by Joshua Potts

Springfield, IL — After the rain washed out Monday’s card at the Illinois State Fair, 19 races were contested at Springfield’s one-mile oval on Tuesday (August 18). The Grand Circuit was roarin’ through Central Illinois, with multiple divisions of The Review Stakes on display.

Freshman filly pacers got the Grand Circuit action started in their edition of the $31,000 Review Stakes. The Artsplace-Melodys Diamond filly Odds On Riesling made every call a winning one en route to a 1:59.1 score over the good going, with Josh Sutton in the bike. The Illinois Department of Agriculture’s honored guest for the day, Ralph Gauwitz, Jr. of Peoria, presented the pacer’s trainer, Robin Schadt, with the trophy.

Gauwitz has been a fan of harness racing for over 50 years, eventually becoming an owner and breeder himself. After Gauwitz presented the winning connections with their trophy, he received a plaque of his own, to commemorate his half-century of support for Illinois harness racing. His longtime friend and member of the Communicators’ Corner of the Hall of Fame, Dean Hoffman, was on hand for the presentation.

Freshman male pacers then made their way onto the track for their edition of the $31,000 Little Pat-Review Stakes. In this event, Perrito Caliente (Art Major-Maryland Beauty) won in 1:56.4 with Travis Seekman aboard.

Sophomore colt and gelding trotters then took to the track in their renewal of the $62,000 Review Stakes. In a race that featured win and exacta wagering only, the second longest shot on the board, Sargent Volo, nosed out Mr Cantab for the win. Brooke Nickells piloted the son of Self Possessed-Sara Hall to victory in 1:57.3, rewarding their backers with a $50.40 return on a $2 win ticket.

A trio of 3-year-old filly trotters lined up behind the mobile starting gate in their edition of the $28,000 Review Stakes. Pleasing Lady, a daughter of Cantab Hall-Victory Please, won the non-wagering event in 2:03.3 with Hall of Famer Dave Magee in the sulky.

The $25,000 Review Stakes for 2-year-old filly pacers was a match race between Pure Platinum and Escrow Blue Chip. Pure Platinum, a daughter of Conway Hall-Inviting Hanover, scored by a half-length in 2:03.2 with Peter Wrenn at the lines.

Next up was the $53,000 Greyhound-Review Stakes for freshman male trotters. On a track that had since been upgraded to fast, driver Marcus Miller and Flashback, a son of Classic Photo-Sole Mate, beat four other rivals to score in 1:59.2.

Sophomore filly pacers went postward in their edition of the $32,000 Review Stakes. Smooth Silver, a daughter of Western Hanover-Special Magic, won in 1:54.1 with Andy Miller aboard.

Two races later, in the $34,000 Baker-Review Stakes for 3-year-old male pacers, In Over My Head bested five other rivals in 1:57.2. The son of I Am A Fool-Blue For You provided driver Andy Miller with his third win of the day.

A quartet of filly and mare trotters, aged four and up, kicked off Illinois State Fair Colt Stakes action on Tuesday’s card. Southern Victoriak, a 9-year-old daughter of Snafu, got her picture taken with Hans Schulfer in the racebike. Their winning mile of 2:04.3 came over a track rated slow.

Next up were the male pacers, aged four and up. Booze Cruzin, a son of Art’s Conquest, was the public’s choice at 1-20. He validated the public’s confidence by scoring easily in 1:56.4 on a track that had been upgraded to good. Dave Magee handled the driving chores.

Later on, a field of six male trotters, aged four and up, made their way onto the track. This contest ended up being a Simpson family showdown as grandson Brandon Simpson and Battleshoe Victor were in a stretch duel with grandpa Buddy Simpson and Battleshoe Victor’s full brother, Battleshoe Vic. Battleshoe Victor prevailed over his younger brother, and the younger Simpson prevailed over his grandfather.

Four races later, a field of six female pacers, aged four and up, lined up behind the mobile starting gate. I Y Q, a 4-year-old daughter of Big Tom, scored in 1:54.1 over a fast track with Rick Dane, Jr. in the sulky.

Topline Stakes action was also contested Tuesday. Congratulations go out to the winning connections of Earls Beauty Queen, Hrubys N Luck, Crossword, Judson Director, and Helen’s Place Girl.

First race post time for Wednesday’s (August 19) action is at 3:00 p.m. (CDT).