by Timothy M. Jones, for the ISOBA

Springfield, IL — Mrs Grant Ten, undefeated in six July starts, has been named July’s Horse of the Month by the Illinois Standardbred Owners & Breeders Association in conjunction with The Big 10, Egyptian, Illini, Mid-West, and Northern Colt Associations, and the Illinois Department of Agriculture, Bureau of County Fairs and Horse Racing.

Timothy M. Jones photo

Mrs Grant Ten, in action at the Greene County Fair in Carrollton, Ill., in rein to driver/trainer Freddie Patton Jr.

The Richess Hanover daughter, from the Dragon’s Lair mare Dragon Show, is unfortunately, posthumously honored. Unable to overcome a bout with colic, she died on Wednesday, August 1, at a clinic in Paducah, Kentucky.

Owned by Tommie Lee Grant of Jackson, Miss., and bred by Fox Valley Standardbreds of Sherman, Ill., she was chosen from nominees that included 2-year-old colt trotters, Band Star and Halls Of Gold; 2-year-old filly trotter, My Irish Molly; 2-year-old gelding pacer, Shakey Slim; and 3-year-old filly trotter, Winsome Wyoming.

Mrs Grant Ten won eight of 10 starts, finishing second on two occasions in her brief career. Earning nearly $14,000, she took her lifetime mark of 2:01 at the Edwards County Fair in Albion, Ill., with driver and trainer Freddie Patton, Jr. at the helm.

Leaving from post six in the second tier of that race, Patton brushed her from fourth at the quarter pole to first at the half, although parked. She was never headed from that station. A :30.3 final panel provided a one length margin of victory at the wire over Boots Place (Kelcey Perymond).

Please join us in a tip of the cap and bowed head in honor of the very talented and tough Mrs Grant Ten.