by Tammy Knox

Carmi, IL — The Egyptian Colt Stakes held its annual directors meeting and banquet last Saturday (Nov. 9) at the Floral Hall at the White County Fairgrounds in Carmi, Ill. Several horsemen were honored for their achievements throughout the year on the county fair harness racing circuit in southern Illinois.

Tammy Knox photo

Winners on the front row (left to right) were Freddie Patton, Jr., Freddie Patton, Sr., Buddy Simpson and Gary Barbre. Winners on the back row were Perry Tillman, Jr., Rick Barbre, Dakota Birch and Eric Lemay.

The Barbre Stable of Carmi earned top honors with their colt, Tim’s Finale, who was the top point getter to be named 3-year-old colt pacer of the year. Tim’s Finale is owned by Rick, Vernon and Gary Barbre of Carmi and Erwin Barbre of Lakeville, Minn. The roan colt from Barbre’s broodmare, Broadway Dandy, had five starts in the Egyptian Colt Stakes, securing two wins, two seconds and one third place finish. Tim’s Finale, trained by Tim Barbre, also qualified for the County Fair consolation race at the Du Quoin State Fair, finishing fifth.

“This colt (Tim’s Finale) really came around this year,” said Gary Barbre. “He raced a little as a 2-year-old, but it wasn’t until this year that everything came together.”

Tim’s Finale was driven by Antonio Love, a native of Mississippi. Love also was named the ECS Driver of the Year for the 3-year-old pacing divisions.

Other winners with White County ties in the ECS included Accokeek Mercury, owned by Buddy and Clay Simpson of Fairfield and Drue Pearce and Michael Williams of Accokeek, Md. The 3-year-old trotting colt had five starts in ECS events and rallied home for three wins, one second and one third for Buddy Simpson, who drives and trains the talented trotter.

Accokeek Mercury advanced from the southern Illinois county fair circuit to compete in the Su Mac Lad stakes at Balmoral Park in Chicago in September, missing a spot in the final but earning a second place finish in the $23,300 consolation with Illinois Hall of Fame driver Buddy Simpson along for the ride.

“This is probably one of the nicest colts I’ve ever had,” said Simpson. “I would compare him to Battleshoe Vent, a horse that I had a lot of success with.”

Battleshoe Vent, a homebred trotter for Simpson, raced from 1977 through 1987 and earned 51 wins in 258 career starts for the Simpson family of Fairfield. It was also noted in the presentation of a race he won that isn’t on his official record.

“Battleshoe Vent was driven by Clay (Simpson) at Fairfield at our home fair,” said Buddy. “Clay was dumped out right at the start of the race and Vent went on and raced the whole way and won the race. He even pulled himself up on the backside, just like the other horses in the race did.”

Simpson was also presented honors for 2-year-old colt trotter of the year. Battleshoe King, owned by Buddy and Clay, had a win, a second and a fourth in three starts for the series of races in the ECS to earn the most points in his category.

Other awards presented during the evening by Harold Poore, secretary-treasurer of the ECS, included Freddie Patton, Jr. of Clinton, Miss., who earned Driver of the Year for the 2-year-old pacing and trotting divisions. He also owned and trained 2-year-old filly trotter of the year Shady Maple Fiesty.

J.D. Finn of Newton was named 3-year-old trotting driver of the year, Perry Tillman, Jr. of Bolton, Miss., had the 2-year-old pacing filly of the year, Lollipop, and Marvin Kendrick of Terry, Miss, had the 2-year-old pcing colt of the year, Tower Power.

Mary Lea Jeffers of McAllen, Texas and Adele Everett of Flat Rock earned honors with High Stepper as 3-year-old filly trotter of the year and Uneek Shuttle, owned by Dakota Birch of Willow Hill and Eric Lemay of Jewett, earned top honors in the 3-year-old filly pace category.

Prior to the banquet, the board of directors met and re-elected officers for the 2014 racing season. Rick Barbre was re-elected president while Tom Throgmorton of Marion was re-elected vice president. Harold and Rose Poore were also retained in the position of secretary-treasurer for the ECS.

A total of six fairs in the region hold races in the Egyptian Colt Stakes series. A total of $148,253.68 in purses was distributed over the events for 2013.