was enjoying a more favorable voyage racing behind him. In the lane the two sons of Somestarsomewhere pulled away from the field with Fox Valley Landen eventually prevailing by almost one length.

The Champ Beaten: Fox Valley Gemini’s march towards 60 career victories was stalled by L Dees Jack Lopez, thanks to a heady drive by Cordarius Stewart. The Erv Miller trained gelding got the early jump on the eight-year-old Illinois champ and went on to a wire and wire victory, his third in a row.

Stewart hustled L Dees Jack Lopez out from the rail to a quick lead while Fox Valley Gemini was fifth, and last, at the first quarter pole reached in :28.4. Another soft 28.4 quarter put the six-year-old gelding in great shape for an upset, ahead of Gemini by almost six lengths.

L Dees Jack Lopez paced a 55 flat last half to finish five and one-half lengths ahead of Fox Valley Gemini in the 1:52.2 mile. Showboat Shooting came on to be third. L Dees Jack Lopez is owned by the Erv Miller Stable (Wind Cap, PA) and Douglas Overhiser (FL.)

Still Cashing In: Cordarius Stewart continued to have the hot hand at Springfield with six winning drives on Friday’s programs to give him a leading 17 total for the State Fairgrounds meeting. Casey Leonard had a four-bagger, while Travis Seekman collected a driving triple.

Goomster Puts Winning Streak on the Line

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 21:40:08 GMT

Goomster Puts Winning Streak on the Line

23 races at Springfield on Friday with a double header of racing programs on tap. (Terry Young Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Last year’s Illinois freshman trotting colt champion Goomster puts his seven-race winning streak on the line Friday afternoon at Springfield in a bit of a unique event.

What makes the trotting headliner somewhat unusual is that it brings together three of four recent Cardinal or Violet 3-year-old stakes champions in an early ICF season showdown.

Goomster, trained by his owner Dennis Gardner of West Salem, Illinois, crushed his $22,700 Cardinal division foes by four lengths while well in hand at the end of a career best 1:53.4 mile, keeping him perfect this season though his first five races.

Goomster ended his two-year-old campaign with triumphs in his Kadabra stake elimination and its $120,125 Night of Champions finale at Hawthorne.

Since Goomster’s two-year-old driver Kyle Wilfong now an Indiana resident and committed to compete at Hoosier Park this summer (except for Sundays and Illinois bred stake events), Gardner has turned over the driver chores to Travis Seekman after handling his prize trotter in the horse’s first three season outings.

Seekman has taken full advantage of the opportunity. The 33-year-old Michigan native steered Goomster to the youngster’s last pair of victories against some formidable fields of trotters.

Taking on the Cassius gelding Friday are the two Violet stake filly divisions champions, Radiant Diamond (pp 5) and Fox Valley Shania (pp 7).

With regular driver Kyle Wilfong absent trainer Rick Schrock will be at the lines of Radiant Diamond who was much the best in her 1:56.2 mile, drawing off by more than seven lengths in just the filly’s second start of the season.

The Erv Miller Stable’s Fox Valley Shania (Cordarius Stewart) was much the best in her $22,600 Violet split, leading at every pole despite going out from the eight hole. She was more than eight lengths ahead of her nearest competitor at the end of a 1:57 flat mile.

Fox Valley Shania had some “behind” issues as a two-year-old, causing the Can’t Afford It filly making some breaks in the latter portion of her freshman season where she made over $30,000, while capturing both championships at her class at Springfield and Du Quoin.

Leaving from post four today with her trainer and part-owner Curt Grummel is the 2022 Illinois Filly Trotter of the Year Marvelous Mystery, fresh off a game 1:56.2 triumph last week over a field of older trotters.

The Lou’s Legacy filly lost any chance she had in her Violet grouping when she made a rare break in the early going and fell back more than 20 lengths being her field. However, she made up 17 lengths to still grab third place.

Justa Nother Bag (pp 2, Wyatt Avenatti), Dawn Of Creation (pp 3, Casey Leonard)) who banked over $45,000 as a juvenile; Lous Andiamo (pp 6, Matt Krueger), a 1:55.4 victor last month at Springfield, and Reign And Shine (pp 8, Jamaica Patton), victorious in 3 of her last 4 trips to the starting gate, complete the attractive field.

Doubling Up: The programmed Springfield Friday card will follow the rescheduled Thursday program that was pushed back a day after a heavy downpour Wednesday evening made all dirt track not fit for racing.

First post on the Thursday card is 12 noon. The Friday card will follow at approximately 2:15 (CDT).

Cardinal Champs Tangle at Springfield

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 21:37:22 GMT

Cardinal Champs Tangle at Springfield

Three-year-old Cardinal division champion Fox Valley Jasper (Cordarius Stewart) goes for his third consecutive victory Thursday at Springfield. (Photo by Terry Young).

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

It’s very early in the ICF three-year-old male grouping however we could get a good sense to what’s on the horizon after Friday’s third race conditioned pace at Springfield featuring most of the higher echelon in the division.

(Thursday’s scheduled card was postponed because of a heavy rain that occurred Wednesday night and has been rescheduled to Friday afternoon. The regular slated Friday program will follow).

For the first time this year recent stake champions Fox Valley Landen (pp 4, Kyle Husted) and Fox Valley Jasper (pp 7, Cordarius Stewart) will duke it out and it’s far from a two-horse race.

Springfield based trainer Tom Simmons will send out the strong duo of Fox Valley Steeler (pp 1, Casey Leonard) and Fox Valley Cayman (pp 3, Mike Rogers) into the Illinois bred fray. The latter was just a whisker short of beating Fox Valley Jasper when they met in their Cardinal stake division two weeks ago.

Fox Valley Steeler’s fate in his Cardinal division may have been decided by the post position draw. The Somestarsomewhere gelding landed the eight-hole in a nine-horse field with a trailer. Driver Casey Leonard hustled him out with hopes of getting favorable early position but instead “Steeler” was parked out to a grueling 26.4 first panel and pushed to a 55.1 half and had little left for the late going.

Maybe it wouldn’t have mattered because the Husted Stable’s Fox Valley Landen powered his way to a sizzling 1:50 mile, five length the best, and it appeared he had more for the asking. The Cardinal was only “Landen’s” fourth season start. In his second outing the muscular sophomore won an open company event at Hoosier Park in 1:51.1, coming home with a swift 26.1 last quarter.

“He came out of the Cardinal in great shape. He’s sharper now than he’s ever been,” said his trainer, Amy Husted. “He loves his job.”

Do you think he could have gone even faster if he was pushed by another horse in the stretch?

“He likes training against other horses so if there was another horse closer, yes I think he could have gone a little faster.”

The Erv Miller stable’s Fox Valley Jasper came flying down the State Fairground’s only 510-foot stretch to get his nose in time at the end of a 1:53.1 mile by rattling off a 26.3 last panel. Another Somestarsomewhere pacer in the field, “Jasper” was seventh, six and one-half lengths off the leader at the three-quarter pole that sits well outside the beginning of the Springfield stretch straightaway. The $9,500 yearling purchase also won his first Illinois start a week earlier with 26.3 final quarter.

Fox Valley Jasper went unbeaten in his first six starts, mostly against the top ICF colts in his division before health issues caught up with him and went unplaced in his last pair of freshman starts.

Whatever was ailing “Jasper” seems to be behind the youngster, owned by Douglass Overhiser of New Smyrna Beach, Florida and the Engle Stable of Northbrook, Illinois. Marty Engle also owns Mister Sleeze (Travis Seekman), who starts from post five Thursday afternoon. The Sagebrush homebred put nearly $41,000 on his card as a two-year-old.

Kage Daniel (pp 2, Juan Franco), beaten less than two lengths by Fox Valley Jasper in their Cardinal split, and Fox Valley Mckee (pp 8, Matt Krueger), scratched out of his Cardinal when he came up sick, round out the competitive Thusrday scheduled third race headliner.

Of the eight starters in the race, six are sired by Somestarsomewhere, not surprisingly the 2002 Illinois Pacing Sire of the Year, and bred by Fox Valley Standardbreds of Sherman, Illinois.

Just Four Takers: Three-time Illinois Harness Horse of the Year Fox Valley Gemini (Casey Leonard) is back competing Friday as he continues his march towards 60 lifetime victories.

After a three-week rest, the now eight-year-old gelding would be an overwhelming favorite, if there was betting, with the five slot and only four opponents. “Gemini” is four-for-four this season and it’s going to take a huge effort by somebody to keep the Illinois champ from his 58th first place finish and add another $4,000 in his purse account that stands at a hefty $709,819 at post time.

Cordarius Stays Hot, So Does the Weather

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 21:33:45 GMT

Cordarius Stays Hot, So Does the Weather

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Hot (97 degrees) and humid (80 per cent) with a “feels like” temperature of 112 degrees made for an uncomfortable afternoon of harness racing Friday at Du Quoin for both horses and horsemen alike, nevertheless the sweltering weather didn’t slow down the red-hot driver Cordarius Stewart a bit.

The 29-year-old native widened his lead as the driver colony’s frontrunner with five more first place finishers. “Cash Deposit,” as he’s known by many his fellow horseman, is winning at a sizzling 33 per clip thus far at the Hawthorne sponsored Illinois State Fairgrounds meeting.

Stewart’s “five-bagger” on Friday consisted of Perfect Promises (3rd race), Tell The Dream (4th), Swan Appeal (7th), Fox Valley Tasha (11th) and L Dees Jack Lopez (12th). Cordarius now has 16 winning drives in the first six Fair Grounds programs. Casey Leonard is next with 11.

Friday’s trotting “Winner’s Over” feature trot saw last season’s ICF freshman filly champion Marvelous Mystery show her heels to a field of older, and mostly male, trotters in front-end fashion.

Nicely rated by her trainer and co-owner Curt Grummel, Marvelous Mystery sprinted out from the one-slot to a quick lead, cut fractions of 28.2, 58.1 and 1:27.4 and trotted a 28.2 last quarter to gain in her initial win as a three-year-old after two earlier third place finishes.

The 1:56.1 mile was a more than a full second off the daughter of Lou’s Legacy previous best winning time for Carrollton, Illinois owners Leo, Craig, and Curt Grummel

Justa Nother Bag, driven by 26-year-old Wyatt Avenatti, was second best, a half-length behind while his older 28-year-old brother Matt guided La Lolita a third-place check.

In her previous start a week ago Marvelous Mystery made a rare break in the Violet stake, fell far behind the field, and made up about 18 lengths to be third.

The co-headliner twelfth race conditioned pace gave Stewart his fifth winning drive on the card when L Dees Jack Lopez held off the fast-closing Showboat Shooting (Juan Franco) and Hidden Assassin (Travis Seekman) in the 1:56 flat mile.

Sensing slow fractions, Cordarius took L Dees Jack Lopez out of fourth on the backside, and the six-year-old pacer brushed to the top before the half-miler pole (:59.2). The Erv Miller trainee got away with a leisurely 29.1 third panel and had enough left in the tank to post his second straight triumph for proprietors Doug Overhiser (Florida) and the Erv Miller stable (Pennsylvania).

Horses Can Help Heal the Hurt

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 21:29:53 GMT

Horses Can Help Heal the Hurt

The Dossie Minor Stable’s Nae’s Rendezvous (Phil Knox), a 1:57 flat winner at Springfield in her last start, goes to the gate in today’s eleventh race at Du Quoin. (Patricia Fryman Photography)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

It’s the time of the year when two-year-old pacers and trotters are taking baby steps towards what their connections hope will be a successful first season of racing.

For example, Friday’s seventh and eighth races at Du Quoin have an abundant number of freshmen ICF pacing fillies with state-bred stake aspirations.

Seven of the eight horses in the eleventh race field are Hawthorne’s Incredible Tillie stake eligible: Nae’s Rendezvous, CW Wise Lady, Fox Valley Tasha, Chickabell, It’s Crystal Clear, We Are Family and Hypeyourbestieup. All are also nominated for the Violet pace at Hawthorne in the fall.

Among the eleventh race combatants already with a victory on their résumé is Nae’s Rendezvous, a strong 1:57 flat winner on June 15th at Springfield and she did it coming from out-of-it while pacing first over.

Nae’s Rendezvous is owned by her breeders Debbie Benjamin Wolfe and Jeffrey Wolfe of Riverton, Illinois. The filly’s dam Yank’s Rendezvous raced for the Wolfe’s from 2017 into 2019.

Yank’s Rendezvous was a surprise gift to Debbie from her husband back in 2016.

“We went to the Walker sale that year and had no intentions of getting a horse. I lost my daughter when she was 32 years old and that took a heavy toll on me. My husband urged me to go to the sale to get out of the house and get my mind off my grief.

“I’m a nurse and got infected with the H1V1 virus, which is similar to Covid, that I picked-up from a patient. It’s taken a toll on me. But I relented and went to the sale.

“I saw this little filly (Yank’s Revenzous), and just thought she was the sweetest little thing. After the sale my husband asked me to go with him to see the horse, but I said no because I knew I would fall in love with her but couldn’t have her.

“Eventually I gave in and went with Jeff to Walker’s farm and there she was in the middle of the barn, and that’s when my husband told me: “She’s yours.”

“I couldn’t believe it. I had been so broken up inside and now I have this sweet, beautiful animal. She’s been wonderful to be around. I watched her train every morning and it brought joy back into my life.

“After we raced her for a few years we bred her to the Walker’s sire Somestarsomewhere and named her foal Nae’s Rendezvous after my daughter Amanda whose middle name is Rene.

“Having Yank’s Rendezvous and now Nae’s Rendezvous has been a blessing and what a thrill it was to see “Nae’s” win her race at Springfield a couple of weeks ago.”

Driver Phil Knox likes what he’s seen thus far from Nae’s Rendezvous.

“Dossie (trainer Minor) has done a great job of getting the filly ready for the races,” said Phil. “That first start at Du Quoin when she was third was purely an education one for the filly as far how to race. She learned a lot from it, and it showed in her second start at Springfield.

“The filly pretty much did it all on her own. Dossie told me before her start that if I needed to race her first up to do so. And that’s what happened. In the stretch that other horse (pacesetter It’s Crystal Clear) got away from us a little, so I had to get after my filly to keep her focused and as you saw, she responded and just took off.

“There’s a long way to go in her first season but it’s nice to get an early win. It’ll help her confidence level.”

Dossie calls Nae’s Rendezvous “a nice filly who is very easy going.” When asked if the filly can race up front after showing she certainly can compete from off the pace, the Mississippi native replied with a laugh: “I don’t know, we haven’t raced her that way yet but I’m sure we’ll find out.”

A first-time starter in the eleventh race to keep an eye on is another Somestarsomewhere filly, Chickabell, trained by Amy Husted and driven by her husband Kyle. She’s a half-sister to Rock With JK, a 1:50.1 pacer from the Rocknroll Hanover broodmare Rock With Delight. Chickabell came home in a quick 26.4 when she finished second six days ago in her Hoosier Park qualifier.

Five of the eight participants in race ten are Hawthorne’s Night of Champion freshmen hopefuls: Big Flicka, Hermia’s Star, Fox Valley August, RK’S Toni and Fox Valley Venice.

Reign And Shine All Aglow

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 21:27:08 GMT

Reign And Shine All Aglow

Reign And Shine (Jamaica Patton), fresh off another victory at Springfield, goes postward in Friday’s featured eighth race trot at Du Quoin. (Patricia Fryman).

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Hawthorne’s State Fairgrounds meeting shifts back to the cozy confines of Du Quoin Friday afternoon with a large 13-race program.

The sharpest trotter thus far at the meet has been Mr. Carroll and Diane Hays’ Reign And Shine who is gunning for her fourth win in her last five starts in the featured eighth race conditioned trot with regular driver Jamaica Patton.

The six-year-old trotter, bred and owned by the Hays of Williamsville, Illinois, was a game winner a week ago at Springfield in 1:55.1 when she raced without cover from the half-mile pole on and held off the solid ICF trotter Lousdobb by almost one length.

Reign And Shine’s lone loss since the Illinois racing season got underway way in late May was at Du Quoin in early June when she went off stride before that start and was almost a dozen lengths off the leader by the quarter mile marker and ended up a non-threatening fourth.

It’s not the first time, nor will it likely be the last, that the sometime fickle mare will act up before a start.

“She’s a pleasure to drive but she doesn’t like drivers,” said Jamaica. “It’s just not me. It’s any driver. That’s why we had to scratch her a few weeks ago. She wouldn’t let me on the bike. What I do now is let Mr. Carroll (trainer and owner) walk her onto the track and then hop onto the seat.

