Published on July 17, 2025 10:13 am
Last Updated on July 17, 2025 10:15 am
PETERSBURG — Area harness drivers, trainers and owners had horses competing at the Menard County Fair Wednesday.
The races brought out seasoned drivers along with a driver picking up the first victory of his career.
Wyatt Avenatti guided four horses to wins while Brandon Lyles claimed his first victory as a driver and trainer.
Avenatti opened with a win in the ISA 2-Year-Old Filly Pace, Second Division. Behind Fox Valley Barbie, Avenatti won with a time of 2:01.4. Kevin Miller trained Fox Valley Barbie and owns the horse along with Bart Seales and Penny White.
Avenatti took the next race, the ISA 2-Year-Old Colt Pace behind Illinigameday. The duo won in 2:06.2 for trainer Kevin Miller. K. Miller and Andrew Miller own Illinigameday.
Avenatti then made it three in a row behind Shady Maple Caddy in the ISA 2-Year-Old Trot. Wyatt guided Shady Maple Caddy to the victory in 2:11.0. David Avenatti trained Shady Maple Caddy.
Then Avenatti skipped a race before taking the win in Race 6 behind Fox Valley Lava. The pair won in 2:03.0 in the ISA 3-Year-Old Filly Pace, Second Division.
Brandon Lyles was a first time winner in his career as both a trainer and driver behind Bruiser Cruiser in the 2 & 3-Year-Old Open Pace. The pair won in 2:04.0.
Jacquavyian Carter picked up a victory with Captain Ruthie in the 2-Year-Old Filly Pace, First Division. The pair won in 2:09.0. Roshun Trigg is the owner/trainer along with Michael Summers.
The fifth race, the 3-year-Old Filly Pace, First Division was won by Fox Valley Millie. Jordan Patton guided the filly to the win in 2:01.3.
Patton was also a winner in the 3-Year-Old Trot. He drove Toughestofthetough to the win in 2:04.2 for trainer Alexander Cante.
The 3-Year-Old Colt Pace went to I’ll Decide in 1:59.2. Connor Prather drove the colt to the win for trainer Nick Prather.
The final race of the day, the IHHA 3-Year-Old & Up Trot, was claimed by Tvs Kosmac. Jerome Daniels, the owner, trainer and driver, took Tys Kosmac to the win in 2:03.3. David Williams also is an owner.
Menard County Fair
Race One
ISA 2-Year-Old Filly Pace, First Division
Total Purse: $1,576
1. Captain Ruthie (Jacquavyian Carter), 2. Ms Granttwentyfive (Demarius Wakefield), 3. Blue Band Express (Mike Cox), 4. Montana Big Sky (Issac Love)
Time — :33, 1:07, 1:38, 2:09.
Race Two
ISA 2-Year-Old Filly Pace, Second Division
Total Purse: $1,576
1. Fox Valley Barbie (Wyatt Avenatti), 2. Fox Valley Polaris (Jamaica Patton), 3. Jnm Virgin Star (Jordan Patton)
Scratched — April Sunlight Ivg
Time — :30, 1;00 4/5, 1:30 2/5, 2:01 4/5.
Race Three
ISA 2-Year-Old Colt Pace
Total Purse: $2,964
1. Illinigameday (Wyatt Avenatti), 2. Fox Valley Endzone (Cornelius Cavett), Mark’s Razor Shark (Jordan Patton), 4. Gothic Thunder (Connor Prather), 5. Bing Bang Boom (Cole Prather), 6. Blitz Package (Jacquavyian Carter)
Scratched — Private Pepper.
Time — :32, 1:05, 1:36, 2:06 2/5.
Race Four
ISA 2-Year-Old Trot
Total Purse: $5,147
1. Shady Maple Caddy (Wyatt Avenatti), 2. Class Comedian (Freddie Patton Jr.), 3. Lil Too Pricey (Jamaica Patton), 4. Tvs Tia Wind (Jerome Daniels)
Scratched — Enchanting Chrome.
Time — :34 2/5, 1:07, 1:39 4/5, 2:11.
Race Five
ISA 3-Year-Old Filly Pace, First Division
Total Purse: $1,480
1. Fox Valley Millie (Jordan Patton), 2. Frontier Fantasy (Mike Cox), 3. Lottie’s Webb (Wyatt Avenatti), 4. Diane Ll Dream (Cole Prather)
Time — :30, 1:01 1/5, 1:30 3/5, 2:01 3/5.
Race Six
ISA 3-Year-Old Filly Pace, Second Division
Total Purse: $1,480
1. Fox Valley Lava (Wyatt Avenatti), 2. Miss Tootie (Connor Prather), 3. Lillee Bella (Jordan Patton), 4. Some Red Hot Star (Brendan Potts)
Time — :30 4/5, 1:03, 1:33 4/5, 2:03.
Race Seven
ISA 3-Year-Old Colt Pace
Total Purse: $2,834
1. I’ll Decide (Connor Prather), 2. Tonto Returns (Cornelius Cavett), 3. He’sadarkshark (Wyatt Avenatti), 4. Jim’s Big Boy (Jamaica Patton), 5. That’s The Star (Mike Cox), 6. Its Maj Carlbombay (Jacquavyian Carter)
Time — :29, 1:00 3/5, 1:30, 1:59 2/5.
Race Eight
ISA 3-Year-Old Trot
Total Purse; $4,696
1. Toughestofthetough (Jordan Patton), 2. Classy Little Lady (Freddie Patton Jr.), 3. Winning T-Bone (Jamaica Patton), 4. Tus Tiaton (Jerome Daniels), 5. Ej Tropical Ranger (Cornelius Cavett)
Time — :30, 1:02 3/5, 1:33, 2:04 2/5.
Race Nine
2 & 3 Year-Old Open Pace
Total Purse: $1,000
1. Bruiser Cruiser (Brandon Lyles), 2. Cinnamunch (Mike Cox), 3. Capt Treat (Cornelius Cavett), 4. Rk’s Farri Cheryl (Ohy’Jaivyian Carter), Tj’s Pilot (Jacquavyian Carter)
Time — :31 2/5, 1:05, 1:34 3/5, 2:04.
Race 10
IHHA 3-Year-Old & Up Trot
Total Purse: $3,250
1. Tvs Kosmac (Jerome Daniels), 2. Lulling City (Cornelius Cavett), 3. Fox Valley Jessie (Walter Holmes III), 4. Highclassvegasbunny (Jamaica Patton)
Time — :29 4/5 1:00 4/5, 1:31 3/4, 2:03 3/5.