Published on August 1, 2025 2:49 pm
Last Updated on August 1, 2025 2:49 pm
BY MILLIE LANGE
ALTAMONT — Major Statement, White Belly and R Nado produced some excitement as harness racing came to a close Friday at the Effingham County Fair.
Hey Freaky stepped out to the early lead in the Open Nonwinners 2 Pace AE: ICF Nonwinners 3. Hey Freaky led by three lengths over Major Statement in a fast opening quarter of 29 seconds and a fast first half in :58 1/5.
But Major Statement decided to move ahead and led by three lengths at the three quarter mile with Hey Freaky dropping into third. Valley Sage then made a run on the outside down the homestretch and Major Statement held on to win by a nose in 2:04 1/5.
Major Statement and Valley Sage were both trained by Darla Martin Lohman. Her nephew Aaron Martin drove Major Statement to the win while her husband Dave Lohman finished second in the bike.
Darla Martin Lohman claimed the training award this year at the fair as her horses produced multiple wins.
It was the third race of the week at the fair for Major Statement who finished third, then second and won.
In the seventh race, the Open Colt/Gelding Pace, Cassidy Whitton took White Belly out to the lead and zipped around the racetrack, finishing first in the fastest mile of the day at 1:58 2/5.
Whitton also owns and trains White Belly who won earlier in the week. White Belly has had 11 starts finishing first, second or third six times in those starts.
The Maiden Colt Pace AE: Nonwinners $2,500 in 2025, Second Division was claimed by R Nado and driver Matthew Avenatti.
The duo led at the grandstand with Dandy’s Storm sitting right behind. But R Nado put on a final push and won easily by eight lengths in 1:58 3/5. R Nado is trained by Ray Hanna in Altamont at the Effingham County Fairgrounds. The time was 1:58 3/5, only one fifth off the fastest time of the day.
In the opening race of the day, the 2-Year-Old Open Pace, Ms Grantwentyfive was the winner. Ms Granttwentyfive dropped along the rail to lead by four lengths at the start of the race. Odds On Anaconda moved within a half length but Miss Granttwentyfive captured the victory in 2:03 3/5. Damarius Wakefield was the driver and is the trainer.
The Maiden FiIly Pace AE: Nonwinners $2,500 In 2025, First Division went to Carli Bay. Carli Bay showed the way around the first turn and the horses were all single file. Triple Revenge made a move at the half mile mark and took the lead.
The two were separated by a head and then were side-by-side in the second race of the card. Carli Bay and Triple Revenge traded leads at least three times before Qhy’Jaivyian Carter moved the filly into the lead for good in 2:05 2/5. Jacob Roedl of Edgewood owns and trains Carli Bay.
A Real Faith won the fourth race, the Open Maiden Pace AE: ICF Nonwinners 2. Annie Annie Annie took the opening lead but a Realfaith moved ahead and the five horses were in line in single file on the rail.
A Realfaith moved ahead on the backstretch and Midnight Practice attempted to make a move. But A Realfaith stayed ahead by three lengths coming towards home and won easily in 2:02.0.
Matthew Avenatti earned the driving win while Douglas Graham is the trainer.
Race five went to Frontier Duke. Loyz Hank Jr. moved into the early lead but went on a break. Frontier Duke then slipped into the top spot and led by two at the three quarter mark. Blazin Star swung to the outside and it came down to the wire in a battle with Frontier Duke pulling out a first career victory for driver and trainer Michael Rogers. Rogers is a former Effingham County Fair driving champion.
The duo claimed the win in 2:15 2/5 in the open Maiden Trot.
The final race of the day was the Amateur Driving Race with three entries. Adalecia with driver Walter Holmes III took the early lead with Revelry in second separated by a length. The pair were side-by-side when Adalecia moved back in front and won in 2:01 2/5.
Revelry finished second for Jackson Loy of Beecher City who also owns Revelry. Qhy’Jaivyian Cater finished third behind Rk’s Toni.
Effingham County Fair
Race One
2-Year-Old Open Pace
Total Purse: $1,600
1. Ms Granttwentyfive (Demarius Wakefield), 2. Odds On Anaconda (Matthew Avenatti), 3. Restless Angel (Issac Love), 4. Cinnamunch (Kelcey Perymond), 5. Dreamer Mooss (Cassidy Whitton)
Time — :32 4/5, 1:03 1/5, 1:34 2/5, 2:03 3/5.
Race Two
Maiden Filly Pace AE: Nonwinners $2,500 In 2025, First Division
Total Purse: $1,225
1. Carli Bay (Qhy’Jaivyian Carter), 2. Triple Revenge (Kelcey Perymond), 3. Lavender Haze (Issac Love), 4. Cousin Karen (Matt Avenatti)
Scratched — Brooke’s Ocean.
Time — :35, 1:05 4/5, 2:05 2/5.
Race Three
Maiden Colt Pace AE: Nonwinners $2,500 in 2025, Second Division
Total Purse: $1,225
1. R Nado (Matthew Avenatti), 2. Smooth N Creamy (Cornelius Cavett), 3. Takara’s Fire (Issac Love), 4. Dandy’s Storm (Jordan Patton), 5. Stellar Bb (Qhy’Jaivyian Carter)
Time — :48 4/5, :57, 1:28 1/5, 1:58 3/5.
Race Four
Open Maiden Pace Ae: ICF Nonwinners 2
Total Purse: $1,620
1. A Realfaith (Matthew Avenatti), 2. Midnight Practice (Kelcey Perymond), 3. Annie Annie Annie (Issac Love), 4. Janetta Sue (Michael Johnson), 5. Rock N Roll Playa (Qhy’Jaivyian Carter)
Scratched — Loyz Outlaw Woman.
Time — :31 2/5, 1:01 2/5, 1:33 1/5, 2:02.
Race Five
Open Maiden Trot AE: ICF Nonwinners 2
Total Purse: $1,560
1. Frontier Duke (Michael Rogers), 2. Blazing Star (Qhy’Jaivyian Carter), 3. Loyz Hank Jr. (Walter Holmes
Time — : 36 1/5, 1:10 1/5, 1:45, 2:15 2/5.
Race Six
Open Nonwinner 2 Pace AE: ICF Nonwinners 3
Total Purse: $1,580
1. Major Statement (Aaron Martin), 2. Valley Sage (Dave Lohman), 3. Yf Treva (Jordan Patton), 4. Hey Freaky (Tyler Clemmons)
Time — :29, :58 1/5, 1:32 4/5, 2:04 1/5.
Race Seven
Open Colt/Gelding Pace
Total Purse: $1,600
1. White Belly (Cassidy Whitton), 2. Managainstcrime (Qhy’Jaivyian Carter), 3. the Hulkster (Damarius Wakefield), 4. Rockonbigstar (Tyler Stevens-Clemons)
Scratched — Josie Rocksmyworld.
Time — : 31 1/5, :59 2/5, 1:30 1/5, 1:58 2/5.
Race Eight
Amateur Driving Race
Total Purse: $560
1. Adalecia (Walter Holmes III), 2. Revelry (Jackson Loy), 3. Rk’s Toni (Qhy’Jaivyian Carter)
Time — :33 4/5, 1:02 1/5, 1:32 2/5, 2:01 2/5.