“However, once we get going, she likes her work. You can race her anyway you want, and she’ll give her all. She’s a very nice mare and she especially likes Springfield.”

Reign And Shine had gotten better as she got older.

After failing to hit the board in five starts as a freshman, she made a little over $20,000 at three and took a mark of 1:59.1 in her second season. The mare earned just under $50,000 as a four-year-old and lowered her mark in 1:56.1. Last year she banked over $60,000 and trotted a 1:54.1 winning mile at Springfield.

What’s interesting about her breeding is that while she was sired by the late Illinois stud Cassis, Reign And Shine’s dam Faith And Trust was by the pacing bred Ft. Apache Hanover.

Landing the advantageous pole position in the trotting feature is last year’s Illinois two-year-old filly trot champion Marvelous Mystery who will be driven by her trainer and co-owner Curt Grummel. She’s been third in each of her starts as a three-year-old after prevailing in 10 of 12 outings in her juvenile campaign.

Looking to pull off a bit of an upset are Just Nother Bag (Wyatt Avenatti), Get To The Pointe (Kyle Husted), Whatta Year (Juan Franco) Das Schnipker (Mike Brink) and La Lolita (Matt Avenatti).

The Kenny Collier trained Das Schnipker especially bears watching. The three-year-old Dontyouforgetit was flying down the Springfield stretch last week and looked like he was going to rally in time when he made what appeared to be a speed break and lost all chance.

With the Illinois county Fair Circuit in full bloom, many of the younger pacers and trotters are competing for the second time in a week while going from a half-mile track at the Martinsville Fair on Monday to the full mile oval Friday.

Seven Martinsville winners—Fox Valley Venice, Fox Valley August, Ashlee’s Amanda, Bell Boots, Shady Maple Isaac, Filly’s Revenge, and Foxman—are looking to repeat Friday in a five-day span.

The first post for Friday’s Du Quoin’s 13-race card is 1 p.m. (CDT).

Cordarius Stewart Stays Hot at Springfield

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 21:23:58 GMT

Cordarius Stewart Stays Hot at Springfield

Fox Valley Shania’s Violet ICF stake victory was one of Cordarius Stewart’s eight winning drives the past two days at Springfield. (Patricia Fryman Photography)

By Mike Paradise, for the IHHA

The temperature in Springfield, Illinois reached the 90’s Friday but the weather wasn’t the only thing that has become hot. Driver Cordarius Stewart has been sizzling.

Stewart had the hot hand on both days of this week’s Springfield races. The 29-year-old Mississippi native brought home four winning horses on Thursday and visited the winner’s circle four more times on Friday.

The trotter on fire at the State Fairgrounds has been Reign And Shine (Jamaica Patton), triumphant in all three starts at Springfield this year for his owners and breeders Mr. Carroll and Diane Hays of Williamsville, Illinois

The six-year-old mare out of the late sire Cassius took the featured trot in 1:55.1 for trainer Carroll Hays and did it taking air from the half mile (:57.4) on. Lousdobb (Casey Leonard) had another big effort to be second, less than a length behind,

Springfield Notes: The fastest last quarter paced on either of Springfield cards was by the Rob Rittof trained two-year-old colt Guitar Man with a swift 26.2 clocking yesterday. The Somestarsomewhere colt is owned by Doug Overhiser who had six winning horses on Thursday and five came in either in a Cardinal or Violet ICF stakes.

It’s just the beginning of the two-year-old state-bred season but you have to be already impressed with the first two winning starts from Guitar Man who came home in 27 flat in his 1:57 successful debut on June 3rd. His winning time Friday was 1:57.1 however the half was in 1:01.3 with Guitar Man racing fourth, more than four lengths behind the leader.

Guitar Man, a $20,000 purchase at the 2021 Illini Classic Sale, is Incredible Finale stakes eligible.

Fox Valley Farm’s Somestarsomewhere, the 2022 Illinois Pacing Sire of the Year, had six of his sons or daughters win races on Thursday or Friday’s cards.

Well Deserved: Congratulations are still pouring in to the Amy and Kyle Husted Stable after their talented three-year-old Fox Valley Landen dazzled Thursday’s Springfield crowd with a sizzling 1:50 flat mile in the second Cardinal place split.

The Somstarsomewhere offspring certainly deserved those smouches he received from Amy in the winner’ circle.

The Name Game: People name their horses for all kinds of reasons and sometimes you can’t help but smile when you come across some.

The Megan Rogers Stable of Chicago has had dozens of horses over several years and they’ve come up with some doozies that have gotten my attention.

The stable’s latest is the two-year-old ICF colt Erico Pallazzo. The name might ring a bell with some of our not so young readers. He’s a character in the slapstick movie from 1989 called “The Naked Gun” featuring Leslie Nelson, the same actor who starred in the all-time great comedy “Airplane.”

The Chicago stable also gave us Lily Von Stupp, from the movie “Blazing Saddles,” and Dr. Drake Ramoray, a fictitious character played by “Joey,” on the long running TV hit series “Friends.”

Still to be unveiled is another Nelson Willis trained two-year-old with the moniker of Kurt Longjohn, a personality from the film “Boogie Nights.”

Heading South: Next Friday and Saturday Hawthorne’s State Fairgrounds racing programs moves to Du Quoin in southern Illinois where the stretch is 900 feet, almost 100 feet more than Springfield’s.

Owner Overhiser has Quite a Day

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 21:20:57 GMT

Owner Overhiser has Quite a Day

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Douglas Overhiser, a long-time harness racing fan who made the plunge into being an avid owner not too long ago, could have saved himself a lot of walking Thursday if he grabbed a seat near the Springfield winner’s circle.

Overhiser and his trainer Erv Miller made six trips to greet the track photographer Patricia Fryman, and five came in the initial three-year-old ICF stakes of the year, either a Cardinal or Violet added money event.

Overhiser, who has a successful trucking business in Chicago, currently owns over 100 horses and some are six-figure purchases who have raced for bigger pots, nevertheless Thursday had to be one of his most enjoyable afternoons.

While the Cardinal and Violet state-bred three-year-old stakes have been around in Illinois for decades, Springfield was hosting them for the first time.

The opening $21,187 division of the Violet for trotting fillies saw the Rick Schrock trained Radiant Diamond (Kyle Wilfong) crush her field with a seven-plus-length romp in 1:56.2, more than two full seconds better than her freshman mark that also came at Springfield.

Radiant Diamond raced first over from about the half mile (:58) pole on and still had no trouble powering to the front and drawing away in her second start of the year and her first in a month. The Dontcheatonmenow filly is owned and bred by Illinoisians Jodi Peacock of Cantrell and Carol Reynold of Springfield.

Fox Valley Shania, nicely handled by Cordarius Stewart, showed again she likes a mile dirt track, leading at every pole for trainer Erv Miller in the second $25,213 Violet trot. The Can’t Afford It filly won both the Springfield and Du Quoin champions last year as a freshman for Doug Overhiser of New Smyrna, Florida, Engle Stable of Northbrook, Illinois, and Mystical Marker Farms of Portage, Indiana.

Last season’s freshman champ Marvelous Mystery (Kyle Wilfong) went off stride in the first turn while racing in the pocket behind Fox Valley Shania. The Curt Grummel filly came from far back to be third. Shespertifulipert (Tyler Miller) had a big effort to gain the runner-up spot.

The Cardinal splits for second season pacing colts and geldings were next up and the $24,500 first division was a three-horse photo with Fox Valley Jasper coming on to get his nose in front at the end of a 1:53.1 mile.

Right there in second was Fox Valley Cayman (Casey Leonard), just ahead of the third-place finisher Unhynged Speed (Matt Krueger). The Somestarsomewhere winner is trained by Erv Miller for Doug Overheiser and the Engel Stable of Illinois.

There were three lead chances before the 57.2 half with Unhynged Speed showing the way turning for home. Fox Valley Jasper picked up live cover Fox Valley Cayman to prevail for the eighth time in 11 career starts.

While the first Cardinal Pace was a nail-bitter, the second was “no contest.” The Amy Husted Stable’s Fox Valley Landen blew away a strong field of ICF sophomore pacers with an impressive quick time of 1:50 flat with Kyle Husted at his lines, five lengths the best.

The Amy Husted stable’s Fox Valley Landen (Kyle Husted) wowed the Springfield crowd Thursday with a 1:50 flat winning mile in a $24,450 Cardinal pacing division. (Patricia Fryman Photography)

It took a quick 26.4 first panel for Fox Valley Steeler (pp 8, Casey Leonard) to have command. Husted also sent Fox Valley Landen out before settling into third. On the backside Kyle pulled the son of Somestarsomewhere out and the gelding rolled past to the front, and just kept extending his lead for owners David Brigham (Concord, MI), John Schwarz (Wood Dale, IL) and Kyle Husted.

It was another rout in the first Volet pace and a third consecutive triumph for the Erv Miller stable as Fox Valley Leah coasted to her first victory in Illinois for driver Atlee Bender. Another Somstarsomewhere offspring, Fox Valley Leah stopped the timer in 1:51.4 in just her sixth lifetime outing, more than 10 lengths ahead at the finish wire.

“Leah” is owned by Doug Overhiser. The Floridian shares ownership of the $9,500 yearling purchase with his trainer Erv Miller and George Golemes of Oak Brook, Illinois.

Rona Mae (Kyle Wilfong) was second best and PD’S Showtime (Matt Krueger) came on for third.

The second $24,000 Violet split was a heck of a horse race and once more it was the combination of trainer Erv Miller and owner Doug Overhiser coming out on tope for Cordarius Stewart who got The Magical Woman up in the final strides in 1:53.3.

Forced three-wide in the first turn along with the second-place finisher Fox Valley Kia (Phil Knox), The Magical Woman proves fastest in the lane for Overhiser and fellow proprietor Anthony Lombardi of Morris, Illinois.

Goomster, capably driven by Travis Seekman became the only reigning two-year-old champions to prevail Thursday, posting a new 1:53.4 record mile in the initial $24,213 Cardinal trot grouping.

Owned and trained by Dennis Gardner of West Salem, Illinois, the Cassis gelding cut fractions of 28.2, :56.4 and 1:25.3 before trotting a 28.1 last quarter to extend his winning streak to seven in a row. Lous Andiamo took second, beaten four lengths.

Niko Man (Atlee Bender) had no trouble disposing of his Cardinal trot field in the second split with a 1:56.3 clocking. Once again it was a Miller trained, and Overhiser owned stake champion. Anthony Lombardi of Morris, Illinois shares ownership of the Cassis gelding.

Tankmetodennyleand finished second, almost five lengths in the eighth and last stake event on the card.

Cordarius Stewart drove four winners on the program while Atlee Bender had three.

Belated ICF Stake Season Arrives

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 21:17:48 GMT

Belated ICF Stake Season Arrives

The John Fletcher stable’s Fillys Revenge (No. 3, Mike Rogers) puts her four-race winning streak on the line in Thursday’s second division of the Violet stake for ICF pacing fillies. (Patsy Fryman Photography).

By Mike Paradise, for the IHHA

It’s been a long time coming.

The last time ICF pacers or trotters went postward in a state-bred stake was a year ago. However, that uninviting nine-month drought comes to an end Thursday afternoon at the Springfield State Fair Grounds when the Cardinal and Violet stake events are on display.

It’s been a long wait for Illinois horsemen and owners alike and that fact showed up at entry time when 66 three-year-old Illinois bred pacers or trotters were submitted, necessitating a spit of both gaits of the Cardinal and Violet added money stakes into two.

The Cardinal and Violet trots will be held as the first eight Friday’s twelve race card that gets under way at 12 noon.

The $25,213 Violet trots get the program under way with the second race grouping the much stronger of the pair with three freshman stake winners tangling: Division champion Marvelous Mystery (pp 3, Kyle Wilfong), Dawn Of Creation (pp 5, Casey Leonard) and Fox Valley Shania (pp 8, Cordarius Stewart).

The Erv Miller stable’s Fox Valley Shania was the only freshman filly trotter to beat the two-year-old Illinois champion Marvelous Mystery and she did in both the Springfield and Du Quoin championships, however she went off stride in her Fox Valley Flan elimination at 1 to 9 and missed that stake’s final.

“Fox Valley Shania is way stronger than she was a year ago,” said the Erv Miller stable’s assistant trainer Atlee Bender in an earlier conversation. “She had a problem in her behind area and it caught up with her later. That’s why she made some breaks toward the end of her season. I think she’ll do very well as a three-year-old.”

Fox Valley Shania showed last week that Atlee could be right on target with his assertion. The Can’t Afford It filly was more than eight lengths the best a week ago, trotting a 27.3 last quarter.

Marvelous Mystery was a competitive third last week in her initial start of the season and it came against a strong state bred field.

Dawn Of Creation is unbeaten in three season starts for trainer Mike Brink.

They’ll be challenged by Lous Rona (Atlee Bender), Shespertifulikerp (Tyler Miller), Lou Sangreal (Travis Seekman), Luring City (Jerome Daniels), and Mariah Lou (Wyatt Avenatti).

The first division brings out Zena Lou (Casey Leonard), Daisy’s Duchess (Travis Seekman), Lous Lexi Lou (JD Lewis), Bell Boots (Matthew Avenatti), El Brea Brea (Jamaica Patton), Fox Valley Adira (Gray Rath) and Radiant Diamond (Kyle Wilfong)

The Midwest Division of the Erv Miller stable sends out the formidable Fox Valley Jasper (pp 4, Cordarius Stewart) in the first $24,599 grouping of the Cardinal for second season male pacers.

Fox Valley Jasper won his first six races as a two-year-old before dropping his last two.

“Jasper” started out really good, but he wasn’t healthy later in the summer,” said Bender. “The horse also was a little sore. Those two things took its toll on him, so we stopped with Jasper after he failed to make the (Incredible Finale) final.”

Despite a first-over trip, Fox Valley Jasper last week came home in a quick 26.3 at the end of a 1:54 mile, almost two lengths the best over Fox Valley Cayman (pp 2, Casey Leonard) who he’ll meet again today in the third race nine horse field.

Kage Daniel (Juan Franco), Dandy’s World (Rick Ray), Unhynged Speed (Matt Krueger), Isle Coach (Travis Seekman), Midnight Chrome (Wyatt Avenatti), Fox Valley Treason (Kyle Wilfong) Deputy Dawg (Kyle Husted) and Major Harley (Richard S Finn).

The other Cardinal pace split lured 10 horses and it’s headed up by stake champions Fox Valley Langley, the 2022 ICF freshman colt titleholder (pp 1, Matt Krueger); Fox Valley Landen (pp 4, Kyle Husted), a 1:51.1 winner last month at Hoosier Park, and Ghost Shark (pp 6, Travis Seekman), victorious in a leg in a Pocono Downs Series in April, also in 1:51.1.

Fox Valley Presley (Cordarius Stewart), Shark Solicitor (Kyle Wilfong), Foxman (Wyatt Avenatti), Fox Valley Patriot (Atlee Bender), Fox Valley Steeler (Casey Leonard) and Super Taco (Juan Franco, are the other Cardinal candidates.

The first $24,600 Violet pace division would have the Ray Hanna stable’s Rona Rae (pp 5, Kyle Wilfong) as the post time favorite if there was betting on the Springfield card. The Time To Roll filly dropped a nose decision a week ago to last year’s division titleholder Fox Valley Kia.

Taking on Rona Rae is Fox Valley Cha Ch (Terry Skinner), Rags To Riches (Travis Seekman), Fox Valley Leah (Atlee Bender), Keen Kathy (Casey Leonard), Frontier Molly (Richard S. Finn), Tyler Ty (Juan Franco), One R Andis Star (Kyle Husted) and PD’S Showtime (Matt Krueger).

Fox Valley Kia (Phil Knox) could have her hands full after drawing the eight-hole in the second grouping while last season’s chief rival My Daddys Revenge (Matt Krueger) landed the two-slot. Fox Valley Janis (Kyle Husted), South Gate Sally (Jamaica Patton), Dandy’s Showtime (Casey Leonard), the streaking (four in a row) Fillys Revenge (Mike Rogers) The Magical Woman (Atlee Bender) and Some Dancing Star (Mathew Avenatti) are the other Violet hopefuls.

Two-year-old champion Goomster (pp 2, Travis Seeman) looks like a standout in the initial $21,046 Cardinal trot after beating the likes of Lousdobb, Marvelous Mystery, Niko Man and Annas Lucky Star last week. His five challengers are Lous Diablo (Harold Finn Jt.), Dust Storm (Casey Leonard), Lous Andiamo (Matt Krueger) Mango Bud (Juan Franco) and Fox Valley Corso (Kyle Wilfong).

