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.