by Ellen Harvey, Harness Racing Communications

Du Quoin, IL — The clay surface where the World Trotting Derby will be held has already produced an all-age world record of 1:50.2 by Tom Ridge in the 2004 event. Some observers believe Donato Hanover is the horse that could lower that record, maybe even below 1:50, if conditions are right on Saturday in Du Quoin.

Du Quoin State Fairgrounds track superintendent Jeff Mason is responsible for the one mile strip of dirt that historically is the surface for some of the sport’s fastest miles. Mason and his five man crew, including assistant Gary Simmons, got no help from Mother Nature this season, so they took matters into their own hands.

“It’s been so dry this summer, about three weeks ago we scarified (dug up) the track, watered it, disked it and ran a sheeps-foot packer over it.”

Moisture in the racing surface helps produce a springy surface that contributes to faster times for racehorses. Clay feels natural to the horse and is more porous than an all-weather limestone track. More air in the racetrack means more bounce as the horses’ hooves hit the surface and minimizes concussion.

“The process took about three days,” says Mason. “After the first day, the local horsemen could jog on it and the next day they used the half-mile track.”

Mason has a virtually unlimited supply of clay to add to the track as needed.

“We use clay from abandoned coal mines on the fairgrounds,” says Mason. “A few years ago, I asked the Department of Agriculture to measure it and we had a vein 30 feet deep and 200 feet across, so we have enough clay for my lifetime and beyond.”