Duking it out in the other Cardinal split are (from the rail out): Tankmetodennyland (Travis Seekman), Whatta Year (Juan Franco), Niko Man (Atlee Bender), Twin Cedars Alstar (Jamaica Patton), Youain’tnofool (Jamaal Denson), Eyesontheprize Lou (Casey Leonard) and Zions Realy Chilly (Matt Krueger), currently on a four-race victory streak.

Omen Proves True, Seekman Gets No. 1,000

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 21:13:21 GMT

Omen Proves True, Seekman Gets No. 1,000

Travis Seekman drove his 1.000th career winner Friday at Springfield (Four Footed Fotos)

Mike Paradise, for the IHHA

When Travis Seekman guided last season’s ICF champion freshman male trotter Goomster to a notable victory over a strong field of Illinois breds in Friday’s second race at Springfield it was an omen that good things were likely going to happen.

And they did… five races later.

The Nicole Wilfong trained pacer Downbytheocean blew away his seventh race foes to give Travis his 1,000th career victory, a magical milestone for any harness racing driver.

The 33-year-old Seekman began his driving career some 33 years ago as a 16-year-old on the Wolverine fair circuit. His father Joe is a Michigan Hall of Fame trainer closing in on 1,500 winners coming out of his barn.

Travis’ 999th dash winner came with Goomster who reasserted himself as the trotter to beat in this season’s three-year-old state-bred division, putting away a formidable field consisting of three other 2022 Illinois champions— Lousdobb, Marvelous Mystery and Annas Lucky Star—along with Kadabra championship runner-up Nico Man.

Groomster’s owner and trainer Dennis Gardner turned over the lines on his Cassis trotter to Seeman Friday and the Michigan native made the most of his first opportunity to guide the youngster, winning with a 1:55 flat mile.

Goomster trotted a quick 27.3 first panel to have command, however Seekman was able to give the gelding a pair of soft 29.4 middle quarters. A 27.4 last quarter was enough to hold off the closing Lousdobb (Casey Leonard) by almost one length.

Later in the program Travis began his long climb to the 2,000-win level, bringing home the freshman Deenbo to a six-length romp in 2:01 flat for the Gardner stable.

“He” Just Keeps Going: The “He” in this instance is the three-time Illinois Harness Horse of the Year Fox Valley Gemini. The illustrious Terry Leonard trained eight-year-old, aptly handled by regular driver Casey Leonard, Friday made it four-for-four on this season with a 1:51.1 mile, thus far the fastest mile at the current Springfield meeting.

With a remarkable 57 lifetime victories (in 110 starts), obviously “Gemini” has been terrific just about anywhere he has raced, and the Illinois State Fair Grounds is no exception. In 14 trips to the gate at Springfield the Jim Ballinger of Atwater, Illinois owned gelding has stopped at its winner’s circle 11 times, to go two seconds, and a fourth.

Second Day Notes: Casey Leonard led all drivers with four winners. Travis Seeman had three and Jamaica Patton two, including the Illinois champion mare Skeet Machine’s 32nd lifetime triumph . . . Three of Casey’s winners came behind youngsters from the Tom Simmons stable: The three-year-old Fox Valley Presley, and the two-year-olds JR’S Strike Three (2:00.3) and Fox Valley Ramiro (1:56.2), the younger brother of Simmons’ Fox Valley Cayman. Fox Valley Ramiro romped by six seven lengths, closing in 27 flat . . . Fox Valley Presley’s successful 1:55 mile from the eight-hole where he was used hard (28 flat) to get to the top, likely insured the $35,00 yearling buy a start in the upcoming Cardinal Pace . . . Downbytheocean’s 26.2 last panel was the fastest final quarter on the card.

First Day Notes: When Hosea Williams’ four-year-old trotting mare Eris (Juan Franco) captured Thursday’s second race it was her first victory, ending a long losing streak. She had gone winless in her initial 40 career starts for her Chicago trainer and owner . . .Carroll and Diane Hayes of Williamsville, Illinois started two distaffers on the card and this made winner’s circle visits. The three-year-old filly Red Clover (Travis Seekman) rallied for her first season win in 1:55.2. One race later their game six-year-old mare Reign And Shine, nicely handled by Jamaica Patton, got her nose in front at the wire over Latin Lover in a conditioned trot with a 1:56.1 mile. . . Matt Krueger had a driving triple on the Thursday’s 13-race program while Travis Seekman, Juan Franco, Cordarous Stewart and Phil Knox each had two dash winners . . .

A “Fab-Five” of ICF Trotters Tangle

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 21:10:02 GMT

A “Fab-Five” of ICF Trotters Tangle

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

It’s very unusual to see four separate defending state-bred champion trotters in the same race, especially when it’s a five-horse field. What’s also rare is a six-year age gap between this ICF fivesome.

Three of the trotters are now three-year-olds, one is making her sophomore season debut against “the boys, “another is a four-year-old, while the other is no “spring chicken.” She’s nine, however she shows no signs of slowing down.

The veteran of this Illinois bred trotting “fab-five” is Annas Lucky Star (pp 2. Juan Franco), fresh off her 58th career victory. She’ll go to the gate with a gaudy lifetime bankroll of $638,010 for her owner and breeder Danny Graham from the southern Illinois town of Salem.

The Nelson Willis trained Queen of the Illinois trotter was just a nose better a week ago in a Du Quoin Open than Lousdobb (pp. 1, Casey Leonard), the 2022 ICF Champion Three-Year-Old Colt Trotter from the barn of trainer Steve Searle.

The gifted son of Lou’s Legacy won his first two starts of the year after he was put on Lasix and has gone over the $200,000 mark in money earned in 27 lifetime starts for Flacco Family Farms (Alexis, IL) and All-Wright Racing (Morton, IL).

Starting between Lousdobb and Annas Lucky Star is Dennis Gardner’s Goomster, last year’s freshman state-bred trotting colt champion who is riding a five-race winning streak and is 3-for-3 this season for his West Salem owner and trainer. Gardner has turned over the lines Friday to Travis Seekman.

Niko Man (pp 4, Cordarius Stewart), who gave Goomster all he could handle in a number of ICF freshman stake slugfests, had the misfortune to draw the second tier (post 10) in his sophomore season debut last week at Hoosier Park and was a non-factor for the Midwest Division of the Erv Miller Stable. You can expect much better from this son of Cassis today.

In a very difficult spot for her initial start as a three-year-old is the Grummel family’s good-looking filly Marvelous Mystery (pp 5). She’ll be driven by her trainer Curt Grummel who shares ownership of the daughter of Lou’s Legacy with brother Craig and their father Leo, all from Carrollton, Illinois.

Marvelous Mystery dominated the freshman filly state-bred ranks last year, winning 10 of an even dozen outings. Her only two losses, both second place finishes, came on the state fair ground ovals at Springfield and Du Quoin. She ran away with her division’s top honor while pulling down almost $130,000 for the Grummel family.

When asked about the challenging competition his filly will be facing, especially after being on the sidelines for nine months, Curt replied: “This isn’t the spot I was looking for to get the filly her first start of the year but with the Violet coming up, this will have to do. I can race her easy Friday without betting. It’s a strong group of Illinois bred trotters she’ll be facing.”

How is Marvelous Mystery going doing into Friday’s race?

“She’s doing okay,” Curt answered. “There are a few little things I would like to be better with her, like her shoeing, but on the dirt track she’ll race without shoes anyway. She’s been training best without them.”

The “fab-five” group of trotters aren’t the only ICF champions on Friday’s card.

Three-time Illinois Harness Horse of the Year Fox Valley Gemini (Casey Leonard) tries to stay unbeaten as an eight-year-old in race nine and this time the star of the Terry Leonard Stable has a tougher test to pass when he leaves from post seven in the eight-horse field.

Fox Valley Gemini went over the $700,000 level in purse earnings for owner Jim Ballinger of Atwater, Illinois with last week’s ICF Open triumph.

Coming in from Hoosier Park is Trent Stohler trained five-year-old ER Rocky (pp 5, Travis Seekman) to take on “Gemini.” ER Rocky sped to a 1:50 flat clocking last month at Hoosier. The gelding boasts a 1:49.2 mark, taken at the Indiana track last year.

ICF Sophomore Stake Aspirants Staying Sharp

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 21:06:41 GMT

ICF Sophomore Stake Aspirants Staying Sharp

Fox Valley Steeler (Casey Leonard), showed here flashing his winning form at Decatur, will go postward Thursday afternoon at the Springfield State Fairgrounds. (Patricia Fryman Photography)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

With the Cardinal and Violet ICF stake events—the initial added money events of the 2023 Illinois harness racing season—on the horizon, quite a number of state-bred three-year-olds of both gaits are preparing for them Thursday at the Springfield State Fair Grounds.

First post on the 13-race non-wagering card is 12 noon (CDT).

Looking to stay sharp for the Cardinal Pace on June 22nd are six of the seven horses going to the gate in Thursday’s seventh race conditioned pace including a pair of Tom Simmons trained stable mates who look very formidable.

Illinois driver ace Casey Leonard was listed on both Simmons trained standouts Fox Valley Steeler and Fox Valley Cayman.

“It was a tough choice deciding who to drive,” said Casey. “I based it on the two horses’ current form. At this time, Fox Valley Steeler looks to be the sharper of the two. He’s gotten stronger over the winter, and he put together two very nice efforts at Springfield and Du Quoin.

“I drove him last year in his first start and he impressed me in that race. I’m not sure what he came home in, but I know it was fast.”

It was, Fox Valley Steeler paced a 26.2 last panel in his freshman debut.

Casey also drove the youngster to a winning division of the Director’s Cup at last summer’s Du Quoin State Fair. Earlier the Harvard, Illinois native likewise guided Fox Valley Cayman to a victory in a Cardinal juvenile split.

“Fox Valley Cayman raced very well as a two-year-old but had the bad luck to draw the 10-hole on the Night of Champions and never had a chance to get into the race,” continued Casey.

“Some breaking horses forced him to the outside in his last start at Decatur. He ended up parked most of the mile and he couldn’t get past the horse on the lead (Kage Daniel). Right now, I believe Fox Valley Steeler would have passed that same horse with the same trip.”

Travis Seeman, who is closing in on 1,000 career dash winners, got the catch-drive Thursday behind Fox Valley Cayman.

The daunting Simmons trained pacers are two of the six sophomores in race seven by the Fox Valley Standardbred’s Somestarsomewhere, the 2022 ICF Pacing Sire of the Year. Fox Valley Mckee (Juan Franco), Midnight Chrome (Matt Krueger) and Fox Valley Jasper (Cordarius Stewart), are the others.

Mister Sleaze (Kyle Husted), a Engel Stable homebred is by Sagebrush, out of the Northbrook, Illinois owner’s broodmare Da Sleazy. Both Mister Sleaze and Fox Valley Jasper are trained by Ery Miller.

The lone four-year-old in the race is Kingofmyheart (pp 7, Wyatt Avenatti), acquired by trainer David Avenatti about a month ago.

Judy Collins’ Fox Valley Kia (Phil Knox), last year’s Illinois bred freshman filly pacing champion; her chief rival My Daddy’s Revenge (Matt Krueger), and Incredible Tillie Final runner-up Rona Mae (Jordan Patton), all June 23rd Violet Pace bound, will vie one race later.

Among the upcoming Cardinal trot hopefuls competing Thursday afternoon is the entire sixth race six-horse field consisting of Lous Andiamo (Matt Krueger), Eyesontheprizelou (Casey Leonard), Twin Cedars Alstar (Jamaica Patton), Tankmetodennyland (Travis Seeman), Whatta Year (Juan Franco) and Youain’tnofool (Jamaal Denson).

Veteran ICF Champs Prevail at Du Quoin

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 21:03:07 GMT

Veteran ICF Champs Prevail at Du Quoin

By Mike Paradise, for the IHHA

Sunny skies, a pleasant 80 degrees, and a fast-racing strip were the perfect conditions for the start of the Hawthorne sponsored State Fair Grounds meet that got under way Friday afternoon at Du Quoin.

It didn’t take long for the southern Illinois excited crowd to get treated to a powerful winning performance. It came in the opener by the muscular three-year-old ICF pacer Fox Valley Landen.

The Somestarsomewhere gelding dominated his field in a $10,300 conditioned with driver Kyle Husted, who shares ownership of Fox Valley Landed with David Brigham of Concord, Michigan and John Schwarz of Wood Dale, Illinois.

The winning time of 1:55.4 doesn’t tell the whole story.

Mister Sleazy took the five-horse field to a laid-back 1:02.4 first half with Fox Valley Landen in third and itching to be pulled. Kyle did just that at the half mile pole and the Amy Husted trainer gelding blew past to the front, pacing wicked :53 flat last half, pulling away to a seven one-half length conquest.

While the first race turned out to be “no contest” the $12,300 Open Trot Handicap tuned out to be just the opposite. Just the slimmest of noses separated the winner Annas Lucky Star (Juan Franco) from the runner-up Lousdobb (Casey Leonard), both hitting the finish wire with a 1:58.1 clocking.

The come-from-behind victory was the 58th of the brilliant career for the now nine-year-old mare who is closing in on $640,000 in lifetime earnings for owner and breeder Danny Graham of Salem, Illinois.

Three-time Illinois Harness Horse of the Year Fox Valley Fox Valley Gemini was perfectly rated by Casey Leonard enroute to another in a long list of visits to a winner’s circle. It came in his 109th lifetime start for the eight-year-old gelding yet his very first outing on the Du Quoin state fairgrounds.

While Fox Valley Gemini had to work a bit to make the front after being parked to a 28.2 first quarter. On the other hand, Casey was able to give him a 29.4 second quarter breather with Get E Up (Kyle Husted) on his back.

Trained by Terry Leonard for Atwater, Illinois owner Jim Ballinger, “Gemini” went over the $700,000 plateau with the $7,000 winner’s share of the $14,000 ICF Open Handicap purse. Get E Up came after the winner in the stretch however the Illinois champion wasn’t going to yield, prevailing by more than one-length for the 56th time in his star-studded career.

The $12,300 distaff open pace was expected to be a battle between the multi-ICF stake champion rivals Skeeter Machine (Travis Seekman), on the rail, and Fox Valley Exploit (Kyle Husted), allocated the outside six-slot.

As it turned out, the star of the Amy Husted stable was much the best on this afternoon, showing her heels by three lengths to runner-up Skeeter Machine.

The winning mile time of 1:54.2 by Fox Valley Exploit is a bit deceiving. Skeeter Machine strolled to a 59.3 first half with Fox Valley Exploit in third, some three and one-half lengths behind, so the David Bingham owned victorious six-year-old mare sped to a hasty:54.4 last half mile.

Later on the card My Daddys Revenge gave driver Matt Krueger his second winner on the afternoon and the three-year-old trotting filly did it despite taking air from the half-mile pole on in her 1:54 flat victory.

Owned by trainer Mike Brink and Lori J. Searle, both of Springfield, is now four-for-four in her second season and boosted her career earnings over $1000,000 in 14 starts.

Casey Leonard led all drivers with four winning first place finishers.

Plenty of ICF Stars at Du Quoin

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 20:59:49 GMT

Plenty of ICF Stars at Du Quoin

The Mike Brink Stable’s My Daddys Revenge (Matt Krueger) looks to follow last month’s victory at Springfield with another in the eleventh race at Du Quoin today. (Photo Courtesy of Perry Young)

By Mike Paradise, for the IHHA

Consecutive weeks of harness racing through August on the state fairgrounds tracks, gets under way Friday with a 13-race non-wagering card at Du Quoin. First post is 1 pm.

Friday’s card on the one-mile dirt oval can be viewed at https://www.trotandpacemarketing.com/ , then click “Racing”, then “Illinois”, then click on that day.

Friday’s program certainly doesn’t lack for Illinois bred star power of both gaits. Three-time Illinois Harness Horse of the Year Fox Valley Gemini (Casey Leonard) from the Terry Leonard Stable heads up the third race ICF Open Pace, while long-time Illinois Trotting Queen Annas Luck Star (Juan Franco), the pride of the Nelson Willis Stable, goes postward in race two in search of career victory No. 58.

Among her challengers is the Steve Searle barn star Lousdobb (Casey Leonard), an ICF division champion the past two years and winner of his first two starts as a four-year-old.

Illinois aged pacing champion Fox Valle Exploit (Kyle Husted) continues her quest to the half-million plateau in purse earnings for trainer Amy Husted in the sixth race state-bred filly and mare Open while the Mike Brink stable’s stake winner My Daddys Revenge (Matt Krueger) looks to make it 10 victories in 14 career starts in race eleven.

