Published on July 25, 2025 8:39 am
Last Updated on July 25, 2025 8:39 am
BY MILLIE LANGE
ALTAMONT — Harness racing begins at the Effingham County Fair Sunday with a post time of noon.
There will be 11 heats of racing for the afternoon. The first seven races will be the Al & Mary Lea Jeffers Memorial Stakes races. The Jeffers Memorial sponsorship is by Adele Jeffers Everett in memory of Al and Mary Lea Jeffers. The Jeffers started with six Standardbred race horses and built a state and nationally recognized horse breeding farm in Flat Rock, IL noted for its fast trotters and pacers.
The other four races are open contests.
There will be a leading driver award, sponsored by Doug McCain’s Gourmet Barbecue Sauce, with the drivers earning points for their finishes and at the end of the week, the driving winner will be announced. There will also be a cash award for the leading trainer which is sponsored by Luke’s Bar and Grill. Each is figured on the basis of five points for a win, three points for a second-place finish, and one point for finishing third.
Also, there will be $50 and a plaque presented to the connections of the horse posting the fastest winning mile each day, sponsored by Circle L Walking Horses of Altamont.
The races will continue Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, each day with post time at noon.
Come enjoy the races along with giveaways during the event each day. Scott Beal and Kurt Becker will be hosting the giveaways along with Becker announcing the races.
If you can’t get to the horse races during the afternoons, listen on 979XFM Monday through Friday. Sunday’s races can be heard on KJ Country 102.3.
A Kentucky Derby Hat contest will be held Sunday under the grandstand. It’s open to women, men and children. Entries begin at 11:30 a.m. with a $5 entry fee for each category entered.
Effingham County Fair
Sunday Harness Races
Post time: Noon
Race 1
Al & Mary Lea Jeffers Memorial Stakes
2-Year-Old Filly Pace, First Division
Total Purse: $5,449
1. Captain Ruthie (Jacquavyian Carter), 2. Wanda Woman (no driver listed), 3. Dontmatter U Do U (Dennis Bankston), 4. Fox Valley Tamara (Casey Leonard), 5. Fox Valley Barbie (Wyatt Avenatti), 6. Jnm Virgin Star (Jordan Patton)
Race 2
Al & Mary Lea Jeffers Memorial Stakes
2-Year-Old Filly Pace, Second Division
Total Purse: $5,449
1. A True Trevor (Jacquavyian Carter), 2. Helly Rae (no driver listed), 3. Fox Valley Polaris (Archie Buford), 4. Super Sage (Wyatt Avenatti), 5. Valdeona (Archie Buford), 6. Variant (Jordan Patton)
Race 3
Al & Mary Lea Jeffers Memorial Stakes
2-Year-Old Filly Trot, First Division
Total Purse: $5,349
1. Gj’s Moxie Star (Darla Martin Lohman), 2. No Flies On Me (Archie Buford), 3. Daphne Durango (Casey Leonard), 4. Lil Kell (Travis Seekman), 5. Chrome’s Heather (Wyatt Avenatti)
Race 4
Al & Mary Lea Jeffers Memorial Stakes
2-Year-Old Filly Trot, Second Division
Total Purse: $5,349
1. Shady Maple Chick (Casey Leonard), 2. Easy Weezy (Jared Finn), 3. Broadway And Lou (Wyatt Avenatti), 4. Fox Valley Cassidy (Marcus Detweiler), 5. Do Better Dez (Travis Seekman), 6. Little Brindle (Matthew Avenatti)
Race 5
Al & Mary Lea Jeffers Memorial Stakes
2-Year-Old Colt Pace
Total Purse: $9,898
1. Illinigameday (Wyatt Avenatti), 2. Rock On Stevie (Aaron Martin), 3. Drill Baby Drill (Marcus Detweiler), 4. Captain Bettor (Jacquavyian Carter), 5. Incredible Stevie (Casey Leonard), 6. Blitz Package (Jacquavyian Carter), 7. Fox Valley Onassis (Wyatt Avenatti)
Race 6
Al & Mary Lea Jeffers Memorial Stakes
2-Year-Old Colt Trot, Division 1
Total Purse: $5,249
1. Lou’s Tru Lou (Issac Love), 2. Sonny Salem (Travis Seekman), 3. Lous Lottery (Casey Leonard), 4. Lous Transportor (Casey Leonard), 5. Class Comedian (Freddie Patton Jr.)
Race 7
Al & Mary Lea Jeffers Memorial Stakes
2-Year-Old Colt Trot, Second Division
Total Purse: $5,249
1. Here Comes Bob (Wyatt Avenatti), 2. Dooleyvillerephill (Harold Finn Jr.), 3. Go Go Go Chrome (Archie Buford), 4. Lous Mind Bender (Casey Leonard), 5. Tow Nater (Travis Seekman)
Race 8
Open Maiden Pace AE: ICF NW2
Total Purse: $1,580
1. Fox Valley Jo Jo (Marcus Detweiler), 2. Hidalgo Bernie (Harold Finn Jr.), 3. Runway Show (Cassidy Whitton), 4. Sleazylittledarlin (Wyatt Avenatti)
Race 9
Open Maiden Trot AE: ICF NW 2
Total Purse: $1,560
1. Hidalgo Otis (Harold Finn Jr.), 2. Illini Judy (Harold Finn Jr.), 3. Shady Maple Credit (Wyatt Avenatti)
Race 10
Open Colt & Gelding Pace
Total Purse: $1,580
1. Takara’s Fire (Issac Love), 2. Revelry (Cornelius Cavett), 3. Fun King (Wyatt Avenatti), 4. White Belly (Cassidy Whitton)
Race 11
Open Colt & Gelding Trot
Total Purse: $1,600
1. Canthaveme (Jared Finn), 2. Dooleyville Lou (Harold Finn Jr.), 3. Lous Diablo (Harold Finn Jr.), 4. Fox Valley Quest (Casey Leonard), 5. Saint Stephens (Jared Finn)