Published on July 31, 2025 2:32 pm
Last Updated on August 1, 2025 12:01 pm
By MILLIE LANGE
ALTAMONT — It was a six race card at the Effingham County Fair harness racing Thursday with some interesting twists.
In the first race of the day, the Open Maiden Trot AE: ICF Nonwinners 2, Fox Valley Luger was the first out of the gate for driver Cornelius Cavett. Fox Valley Luger had competed on Monday at the Effingham County Fair and finished dead last. But this time around was different.
Fox Valley Luger had a three length lead over Jann’s Legacy then had a four length lead at the final turn towards the finish line. Fox Valley Lugar then put on the speed to end with a seven-length victory in 2:12 1/5.
That victory pushed Cavett into second place in the driver’s standings.
The Nonwinners $1,000 Lifetime AE: 2-Year-Old Nonwinners 2 Races went to Gj’s Moxie Star. The race start was slowed before the start when Lous Guardian needed equipment repair. But that was quickly over and the four horses headed to the starting gate.
Illini Judy went far outside and cleared the traffic to lead by 1 1/2 lengths. Gj’s Moxie Star closed in on the leader and challenged on the outside. Gj’s Moxie ended up with the victory in 2:16 3/5. for driver and trainer Darla Martin Lohman. That moved her within five of David Avenatti who was leading in the trainer’s standings.
It was then Cassidy Whitton’s turn as the women drivers were back-to-back winners. Whitton guided Runway Show into a six length lead. Some Red Hot Star pulled within three lengths at the half. But Runway Show went on a tear, racing out to a seventh length lead at the three quarter mile mark and slammed the door with a 15 length lead.
Runway Show then finished with the win in 2:03 4/5, leading by a dozen lengths for the fastest mile of the day. Whitton had won behind this filly Sunday afternoon by 17 1/2 lengths.
Whitton is not only the driver and trainer but also the breeder and owner of Runway Show.
The next race, the Open Maiden Pace AE: ICF Nonwinners 2 had an exciting end. Hickory Nut was the early leader, ahead by 1 1/2 lengths after the quarter.
Its Maj Carlbombay then challenged and the pair were side-by-side. Its Maj Carlbombay pulled out the victory for his first career win after going 0-for-25. Driven by Ohy’Jaivyian Carter, Its Maj Carlbombay won for trainer and owner Jacob Roedl of Edgewood.
Maj Carlbombay was bred by Fair Meadow Farm and was named as a tribute to the late Carl Becker who owned Fair Meadow, was a race announcer for many years and is the father of race announcer Kurt Becker.
Race Five, the Maiden Trot AE: Non-winners of $1,500 in 2025 went to Fox Valley Quest.
Fox Valley Quest took a three length lead at the start after Lous Madison broke stride. Fox Valley Quest had a win on Sunday and a fourth place finish Tuesday at the Effingham County Fair.
Wyatt Avenatti drove For Valley Quest to the victory in 2:04 4/5. Avenatti pulled into the front of the crowd and was then given the Driver’s Award for the most points on the week after garnering an insurmountable lead.
In the final race, the Filly & Mare Pace, Anns Marina Delray took the early lead. She had competed in the fair Monday but broke stride. Mattie Shark made an effort to challenge the leader for owner, trainer and driver Jacob Roedl but couldn’t overcome Anns Marina Delray’s lead.
Cassidy Whitton, who owns, trains and drives Anns Marina Delray, took her horse to the victory in 2:05 1/5, running the last quarter in 28.1. Anns Marina Delray won for the 10th time in her career.
Racing finishes out Friday with eight heats and a post time of noon.
Effingham County Fair
Race One
Open Maiden Trot AE: ICF Nonwinners 2
Total Purse: $1,560
1. Fox Valley Luger (Cornelius Cavett), 2. Jenna’s Legacy (Ray Gash), 3. Moon Face Boy (Dennis Bankston)
Time — :36 2/5, 1:09 1/5, 1:42 45, 2:12 1/5.
Race Two
Nonwinners $1,000 Lifetime AE: 2-Year-Old Nonwinners 2 Races
Total Purse: $1,580
1. Gj’s Moxie Star (Darla Martin Lohman), 2. Illini Judy (Harold Finn Jr.), 3. Lous Venom (Jacquavyian Carter), 4. Lous Guardian (Qhy’Jaivyian Carter)
Time — :37 3/5, 1:11 2/5, 1:46 2/5, 2:16 3/5.