A pair of well-regarded Erv Miller trained sophomore trotters will be in action. Two-year-old Springfield and Du Quoin State Fair winner Fox Valley Shania (Cordarius Stewart) is the horse to beat in race six while The Magical Women (Cordarius Stewart) makes her sophomore bow in today’s finale after finishing third or better in 9 of 11 outings as a freshman and making over $40,000.

Friday’s opener should be an attention getter. Strictly for ICF second season male pacers, it matches a pair of 3-year-olds who figure to be strong candidates in their division—Mister Sleaze (Cordarius Stewart) and Fox Valley Landen (Kyle Husted).

Mister Sleaze is making his season bow for the Midwest division of the Erv Miller Stable. The home bred finished his juvenile campaign with a come-from-behind win in an Incredible Finale elimination and a third-place finish in the $154,000 final.

“I was very happy the way Mister Sleazy ended his year. He raced well in the Hawthorne championship and finished strong, too. He’s a big horse and that hurt him some as a two-year-old. He’s gotten bigger and he has gotten stronger. I’m looking forward to his three-year-old season, “said his assistant trainer and driver Atlee Bender in an earlier interview.

Fox Valley Landen stunned followers of the ICF 3-year-old division with a sparkling 1:51.1 winning mile at Hoosier in May, coming home io 26.1. In his qualifier six days ago the Somestarsomewhere gelding paced a quick last quarter in 25.4.

Trainer Amy Husted earlier referred to Fox Valley Landen as the “hard-luck horse of the barn” as a two-year-old.

“In the Springfield final he drew an outside post. On Hawthorne’s Night of Champions, he had the nine-hole, and at Du Quoin (Director’s Cup) he would have been first or second if he hadn’t jumped a shadow in the race.”

“Amy went on to say: “He’s filled out nicely over the winter and it’s all muscle. I’m excited to see what he can do as a three-year-old.” And that was said before the horse’s 1:51.1 mile in just his second start of the year.

Trio of Downstate Classic Winners for Casey

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 20:56:55 GMT

Trio of Downstate Classic Winners for Casey

Illinois driver star Casey Leonard steered home three Downstate Classic first place finishers Wednesday at the Macon County Fair in Decatur, Illinois. (Photo courtesy of Perry Young)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

The grandstand at the Macon County Fair facility was filled with enthusiastic fans yesterday witnessing eight divisions for three-year-old Illinois bred pacers and trotters

competing in the Downstate Classic on the Decatur, IL half-mile oval.

A total of $76,437 in purse money was distributed on the 10-race Big Ten Colt Association program, a record for the Decatur fair.

A pair of $8,279 state-bred sophomore filly trot divisions opened the card with Dawn Of Creation (Casey Leonard) coasting to almost a two length conquest in a not-too-quick time of 2:09.2 in the first grouping for trainer Mike Brink.

Dawn Of Creation led at every pole, trotting the first half in a leisurely 1:07.1, and coming the last half in 1:02 flat to take the first split for Illinois owners All Wright Racing of Morton and Mike Brink of Springfield.

Luling City, owned, trained, and driven by Jerome Daniels, rolled past the pacesetting Daisy’s Duchess to take the second division in 2:04. The Dejambro filly is now 2-for-2 this season.

Next up was their ICF male counterparts. All eyes in the $8,279 division were on Dennis Garner’s two-year-old champion Goomster, driven by his owner and trainer, and the son of Cassie didn’t disappoint the crowd. He was well in hand for his fifth consecutive triumph and his third this year.

Goomster took command before the half (1:02.3) and won by one and one-half lengths in 2:03.2 to make it 8-for-15 in his young career for his West Beloit, Illinois proprietor.

Youaint’nofool breezed for driver Jamal Denson in the second division in 2:04.3, more than seven lengths the best after his three foes all went off stride in the race. Roshun Trigg trained the winning gelding for Mississippi owner Laquinton Shavers.

Given an advantageous journey from driver Mike Rogers, the John Fletcher trained Fillys Revenge got her nose in front of Ashlee’s Lil Angel to prevail in the first filly pace with a 1:59 flat clocking for winning owner Stevanna Turner pf Argenta, Illinois.

Keen Cathy, from the ban of Terry Leonard and patiently handled by Casey Leonard, made up an astounding 23 lengths on the last half of a victorious 1:58.3 mile for her owner and breeder Jesse De Long of Clinton, Wisconsin.

Incredible Lorean was second, beaten more than one length, while One R Andis Star, who sizzled to fractions of 27 flat and 55.4 before reality set in, was a tiring third.

The Tom Simmons stable’s Fox Valley Steeler showed he could be a major player in the ICF sophomore colt division,

pacing wire-to-wire in a snappy 1:56.2, more than six lengths the best. Casey Leonard’s third winner of the day is owned by the Illinois quartet of Ann Schneider (Pittsfield), James Walton (Lincoln), and Carl Lacey and Benita Simmons, both of Springfield.

A heady drive from Juan Franco enabled Kage Daniel, owned by his breeder Carl Graham of Salem, Illinois, to rally for a 1:59.4 victory for conditioner Tom Graham Jr. in the second split, one length better than Fox Valley Cayman who was parked out much of the way by the pacesetting Foxman, the fourth-place finisher.

ICF Two-Year-Olds Debut in Preview

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 20:53:55 GMT

ICF Two-Year-Olds Debut in Preview

Former Illinois champion She’s So Hot (Dave Magee), shown here winning the 2007 Broadway Tax Final at Hawthorne, will have her two-year-old daughter You Can Never Tell debut for trainer Herman Wheeler Saturday at Du Quoin. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Memorial Day is behind us, and June is here. With the arrival of the new month comes the debut of two-year-old racing in Illinois.

A number of those ICF babies who are ready to begin their first competition on a racetrack will go the starting gate Saturday afternoon on the Du Quoin mile oval in the Spring Preview for state-bred freshmen of both sexes and gaits.

The first of seven events will go off at one o’clock. Each of the filly and colt trots, along with the freshmen colt divisions, were split into two events. Three splits were needed for the filly pace.

The pacing colt divisions, races eight and nine on the card, has some interesting first-time starters competing.

Veteran Illinois trainer Tom Simmons will interduce the Somestarsomewhere gelding Fox Valley Ramiro (pp 7), a $16,500 purchase. He’s out of the Western Hanover mare Pacific Sister K which makes him a full brother to Simmons well-regarded three-year-old state bred Fox Valley Cayman, a Cardinal division winner in his first season.

Pacific Sister K also gave us such past successful Illinois stake horses as Mystical MJ (1:51.1, $317,139), Earndawg (1:51 flat, $367,325) and Fox Valley Triton (1:53, $141,251).

Three other sons of Somestartsomewhere are also in the seven-horse event—Guitar Man (Juan Franco), a $20,000 purchase, You Can Never Tell (Herman Wheeler), who sold for $43,000, and Some Beach Rollin (JD Lewis), bought for $20,000 by trainer Roshun Trigg.

The colt first division starter You Can Never Tell is out of the former Illinois champion mare She’s So Hot who dominated the prairie state freshman filly pacing division in 2007 under the care of trainer Rick Schrock, winning 10 of 13 events, sweeping the Broadway Tax stake series at Hawthorne, the Springfield State Fair events, and both the Violet elimination and final at Maywood Park.

In the second colt split Simmons sends out both Frontier Dawson and Fox Valley York. The latter is by Time To Roll, out of the broodmare Roll With Jodi. The $24,000 yearling purchase is a half-brother to Fox Valley Steeler, who made almost $45,000 for Simmons as a two-year-old.

The Springfield based conditioner also has Frontier Dawson in the race. The Somestarsomewhere offspring is the first foal of the Yankee Skyscraper mare Mystical Danica, a Time Dancer stake winner at Du Quoin ten years ago when she made over $100,000 as a 2 and 3-year-old for trainer Erv Miller.

Also bowing Saturday afternoon are two of the first crop of pacers sired by former Illinois champion Unlocked—the filly First Of Her Name (race five) and the colt Enrico Pallazzo (race nine). The Nelson Willis trained youngsters will be driven by Juan Franco for the Megan Rogers Racing Stable of Chicago, their breeders, and owners.

Unlocked was retired from racing in 2019 after a brilliant seven season career thar saw the Duneside Perch pacer collect over $610,000 in purse earnings, win numerous ICF stake championships, pace a 1:49 flat mile at The Meadows, and garner a number of post season awards.

Next Up: An extended eight-week non-wagering meet on the two Illinois State Fair racetracks gets under way on Thursday, June 8th and Friday, June 9th at Du Quoin. The two-day-a-week meeting moves to Springfield on June 15th and 16th and remains at the State Fairgrounds through July 28th.

The IHHA has partnered with “Trot n Pace Marketing” to televise all 19 days of racing, which includes Saturday’s juvenile Preview.

Oops: Your author mistakenly left out Illinois trotting guru Gerry Hansen when we listed last week the Illinois based conditioners, and residents, who have achieved 1,000 or more trainer wins. At last count Gerry had 1,503. . . and there’s much more to come.

Trainer Terry Leonard Reaches Milestone

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 20:47:57 GMT

Trainer Terry Leonard Reaches Milestone

Long time Illinois based trainer Terry Leonard achieved his 1,000th win as a trainer at Tuesday’s Spring Preview at Springfield. (Photo courtesy of the Leonard Stable)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

In an era where there’s year-long racing elsewhere in the country it’s not that unusual to see a driver reach the four-figure plateau in career dash winners rather quickly.

However, it’s still rare to see a trainer send out 1,000 winners in his or her career, especially in Illinois where the race dates have taken a substantial plunge for more than a decade.

Nevertheless, veteran Illinois circuit trainer Terry Leonard gave himself at belated birthday gift Tuesday—he was 72 last week—at the second Spring Preview at Springfield when his stable’s Illinois bred champion Fox Valley Gemini powered past in the second division of the male aged pace.

It was career triumph No. 55 in 108 starts, mostly in Opens, Invites and ICF stakes, for the eight-year-old Fox Valley Gemini, owned by Jim Ballinger of Aurora, Illinois.

For trainer Terry Leonard it’s been a lengthy but steady climb for the Harvard, Illinois native to reach 1,000 winners, a plateau that just a handful of current Prairie state conditioners have achieved—Tom Simmons, Nelson Willis, Perry Smith and Jim Eaton, are the others.

Terry ventured out on the Illinois circuit as a driver in the mid-1970s, a time when the state had nine racetracks conducting an extended Standardbred pari-mutuel meeting. Nowadays Hawthorne stands alone in the state with an extended meet where you can place a bet on its races.

The upcoming meeting on the State Fair Grounds at Springfield will again be non-wagering so sadly the first opportunity to make a bet on an Illinois harness race this year is September 9th, Hawthorne’s opening night.

The status of horse racing in Illinois has indeed changed since the son of the late Illinois Harness Hall of Fame horseman Bud Leonard began his long road to achieve the milestone of 1,000 winners, and most emphatically not for the better.

One of the strengths of the Leonard stable has been the barn’s consistency. For the last 10 years Terry has established a United States Trainer Rating (USTA) of over .300 with twice going over the .400 mark, in 2018 and 2019.

Terry was the leading trainer at last season’s Hawthorne meeting for the fifth time in the last six years, no small fete. His barn has produced numerous Illinois champions, headed by 2011 Illinois Horse of the Year Well To Do Guru and, of course, the ICF standout Fox Valley Gemini, three times voted the state’s No. 1 Standardbred and who Terry once called: “The best horse I’ve ever had; he’s the horse of a lifetime.”

Three divisions for ICF sophomore filly pacers kicked-off Tuesday’s Spring Preview with South Gate Sally (Jamaica Patton) taking the opener for trainer Mark Walker in 1:55.1, My Daddy’s Revenge (Mike Brink) going wire-to-wire in 1:58 for the Brink stable in the second and Amanda Bombae (Richard S Finn) winning the third split despite a break in the last turn with a 1:59 mile for owner and conditioner Russell Powell.

A trio of 3-year-old colt paces were won by the late rushing Super Taco (Juan Franco) for trainer Dossie Minor in 1:56.3; Fox Valley Cayman (1:58.3), driven by trainer Tom Simmons, and the Simmons Stable’s front-stepping Fox Valley Steeler (Casey Leonard) in a quick time of 1:52.2, the fastest mile in the history of a Springfield Spring Preview event.

In the first of two sophomore filly trots Dawn Of Creation, trained by her driver Mike Brink, breezed in 1:59.2 when Zena Lou (Casey Leonard) went off stride on the lead. Lou Sangreal (Travis Seekman) coasted to her second straight Preview victory (1:59.2) for conditioner Steve Searle in heat two.

Owned and trained by his driver Dennis Gardner, last season’s freshman champion Goomster again showed his heels to his competitors in the first 3-year-old colt trot, drawing off by a widening dozen lengths in 1:56.4. In the second split Ain’t No Mojo (Wyatt Avenatti) was a repeat winner for trainer Kevin Miller with a career best 1:57.4 mile.

As expected, the Nick Prather trained Skeeter Machine (Travis Seekman) again captured the initial heat for aged pacing mares, this time in 1:55 flat. It was back-to-back wins for Seekman when he guided My Uptown Girl to a 1:58 clocking in the homebred mare’s season debut for trainer Gerald Hansen in the other division.

Arcadia Sportacular (Casey Leonard), from the barn of conditioner Rick Schrock, came on to take the first aged colt division while Fox Valley Gemini (1:55) was much the best in the second.

The aged mare trot saw Carroll Hays’ Reign And Shine (Jamaica Patton) led at every pole with a 1:57.4 mile while the older colt trot went in easy fashion again to Lousdobb (1:58.1), Casey Leonard’s fourth win on the 16-race card.

At Long Last Racing in Illinois

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 20:44:13 GMT

At Long Last Racing in Illinois

Annas Lucky Star (Juan Franco) made her 57th stop at winner’s circle Thursday at Springfield when she breezed in the Spring Preview for aged ICF trotting mares. It was her season debut as a nine-year-old. (Photo by Kandi Herzog)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

After an eight-month absence, and a two-day postponement because of adverse track conditions, harness racing returned to Illinois on Thursday at the State Fair Grounds in Springfield.

Tuesday’s scheduled card, and a possible follow-up program on Wednesday, had to be scrubbed because of rainy conditions on the dirt track.

Fourteen events went postward in the Spring Preview Thursday, sponsored by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, with most horses making their 2023 initial start.

A second Spring Preview, also for strictly state breds, ages three and up, will be conducted next Tuesday at Springfield. The Du Quoin fairgrounds will host a Preview card for only two-year old ICF horses on June 3.

The racing surface was still drying out Thursday and accordingly was listed as “good” by the stewards when the Terry Leonard Stable’s Keen Cathy (Casey Leonard) came from far out it in her debut to take the first of a trio of 3-year-old pacing filly divisions in 2:01.1 by one length over Incredible Lorean (Travis Seekman)

Last year’s 2-year-old division champion Fox Valley Kia (Phil Knox) led though much of the race but made a break at the top of lane.

Fox Valley Cha Cha (Jamaica Patton) handily won the second split in 1:59 flat for trainer Charles Arthur and despite being parked-out much of the way Dandy’s Showtime (Casey Leonard), from the barn of conditioner Terry Leonard, held off last year’s Incredible Tillie Final runner-up Rona Mae (Jordan Patton) by a whisker in 1:59.3.

The first of three sophomore colt paces went to Kevin Miller Stable’s Foxman (Wyatt Avenatti) comfortably in 1:58 flat. The well regarded three-year-old Fox Valley Cayman (Casey Leonard) from the barn of Tom Simmons breezed in 1:57 flat, and Kage Daniel (Juan Franco), trained by Tom Graham Jr, took the third colt heat in 1:56.2.

Lou Sangreal (Travis Seekman) dominated the first of two filly trots, pulling away to an eight-length triumph (2:01.2) for trainer Steve Searle while the Mike Brink Stable’s Dawn Of Creation (Mike Brink) eked out a nose decision over Zena Lou (Casey Leonard) in the second split that went in 2:01.2.

Driver Wyatt Avenatti was back in the winner’s circle after Aint No Mojo powered past in the sophomore ICF colt trot division in 1:58.2 for conditioner Kevin Miller while last season’s juvenile champ Goomster, driven by his trainer and owner Dennis Garner, left the second division in the dust with almost a nine-length conquest in 1:58.1

The Nick Prather trained Skeeter Machine (Travis Seekman) easily captured the aged state-bred pacing mare event in 1:59.2 and Fox Valley Gemini (Casey Leonard) hardly broke out in a sweat, crushing his field of older male Illinois bred pacers with a 1:56.4 mile.

