Published on August 4, 2026 2:14 pm
Last Updated on August 4, 2026 2:19 pm
BY MILLIE LANGE
ALTAMONT — The first harness race of the day at the Effingham County Fair provided a disqualification while the second was a photo finish that had to have the judges decision.
But the third race took on even a bigger news flash as Harold Finn Jr., behind Never Forget Nan, earned his 100th career victory as a driver.
In the opener, Playonplayer moved into the lead before the half but went offstride and with an eighth of a mile to go got back in stride to come back for the victory.
But there was a steward’s inquiry on breaking stride and coming back without losing sufficient ground. The stewards ruled a disqualification and placed Playonplayer third. That made Lottie’s Webb with Stephan Halford II in the bike the winner in 2:00 2/5. Second went to Frontier Fantasy.
The second race saw the stewards having to render another decision. Fabulous moved into the lead with Anns Marina Delray in second. Wild Eyed Girl moved from third to second then Fabulous and Wild Eyed Girl battled for first. Turning into the homestretch, every lane on the turn was filled with all horses in contention.
Anns Marina Delray, with Cassidy Whitton in the bike, and Fabulous, driven by Archie Buford, ended in a photo finish and it was close enough, the stewards had to render a decision and that decision was Anns Marina Delray in 2:00 4/5 with Fabulous finishing second.
The third race of the day was a milestone for Harold Finn Jr. The Maiden Trot AE: Nonwinners $2,000 in 2026, Second Division saw Finn take his filly Never Forget Nan into the lead by two lengths at the half. Never Forget Nan, named after Finn’s grandmother, ended up taking the victory in 2:11 4/5.
The win was the 100th of Finn’s driving career.
In the fourth race, the second division of the Maiden Trot, there was another judges decision.
Also in the race was driver Ray Gash who will turn 91 on Saturday. He isn’t quite the oldest who has driven at the Effingham County Fair. Leo Burns drove to victory at the age of 94 and was still driving at the age of 95.
In the fourth race, the second division of the Maiden Trot, Bourbon N Stead led Dooleyville and ended of crossing the finish line for the win by 2 1/2 lengths with Bourbon N Stead second.
However, Harold Finn called a foul against Archie Buford and the judges ended up making another decision, this time disqualifying Buford and Bourbon N Stead. Finn and Dooleyville Lou, an Illinois bred horse, claimed the win in 2:04.
In the fifth race, the Nonwinners $3,500 Lifetime Pace, three horses went head-to-head.
Magicinmarch was the first out but Elsie’s Love moved ahead. Magicinmarch came fom the outside to regain the lead and ended up with the victory for driver Mike Cox in 2:02 3/5.
The sixth race, the Free For All Trot, was another wild race. Goomster, driven by JD Finn, went to the lead but did something abnormal. Goomster broke stride and Meme Queen moved into the lead.
But the $350,000 horse of the year, got back in contention and ended up taking the lead by a length and a half to finish with the victory in 2:01 1/5.
Goomster is now eight-for-eight in the win category on the county fair circuit.
The seventh race and final race of the day was the Open Colts & Geldings pace.
Lyle, driven by Archie Buford, went inside and led by a length and a half halfway home. Lyle and Picksixking ended up side by side and ended up in a photo finish.
Lyle was pointed out as the winner in 1:59 3/5. That was the fastest time of the day.
The leading driver at this point is Wyatt Avenatti with 41 points.
Racing continues Wednesday with seven more races on tap and a post time of noon.
Effingham County Fair
Harness Racing Results
Race One
Fillies & Mares Pace, First Division
1. Lottie’s Webb (Stephan Halford II, 2. Frontier Fantasy (Mike Cox), 3. Playonplayer (Archie Buford), 4. Rock Of Angels (Jordan Patton), 5. A Realfaith (Wyatt Avenatti)
Time — :30, :59 3/5, 1:30 2/5, 2:00 2/5.
Race Two
Fillies & Mares Pace, Second Division
1. Anns Marina Delray (Cassidy Whitton), 2. Fabulous (Archie Buford), 3. Wild Eyed Girl (Randall Finn), 4. Bingbingbing (Matthew Avenatti), 5. She’s Real (Jordan Patton)
Time — :30 4/5, 1:01, 1:32, 2:00 4/5.
Race Three
Maiden Trot AE: Nonwinners $2,000 in 2026, First Division
1. Never Forget Nan (Harold Finn Jr.), 2. Noble Prize (Douglas Graham), 3. Lilly Jane (JD Finn), 4. Frontier Duke (Aaron Martin)
Time — :34 2/5, 1:08, 1:41 3/5, 2:11 4/5.
Race Four
Maiden Trot AE: Nonwinners $2,000 In 2026, Second Division
1. Dooleyville Lou (Harold Finn Jr.), 2. Bourbon N Stead (Archie Buford), 3. Tvs Kosmac (Jerome Daniels), 4. Jenna’s Leagacy (Ray Gash)
Time — :30 4/5, 1:02 2/5, 1:34 2/5, 2:04.
Race Five
Nonwinners $3,500 Lifetime Pace
1. Magicinmarch (Mike Cox), 2. Elsie’s Love (Matthew Avenatti), 3. Fox Valley Lit (Wyatt Avenatti)
Time — :33 2/5, 1:02 4/5, 1:34, 2:02 3/5.
Race Six
Free For All Trot
1. Goomster (JD Finn), 2. Meme Queen (Wyatt Avenatti), 3. Modern Luxury (Clay Simpson), 4. Prince of Royals (Archie Buford)
Scratched — Tankmetodennyland.
Time — :30 1/5, :59 1/5, 1:30 2/5, 2:01 1/5.
Race Seven
Open Colts & Geldings Pace
1. Lyle (Archie Buford), 2. Picksixking (Freddie Patton Jr.), 3. Major Pete (Danarius Dortch), 4. Imalwaysclassy (Wyatt Avenatti)
Time — :30 2/5, :59 4/5, 1:30 2/5, 1:59 3/5.