by Ellen Harvey, Harness Racing Communications

Du Quoin, IL — Exotic Destination (George Brennan) was the winner of the $150,000 World Trotting Derby for fillies on Saturday afternoon (September 1) at Du Quoin (Illinois) State Fairgrounds.

Timothy M. Jones photo

Exotic Destination was a 1:52.2 winner for George Brennan.

The early fractions were set by Exotic Destination, first to the quarter in :27.1, before being overtaken by Hambletonian Oaks winner Danae just beyond the quarter. Danae held the lead to the half in :55.4 and was still in the lead at the 1:25 three-quarters, followed by Falls For You (Dave Magee) and Exotic Destination.

As the field was halfway down the homestretch, Danae, on the inside, made a break and Falls For You and Exotic Destination were fanned wide across the track. Exotic Destination covered the final hundred yards fastest of all to win by about two lengths in 1:52.2, breaking the stakes record of 1:52.3 previously held by Act Of Grace, who won the 1996 World Trotting Derby for fillies.

Exotic Destination is trained by George “Buzzy” Sholty and co-owned by him with JML Stables.

“I’m just so happy for Buzzy, he just bought this filly and she’s done nothing but win,” said driver George Brennan. “When that other filly went on a break, it was just lights out all the way home. This was a real adrenaline rush, you’re coming down the stretch counting the money in your head.”

Trainer Buzzy Sholty said he wasn’t surprised by the win for Exotic Destination, who has now won five straight races.

“I was unsure how she’d do with this competition and we hadn’t really had a chance to overextend her to see if she could do this kind of mile. We’ll look at supplementing her to the Kentucky Filly Futurity.”