Annas Lucky Star (Juan Franco) now nine-years-old, started her season off by romping to her 57th career victory in the older mare trot affair. The 2022 Erwin F. Dygert Memorial champion Lousdobb (2:00.2) won for fun (a dozen-plus lengths) in the aged male grouping for trainer Steve Searle, giving Casey Leonard his fifth winning drive of the day.

Elsewhere, other Illinois champions were in action recently and with impressive results.

Yes, He’zzz Back: Triple ZZZ Stable’s He’zzz A Wise Sky (Kyle Wilfong) motored to a 1:49.2 winning mile last Friday in Hoosier Park’s $16,000 Open 2-3 in his usual front-end style.

Wilfong hustled the six-year-old John Filomeno trained homebred out from the outside seven-hole to a sizzling 26 flat first quarter. After a 27.2 second panel, the former Illinois Harness Horse of the Year coasted to consecutive 28 flat last quarters for his first season win.

He’zzz A Wise Sky’s next opportunity to add to his $533,133 career bankroll is this Friday night when he leaves from the two-slot in a seven-horse handicapped field in the Indiana track’s featured $22,000 Open 1-2 Pace.

Awesome Homecoming: Two-time defending ICF aged pacing mare Fox Valley Exploit (Kyle Husted) found the return to the Husted stable just what she needed to turn her fortunes around.

The six-year-old mare uncorked a wicked 26.1 last quarter and won by more than one-length with a lifetime best 1:51 flat mile in a conditioned pace at Hoosier last weekend for driver Kyle Husted and his wife, trainer Amy Husted.

Fox Valley Exploit made her first seven starts of the season out east, mostly at the Meadowlands, with some success, winning twice and banking almost $16,000 with trainer Noel Daley.

She’ll compete Saturday at Hoosier in a $18,000 Open 2/3 pace, where the mare will tangle with the well-regarded Gregory Kain ICF mare Scorecard Dandy, among others.

Happy Landing : Fox Valley Exploit wasn’t the only Husted stable horse to dazzle recently. Their promising three-year-old gelded pacer Fox Valley Landen powered past an open field of horses earlier last week at Hoosier, stopping the timer with a fast 1:51.1 clocking in just the Somestarsomewhere pacer’s second outing of the season.

Kyle Husted gave Fox Valley Landen a perfect trip and the gelding delivered a 26.1 last panel to propel him to a new lifetime mark for owners David Brigham (Michigan), John Schwartz (Illinois) and Kyle Husted (Illinois)

Covid Nurse Living Her Dream

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 20:38:29 GMT

Covid Nurse Living Her Dream

Fox Valley Kia (Kyle Wilfong) shows her winning form in last year’s $185,000 Incredible Tillie two-year-old championship at Hawthorne. (Four Footed Foto)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Good things can eventually come to those who persevere though some rough times. You need not look any further than Julie Collins, the proud owner of last season’s champion Illinois bred two-year-old filly pacer Fox Valley Kia, as a spot-on example.

Growing up as a teenager in Highland, Indiana, about 20 miles from Balmoral Park, Julie would go with her dad to the far south Chicagoland racetrack to watch the horse’s race. As the years went by her love for horses only grew and her hope one day was to have her own horse.

However, as the years rolled by it appeared her fondest wish wasn’t meant to be.

Julie got married, raised four children as a single parent (one who overcame Leukemia), and she became a nurse, and not just any nurse but a traveling Covid nurse through the peak pandemic years.

Julie was in New Orleans when the pandemic was at its deadliest height there. Also, she made work stops in other states at the pinnacle of the lethal virus, sometimes wondering if she would ever come back home. All the while her “horse owning dream” was still in the back of her mind.

When the pandemic finally eased, Julie returned home and got reacquainted with Illinois horseman Phil Knox, who she dated a few years earlier.

Julie felt she earned enough money to give horse ownership a shot and her boyfriend, and trainer Phil, picked out two yearlings at the 2021 horse sales, each for $7,500—Buck Art, a Pennsylvania bred colt, at the Blood Horse Sale in Ohio, and a week later the same amount at the Walker Standardbred Sale in Sherman, Illinois for the filly Fox Valley Kia.

Buck Art did okay, making almost $12,000 as a freshman while on the other hand Julie hit the jackpot with filly Fox Valley Kia who raked-in $131,052 in her first 13 trips to the gate and came away with the richest prize of her division on Hawthorne’s Night of Champions with a victory in the $185,000 Incredible Tillie final.

“It was thrilling to watch her win the championship,” said Julie. “It was also a little terrifying. I worried about the filly, about Phil, and what would happen in the race.” And she realized there’s “so much money at stake.”

An admitted novice of our sport as a new horse owner, Julie has taken a year’s sabbatical from nursing and has been helping Phil with the horses (she bought two more yearlings last fall. Julie acknowledges she has a ferocious appetite to read “everything she can about harness racing.”

Being a horse owner also gave Julie a fresh perspective of the Standardbred industry. “I never knew there were so many wonderful people that were there for a newcomer like me,” said Julie. “When I became a horse owner all my friends were nurses. Now I also have lots of great horse friends.”

“Tom and Benita Simmons have been especially great,” said Phil. “They’ve helped us so much, always there if we needed something.”

Fox Valley Kia’s road to her first season success didn’t start out auspiciously. The filly was disqualified from second to fourth debuting at the Carrollton Fair with Knox. She did win a modest $1,428 pot in her second outing, and was third best the next time out, both at Springfield.

Fox Valley Kia’s first pari-mutuel start came at Hawthorne in late July where she managed a $600 check for Julie with a fifth-place finish. A week later the freshman pacer won at the Urbana fair. The filly started to show she had untapped ability when she prevailed in the Hawthorne $12,000 summer Incredible Tillie Consolation.

Another win at Mt. Sterling had the Somestarsomewhere filly primed for the Illinois State Fair at Springfield where Scott Nance took over as the listed trainer when Knox was serving a suspension by California stewards for a non-serious infraction.

It was at Springfield where “Kia” showed she was indeed a major force in her division. The filly won her Illinois State Colt Fair stake elimination and made it six straight triumphs with a season best 1:51.2 mile in the $30,000 final, both with Cordarius Stewart in the sulky.

A strong second place effort followed in the $50,000 Lt. Governor stake at the Du Quoin State Fair had her ready for a shot at Hawthorne’s $185,000 Night of Champions Incredible Tillie. The talented filly advanced to the championship with a second-place finish in her elimination, this time with Kyle Wilfong at her lines. Kyle took her right to the front in the championship where she led at every pole with a 1:51.4 clocking to the delight of Julie and Phil.

Fox Valley Kia’s first outing as a three-year-old will come on June 7th in the Downstate Classic at Decatur. A week later she’ll race in the three-year-old Violet pace at Springfield.

Illinois Champ About Ready: Three-time Illinois Harness Horse of the Year Fox Valley Gemini is qualifying today at the Fair Grounds in Springfield for his initial pari-mutuel start as an eight-year-old. The Terry Leonard trained pacer has 53 career wins and earnings just under $697,000 for Atwater, Illinois owner Jim Ballinger.

Q. & A. with Driver Casey Leonard

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 20:34:13 GMT

Q. & A. with Driver Casey Leonard

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

We had an opportunity to chat with multiple Illinois driver champion Casey Leonard on a variety of subjects pertaining to his craft.

Illinois nowadays is down to two tracks for Standardbred racing, Hawthorne, and Springfield. While both are one-mile ovals, they’re quite different in many ways. Hawthorne is a clay and limestone track. Springfield is strictly dirt and it’s more of an oval than Hawthorne with a much shorter stretch (510 feet to Hawthorne’s (1,310) and more sweeping turns.

Q-What’s the biggest difference for a driver between the two tracks?

A-“We get to the first turn much sooner at Hawthorne and that can effect a driver’s strategy. You can get a horse to a 26 or 27 first quarter at Springfield much easier. If you’re leaving hard from the outside at Hawthorne that takes a toll on a horse. Their first turn is much flatter than Springfield’s. With the stretch less than half as long than Hawthorne’s, Springfield favors horses who race up close.”

Q-You get past performance proofs a couple of days before a racing program. How do you select which horse to drive when you have more than one choice in a race?

A-“Of course I’ll always take one of the horses from our barn. In the past my next choice was the horse I thought was best in the race but that has changed over the years. I lot of us will go with a trainer that will use us on one of their better stake horses at the meeting.”

Casey Leonard going to the starting gate with Illinois bred champion Fox Valley Gemini. (Four Footed Foto)

Q-Do you handicap a race before you drive in it?

A-“Absolutely. I’ll look to see how I think the race could play out and where I could be in it. I key on the favorite in a race.”

Q-Do you decide before the start if you’re leaving or not?

A-“Lots of time I do but that can change going to the gate. For instance, if I see that the favorite has an outside post and it appears he isn’t going out, I may try to leave with my horse to get good early position.”

Q-When do you know if the track favors horses on or close to the front or those coming from out of it?

A-“Usually after a race or two. Hawthorne’s racing surface has been inconsistent. However, it was better at their last meeting.”

Q-Is it an advantage to be behind a horse in a race that you have driven in the past?

A-“Yes, especially with older claiming horses. You know what to expect from them.”

Q-Would you agree that classification is the single most important handicapping tool for a horse racing player?

A-“Definitely. Having a horse at the right level is utmost important. It can be rough for a trainer with a claimer. Sometimes they don’t want to lose a horse and feel they need to put them in tougher than they want.

“Sometimes, they’re put in a at level where they simply aren’t good enough. Even in a stake race there are times when a driver knows he’s not behind a “stakes horse” but rather a “stakes-payment horse.”

The 45-year-old Harvard Illinois native comes into the 2023 Illinois racing season with 3,256 career dash winners and over 3,100 of them attained over the last 12 years. Casey won numerous driving titles with the now defunct Maywood Park and Balmoral Park racetracks and was the leading driver for six consecutive years (2016 through 2021) at Hawthorne.

Opportunity Knocked . . Amy Husted Answered

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 20:26:52 GMT

Opportunity Knocked . . .Amy Husted Answered

Twin Cedar Alstar (Kyle Husted) victory on Hawthorne’s 2022 meet enabled Amy Husted to win the meet’s leading trainer award. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

When Illinois horseman Kyle Husted last year designated his wife Amy as the stable’s listed trainer to give his wife some “recognition” she deserves, no one had any idea it would propel her into the Hawthorne harness racing annals.

“Amy is there at the barn every day training the horses. She does it all and I just help her. While we make decisions together, she is the boss, said Kyle. “That’s why I made the move to list her as the trainer.”

When the Hawthorne meet ended Amy finished on top of the trainer standings in her very first year as the Husted stable’s chief conditioner . . . and made history at the Chicago circuit racetrack.

Research show that the 27-year-old New York State native was the first women to win the trainer title in the 53 years Hawthorne has conducted harness racing.

“Wow, that’s awesome,” said the surprised young lady when informed of her accomplishment.”

It wasn’t until the last evening of the Hawthorne meet the trainer title was decided.

“Nerve-wracking is the best work to describe that night,” said Amy.

Amy and the Midwest division of the Erv Miller stable were tied going into closing night each won a final on the Night of Champions, one day earlier.

Amy’s hopes rode on the barn’s two-year-old ICF trotter Twin Cedars Alstar in the Kadabra Consolation who made breaks in his previous two starts at Hawthorne but earlier in the summer won comfortably at Springfield.

“Twin Cedar Alstar has bad feet,” continued Amy. “He liked the dirt track at Springfield. However, sometimes Hawthorne’s racing surface can be a little hard and he can have trouble with it. Fortunately for us, he handled the track well when Kyle won with him on closing night.”

Amy then had the sweat out two of the races that followed to stay on top of the standings.

“I used to work for Erv so all kind of things were going through my mind that night.”

The Miller stable’s Fox Valley Shania appeared to be a “lock” to compete in the Fox Valley Flan showdown after beating the eventual ICF two-year-old champion trotting filly Marvelous Mystery in both the Springfield and Du Quoin finals, however Shania went off-stride at 1 to 9 odds in her “Flan” elimination, finishing up the track.

Shania was once more a heavy favorite in the Consolation but again couldn’t stay flat for the mile and finished out of the money,

Next up was the Incredible Finale consolation for freshman ICF colt and gelding pacers where Fox Valley Patriot needed a win for Team Miller to tie Amy. Patriot performed well but ended up that night.

Finishing on top was “awesome” for the gal who has been around horses all her life.

Her father is the retired driver/trainer Jimmy Cruise Jr. Her month Robin is a Farrington. Her late uncle Bob Farrington is of Rambling Willie fame and her grandfather on her dad’s side is Jimmy Cruise Sr., both in the national Hall of Fame.

“I guess it was destined that I would have a career in the Standardbred industry, “quipped Amy.

“My parents divorced when I was about eight. My mom went to work for Erv Miller in New Jersey. I started jogging horses at 14 then worked for him and later for Tony Alagna.

Amy and Kyle met in New Jersey at a Halloween party, and she came to the Midwest five years ago to be with her future husband, working alongside him every morning,

The “Queen” of the Husted stable, hands down, is the now six-year-old mare Fox Valley Exploit who has a special place in Amy’s heart. “She’s creeping up in on a half-million dollars in lifetime earnings ($440,179). The mare always gives you her best.”

Fox Valley Exploit is a perfect four-for-four on Night of Champions. Only Fox Valley Gemini from the Terry Leonard stable has fared better, going six-for-six on Hawthorne’s gala evening of racing.

The pride of the stable is 2 for 7 on the east coast competing in the high conditioned ranks under the care of trainer Noel Dailey. “Last year she was really good out east early last year,” said Amy. “She made over $35,000 racing against some very good mares at the Meadowlands.

Another Strong Bench for Team Miller

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 20:21:53 GMT

Another Strong Bench for Team Miller

Atlee Bender, assistant trainer, and driver for the Midwest Division of the Erv Miller stable, sees a strong ICF three-year-old colt assembly for this season. (Four Footed Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Quality and quantity are a formidable combination in any sport, including harness racing. It paid off for Team Miller in last season’s Illinois bred colt two-year-old pacing division and it could very well be the key of getting the job done again as three-year-olds.

The Midwest division of the Erv Miller Stable under the care of Atlee Bender and his wife Hanna Miller came away with the top prize when the stable’s Illini Jetset pulled off a bit of an upset in the $154,000 Incredible Finale showdown on the 2022 Hawthorne’s Night of Champions with a heady drive from Todd Warren.

Going into the race Illini Jetset competed in the shadow of stable-mate Fox Valley Jasper who started off his freshman campaign by rattling off six consecutive victories including the summer’s $50,000 Incredible Finale final and a sweep of the Illinois Fair Colt State championships at Springfield.

However, at Du Quoin the 6-5 favorite was a disappointing fourth place finisher in his division of the Director’s Cup, and a week later made a break and ended up sixth in his Night of Champions elimination, failing to advance to its lucrative final.

“Fox Valley Jasper started out really good, but he wasn’t healthy later in the summer,” said his driver and assistant trainer Atlee Bender. “The horse also was a little sore. Those two things took its toll on him, so we stopped with Jasper after he failed to make the (Incredible Finale) final.”

With Jasper out of the championship the stable’s fate in the finale rested on the shoulders of Mister Sleaze (Travis Seekman) who came from seventh to win his eight-horse elimination, and Illini Jetset (Todd Warren) who was second best in his elim. The stable’s other freshman pacer Fox Valley Patriot finished just a head behind Mister Sleaze but impeded another horse and was disqualified to fifth, missing the final.

Set off at 8-1 odds, Warren gave Illini Jetset a second over winning journey on the Night of Champions.

“Todd did a very nice job of driving the horse,” continued Bender. “Illini Jetset has a really good brush, but he was on the small side as a two-year-old and a bit frail. He’s doing well training in Indiana, and he’s gotten bigger and stronger.”

Illini Jetset’s $69,300 first place Incredible Finale money propelled the University of Illinois bred youngster’s initial campaign bankroll to just a shade under $100,000 in purse earnings for the trio of Doug Overhiser (New Smyma Beach, FL), Sara K. Miller (Stroudsburg, PA) and the Erv Miller State Inc. (Wind Gap, PA)

“I was very happy the way Mister Sleazy ended his year. He raced well in the Hawthorne championship and finished strong, too. He’s a big horse and that hurt him some as a two-year-old. He’s gotten bigger and he has gotten stronger. He’s filled out nicely. I’m looking forward to his three-year-old season.

“Fox Valley Patriot was a nervous horse as a two-year-old. He acts better now. I’m hoping he can continue to mature.”

