Exciting Races at Tuesday's Effingham Co. Fair

J.D. Finn (driving No. 2), makes the move that gives Bigger N Better the victory in the 2-Year-Old Open Pace AE: ICF Maidens race at the Effingham County Fair Tuesday. Finn beat his son Jared Finn behind Herehecomesarockin.       Scott Beal photo

ALTAMONT -- There were only two harness races on the card Tuesday at the Effingham County Fair but they were exciting ones.

In the first race, the 2-Year-Old Open Pace AE: ICF Maidens, it was a surprise finish. Scenic Cruise took the lead to start the race and Bigger N Better started off breaking stride.

Herehecomesarockin came on strong and got a head in front and finally cleared into the lead at the half mile mark. Jared Finn guided the leader into a three length lead at the three-quarter mile mark and was still leading at the final turn.

But Finn's dad, J.D. Finn, was guiding Bigger N Better and came on quickly to take the victory in 2:05 surprising the crowd with the quick come-from-behind win.

Then in the second race, the Free For All Pace, Queen Beatrice stepped out early but Jaded Truth came on to lead past the half mile mark. The opening quarter was 28.3, the fastest time in the three days of harness racing and then came the fastest half mile at 57.4.

Randall Finn pushed Jaded Truth into a 10-length lead at three quarters and the gray pacer ended up winning in 2:01.4. Finn, the winningest driver ever at the Effingham County Fair, pushed his victories to 115. Richard Finn, who attended Altamont schools before moving to Chicago to finish out his schooling, trained Jaded Truth and is the nephew of Randall Finn.

Harness racing will continue Wednesday with five races on tap. Post time is 1 p.m.

Tuesday's Harness Races

Race One

2-Year-Old Open Pace AE: ICF Maiden

Purse: $1,260

1. Bigger N Better (J.D. Finn), 2. Herehecomesarockin (Jared Finn), 3. Scenic Cruise (Ray Gash)

Time -- :32.1, 1:02.2, 1:35, 2:05

Race Two

Free For All Pace

Purse: $,1080

1. Jaded Truth (Randall Finn), 2. Cruiser (Ray Gash), 3. Feel My Pain (Richard S. Finn), 4. Queen Beatrice (Darla Martin Lohman)

Time -- :28.3, 57.4, 1:29.3, 2:01.4.

Wednesday's Entries

Race One

Topline 2-Year-Old Pace

Purse: $2,500

1. Sweet Ava (Barak Patton), 2. Gambling Babe (Jamaica Patton), 3. Duneside Charlie (Michael Knicley)

Race Two

Topline 3-Year-Old & Up Trot

Purse: $2,500

1. Macie Rae (Michael Rogers), 2. Show Stopin Monkey (Jamaica Patton), 3. Fox Valley Epsilon (Adam Knicley), 4. Coming Up Tough (Harold Finn Jr.)

Race Three

Topline 3-Year-Old & Up Pace

Purse: $2,500

1. Runinthrudabridle (Jamaica Patton), 2. Madoff (Randall Finn), 3. Maddys Buddy (Harold Finn Jr.), 4. So Sophisticated (Barak Patton)

Race Four

Topline 2-Year-Old Trot

Purse: $2,500

1. Kabam (Jared Finn), 2. Krm Sparkle (Barak Patton), 3. De Dr Chas Girl (Jack De Rousse), 4. One Hour Power (Brian Cotton)

Race Five

Non-winners $3,500 Lifetime Pace

1. Captain Joel (no driver listed), 2. Sagebrush Shelly (Barak Patton), 3. Duneside Life (Kyle Husted), 4. La Rockin Daydream (Harold Finn Jr.)