by Timothy M. Jones, USTA Web Newsroom correspondent

The Brown County Fair in Mt. Sterling, Illinois, in addition to the main event The Taser Gun Pace, hosted Midwestern Illinois Racing Association Colt Stakes action on Thursday evening.

Sonny Knew was a 2:06.2 winner for Jamaica Patton.

Two-year-old trotters and three-year-old pacers of both sexes competed for purses of $7,000. Recent U.S World Driving Championship representative Andy Miller made the trip from Chicago to central Illinois and found himself in the winner’s circle six times on the evening card.

Two-year-old colt trotters were up first in the fourth race, and EBM Superman, driven by Jamaica Patton, roared out to a big lead, only to have Sonny Knew with Doug Graham reel in the early leader on the final turn. Patton raced EBM Superman through early fractions of :32, a 1:03 half, and a 1:34 three-quarters, but it was all Sonny Knew in the stretch.

Sonny Knew is a Valley Victor colt trained by Doug Graham and co-owned by Doug and Danny Graham. The 2:06.2 mile was a new lifetime mark and the second win in seven starts for the youngster.

Mysterious Cash scored in 1:58.4.

Andy Miller raced three-year-old colt pacer Mysterious Cash behind pacesetter Mac N Ernie (Kyle Jones) and GA’s Crusader Jay (Alan Bowen) for three-quarters of the mile in the sixth race. He then pulled the Cole Muffler gelding at the three-quarter pole and brushed to the lead around the final turn to post a three length victory. Mac N Ernie had led the field through fractions of :30, 1:01.1 and 1:30.4 before surrendering to the hard charging Mysterious Cash, who won in 1:58.4.

Mysterious Cash is trained by Ervin Miller for owner Cash Heavy Stable of Elburn, Illinois. The 7-5 pre-race favorite has now won two of his last three races.

Photos by the author

Pandemonious pulled away in the lane for Andy Miller.

Pandemonious, a three-year-old Cole Muffler filly pacer, was used hard by driver Andy Miller from post five as the gate opened in the eighth race and reached the front at the quarter in :31.1. Miller then controlled the single file field to the half in 1:02.4 and the three-quarters in 1:33.4. Jamaica Patton, driving Call Me Roo, pulled from the pocket to challenge the leader going to the three-quarter call, but could not get past the stubborn Pandemonious. Miller and the filly then pulled away as the rain fell with a :28.2 final quarter to win in 2:02.1.

Pandemonious’ victory was her ninth in 12 starts this season for trainer Ervin Miller and owner Tanah Merah Farms LLC of Springfield, Illinois. She has also earned over $26,000 with those nine wins.