by Josh Potts

Friday (August 14) was the first racing day of the Illinois State Fair’s six-day meet in Springfield, and 2-year-olds took center stage in nine separate eliminations over the four freshmen divisions of the Illinois State Fair Colt Stakes.

2-year-old filly trotters led off the card in races one and two. In the first race, Fox Valley Sienna, the longest shot on the board scored by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:58.4 with part-owner and trainer David Avenatti in the sulky. Post time favorite Claires Rose broke stride before the start, but then righted the ship, getting up for second. Southern Maebelle, High Achiever, and Powerful Jig completed the top five, to make it
into next week’s $50,000 final.

Race two, the second division for freshmen filly trotters, was scratched down to five entries, so all five advance to next week’s $50,000 final. Fox Valley Brenna, the 6-5 second choice driven by Dale Hiteman, won by a half-length in 2:01.1. Mystical OJ, driven by 75-year-old Connel Willis, completed the $25.40 exacta. Legend Girl, Dreaming of Amy, and Fox Valley Luxury all advance to next week’s final.

In races three, four, and five, 2-year-old filly pacers went postward, with the top three advancing to next week’s $50,000 final. One of the three fourth-place finishers will be drawn by lot to determine the tenth starter in that contest.

In race three, driver Jamaica Patton steered The Assassinator to a 2-1/4 length triumph in 1:54.1. Lyfslykaboxachoclt and Lets Go To Cancun completed the $133.40 trifecta to advance to next week’s final.

In race four, Brandon Simpson guided even money favorite Mystical Victress to victory in 1:53.3. The Sportsmaster filly is now a perfect 4-for-4 in her young career. Fox Valley Angie and Things Left Unsaid completed the $154.20 trifecta to advance to next week’s final.

In race five, 8-1 second choice Odds On Dominica upset the 1-5 favorite Fox Valley Oracle, who finished second. Odds On Dominica, with Josh Sutton at the lines, made one trip around Springfield’s one-mile oval in 1:55.2. Puzzle completed the $63.80 trifecta to advance to next week’s final.

Showmeyourstuff scored in 1:59.1 in his elim for Marcus Miller.

Male trotters went postward in races six and seven, with the top five advancing to next week’s $50,000 final. In race six, Marcus Miller piloted Showmeyourstuff to a 5-1/4 length score in 1:59.1. Big Bucks and Fox Valley Solomon completed the $65.40 trifecta. M A Cody and Ichabob also advanced to the final.

In race seven, Run And Tell Pap won his tenth race in 12 starts this year. With Michael Cox at the lines, Run And Tell Pap won in 1:58.1. Rock Hollywood and Fox Valley Smarty completed the $78.60 trifecta. Powerful Speed and Fox Valley Rival also advanced to next week’s final.

In races eight and nine, male pacers finished out the opening card.

In race eight, Josh Sutton scored a driving double with 0. Voomerang in 1:53.1. Iam Bonasera and Dynamo Blue completed the $73.40 trifecta. Ucallthatanexcuse and Plow Guy also advanced to next week’s $50,000 final.

Steve Todd photos

Power Of A Moment drew off in the stretch for a 1:52.1 score.

In race nine, Marcus Miller scored a driving double of his own with even money favorite Power Of A Moment in 1:52.1. Passion For Today finished second. Buzzd On Sudzz, was third. The Chi Town Gambler and Apache Renegade also advanced to next week’s final.

First race post time for tomorrow’s (August 15) action is 12:00 noon (CDT).

Also, live Grand Circuit racing action returns to the Illinois State Fair on Monday, August 17 and Tuesday, August 18 with the Review Stakes.