The stable’s Fox Valley Shania was the only freshman filly trotter to beat the two-year-old Illinois champion Marvelous Mystery and she did in both the Springfield and Du Quoin championships, however she went off stride in her Fox Valley Flan elimination at 1 to 9 and missed that stake’s final.

“Shania is way stronger than she was a year ago, added Atlee. “She had a problem in her behind area and it caught up with her later. That’s why she made some breaks toward the end of her season. I think she’ll do very well as a three-year-old.”

As for Bender, his career has grown leaps and bounds from just a couple of years ago.

In 2020 the 31-year-old Bender had only 42 drives and four winners. One year later the Goshen, Indiana native saw his driving opportunities jump to 764 trips to the gate and his winning drives mushroom to 113. Last year he was even busier and did even better with 1,096 starters and 166 winner’s circle visits.

Even more importantly for Atlee, purse money won from his drives shot up from $70,875 three years ago to $1.11 million in 2021 and $2.36 million 12 months later.

Getting Ready: A trio of defending ICF division champions qualified yesterday at Hoosier Park preparing for their 2023 debut.

Aged Pace titleholder He’zzz A Wise Sky finished second while pacing on 1:53.3. Two-time state-bred aged trotting champion Talk About Valor was timed in 1:55.4 while finishing third. Apple Valley, last year’s Illinois bred filly pace champ, breezed in 1:55.3.

The three-year-old Illinois bred Ghost Shark was sent off at 1 to 9 when he breezed on the front end with a 1:51.3 mile in his second leg of a series at Pocono. He races in a third series leg on Saturday.

Seekman’s Arrow Pointing Upwards

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 20:15:41 GMT

Seekman’s Arrow Pointing Upwards

Travis Seekman had his best money-making season in 2022 when his drives went over the $1 million plateau in purse earnings for the first time. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

Travis Seekman is a couple weeks into his 18th season as a professional driver and the arrow is pointing upward for the modest Michigan native. The thirty-two-year-old Seekman is coming off his best campaign in the sulky, going over the $1 million plateau in purse money for the first time.

One of the chief reasons why Travis had over 102 winning drives in a shortened racing Illinois season along with $1.11 million in money won, his best ever, was another stellar season by the veteran Gerry Hansen trained trotter ICF Talk About Valor.

For the second consecutive year the gutsy now nine-year-old star of the Hansen stable was named the Illinois Aged Male Trotter of the year and justifiably so. Talk About Valor captured13 of 26 starts and banked over $155,428 for his Monee, Illinois owner Shelley Steele. Nine of those victories came in prairie-state Open trots, all with Seekman at the lines.

Travis took over the driving chores behind the trotter in May of 2021 after the Yankee Valor gelding had been sidelined since mid-September of the previous year. Talk About Valor was scratched out of the Plesac final in Hawthorne’s 2020 Night of Champions after tearing a suspensory.

Seekman’s achievement with the talented trotter over the past two years has been extraordinary—20 victories in 37 tries, a 54+ winning percentage. However, Travis says all the praise should go elsewhere.

“All the credit to Talk About Valor’s success should go to Gerry (trainer Hansen),” said Seekman. “He’s done a great job with Talk About Valor over the last couple of years, especially when you consider all the suspensory problems the horse has had to deal with. Gerry picks his spots with the horse well. When he does race him, the horse is always ready for a big effort.

“Talk About Valor is an easy horse to drive. He’s versatile. You can race up front or from behind and he always gives you his top effort. He’s a game and gutsy horse and it’s been a pleasure to drive him.”

Seekman guided Talk About Valor to an easy four length first place finish yesterday at Hoosier Park with a 1:58.4 clocking. Travis was content to take a two-hole trip behind the pacesetter who went to the three-quarters in a leisurely 1:29.4.

Last year Travis also handled the Tim Roach trained ICF youngster Ghost Shark in his initial season when he made over $65,000 and took a mark of 1:51.3 in a division of Du Quoin’s Director’s Cup.

Ghost Shark dropped in first six career starts, racing mostly on the front end before winning out of a hole at Du Quoin in late August and following a week later with a triumph in his Incredible Finale elimination racing ibn similar fashion. He finished second in the championship, his last race as a two-year-old.

“I had little choice but to race him on the front early on because he was strong headed. They made some rigging changes on him, and he became much more manageable. The horse can pace a quick quarter.”

“Ghost Shark was as good as any in his division, one of the best ICF freshman groups in years. He’s grown a little over the winter, but he was a big horse as a two-year-old. He’s starting to mature and was a perfect gentleman in his recent qualifiers.”

Ghost Shark went to the front in his first qualifier on March 18 at Hoosier Park and came home in 27.1 at the end of his winning 1:54 flat mile, pleasing Travis.

“The idea was to race him on the lead and use him for just the last quarter. It was a cold and windy day, and the judges took 2 or 3 seconds off what was needed to qualify, so we were happy with his race.”

Ghost Shark again qualified on another windy morning two weeks later on April 1st, cutting leisurely fractions of 28.4, 29.4 and 30.1, before finishing first in 1:57.2.

“They had 50 mile an hour winds and rain here the night before the qualifiers and I don’t think it calmed down much that morning when we raced,” continued Travis. “We faced a strong wind in the last half and the track was a little off, so his time is misleading. He again was very controllable.”

Ghost Shark made his initial start of the year last week at Pocono Downs dropping a head decision in a $20,000 first leg of the Bobby Weiss three-year-old series. Tyler Butler got the catch-drive behind the Illinois bred pacer who paced a quick 1:51.1 mile despite not competing since last September.

Community Rallies Around Ravaged Horse Farm

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 20:09:46 GMT

Community Rallies Around Ravaged Horse Farm

Walker Standardbreds of Sherman, Illinois is the largest breeder of harness horses in the Prairie State. (Photo courtesy of Walker Standardbreds)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

When a tornado roared through the Walker Standardbred Farm in Sherman, Illinois early last Friday evening flattening two barns full of horses and letting loose dozens of broodmares and their foals, it was soon apparent to the farm’s owners Doc and Pat Walker and their staff that their situation was so severe, they needed help, and pronto.

Dark was only hours away and there were dozens of frightened broodmares and their babies who had wandered off, and ultimately would have to be tracked down.

A call for help was posted on the Walker Standardbred Facebook account. It wasn’t long before help arrived. . .and lots of it.

“The response from our community was incredible, “said Kristi Walker Patterson, the farm’s business manager. “I looked down the road and as far as I could see there were people walking towards our farm. They just kept coming, and we’re so thankful that they did.

“Our community came together in a huge way to help locate the horses, begin removing debris, and cleaning up. It wasn’t until 10:30 that night that all horses and babies were eventually located safe.”

We’re in the heart of the horse breeding season and the Walker’s 24-stall Broodmare Barn was full of expecting mares and others with their terrified babies. Also, the 30-stall Infield Barn was fully loaded with mares and foals, some days old, when the tornado struck, leaving both barns and their paddocks in shambles.

With no place on the farm to accommodate the rounded-up broodmares and their babies, help again was needed, and once more the Sherman community came to the rescue. Friends and neighbors provided near-by facilities to house the homeless horses although it may be a while before those horses all can come back to the farm.

Luckily the tornado missed both the Walker’s home and that of Kristi and her husband, and there was no loss of human or equine life. Four horses were injured and since have been treated and are recovering. The storm did damage several other homes and business in the Sangamon County village that is located just north of Springfield, Illinois.

“Half the farm’s horse capacity is no longer usable,” said Krisi, the Walker’s middle daughter. “About 80 per cent of our infrastructure is gone and will need to be replaced. As long as there’s positive movement in the future of the Illinois horse racing industry, we plan to rebuild.

“My mom and dad had opportunities in the past to move to other states where harness racing is thriving but instead chose to stay here in Illinois. This is an agriculture community. There are many near-by farms that produce the corn, oats, and grain that our horses feed on. It’s a wonderful community and we’re grateful to be a part of it.’

Coretta Scott King, the wife of the late civil rights activist Martin Luther King, once said: “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”

The village of Sherman residents have shown they are one of those special remarkable communities.

Baby Boom: On an uplifting note, seven babies have been born at the Walker’s farm since the tornado released its havoc.

Below is a picture of some of the devastation caused by last Friday’s tornado. (Photos courtesy of Walker Standardbreds)

No Mystery Who’s Second in This Barn

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 21:07:22 GMT

No Mystery Who’s Second in This Barn

Freshman filly trotting champion Marvelous Mystery (Kyle Wilfong) is being pointed for the ICF Violet in June at Springfield. (Four Footed Fotos)

By Mike Paradise

When a young filly wins 10 of her 12 freshman starts, multiple state-bred stakes, earns over $130,000, and goes on to be named the Illinois Two-Year-Old Filly Trotter of the Year, you would think that she’ll be the star attraction of her barn.

In this case, you would be mistaken.

Despite her spectacular first season of racing, the Curt Grummel trained Lou’s Legacy filly Marvelous Mystery competed in the shadow of her illustrious stable-mate Funky Wiggle.

Also a daughter of Lou’s Legacy, Funky Wiggle not only ran away with last season’s Illinois three-year-old filly trotting honors, her stunning 1:51.4 record mile, the second fastest ever by any ICF trotter regardless of age and sex, went a big way to nailing down the 2202 Illinois Harness of the Year laurels.

Owned by her breeder Dr. Patrick Graham of Lockridge, Iowa, and driven almost exclusively by Hawthorne’s leading driver Kyle Wilfong, Funky Wiggle was simply dominant against other state-bred sophomore filly trotters.

Her nine season victories came in a row, starting in mid-July and ending in the $85,000 Beulah Dygert Memorial final on Hawthorne’s Night of Champions. The daughter of Graham’s broodmare Hoosier Wiggles, amassed $131,235 in her second racing campaign. Her record 1:51.4 mile came in Du Quoin’s Windy Skeeter stake, just a fifth of a second off national Hall of Fame trotter Kadabra’s all-time ICF mile.

Don’t look for Funky Wiggle to venture out of state in 2023.

“We’ll stay close to home with her,” said Curt. “This will be her first season against older horses. We thought we would see how she does. If she steps it up a notch, we’ll stake her as a five-year-old.”

Funky Wiggle didn’t finish her sophomore campaign on a high note, dropping her last five decisions in open company, three in major stakes, and picking up only about $13,000.

“She got sick on me, and I probably didn’t give her enough time to heal and then when I had her going the right way, she popped a quarter.

“Nothing major was wrong with her in those open stakes, just some little things.”

And when you’re taking on the best trotting fillies in the country, those little things can add up to make the path to success an arduous endeavor.

“She was in against the best of the best in those stakes,” continued Curt. “The night she got fourth in the Crossroads, I thought she gave us a big effort. She started in the second tier against the best filly three-year-old trotter in Indiana, the best one in Ohio, and a New York sire filly who the week before set a track record at Hoosier, and Funky Wiggle was beaten less than two lengths.

“This season we’re looking forward to racing against Annas Lucky Star. She’s been something special in Illinois for a long time and she had another great year as an eight-year-old. She’s as consistent as they come.”

While Funky Wiggle is dealing with up and down winter weather in Illinois, her talented stable-mate Marvelous Mystery is working in sunshine and where it’s much warmer.

“Marvelous Mystery is in Florida with my father (Leo),” said Curt. She grew a little over the winter but she’s not a big horse. She’s median size and that’s the kind I’ve had the best luck with.”

Marvelous Mystery’s only two first season losses came at Springfield and Du Quoin, both one-mile oval dirt tracks, in State Fair Illinois-bred stakes.

“I think the dirt tracks helped Fox Valley Shania some and in both, she drew the rail and had some very good trips. She had two-hole trips in each. In the Springfield final we had the outside nine-hole when we were second to her, and at Du Quoin (First Lady stake) “Shania” raced right behind us and popped out in time to beat us by a head.”

Bred by Dr. Kenneth Rucker and Jana Rucker of River Falls Wisconsin, Marvelous Mystery took a first season mark of 1:57.2 for owners Curt, Craig, and Leo Grummel, proving best in her first eight starts, and ending her campaign with a triumph in Hawthorne’s Night of Champions Fox Valley Flan final and its elimination.

The Grummel family has also developed such prominent trotters as Homicide Hunter (1:48.4, $1.76 million), Run And Tell Pap (1:53.2, $847,727), Fox Valley Veto (1:54.3, $532,978), Fox Valley Yoko (1:55.2, $155,701), Big Lou (1:57.1, $67.507), True Detective (1:58.4, $66,946), Dr Spengler (1:56.2, $97,763) and Dr Venkman (1:58.2, $47, 265).

“I’m currently training 12 horses,” said Curt from his barn in Carrollton, Illinois. “And yes, they’re all trotters.”

Stewart Starting to Cash-In on his Success

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 21:01:02 GMT

Stewart Starting to Cash-In on his Success

Cordarius Stewart drove Fox Valley Kia (No. 10) to her victory last summer in the ICFSC two-year-old filly pace at Springfield. (Four Footed Foto)

By Mike Paradise

Mississippi native Cordarius Stewart has set a goal for himself going into the 2023 racing season and it’s the same as last year’s: “I want to get my driver average and numbers up again.”

It was mission accomplished in 2022 as the 28-year-old well-traveled Stewart grinded his way to his most successful season. His dash winners jumped from 52 in 2021 to a career high 93 last year while horses he drove won $200,000 more in purse money and Cordarius’ UDRS sprung from .147 to .258.

Stewart was plugging along at an even pace when the Springfield meeting came along last June when he suddenly caught fire. In the first few days of the meet Stewart had six first place finishes to go along with seven second place finishes. Many of his winners would have been at “double-digit” mutuels if there had been wagering on the Springfield races. Unfortunately, there wasn’t.

When racing returned two months later at the state’s capitol for the Illinois State Fair session Stewart’s boyhood dream came into fruition when he waved his way through traffic from the second tier10-post and steered Fox Valley Kia to her ISFCS two-year-old pacing filly championship with a new mark of 1:51.3, a fifth of a second off the all-time Illinois record for the filly’s gait and class.

Fox Valley Kia is a very nice filly,” said Cordarius. “She was a pleasure to drive. Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of being a harness racing driver and winning a championship at Springfield,” said Cordarius. To have it happen is something very special for me.

Fox Valley Kia would go on to be named the 2022 Illinois Two-Year-Old Filly Pacer of the Year,

Stewart came up from Mississippi in 2017 to compete on the Chicago and Illinois County Fair circuit. The Jackson, MI native only took 48 horses to the starting gate that year, a far cry from his last three-year average of more than 700 per season.

“The more driving opportunities, the better you get at it. I want to keep improving,” added Cordarius.

We mentioned earlier that Stewart was a much-traveled driver. The old popular song Johnny Cash song “I’ve Been Everywhere” fits the likeable horseman, at least as Illinois is concerned.

Cordardius competed in the Prairie State last year at Springfield, Du Quoin, Hawthorne, Paris, Urbana, Altamont, Charleston, Belvidere, Marshall, Greenup, Farm City, Henry, Sandwich, Lincoln, Knox, Rushville, Decatur, Carlinville, Carrollton, and Newton.

If you’re counting, that’s 20 different racetracks in Illinois

Stewart began the 2002 season at Cal-Expo in Sacramento, California and ended his year at the Red Mile in Lexington, Kentucky, also with stops in between at Oak Grove, Kentucky and Hoosier Park, Indiana.

The Mississippi traveling man saw his gasoline bills climb upward while wearing new driver colors last year and they contained one noticeable difference: Gone are the horseshoes on back of his green-c-red-white colors. They were replaced with $ signs. Yes, dollar signs.

“That was (driver) Brandon Bates idea,” said Cordarius with a chuckle. My nickname is ‘C D’ for Cash Deposit. He thought dollar signs would be a nice touch to my colors.”

We agree.

From Grandstand to the Backstretch

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 20:54:39 GMT

From Grandstand to the Backstretch

Michael Perrin’s Apple Valley (Travis Seekman) shows her winning form at last year’s Illinois State Fair in Springfield. (Four Footed Photo)

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

While most follow in the footsteps of family members to become a horseman, there are some that take a more unfamiliar route to get a driver or trainer’s license. . . going from the grandstand to the backstretch.

That’s the case with Illinois horseman Jim Molitor.

The 45-year-old Molitor grew up on the southwest side of Chicago, not far from the city’s “other” Airport, known as Midway. Those familiar with the area know from Midway it’s a just short commute (three miles) down busy Cicero Avenue to where Hawthorne Race Course has proudly stood for many decades and where harness racing reigned supreme for more than 50 years at neighboring Sportsman’s Park, once upon a time hailed as one of the nation’s jewels of Standardbred racing.

