Major Attraction, the Downstate Classic, Coming to Effingham County Fair

(FAIR BROADCASTER KURT BECKER DISCUSSES THE DOWNSTATE CLASSIC AS FAIR BOARD PRESIDENT PHIL HARTKE LOOKS ON)

Already known for a full week of harness racing, the 2021 Effingham County Fair is upping the ante this year.

The fair board successfully bid to land the Downstate Classic for this year's fair. The event will take place on Wednesday, August 4 and will feature more than $25,000 in prizes. 

Greg Sapp spoke with Fair Board President Phil Hartke about the Classic...

As Phil mentioned, grandstand admission for the racing program that day will be free. The race programs will also be free, as Peoples Bank and Trust is working with the Altamont Lions to cover the cost of the programs. The Lions have made the programs available at the fair for many years.

A bidding process is used to land the Downstate Classic. Effingham County submitted the winning bid for the 2020 event which, of course, was canceled due to COVID. That means, though, that Effingham County will get to host the event in both 2021 and 2022.

The race for Illinois bred and registered horses only. The winner will get 50% of the pot, so that is expected to draw horses from across the state to the event. 

A list of the eligibles for the Downstate Classic includes some horses with area ties. Horse racing broadcaster and researcher Kurt Becker of Altamont shared some of the hopefuls:

Sage 'N Fra, a three year old colt pacer, who is trained by Darla (Martin) Lohman of Effingham

Big Approach and Emsroscopcoletrian, three year old colt trotters owned, respectively, by Elizabeth Roedl and Jacob Roedl of Edgewood

Loyz Say When, a three year old colt trotter owned by Jackson Loy of Beecher City

Royal Swan Hunter, a three year old colt trotter owned by Loy and by Bradley Cain

TE's Game Changer, a three year old colt trotter owned by Thureal Harre, Jr., who lives in Arkansas, but is a native of Brownstown

Asah Da Pacea, a three year old filly pacer owned by Erica Colman-Loy and Jackson Loy of Beecher City

Kandi's Fortune, a three year old filly pacer owned by Brian and Kandi Herzog of Beecher City, although Kandi is a native of Teutopolis

BBR Lady, a three year old filly trotter owned by Elizabeth Roedl of Edgewood and Freddie Patton, Jr. 

The Downstate Classic dates back to 1992.

The Effingham County Fair again this year will have harness racing every day from Sunday, August 1 thru Friday, August 6. If you can't attend in person, you can hear all six days of racing action on KJ Country 102.3 and www.kjcountry.com.