by Ellen Harvey, Harness Racing Communications
Du Quoin, IL — Deweycheatumnhowe wasn’t the only horse moving fast at Du Quoin on Saturday afternoon, World Trotting Derby Day.
The undercard featured many competitive races, including the $80,000 Governor’s Cup for 2-year-old Illinois bred colts and geldings. Grandma Jan’s Max put in a furious rush to overtake the 4-5 favorite, previously unbeaten The Classic Z Tam, driven by Dave Magee, in that race.
Brent Holland drove Grandma Jan’s Max in the Cup, who sat well off the pace set by first Smellthecolorine (Marcus Miller) to the :27.4 first quarter before The Classic Z Tam came off the rail to pace quickly to the lead by the :56 half and held that position to the 1:24.3 three-quarter mark. Magee was driving the son of Cole Muffler-Cannae Steffi strongly to the wire when Grandma Jan’s Max came pacing down the middle of the track for the photo finish.
It took more than five minutes to discern that Grandma Jan’s Max had indeed reached the finish line first in a new career mark of 1:52.1, three and three-fifths of a second better than his previous mark.
“He’s got a few starts, but he’s just real green,” noted Matt Cox, assistant trainer for Erv Miller. “We were kind of aiming for Super Night. Brent’s done a real good job, we’re real happy with the way he’s been coming around. He’s always had plenty of “go,” it’s just a matter of getting his head set right. He’s real green and he doesn’t show it, but he’ll make a break a little bit if he loses his focus. That’s what we’ve told him all along, keep him covered up, he’s strong on the end, try to get him good for later in the year. Super Night’s where we’re aiming.” Click here to watch video interviews with the winning connections
Super Night is the Illinois-bred race finals night to be held September 20 at Balmoral Park in Crete, Illinois.
Grandma Jan’s Max (Richess Hanover-Jan’s Julie Too) was bred and is owned by Harvey Eisman.
In a $42,000 Hayes Stake for 3-year-old pacing fillies, Miss Scarlett (Tim Tetrick) wasn’t fiddle dee-deeing around when she won by a nose in 1:50.4 over Westside Gritty and Ideal Nectarine. Miss Scarlett is owned by Charles, Julie and Francene Nash and trained by Bret Schultz. It was her first win in ten starts this year.
Surprizemeagain (Tim Tetrick) wasn’t much of a surprise to the bettors as he won the $50,000 Hayes Stake for 2-year-old pacing colts, paying $2.80 for the four length win. It was the sixth win in seven starts for the son of Western Hero-Incredible Suprize, who beat At Max Speed (Tyler Buter) and Most Remarkable (Dale Hiteman).
Surprizemeagain is trained by Shawn Nessa and is owned by Angie Nessa, Bart Seales and Pbv Me Asap Horse Stable.
The 3-year-old pacing colts raced for a purse of $48,000 in a Hayes Stake, with Hey Mister DJ getting the winner’s share, taking the race in a time of 1:50.1 in the 1-1/2 length win. Brent Holland drove for trainer Erv Miller and owner John Carver. Vette Man (Brandon Simpson) was second and Magic Show (Tim Tetrick) was third.