by Tammy Knox

Carmi, IL — Leo Burns was a familiar horseman on the southern Illinois harness racing circuit for years, and he was remembered before the start of the 2013 harness racing program on Monday (July 22) at the Edwards County Fair in Albion.

Burns, a native of Marshalltown, Iowa, recently passed away at the age of 98 following a career as an owner, trainer and driver through last year at the age of 97.

Burns made national headlines seven years ago at the age of 92 when he guided his 2-year-old, Winsome Wyoming, to seven wins in nine starts. Burns commented in a story written for Hoof Beats that he liked the bloodlines of a new stallion in the state of Illinois, being Wilson Wyoming, so at the age of 91, he went to the Illini Classic yearling sale and purchased the chestnut filly for $2,600.

Burns, always known for his success with trotters, continued to drive and train Winsome Wyoming through her 8-year-old season last year, winning both her starts with himself aboard and the last one coming at his home fair in Albion in a time of 2:05.1. As Burns made his way to the winner’s circle in front of the grandstand, he was welcomed with a standing ovation and broke his own record as the oldest driver to ever win a race in the history of harness racing.

To date, Winsome Wyoming has won 31 of her 48 career starts and has earned in excess of $55,000. She was a winner earlier this summer at Martinsville in a time of 2:05 and although he was there to watch, failing health had caused Burns to give the mare to his longtime friend Leroy Moore, who drove the mare to victory at the age of 78. She is scheduled to race Tuesday (July 23) at the Edwards County Fair in the ninth race of the evening. Winsome Wyoming has drawn post six in the $2,300 Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association 4-year-old and up trot.

Burns’ final drive was the victory on his home track at Albion in 2012, following up a victory at the Wayne County Fair in Fairfield the prior week. He ended his driving career with 254 wins and $301,933, according to the U.S. Trotting Association. However, complete records prior to that time were not kept and many more wins would be added to that tally.

To help celebrate Burns’ life and career, drivers and trainers involved in Monday’s races at the Edwards County Fair came together in front of the grandstand for the National Anthem as well as a special tribute to Burns. Moore walked Winsome Wyoming down the track for the ceremony.

TJ Marche, the local screen printing and embroidery store of Albion, has also made t-shirts in honor of Burns. The shirts are available at the Edwards County Fair and depict a headshot of Burns along with a racing shot on the front. Shirts may be purchased during the fair for $12 from the racing office.

In addition to racing, Burns was an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan. He remained in the home that he and his wife, Marjorie, owned and lived independently until his death. He was laid to rest next to his wife in Marshalltown, Iowa.