Freddie Patton Jr. Claims Driver's Harness Racing Championship

ALTAMONT -- Freddie Patton Jr. pulled out the driver's championship as harness racing came to a close at the Effingham County Fair Friday.

Coming into the day's races, Patton led with 46 points followed by Matthew Avenatti with 44 and Wyatt Avenatti with 41. But Wyatt Avenatti was out of the running as he headed to Charleston to compete in the Coles County races. Patton had drives in all five races while Avenatti had drives in three races.

Patton finished up taking a first and four seconds scoring 60 points while Avenatti had two firsts and a third and finished with 55.

Patton took Primed N Powerful to the wire-to-wire victory in the opening race of the day, the Free For All Trot. The trotter crossed the finish line in 2:03 2/5 and has now earned over $40,000 this year.

Queen Beatrice captured her first win in the Maiden Pace AE: Nonwinners $2,500 in '19 Fillies & Mares. Queen Beatrice claimed the win by three lengths for David Lohman in 2:04 3/5. The winner is owned by Fred and David Lohman of Effingham.

In the third race, the Maiden Pace AE: Nonwinners $2,500 in '19 Colts & Geldings, The Real Rock bulled his way to the front with Mickey Hanover behind. The Real Rock led through the half but Mickey Hanover went to the outside with authority and Wyatt Avenatti took him to the win in 2:02 2/5.

Avenatti took back-to-back races, winning the next affair, the Filly & Mare Trot. Fox Valley Sienna leads at the half with Hoosier Kim second. Fox Valley Sienna still led with Hoosier Kim alongside at the three quarter mark and finally crossed the line in 2:07 2/5.

In the final race, the Filly & Mare Pace, Duneside Life took the lead with Fox Valley Maya sitting in cover behind. Fox Valley Maya waited and then came on with authority to the outside. Duneside Life hooked wheels on the final turn with Fox Valley Maya but they came undone and Jamaica Patton took Fox Valley  Maya to the win in 2:02 2/5.

Friday's Results

Race One

Free For All Trot

Total Purse: $1,500

1. Primed N Powerful (Freddie Patton Jr.), 2. Pauline's Ashley (Wyatt Avenatti), 3. Ec Big Guy (Ray Gash)

Time -- :32 2/5, 1:03, 1:33 3/5, 2:03 2/5.

Race Two

Maiden Pace AE: NW $2,500 in '19 Fillies & Mares

Total Purse: $1,125

1. Queen Beatrice (David Lohman), 2. Locked On It (Freddie Patton Jr.), 3. Fox Valley Gstring (Randall Finn)

Time -- :32, 1:05, 1:36 1/5, 2:04 3/5.

Race Three

Maiden Pace AE: NW $2,500 In '19 Colts & Geldings

Total Purse: $1,125

1. Mickey Hanover (Wyatt Avenatti), 2. Invisible Man (Freddie Patton Jr.), 3. The Real Rock (Jamaica Patton)

Scratched -- Brush With Fame.

Time -- :31 2/5, 1:00 1/5, 1:31 2/5, 2:02 2/5.

Race Four

Filly & Mare Trot

Total Purse: $1,125

1. Fox Valley Sienna (Wyatt Avenatti), 2. Hoosier Kim (Freddie Patton Jr.), 3. Shady Maple Valley (Ray Gash)

Time -- :31 4/5, 1:04 3/5, 1:37 2/5, 2:07 2/5.

Race Five

Filly & Mare Pace

Total Purse: $1,125.

1. Fox Valley Maya (Jamaica Patton), 2. Duneside Life (Freddie Patton Jr.)

Time -- :30 4/5, 1:01 2/5, 1:32 4/5, 2:02 2/5.