Molitor and his St. Lawrence Catholic High School, buddy “T J” spent many nights, and plenty of days, at the two historical Chicago circuit racetracks, and for several years after their graduations.

“Sportsman’s Park was great,” said Molitor. “You saw the best horses and drivers go at it year after year. And Hawthorne raced in the winter with double headers and had some of country’s best horses and horseman, too. It was so cool.

“You got to watch an entire card. Then go home and get something to eat and come back for ten more races on the night card. It didn’t take long to get me hooked on the sport.”

Sportsman’s Park fell victim of poor management decisions and went belly-up in 1997 and now days neighbor Hawthorne stands alone as Illinois lone Standardbred pari-mutuel track. Nevertheless, the loss of Sportsman’s never dampened Molitor’s enthusiasm for the harness racing industry.

“I would talk to some of the great Illinois drivers like Dave Magee and Lavern Hostetler about becoming a driver and trainer and get their suggestions on what to do to follow my dream. I remember Magee telling me ‘If a bucket needs to be picked up and moved, do it. Be the guy that’s always there to help out.”’

Molitor no doubt carried many a bucket and mucked countless stalls before getting his driving license in 2006 and his trainer’s license a season later.

“Warming up horses helped me quite a lot,” continued Molitor. “Driving in my first qualifying race was awesome. Guys like Tim Tetrick, Dave Magee and Tony Morgan were in it.

As expected, success didn’t come quickly for Jim. There were some lean years before Molitor stepped onto the Illinois limelight in 2021 when he visited the Hawthorne’s winner’s circle, not once, but twice on the track’s showcase Night of Champions.

His stable’s three-year-old state-bred Ryans Ambassador captured the $79,000 Robert F. Carey Memorial three-year-old male pacing final and a half-dozen races later Apple Valley came away with the $117,000 Incredible Tillie juvenile filly championship.

The Michael J. Perrin homebred Apple Valley went on to be named the 2021 Illinois freshman filly pacer of the year and last month was honored as the state’s three-year-old distaff champion after finishing first or second in 12 of 13 starts and banking over $97,000 for her Glenwood, Illinois owner and breeder.

In Apple Valley’s first two seasons of racing the daughter of Major Bombay, out of Perrin’s Sportsmaster’s broodmare Ali Cat, sports an eye-catching record of 11 wins and 6 seconds in 20 trips to the starting gate, a mark of 1:51.4, and $177,983 in purse earnings.

Molitor has been gearing up Apple Valley for the mare’s four-year-old season.

“She’s coming along well. We sent her last weekend to trainer Robert Taylor who has a real nice facility in Indiana. She’ll get ready on a good track there. She’ll probably qualify in a couple of weeks at Hoosier and then race in Indiana until Springfield opens in June.

“Robert is a good horseman and a friend of mind. He had her the early part of last year. Apple Valley is four now, so this season she’ll have to go against some good older Illinois-bred mares like of Fox Valley Exploit, however I expect Apple Valley to be very competitive in her division.”

Jamaica Rises To a Select Group

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 20:30:08 GMT

Jamaica Rises to a Select Group

In 2022 Mississippi native Jamaica Patton put together a banner year in Illinois as both a trainer and a driver. (Four Footed Foto)

By Mike Paradise for the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association

What statistics determine whether a trainer did a stellar job with his or her horses in their barn? Money won? Number of victories?

Maybe, but the number of horses in the barn, the quality of the stock, the amount of racing dates in the state, and the purse structure they’re racing for, all have a major impact on money earned and number of wins.

If instead the answer is getting the most out of the hand a trainer is dealt, then you’ll have to agree that Mississippi native Jamaica Patton did one heck of a job last year for his owners.

Jamaica generated a UTRS of .377, tops for an Illinois based conditioner and eleventh nationally for trainers who started between 300 and 499 horses.

The 43-year-old Patton, who resides in Rochester, Illinois, a suburb of Springfield, was also among the best in the country as a driver with 300 to 499 opportunities, posting a sparkling .386 UDRS, good for fifth place nationwide.

“I’m proud of those stats,” said Jamaica. And rightly so I might add.

It’s been a long road filled with downs and downs for Jamaica like most Mississippi horsemen who ventured up over the last few decades to the Illinois County Fair Circuit and eventually to the Chicago harness racing circle.

Jamaica began driving horses in Mississippi in 1997 when he was 17-year-old. He had an even dozen drives and two winners. The same year his one-horse stable had just a single start.

“I remember my first winner,” said Jamaica. “His name was Rocco Porter, and it was at the Neshoba County Fair in Philadelphia (Mississippi).”

One year later Jamaica trained his first winner when he guided Hollys Dreamfinder to victory at the Pinckneyville, Illinois Fair.

Twenty-five years have passed since with the hard-working Mississippian toiled his way to an elite grouping in 2022.

I met Jamaica in the Balmoral Park winner’s circle on Super Night 2008 when he guided the 40-1 longshot My Birthday to an upset victory in the Lady Ann Reed three-year-old filly trot championship for trainer Herman Wheeler.

Three years later we got reacquainted in the Balmoral Park winner’s circle on Super Night 2011, this time after Jamaica steered the ICF filly trotter Maple Grover Shaelyn to victory in the Lady Ann Reed showdown for trainer Joseph Mullins.

Last year Patton had 357 horses go to the gate and posted 83 wins, 62 seconds and 51 thirds, with $389,830 in purse earnings, more than $140,000 better than the previous year.

The star of Jamaica’s stable was Fox Valley Langley, the 2022 Illinois Two-Year-Old Colt Pacer of the Year. The multi stakes winner made $57,480 and took a mark of 1:52 flat for Illinois owners Lyle Lipe (Springfield) and Melvin Schoneweis. The Somestarsomewhere offspring captured seven of eleven races to go along with a pair of seconds.

Patton’s five-year-old ICF trotter Heath Bar delivered $84,245 for the trio of Lipe, Ron Phillips (Athens, IL) and Sharry Boledovich (Lakewood, CO), more than twice as much as the trotter did in his previous two seasons. The 11-time winner captured a pair of in-state Opens and was third in both the $50,000 summer and the $62,000 Night of Champions Plesac stakes at Hawthorne.

At the age of nine, Primed N Powerful, another son of Psychic Spirit, had his best racing season money-wise with over $77,000 banked for co-owners Boledovich and Jamaica.

Deputy Dawg, a son of the Illinois sire World of Rocknroll, and Judge Me Not, out of the Prairie state’s trotting stud Can’s Afford It, had promising two-year-old campaigns for Patton.

The pacer Deputy Dawg carried out a busy first season of racing with 21 starts and was first or second in 18 of them, winning ten, and making over $31,000 for proprietor Detricke Kelly of Canton, Mississippi.

Judge Me Not, put $31,230 on his first season card and was victorious four times in 15 trips to the gate for the threesome of Phillips, Boledovich and Patton. The homebred was the runner-up in the $50,000 Governor’s Cup at the Du Quoin State Fair.

Illinois “Little Guy” Came Up Big

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 18:11:58 GMT

Illinois “Little Guy” Came Up Big

Goomster (Kyle Wilfong) surprised some people, including his owner and trainer Dennis Gardner, by rising to the top of his 2022 class in his first season of racing. (Four Footed Photo)

By Mike Paradise

Covering harness racing in Illinois for the last fifty years I’ll admit there were plenty of times I silently rooted for the underdog to win a major race or the trainer of a small barn to come away with the big prize at the end of a racing season.

With that said, I’m sure there were many others in the prairie-state Standardbred industry who were also smiling when long-time owner-trainer Dennis Gardner’s young trotter Goomster was honored as the 2022 ICF Two-Year-Old Colt Trotter of the year at last month’s Illinois Horsemen’s Award Banquet in Springfield.

Going into the 2022 racing season Gardner never envisioned Goomster would end up as the best in his class. Heck, Dennis didn’t even think Goomster was the best two-year-old trotter in his barn.

“I thought his stable-mate Takemetodennyland was going to be the better of the two, “said Gardner. “But Goomster proved me wrong. He just kept on getting better and better as the season went on.”

Gardner got into the harness racing business in the mid-1990’s, following in the footsteps of his grandfather and uncle. The 55-year-old Onley, Illinois native always had a modest size stable of horses that mostly competed on the Illinois County Fair Circuit with modest success.

Like so many other “little guys” in the business, Gardner thoroughly enjoys what he is doing and always dreamed of having “a good horse.”

“You’re always hoping to get that ‘good one,’” quipped Gardner. “Goomster has come along and become that for me.”

Goomster hauled in $120,125 for the West Salem, Illinois owner and trainer while winning a trio of major ICF stakes along the way. In his previous 23 seasons of racing Gardner’s horses only earned $50,000 or higher in three campaigns, none higher $61,928 in 2012.

Goomster and his freshman buddy Takemetodennyland combined for $157,545 in purse earnings in 2022.

The only time Goomster didn’t get a check in his12 freshman starts came about when the youngster was interfered with early in the $50,000 Governor’s Cup at Du Quoin.

“That happen because his rival, Niko’s Man, went off stride before the start and kind of went sideways into my horse, causing him to break,” said Gardner.”

Goomster finished his first season with 5 wins and 4 seconds in his dozen starts and came up big when it counted the most, capturing the $50,000 summer Kadabra championship at Hawthorne, the $30,000 Springfield crown, and the $144,000 Kadabra final on Hawthorne’s Night of Champions.

“His win at Springfield meant the most to me,” said Gardner, “even more than the one on Super Night. It always has been my dream to win a big race at Springfield.”

Goomster’s freshman mark of 1:54.3 came in the Springfield championship. Bred by Vern Miller of Sullivan, Illinois the son of Cassis was the first foal of the Muscle Hill dam Sheeza Muscle Girl.

Goomster headed up a strong one-two punch for Gardner in last season’s Illinois two-year-old colt trotting class. His stable-mate Takemetodennyland made $37,420 in his first season going to the gate 14 times. Another Cassis offspring, Takemetodennyland was a five-time winner, proving best in the summer’s Kadabra elimination at Hawthorne. The consistent youngster was second in his Cardinal division and in the fall’s Kadabra elimination, and third in both the Springfield final and Du Quoin’s Governor Cup.”

Are you the “Denny” in the horse’s name? I asked Gardner.

“Yep, that’s my nickname,” he replied. “One of my good friends who passed away a couple of years ago was Walt Keyser and he always called me that. I named Takemetodennyland as a tribute to him.”

Denny bought Takemeodennyland for $6,500 at the 2020 Illini Classic Sale. The son of Pilgrims Stunner, out of the broodmare Broadway Hall, was bred at the University of Illinois veterinarian school.

“Takemetodennyland is a little handier than Goomster because he can get off the gate so well. Goomster is more of a closer, but he did get better getting out of there as the season went on.

“Takemetodennyland has a little bit of a breathing issue that I hope I can take care of for his 3-year-old season. I’ve recently started jogging both horses, and I want to them and a half dozen two-year-olds that I have, ready to go by June 1st for Springfield.”

Gardner went on to praise Goomster’s driver Kyle Wilfong, who ran away with the leading driver honors at Hawthorne last year. “Kyle did a terrific job of driving Goomster all season long. He always had my horse in position to succeed in a race.”

Lou's Legacy Continues

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 17:15:37 GMT

“Lou’s” Stallion Legacy Continues

By Mike Paradise

Nowadays it’s a near certainty when it comes to the naming of the Illinois Trotting Sire of the Year. For the fifth year in a row and the sixth in the last seven, the Flacco Family Farm’s pride and joy stallion Lou’s Legacy came away with the honor.

And why not?

Lou’s Legacy’s daughter Funky Wiggle (1:51.4, $131,235) deservingly captured the 2022 Illinois Harness Horse of the Year award, to go along with the ICF three-year-old filly trotting prize for her trainer and co-owner Curt Grummel.

Plus, the Grummel stable’s Marvelous Mystery (1:57.2, $129,722), another Lou’s Legacy youngster, was selected as the prairie state’s top two-year-old filly trotter. Likewise, the Steve Searle trained Lousdobb (1:54.1, $117,235) made it back-to-back years for the son of Lou’s Legacy to be honored, this time in the state-bred three-year-old colt trotting category.

Lous Legacy, a son of Windsong’s Legacy, out of the Meadow Road broodmare Lady Love mare, was attained by Flacco Family Farms in early 2013. The productive stallion’s sons and daughters have earned over $7 million and countless ICF awards since, not too shabby for a horse that was a bit of a gamble to be an effective money-maker as a stallion because of a low fertility rate.

“I thought I could do a few things that might help Lou’s Legacy and he’s turned out to be just unbelievable for us,” said Dr. Richard Flacco, who heads-up the Alexis, Illinois family’s enterprise. “His fertility rate is like 10 times better than it was when we got him,”

In his family practice as a doctor, Flacco has been involved in the fertility of humans and has used that knowledge in the horse breeding business.

Among Lou’s Legacy’s successful Illinois bred foals over the past several years include Funky Wiggle, Louzotic, Lougazi, Lousdobb, Lousraptor, Loulita, Encantado, Lous Abigail, Lousciper, and Marvelous Mystery.

Another plum for the Flacco farm came about when their mare Olives And Caviar (SJ’s Caviar – Winbak Olive) was named the Illinois Trotting Broodmare of the Year for a second straight time.

A Wise Decision: Turning to the prairie state’s pacing category, John and Joan’s homebred Gimmeazzzmooch (Four Starzzz Shark – Fox Valley Moochie) landed the 2022 Illinois Pacing Broodmare of the Year award.

Gimmeazzmooch’s first foal He’zzz A Wise Sky once again repeated as the top ICF aged pacer of the year. The Yankee Skyscraper offspring hauled in over $202,000 as a five-year-old, winning 14 of 28 starts against some of the best in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky, and lowered his mark to 1:48.3.

He’zzz A Wise Sky’s three-year-old sister Kizzzmelikeumissme (1:53.3) banked $44,689 in her first year of competition, while half-brother Rollinwithdaponyzzz (1:51.2) earned over $66,000. The Time To Roll gelding was claimed off the Triple ZZZ stable for $8,000 last year and has raced out of four different barns since.

Kizzzmelikeumissme’s first season was cut short when the filly suffered a bone chip after her race in the Downstate Classic on August 3rd at the Altamont fair track. The filly was on the mend when the fall’s important Plum Peachy stake on Hawthorne’s Night of Champions was contested in mid-September.

“She’s a big filly and the race at Altamont was her first time on half-miler,” said trainer John Filomeno. “I was happy with her effort. She finished second to a track record performance (1:58.3). It was her last race of the season. We took care of her injury and she’ll be ready when the Illinois racing season gets way at Springfield.”

Kizzzmelikeyoumissme posted four wins in an even dozen starts including victories at Hawthorne in a $30,000 ICF sophomore filly pace and the summer’s Plum Peachy stake elimination.

Filomeno has another full brother and full sister to He’zzz A Wise Sky and Kizzmelikeumissme on the way. The two-year-old colt Who’zzz This Sky is being prepared for the upcoming Illinois racing season and Filomeno also has his younger sister Minithezzzmoocher. (You gotta love those names).

Will Illinois Trotting Queen Step Down ?

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 22:06:02 GMT

Anna's Lucky Star

By Mike Paradise

Should she keep racing, or step down from her throne? That question pertains to the fate of long-time Illinois trotting queen Annas Lucky Star.

Was 2022 the last year of her brilliant racing career that saw the now nine-year-old mare come away with yet another year end ICF trotting award (her seventh straight) or does her new calling as a broodmare begin this year?

Those two choices once again had to be tackled by Annas Lucky Star owner and breeder Danny Graham.

The Salem, Illinois native has often changed his mind the past few years from retirement for this talented trotter to one more year of competition, and each time Annas Lucky Star proved that motherhood should wait.

This time there was no hesitation in Danny’s voice when the obvious question was popped.

“We’re going to race her one more year,” disclosed Graham. “She’s real sound and she earned another year of racing. Right now, we’ve got her at Ray Hanna’s place in Altamont (IL). I’ve driven up there a few times to see how she’s doing and she’s doing fine.

“Anna probably won’t be looked upon as the No. 1 Illinois trotting mare going into this season. That title will belong to Funky Wiggle, who is four now. She became the fastest Illinois bred trotting filly last year with her record (1:51.1) mile and went on to be the state’s horse of the year,” continued Danny.

“I’m looking forward to “Anna” and her going at it this year. Hopefully we can give Funky Wiggle some good races.”

