by Timothy M. Jones, USTA web newsroom correspondant

Springfield, IL — Granted, the exploits of My Boy David and Fox Valley Tribal in their respective eliminations are already well known. While that pair set the stage for an electric final Wednesday at the Illinois State Fair, three-year-old eliminations were also conducted to establish finalists for Thursday’s Colt Stakes championships.

In the first elimination for three-year-old filly trotters, Miss Imperial captured the lead for driver Andy Miller as the field reached the quarter pole, then proceeded to race comfortably and without challenge, crossing the wire first in 1:55. Miller rested the whip on his shoulder for most of the mile as the Imperial Victory miss did much of the work on her own.

Andy Miller said, “Erv’s done a great job with her at the county fairs where she’s raced the majority of her starts this year. She’s really game right now and loves her job.”

Hi-Tri (Lavern Hostetler) finished second. Miss Sashi (Jason Dillander) was third. The first five finishers will return for Thursday afternoon’s final.

Dave Magee piloted Go Go Gabby to a mild upset over Victor’s Finesse.

Dave Magee piloted Go Go Gabby to a mild upset in the second elimination over favorite Victor’s Finesse. The latter had been much the best in their two previous meetings, but was not to be on this day.

Magee floated his charge from post ten near the sheep barns as Kind Of A Legend (Ron Van De Rostyne) led the field single file to the quarter. Brent Holland with Victor’s Finesse took aim on the early leader just past the quarter pole, and was on the point midway down the backstretch. Dean Magee immediately challenged the leader with Prim As A Rose. That pair then staged their own little battle on the front end, opening up five lengths on the rest of the field. Tim Tetrick charged with Giantjellybean second over, pulling Go Go Gabby towards the front third over.

Tetrick dropped to the rail following Victor’s Finesse at the head of the stretch, allowing Go Go Gabby an open path to the wire in the middle of the track. Holland had Victor’s Finesse snugly under wraps as Go Go Gabby powered by nearing the finish. The 1:55.2 mile was Go Go Gabby’s seventh win in nine starts for trainer Roger Welch and co-owners Robert and Philip Rietveld. Victor’s Finesse was second. Prim As A Rose held on for third.

Two eliminations for three-year-old trotting colts were captured by Adam Gram, Buzz Graham up, and Litigator with Ryan Anderson at the helm.

Adam Gram was a 1:58.1 winner.

Adam Gram raced patiently covered third heading to the quarter as Pinnochio (Mike Oosting) was first up to challenge pre-race favorite Crown Vic (Dave Magee). Crown Vic pulled from the pocket trip midway on the backstretch to drop to the rail and lead. That lead was short lived as AJS Send Money (Sam Widger) immediately challenged and led at the half-mile station. Midway on the final turn, it appeared as if the entire field of trotters had a shot at winner’s circle honors. Widger led into the stretch with his mount, but drifted enough off the rail to allow Magee room on the rail with Crown Vic. Homer Hochstetler charged towards the wire with Earlivic, only to go off stride nearing the lead. He did, however, tow Adam Gram along, and as the former broke stride, Adam Gram circled and crossed the wire in unison with Crown Vic. Review of the finish photo proved Adam Gram’s nose hit the wire first in 1:58.1 over Crown Vic. AJS Send Money finished fourth, but was placed third because of the breaking Earlivic.

In the second elim, Valley Sport (Tim Tetrick) led the field single file to the quarter. Eventual winner Litigator, with Ryan Anderson up, raced covered fifth, but upon reaching the quarter, eased off the rail to gradually make his way towards the front going up the backstretch. Andy Miller, reining Dancing Offtoplay, sped first over, taking the lead nearing the half. Meanwhile, Litigator was racing parked, and narrowing the gap with every stride. Heading into the final turn, Litigator had overtaken Dancing Offtoplay, and from that point it was his race to lose. Smacking the bike with the whip in the lane, Anderson kept his charge interested in the final verdict as Miller again challenged with Dancing Offtoplay, and also as Valley Sport mounted a late charge. Litigator crossed the wire a length in front, stopping the timer in 1:56.2. Dancing Offtoplay was second and Valley Sport third.

Timothy M. Jones photos

Street Dancer (Dale Hiteman) crossed the wire in 1:50.3.

In the first elim for three-year-old filly pacers, Street Dancer with Dale Hiteman behind, raced patiently fifth covered on the rail as the lead changed hands four times between the first turn and racing towards the three-eighths mark. Hiteman started the outer flow up the backstretch, collared the then leader Party At Joyces (Brent Holland) nearing the far turn, and dropped to the rail on top as the field of nine paced on the final turn. Ms Maggie (Andy Miller) then came calling, and pulled a half length in front, although parked by Street Dancer, but then proceeded to go on a wild break. Kissmekissmekissme (Ryan Anderson) had followed Ms Maggie’s cover, and was threatening the hand driven Street Dancer driving to the wire. Street Dancer was not to be denied however, and crossed the wire a length on top in 1:50.3. Kissmekissmekissme was second and Spectacular Cam (Tim Tetrick) finished a distant third. The winning time shaved a full second from Street Dancer’s lifetime mark. Nelson Willis trains the Richess Hanover daughter for the partnership of former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar, Terry Rathgeber, Ted Lock, and Jim Reynolds.

Division leader Free, Sam Widger aboard, was floated from post nine in the second elim for pacing fillies as the starting gate’s wings folded, and raced comfortably fourth on the rail as Orange Breeze (Brent Holland) opened up four lengths on the field racing to the quarter pole. Widger tipped Free off the rail to come first up, steadily grinding her way towards the front end, but also towing along Join The Party (Tim Tetrick). Free appeared as if she would gain the point easily, but Orange Breeze proved stubborn. Those two raced head-to-head on the final turn as the field bunched behind them, four in, five out. Streaking off the final turn, Free was finally able to put away Orange Breeze, and was comfortably cruising towards the wire. Join The Party, meanwhile, was quickly gobbling up racetrack in the lane. Only with an immediate response from Widger’s whip was Free able to hit another gear, finishing three-quarters of a length in front, crossing the wire in 1:54.2. TJ’S Molly May (Mike Oosting) captured show honors.

Widger describes the Armbro Mackintosh daughter as, “A very gritty mare. I would have taken a second over trip, but I just wanted to get somewhere I would be close. If she’s close, she can usually out grind them. She kind of gets lost on the front end. She’s the type that wants to pass horses. When I called on her, she responded with the most she’s ever had.”

Sunday, August 13 with no racing scheduled, is draw day for post positions for Thursday’s Illinois State Fair Colt Stakes finals. Post time is 3:00 p.m.

The Grand Circuit roars into Springfield for cards scheduled on Monday and Tuesday. Post time on Monday is 12 Noon. Tuesday’s racing gets underway at 4:30 p.m.