by Timothy M. Jones

Springfield, IL — The final round of qualifiers held in May at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield were raced on Saturday, May 21 and featured a past and present Grand Circuit performer.

Powerful Emotion, a four-year-old Self Possessed stallion, formerly trained by Ron Gurfein and now trained by Ervin Miller, qualified with a solid 1:58.1 clocking.

Troubled by breaks in his three-year-old season, Powerful Emotion’s strong qualifying effort on Saturday displayed the talent this horse “possesses”.

Now owned by Jerry Graham of Salem, Illinois, current plans are for him to race on the Chicago circuit. If all goes well and the horse continues to mature and improve, future starts may be at venues outside of the prairie state.

Trainer Miller also left open the possibility that the Self Possessed – Prime Mistress son could be used for stud duty when his racing days are over.

Powerful Emotion earned $26,000 in 2004 and took his lifetime mark of 1:54.2 as a three-year-old during the Grand Circuit meet at the Illinois State Fair.

Timothy M. Jones Photo

Mako Sica qualified in 1:55.2 this past Saturday at Springfield.

Lloyd Arnold owned and Ervin Miller trained Mako Sica turned in a solid qualifying performance on Saturday with Andy Miller in the bike.

Previously qualifying on May 14 at Springfield with a 1:56.1 trip around the mile oval, the Badlands Hanover gelding rocketed three wide off cover at the three-quarters to shave four-fifths of a second from his previous effort.

Miller, who seasoned Mako Sica with three starts on the Illinois county fair circuit in 2004, has grander plans for his three-year-old season. Those plans involve possible starts in the Meadowlands Pace and Little Brown Jug.

“The North America Cup is too early,” said Miller. “We’ll get him in an overnight first and go from there.”

Mako Sica earned over $42,000 in 2004 with wins in five of eight starts and finishing worse than third only once. His lifetime mark of 1:51 was taken at the Grand Circuit meet in Springfield during the Illinois State Fair.