by Tim Jones

Springfield, IL — “Back To The Track” day at the Illinois State Fair featured Colt Stakes contests for 3-year-olds Sunday. The original program slated for Saturday, August 14 was postponed 24 hours because of muddy track conditions from Friday evening’s thunderstorms.

Colt pacers were sent postward in two divisions foreshadowing what may be a hotly contested final Wednesday afternoon.

Tim Jones photo

I Am Bonasera (Dave Magee) roared home down the stretch to win in 1:52.4.

I Am Bonasera (Dave Magee) was on idle trailing the field into the first turn, but roared home down the stretch like a run-away freight train in 1:52.4. A wicked final panel of 25.1 provided a 2 length margin of victory over Delco Willobee (John De Long) and Fox Valley Barbosa (Brian Carpenter).

“He was flyin’ for home,” stated a beaming Dave Magee in the winners circle.

“I didn’t want to use him a lot since he races back in 5 days, and he’s regularly a strong finisher. I was hoping to stay close enough where he could out-brush ‘em, and he did.”

Voomerang (Mike Oosting) endured a skirmishing trip in the second division. Four different horses exchanged the lead before the top of the stretch. Eventual runner-up Cooperstown Kid (Todd Warren) appeared to have collared Voomerang in deep stretch, only to be repelled by the very game latter as the curtain came down in 1:52.2. Power Of A Moment (Marcus Miller) was never able to shake loose from traffic trouble and finished third.

Trainer Roger Welch thought Voomerang might be a “little short” for the elimination because “we hadn’t done a lot with him since his last start.”

“He battled “em hard down the lane though. Mike drove him excellent.”

Eight filly trotters prepped for Thursday’s final with a surprising winning effort from Kf’s Picturperfect (Dirk Simpson) stealing the win. The Brett Wilfong trainee’s seemingly effortless 1:59.4 win was nearly 3 lengths better than favorites Powerful Bella (Marcus Miller) and third place finisher St. Louis Holiday (Art Gregory Jr.)

Tim Jones photo

A game Voomerang (Mike Oosting) was a winner in 1:52.2.

Another carded prep was contested for 3-year-old filly pacers in race 6.

Erv Miller stablemates Cotton Candy (Dave Magee) and Mystical Victress (Marcus Miller) traded leads on the front end throughout the 1:53.2 timed mile. Brushing to the wire heads apart it appeared as if the duo were going normal training day trips. Mystical Victress was a third of a length better however, with Leanmean Normajean (Dale Hiteman) rallying for third.

Powerful Speed captured the final prep of the day, an event for 3-year-old colt trotters.

Todd Warren sped the Buzz Graham pupil through a 27 second final quarter to better Run And Tell Pap (Mike Cox) and Dutch Commander (Mike Oosting) in 1:56.4.

Heavy pre-race favorite Rock Hollywood was a late judges scratch.

Racing, as well as Back To The Track festivities, continues on Monday at the ISF as the Grand Circuit roars into Springfield. Post time is 12 noon (CDT).