by Bill Peters

Charlotte, MI — The 2016 Michigan fairs colt and filly stakes action got underway on Friday (July 8) at the Eaton County 4-H Fair at Charlotte. Eight races were contested on the midday program under sunny skies.

Shady Lady Mar (Pineknob Classic-Pick A Peck) took the 2-year-old filly trot in the day’s opening race in 2:18.4. William Marquis pays the bills on the filly while Larry Smith provides the training and driving services.

Wally McIlmurray, Jr. steered Katkin And Coke (Colie’s-Katkin) to a 2:18 winning mile in the 2-year-old colt trot. ECS Racing LLC owns the colt with Kevin St. Charles doing the training.

Stud Magnet (Canyon Wind-Earhart Hanover) captured the 2-year-old filly pace in 2:11.2. Kelly Goodwin trains the filly for owner Libby Myers. Brad Kramer had the winning drive behind Stud Magnet.

Bourbon Billy (Western Sakra-Winbak Lucy) came home first in the 2-year-old colt pace after a mile in 2:12.3. Rex Mapes owns and trains the colt with John Moody picking up the winning catch-drive.

Carl Putnam, Jr. piloted Can’t Fire Me (Coventry-Blazing Gill) to victory in the 3-year-old filly trot. Scott Hayden owns and trains the filly which toured the Charlotte oval in 2:16.

Phat Stacks (Lockkeeper-Carly Karlee) was victorious in the 3-year-old colt trot with a winning time of 2:11.2. Tim Roach is the gelding’s owner/trainer/driver.

John Goodyear’s Ebony’s Merlot (Western Sakra-SF Ebony) picked up the fastest win on the program by reaching the wire first in 2:03.4. Goodyear also trains the filly with Larry Smith doing the driving.

Nursery Ed (He’s All That-Hawaiian Ukulele) found the winner’s circle in the final race on the card by winning the 3-year-old colt pace in 2:07.1. Darrell Wright trains and drives the gelding with E. J. Underwood III picks up the expenses.

A big “hats-off” to Karen Morehouse, Randy Mc Connell, Linda Jones and all others involved for putting on a super day of racing.

The next fair stakes action in Michigan will be on Wednesday (July 13) at the Mecosta County Fair at Big Rapids. Post time will be 7:00 p.m.

The fair will also host overnight races on Tuesday (July 12) with a 7:00 p.m. post time.