by Timothy M. Jones, USTA web newsroom correspondant

Springfield, IL — 25 races were scheduled on Saturday (August 12) at the Illinois State Fair because of Friday’s rain out, and the best was saved for last.

Andy Miller guided My Boy David to a 1:47.4 mile, equaling American Ideal’s mark set for three-year-olds last October at The Red Mile. However, that time also establishes a new mark for sophomore pacing geldings, and makes the altered son of Cole Muffler, the fastest Illinois bred ever, regardless of age or sex.

Miller was a passenger for three-quarters of the mile.

Thisbigdogwillfight, with Brent Holland behind, led to the :26 second first quarter, but the race was all My Boy David’s the rest of the way. Thisbigdogwillfight held on for second while Pujols (Tim Tetrick) was third in the first elimination of Colt Stakes for three-year-old pacers.

Not one to let the track cool to any degree from the previous elimination, Fox Valley Tribal, with Tim Tetrick aboard, rocketed to a 1:49.1 win in the second elimination.

Tetrick was locked on the rail covered second by Third Day (Andy Miller), as he and Hot N Sporty (Dave Magee) battled on the front end heading to the top of the stretch. Tetrick moved his mount three-wide off that turn and quickly put the former two behind. An eighth of a mile was left and the result was without question.

Fox Valley Tribal became the second fastest pacer in Illinois harness racing history with the mile. Third Day was second, and Hot N Sporty finished third. The first five finishers from each elim will return for the $50,000 final on Wednesday afternoon (August 16).

Illinois bred two-year-olds got the day rolling. Three eliminations for female trotters were needed as 25 horses dropped their names in the entry box.

Fox Valley Deja was the pre-race favorite in the first elimination, and it appeared as though that status was well deserved. Until Fox Valley Gracias (Ron Van De Rostyne) made a late charge in the lane and Fox Valley Deja faded badly. Iamallblond (Mike Brink) was second, and Valle Berry was third in the 2:03.4 mile.

The middle elim proved to be the fastest, but also the narrowest of victory margins, as Dream Of Victoria (Mike Oosting) nosed out J C Josie (Homer Hochstetler) at the finish. The Valley Victor daughter won her first race in four trips behind the gate for trainer Roger Welch, and the partnership of Daniel Lengacher and John Kokinos.

Maple Grove Native was just a tick slower in the third elimination. Sam Widger guided the daughter of American Native for owner/trainer Joe Mullins. Crossing the wire second was Victor’s Phantom (Andy Miller). Vapor Rises finished third with Brandon Simpson behind.

Just A Local Chip ran off from the field in his elimination.

Three eliminations were also required for two-year-old colt trotters.

Oxford Brilliance broke stride behind the gate, but Craig Banks quickly put the Brilliant Victory gelding back on the trot. Four By Four Mouse (Rick Schrock) had collared the lead by the half, only to see Banks thunder by shortly after that call.

Oxford Brilliance finished the 2:01.1 mile on auto pilot. Sweet Willie (J.D. Finn) was second, and Mr Average (Tim Tetrick) captured the show dough.

Oxford Brilliance has won nine of ten for trainer Banks and the ownership of James Henshaw and Kermit Henshaw.

Wildmanty, a recent addition to the Ervin Miller stable, posted a very strong win in the second elimination. Andy Miller reined the Wilson Wyoming gelding on the point for the entire mile, finishing the trip in 1:59. Dave Magee crossed the wire second with No Jokin. Just Amos, with Tim Tetrick in the bike, was third.

Jamaica Patton, behind Just A Local Chip, ran off from the field in the third and fastest elimination. Patton stormed from post three with the International Chip colt and never looked back, nor was seriously challenged in the 1:57.2 mile. Just A Local Chip won for the seventh time in 13 starts for trainer/owner Jerry Mims.

Fox Valley Nanners just missed a national season’s mark.

Fox Valley Nanners missed a national season’s mark by three-fifths of a second in the first elimination for two-year-old pacing fillies.

