Only One Thoroughbred Race Contested at Fair

ALTAMONT -- It was a slow start to the thoroughbred racing Friday at the Effingham County Fair. The search for jockeys ended with only one throughbred race being contested. The Western Open Races were pushed to the forefront.

New this year, the Western Open Races were for ages 10-13, 14-16 and ages 17 and up. In the opening race, Pepper, ridden by Lilly Jansen of Dieterich, captured the win in 12.6 seconds.

The next race went to American Honey, ridden by Isabelle Miller of Mode. The pair went the distance in 11.3 seconds.

The final Western Open race was captured by Beduino Ace, ridden by Dominique Erickson of Stewardson. Beduino Ace won in 11 seconds flat.

The three first place finishers then came back to face each other. Beduino Ace won with a time of 11.5 seconds for Erickson.

The Illinois Quarter Horse 220 yards race was the only originally programed throughbred race to be contested. Three horses came to the gate. Bidoshine, ridden by Dyman Sobsaikitch, came through with the victory in 10.3 seconds.

Wings of Moma Prayers, with Tate Duty aboard, finished second and Bidoslaze, ridden by Tom Goostrede, took third.