The aging star of the Nelson Willis Stable may be getting up there in years older, but Annas Lucky Star, a daughter of Cassis out of the Danny’s broodmare Queen Jamie, has shown time and time again she still has the desire and the ability to be very competitive at a high level, while continuing to haul in plenty of dough.

The gifted mare took home another $112,527 last year while regularly driven by Kyle Wilfong. She has now amassed $627,429 in lifetime purse earnings. And mind you, in six unbeaten starts as a two-year-old “Anna” made a modest $36,870 since she wasn’t eligible for any of the major Chicago circuit stakes.

As far as 2024 is concerned for Annas Lucky Star, Danny will put the decision on hold for the time being. “That’s a long way off,” said Danny. “I’m thinking right now that this is her last racing season, but I’ve changed my mind about her so many times before, so let’s just wait and see how things develop.”

Queen Jamie Passes: On a sad note, Graham disclosed that his broodmare Queen Jamie, the dam of Annas Lucky Star “had to be put down last August.” Queen Jamie was 25. “Her foals made over $1.1 million,” said Danny.

Besides Annas Lucky Star, Queen Jamie delivered Anthonyskywalker (1:54.0), $257,556), a Powerful Emotion state-bred trotter who won both Balmoral’s Cardinal and Hanover stakes in 2008 as a two-year-old for trainer Homer Hochstetler. Among others, Queen Jamie also produced Red Victor (1:55.3), Powerful Anthony (1:56.2) and Rocknprincessabbie (1:56.4).

Looking Good: ICF Aged Mare Pacer of the Year Fox Valley Exploit (Andrew McCarthy) was a first-over winner in a $12,500 conditioned pace last Saturday at Yonkers for owners Kyle Husted and David Bingham. Racing out of the barn of trainer Noel Daley, the now six-year-old Sportsmaster mare was timed in 1:52.1 on the New York half-mile track.

IRB Licensing

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 17:40:45 GMT

Illinois Racing Board Advance Licensing

In anticipation of horsemen not having an Illinois Racing Board license before this year’s state fairs, the IRB will be available to process your license in Springfield on July 20-21 and July 27-28. Also, you are able to get your license currently at Hawthorne on live thoroughbred racing days. If you already applied for your license, the hard copy will be available for pick up.

2023 IHHA Election

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 17:29:34 GMT

2023 IHHA Election

Election for the IHHA Board of Directors is upon us again. Click here for all of the details. 2023 Election Notice

March Board Meeting Minutes

Wed, 17 May 2023 21:33:49 GMT

February Board Meeting Minutes

Wed, 17 May 2023 21:26:30 GMT

January 2023 Board Meeting Minutes

Wed, 17 May 2023 21:15:19 GMT

Springfield Livestreamed All Month

Tue, 16 May 2023 16:51:07 GMT

Springfield and DuQuoin Summer Races Will Be Livestreamed

The Springfield State Fairgrounds will be hosting the Hawthorne sponsored harness races this month every Thursday and Friday, first post at 12 noon. If you cannot attend, you can watch the livestream of the races by clicking this link. Trot N Pace. Replays will also be available the following day by clicking here. https://www.trotandpacemarketing.com/ then click “Racing,” “Illinois,” and the date on the calendar. Enjoy!

Economic Impact Study

Tue, 16 May 2023 16:07:52 GMT

Economic Impact Study

Standardbred owners are needed for a study. Click here to participate. https://ustrottingnews.com/standardbred-owners-needed-for-ahc-economic-impact-study/

2023 Racing Calendar

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 16:01:23 GMT

To open in a new window click here. 2023 HARNESS RACING SCHEDULE-9adb8842.pdf (cdn-website.com)

HHI Scholarship Application

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 19:04:34 GMT

HHI Scholarship Application

Harness Horsemen's International is now accepting applications for the 2023 Jerome Hauck scholarship. Click here for more. Scholarship (harnesshorsemeninternational.com)

He’zzz A Wise Sky Gets A New Job

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 20:58:41 GMT

Illinois standout He’zzz A Wise Sky (Kyle Wilfong) shows his winning form. (Four Footed Foto)

Illinois Champ Won’t Mind Second Job

By Mike Paradise

The 2022 ICF Champion Aged Horse Pacer He’zzz A Wise Sky saw his winter plans change but I’m sure the former two-time Illinois Horse of the Year doesn’t mind.

“I was going to race him throughout the winter,” said his trainer, John Filomeno. “However, I decided to give him a long rest instead. He really didn’t have a lengthy break last year and I thought he could use it.

“Besides, the horse will have some stud duty coming up. He’ll breed to a handful of mares. In the past he didn’t seem to have any interest in being a stud but last season there were times on the racetrack he showed that he did.

“I’ve got information about breeding to He’zzz A Wise Sky on our web-site ( https://triplezzzstable.com ).”

Owned and bred by Triple ZZZ Stable of Beecher, Illinois, He’zzz A Wise Sky had another terrific year racing as a five-year-old, banking $202,784, no small feat for an Illinois bred pacer these days, while lowering his lifetime mark to $1.48.3

Of his 28 starts last season, 11 came in his home state of Illinois and He’zzz A Wise Sky won 10 of them, most often handicapped with the outside post. The 2020 and 2021 Illinois Harness Horse of the Year’s lone in-state loss came in the $62,000 Robert S. Molero Memorial on Hawthorne’s Night of Champions to Fox Valley Gemini, who wore the same prestigious Illinois crown in 2018 and 2019.

“He beat us in the last stride,” said his trainer. “Fox Valley Gemini is a great Illinois bred horse and he always comes up strong in the biggest ICF stakes.”

Outside the prairie-state He’zzz A Wise Sky picked-up four more victories to go along with six second place finishes, and captured Opens in Ohio and Kentucky.

In his four seasons of racing, the Yankee Skyscraper pacer, out of the stable’s Four Star Shark’s homebred mare Gimmeazzzmooch, has raked in over a half million dollars ($522,315) for Triple ZZZ stable owners Donald, Joann, John and Charisse Filomeno, and David Miller and Toni Presto.

“I’ll probably try to qualify him in early April and like I’ve said in the past, I won’t over race him,” added Filomeno.

The horse has made 78 starts in four years of racing and has finished third or better in 66 of them, winning 36 times and usually against the upper echelon foes in the Midwest.

“I’m thinking about maybe taking him to Minnesota this summer for the Dan Patch at Running Aces. That’s a long way off, so we’ll see how he’s doing and make that decision later.”

Meanwhile, the Illinois pacing champion is enjoying some much-needed rest and getting ready for his new upcoming second job.

Somestarsomewhere Off To A Hot Start

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 20:01:36 GMT

Somestarsomewhere Had A Sparkling First Crop.

February 1, 2023

By Mike Paradise

There are few out-and-out “locks” in harness racing however when it came to naming the 2022 Illinois Pacing Sire of the Year it looked to be “slam dunk” decision last month for USTA District 5 member voters.

They awarded the honor to the Fox Valley Standardbred’s sire Somestarsomewhere, producer of an outstanding first crop of state-bred freshmen including both the ICF two-year-old colt pacer of the year Fox Valley Langley (1:52.0, $57,480) and the top freshman Illinois bred filly pacer of 2022 Fox Valley Kia (1:51.2, $131,052).

The Jamaica Patton trained Fox Valley Langley never missed a purse check in 11 season starts and came away with seven first place finishes including a Cardinal stake division victory and the fall’s Incredible Finale Consolation at Hawthorne, along with a pair of runner-up state-bred stake efforts.

Fox Valley Kia was no worse than second in her last nine first season starts, winning seven of 13 times going to the gate for either trainer Phil Knox or Dan Nance. The filly came up strong at the right times, taking the $185,000 Incredible Finale showdown last fall on Hawthorne’s Night of Champions. Earlier “Kia” nailed down the Springfield State Fair freshman filly pacing championship.

Fox Valley Standardbred’s Somestarsomewhere was named the 2022 Illinois Pacing Sire of the Year.

There was a wealth of other Illinois stake winners sired by Somestarsomewhere that came away with significant championships as well in their first season of racing.

In the ICF freshmen colt and gelding pacing category, the Midwest Division of the Erv Miller Stable’s Fox Valley Jasper, another son of Sometarsomewhere, swept both Hawthorne’s summer Incredible Finale final and Springfield’s Illinois State Fair Colt Stakes eliminations and finals with driver Atlee Bender.

Fox Valley Steeler (1:53.1), from the barn of trainer Tom Simmons, captured the second division of last summer’s Director’s Cup at Du Quoin while Simmons’ Fox Valley Cayman (1:53.4) earlier won a division of the Cardinal.

Fox Valley Landen (1:55) proved best in the summer’s Incredible Finale Consolation for conditioner Amy Husted while the Nelson Willis trained Fox Valley McKee (1:53.4) took the fall’s Incredible Finale stake elimination.

In the distaff grouping, besides Fox Valley Kia, Somestarsomewhere promising two-year-old offspring included Some Dancing Star (1:55.1) One R Andis Star (1:55.2) and Senorita Mouse (1:56.2).

Altogether, Somestarsomewhere first harvest of racehorses earned over $607,000, winning 20 races, six in 1:55 or better.

Somestarsomewhere is by Somebeachsomewhere out of the Art Major mare Lovely Assistant and stands at Fox Valley Standardbred with a $4,000 stud fee.

Somestarsomewhere was originally a $110,000 yearling buy for the Ron Burke stable at the 2011 Harrisburg Sale. He went on to become first two-year-old colt pacer to go a sub 1:50 mile when he won his Breeders Crown elimination at Pocono Downs in 1:49.4.

At the end of his three-year-old campaign the horse was bought by veteran Springfield based trainer Tom Simmons for Clinard Properties for $90,000 at the 2013 January Meadowlands Sale.

Somestarsomewhere made over $200,000 in four seasons of racing for the Simmons stable before being acquired in January of 2019 by Walker Standardbreds of Sherman, IL. When Simmons bought Somestarsomewhere he said he did so because “Dave (Clinard) wanted another good horse and hopefully he’ll have it in Somestarsomewhere.” Simmons also pointed out at the time that he thought the horse “could go on to be a good Illinois stallion.”

Simmons certainly hit the bullseye on that assertion.

2022 December Board Meeting Minutes

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 21:46:34 GMT

2022 November Board Meeting Minutes

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 21:37:02 GMT

2022 October Board Meeting Minutes

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 21:33:14 GMT

2022 September Board Meeting Minutes

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 21:27:54 GMT

2022 August Board Meeting Minutes

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 21:27:51 GMT

2022 July Board Meeting Minutes

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 21:15:39 GMT

2022 June Board Meeting Minutes

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 20:28:38 GMT

2022 May Board Meeting Minutes

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 16:17:11 GMT

Dept. Of Agriculture Purse Money Now Available

Thu, 26 Jan 2023 16:51:02 GMT

Dept. Of Ag. Money Now Available

The purses due from the Illinois Department of Agriculture from the Springfield and DuQuoin State fairs are now available from the Hawthorne bookkeeper.

Paul Everett Passes Away

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 19:47:45 GMT

Paul Everett Has Passed Away

Paul Everett passed away early in the morning on January 1. Although he had lived with Parkinson’s, multiple myeloma, and heart disease for years, his death was quick and unexpected. He was an extraordinary person – a musician, a maker, a preacher, an engineer, a thinker, and an enthusiastic pursuer of whimsy. He experienced wonder easily, and fell in love with all manner of ideas, artists, folk music, and games; his passions were sufficiently interesting and infectious that he gathered communities around himself. He was loved by many. Please join us on January 14th, 1pm, to remember him and celebrate his life. You can join us in person at 29 Grant Ave n Endicott, NY, or via livestream at Living Hope Church, Endicott New York.

2023 Stakes Schedule

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Tue, 17 Jan 2023 15:58:31 GMT

2023 Stakes Schedule

The stake schedule for 2023 has been finalized. We anticipate racing for similar purses as 2022. Schedules for racing at the Springfield, DuQuoin and County Fairs will be announced soon. 2023 schedule and nomination form

2022 Illinois Champions

tsomone@harnessillinois.com (Tony Somone) — Mon, 09 Jan 2023 17:40:27 GMT

2022 ICF Horse of the Year Funky Wiggle

The 2022 ICF Divisional Honors have been decided. Click here for more. ICF Winners

Steve Wagoner Passes Away

Fri, 30 Dec 2022 20:09:32 GMT

Steve Wagoner Passes Away

Steve Wagoner has passed away. Click here for more. Steve Wagoner obit.

Keep an Eye on this "Lou"

Springfield Qualifiers Scheduled

Entries may be made online anytime, or by calling Mark Brown at (217) 299-0721 between 9:00-10:00 AM on Thursday, April 30. Please send any Coggins and EHV updates to Mark at that number.

March Board Meeting Minutes

March Board Meeting Minutes

Update on Hawthorne Situation

2026 ICF Stakes Program Taking Shape

Illinois Harness Community Loses Two

Don Musillami Passes Away. Click here for a full obituary

Jimmy Austin Passes Away. Click here for a full obituary

February Board Meeting Minutes

February Board Meeting Minutes

Ted Torgerson Passes Away

Theodore "Ted" James Torgerson Passes Away. Click here for the obituary.

Leadership Change at IHHA

Jeff Davis steps down as President of the IHHA

January Board Meeting Minutes

January Board Meeting Minutes

December Board Meeting Minutes

December Board Meeting Minutes

Illinois Racing Board Suspends License

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Hall Of Fame Inductees Chosen

Hall of Fame Inductees Announced

After giving careful consideration to over 18 people nominated and ten horses nominated, the IHHA committee decided on the following. Click here to see the results.

Illinois Awards Banquet Scheduled For February 28

Illinois Awards Banquet Set For February 28

Illinois Dept. of Agriculture Nomination Date Change

Illinois Department of Agriculture Nomination Due Date Changes

Charles Thomas Walker Passes Away

Charles Thomas Walker Passes Away. Click here for more

Thursday, January 22 Update

Thursday, January 22 Update

Thursday, January 15, Update 6:00pm

Wednesday, January 14, Update 6:00pm

Friday, January 9, 7:30pm

Hawthorne racetrack and the IHHA have mutually agreed that during this difficult situation it would be best to vacate our races this weekend. These postponed days will be made up going forward. We are hopeful this issue will be resolved soon.

Monday, January 5th Update:

Here a few national stories on the last few days.

10:00 p.m. Update:

11:00 a.m. IHHA Update On Recent Bounced Checks.

Hall of Fame Nominations Close This Friday

Illinois Hall of Fame Committee is Now Accepting Nominations

IHHA Town Hall Meeting

An IHHA town hall meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, January 8 at 6pm

Because of the recent issues with bounced checks at Hawthorne, please join us for an update Thursday, January 8 at 6pm. The Illinois Racing Board is requesting documentation on this situation. Follow this link IllinoisHarnessBadChecks to submit your information.

Pete Leu Passes Away

Pete Leu Passes Away. Click here for more.

New Post Time for Winter 2026

Starting this Saturday, January 3, our Hawthorne races will have a first post of 3pm. There was some moderate success in moving our first post in December to 1pm, so we will now adjust that to 3pm with the hope of even better results. Thanks for all the support.

2026 Memberships Available

The 2026 membership applications are now available. Click here to download. 2026 membership application

Free Hawthorne Programs Here

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to All

The Illinois Harness Horsemen's Association would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. We understand what a challenging year this has been for everyone. Thanks for hanging in there.

November Board Meeting Minutes

November Board Meeting Minutes

Update On Bounced Checks

IHHA Update

IHHA Update

Join us Tuesday, December 9 at 6pm, for a tele-townhall meeting. See the details below.

October Board Meeting Minutes

October Board Meeting Minutes

Beautiful Weather Brings Out The Best

Warm Temperatures Buoy Night Of Champions

12 Noon Detention on Saturday

Per the Illinois Racing Board: All horses racing this Saturday, November 15, Night of Champions, are required to be in early detention by 12 noon.

IHHA Update Call - Tonight, Nov. 4 at 7pm.

If not, or you don’t get a call by 7:10 PM, dial in at 630-756-6915.

Horse Racing Bill Passes Senate

IHHA MEMBERSHIP UPDATE – WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29

IHHA MEMBERSHIP UPDATE – WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29

Legislative Update

Legislative update: Call to Action

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September Board Minutes

September Board Meeting Minutes

August Board Meeting Minutes

August Board Meeting Minutes

Illinois Racing Board Awards 2026 Dates

For Harness racing additional races will be run at Springfield and Du Quoin in June, July, September and October as we did in 2025. Specific days and times, still to be determined.

Read more here. Erv and Marcus Miller