The undefeated in nine starts Mrs Grant Seven (Ronnie Gillespie) and Faith Leigh (Jamaica Patton), battled alone on the front end. Meanwhile Andy Miller rolled Fox Valley Nanners first up and three-wide, passing the former pair as the field reached the half. The latter then led the way home and tripped the timer in 1:53. Bubbles’ Sister (Tim Tetrick) rallied in the stretch for second. Dean Magee crossed the wire third with Colette.

In the second elimination, Brent Holland raced Kiss Of Heaven covered fourth along the rail as Whiskey Girl (Dave Magee) led the way, with Orgami Rose (Sam Widger) tucked snugly in the pocket and Melinda’s Lady M (Andy Miller) parked alongside, but third heading up the backstretch. Kiss Of Heaven was then moved three-wide as the field approached the half, then strolled by and dropped to the rail as they headed onto the final turn. Holland popped the plugs turning for home as Dances On The Wind (Jason Dillander) mounted a strong, but too late for the wire challenge. Kiss Of Heaven finished a length on top in 1:53.4. Dances On The Wind was second, and Orgami Rose (Sam Widger) was third.

In the third elimination, Dale Hiteman could see six of the eight horse field with Nowaytotreatalady through the first turn and heading up the backstretch. Dean Magee was the first of the pack to start an outer flow, thus pulling Nowaytotreatalady into the mix as Alwaysabetterway (Andy Miller) led the way.

Hiteman took an overland trip four-wide on the final turn with his charge. Meanwhile, Miller’s mount had drifted slightly with an eighth of a mile left allowing Past The Evidence (Dave Magee) to sneak through along the rail. Those three battled hoof and mane to the wire, but the photo revealed Nowaytotreatalady and Hiteman on top. Past The Evidence was second and Alwaysabetterway was third in the 1:54.4 mile.

Kinnick was sped to the top from post seven as the wings of the gate folded in the second elimination, and led the way to the quarter, reached in :28.2. Dave Magee then brushed first over with Grand Junction Co to wrestle the lead from the former as the field turned up the backside. Magee remained on top heading into the final turn, but a wall of pacers were looming behind, steadily mounting a challenge led by Escapefromalcatraz (Mike Oosting) first up, and Mahdi (Andy Miller) three-wide. Kinnick was locked on the rail with plenty of pace and no racing room. Grand Junction Co was strong enough to repel the cavalry charge through the lane, and crossed the wire first in 1:54.4. Mahdi was second and Kinnick was third.

The Cole Muffler gelding, formerly known as Imaginary Fiction, was renamed with his current moniker following the passing of Barney Lowe of Grand Junction, Colorado. Renamed in his honor by the remaining partnership of Desyllas Racing LLC, Jim Stieren, William Beck, and Hunt Harness Horses, this win was his first in seven trips to the starting gate.

Timothy M. Jones photos

Glass Pack scored in 1:52.4 for Dale Hiteman.

Grand Junction Co’s stablemate and Tom Simmons trainee, Glass Pack, stole the show in the final elimination. Dale Hiteman described his charge as, “Not having an end to his speed in sight” following the Cole Muffler gelding’s sixth win in as many starts.

Hiteman floated Glass Pack from the gate third, but then pulled on the right line and sent the freshman towards the front end. Dropping to the rail nearing the half-mile marker, Hiteman rated Glass Pack with a hand drive the rest of the way and was easily under wraps at the wire in 1:52.4. Papichulo (Todd Warren) charged home for second, and Brother Vinny (Sam Widger) was third.

Odds On Doubledog, with Tim Tetrick as a passenger, won the final elimination in a snappy 1:53. The Big Dog two-year-old colt has won three of four for conditioner Robin Schadt and owner Odds On Racing of Crete, Illinois. This mile shaved four-fifths of a second from his lifetime mark. Perfect Tattler (Homer Hochstetler) was second, while Place Of Destiny (Dave Magee) was third.

Sunday, August 13, with no racing scheduled, is draw day for post positions for Thursday’s Illinois State Fair Colt Stakes finals. Post time is 3:00 p.m.