by Tammy Knox for the Egyptian Colt Stakes

John Davis of Starkville, Miss. recorded his first career win Saturday, Aug. 5 at the Williamson County Fair in Marion, Ill. Davis, who has owned horses for 17 years, guided Fox Valley Calypso to victory in a division of the Egyptian Colt Stakes for two-year-old filly trotters.

Fox Valley Calypso made two moves during the race and was able to draw off to a one and one-half advantage at the wire for Davis. The victory was the first in eight starts for the daughter of International Chip. She recorded the mile in a time of 2:06.2. Davis also trains and owns Fox Valley Calypso

Davis, a retired brick mason, ventures to the Southern Illinois fair circuit each summer with his wife of 49 years. The couple has three horses racing this year. Other horses in their care include Tattle Time and Smilin Mama. The Davis’ are based at the Cumberland County Fairgrounds in Greenup, Ill. through Labor Day before heading back to their home in Mississippi.

The 150th Williamson County Fair concluded two days of harness racing Sunday, Aug. 5. Fast Track Bid, owned by Tom Throgmorton of Carbondale, Ill. and trained by Goreville’s Joe Haught, was retired at his home track following his second place finish in the Free For All Pace. The 11-year-old Hit The Bid horse is less than $1,000 away from the $100,000 barrier in career earnings. Haught and Throgmorton plan to race Fast Track Bid a few more times in 2006 before placing him into stallion duty for the 2007 season.