Local Harness Horses Capture State Fair Championship Finals

Illinois Director of Agriculture Jerry Costello presents co-owner Dean Biggs with the trophy following Fox Valley Cairo's victory on Thursday at the Illinois State Fair. Scott Beal photo

BY KURT BECKER

SPRINGFIELD -- A pair of harness horses owned by residents of Effingham County captured championship finals at the 70th annual Illinois State Fair Colt Stakes on Thursday, with each victory paying $20,000 to the winning connections. 

Fox Valley Cairo, owned by a partnership which includes Dean Biggs of Altamont, led at every call and proved much the best in the $40,000 final for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings, winning by nearly four lengths in a time of 1:57 for the one-mile distance. Trained by co-owner Mike Brink and driven by Ridge Warren, Fox Valley Cairo won for the fourth time in seven starts. Dr. Robert Lacey of Nokomis also owns an interest in the gelding, who was dispatched by the public as the second betting choice at odds of 2-1. 

In the $40,000 two-year-old colt and gelding pace championship, Get E Up prevailed by a neck in 1:52 for trainer-driver Kyle Husted of Altamont after a prolonged stretch battle with odds-on favorite Fox Valley Ozzy. Co-owned by Husted, David Brigham (Litchfield, MI), and John Schwarz Jr. (Wood Dale, IL), Get E Up won for the third time in five starts. Spoken For, trained and driven by Effingham's Darla (Martin) Lohman for the Estate of Dean Debolt, finished fourth.

Lohman scored a win early in the day on the undercard with Aqua's Bud in a $5000 event for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings, rallying from mid-pack to triumph in 2:05.3 at odds of 7-1 for owners Larry Longnecker of Sumner and Lacy Longnecker-Motch of Bridgeport. Both Aqua's Bud and Spoken For had won on Tuesday at the Cumberland County Fair in the Illini Colt Stakes. 

The racing circuit moves next to the DuQuoin State Fair in southern Illinois, with post-time set for 7 p.m. on Friday, August 27, followed by a 12 (noon) start on Saturday, August 28. 

Get E Up and driver Kyle Husted are joined by well-wishers in the winner's circle at Springfield. Scott Beal photo