Race Three
Nonwinners $1,000 Lifetime Pace AE: 2-Year-Old Nonwinners 2 Races
Total Purse: $1,600
1. Runway Show (Cassidy Whitton), 2. Illini Fort Kaykay (Jacquavyian Carter), 3. Some Red Hot Star (Brendan Potts), 4. Loyz Outlaw Woman (Qhy’Jaivyian Carter)
Scratched — Wanda Woman.
Time — :32 3/5, 1:03 2/5, 1:34 4/5, 2:03 4/5.
Race Four
Open Maiden Pace AE: ICF Nonwinners 2
Total Purse: $1,580
1. Its Maj Carlbombay (Qhy’Jaivyian Carter), 2. Hickory Nut (Cornelius Cavett), 3. Helly Rae (Matthew Avenatti), 4. It’s Monkey Do (Jacob Roedl)
Time — :35 1/5, 1:08, 1:40 3/5, 2:09 1/5.
Race Five
Maiden Trot AE: Nonwinners of $1,500 in 2025
Total Purse: $1,600
1. Fox Valley Quest (Wyatt Avenatti), 2. Noble Prize (Matthew Avenatti), 3. Fox Valley Victor (Freddie Patton Jr.), Lous Madison (Jacquavyian Carter)
Scratched — Frontier Duke.
Time — :32 2/5, 1:03 1/5, 1:34 4/5, 2:04 4/5.
Race Six
Filly & Mare Pace
Total Purse: $1,580
1. Anns Marina Delray (Cassidy Whitton), 2. Mattie Shark (Jacob Roedl), 3. Seaside Streaker (Qhy’Jaivyian Carter), 4. Captain Sweetness (Dennis Bankston)
Time –– :33 1/5, 1:04 1/5, 1:36 2/5, 2:05 1/5.
FRIDAY’S RACES
Race One
3-Year-Old Open Pace
Total Purse: $1,600
1. Ms Granttwentyfive (Demarius Wakefield), 2. Cinnamunch (Jamaica Patton), 3. Restless Angel (Issac Love), 4. Dreamer Mooss (Cassidy Whitton), 5. Odds On Anaconda (Matthew Avenatti)
Race Two
Maiden Filly Pace AE: Nonwinners $2,500 In 2025, First Division
Total Purse: $1,225
1. Cousin Karen (no driver listed), 2. Lavender Haze (no driver listed), 3. Brooke’s Ocean (Raymond Morgan), 4. Carli Bay (Qhy’jaivyian Carter), 5. Triple Revenge (Kelcey Perymond)
Race Three
Maiden Colt Pace AE: Nonwinners $2,500 in 2025, 2nd Division
Total Purse: $1,225
1. Takara’s Fire (Issac Love), 2. Smooth N Creamy (Freddie Patton Jr.), 3. Stellar Bb (Qhy’Jaivyian Carter), 4. Dandy’s Storm (Issac Love), 5. R Nado (Matthew Avenatti)
Race Four
Open Maiden Pace AE: ICF Nonwinners 2
Total Purse: $1,620
1. Janetta Sue (Michael Johnson), 2. Midnight Practice (Kelcey Perymond), 3. Loyz Outlaw Woman (Michael Rogers), 4. Annie Annie Annie (Jacquavyian Carter), 5. A Realfaith (Matthew Avenatti), 6. Rock N Roll Playa (Jacquavyian Carter)
Race Five
Open Maiden Trot ICF Nonwinners 2
Total Purse: $1,560
1. Frontier Duke (Michael Rogers), 2. Blazing Star (Jacquavyian Carter), 3. Loyz Hank Jr. (Qhy’Jaivyian Carter)
Race Six
Open Nonwinners 2 Pace AE: ICF Nonwinners 3
Total Purse: $1,580
1. Yf Treva (Jordan Patton), 2. Major Statement (Aaron Martin), 3. Valley Sage (Aaron Martin)
Race Seven
Open Colt/Gelding Pace
Total Purse: $1,600
1. The Hulkster (Michael Rogers), 2. White Belly (Cassidy Whitton), 3. Rockonbigstar (Tyler Stevens-Clemons), 4. Managainstcrime (Qhy’Jaivyian Carter), 5. Josie Rocksmyworld (Raymond Morgan)
Race Eight
Amateur Driving Race
Total Purse: $560
1. Rk’s Toni (Barry Bell), 2. Adalecia (Walter Holmes III), 3. Revelry (Jackson Loy)