Harness racing purses not as big, but weekend still a sweet ride for fans

Some spectators may require a gentle nudge to make certain they don't miss the horses as they drive down the stretch, but there'll be a lot of old-timers in the main grandstand tonight and the next two afternoons. And, there may be even some good stories about when the Hambletonian was the main attraction at the Du Quoin State Fair.

That, of course, has been many years ago as harness racing's main event -- many called it the Kentucky Derby of the sport -- returned to the east coast in 1981 after having been held at the Du Quoin Fair since 1957.

So the purses are smaller, but the winning times are better than ever. And, that's one thing that every fan -- old and young -- can enjoy as well as having the opportunity to bet on the winners.

Pari-mutuel betting, that's a feature at Du Quoin where former owner Bill Hayes brought it to town in 1975 . . . the same year the Hambletonian was switched to Saturday of the Labor Day weekend. Motorized racing was held the first weekend of the Fair and that's when Jack Buck, the most popular of all sports announcers, was in town as parade marshal.

However, that's old history and this is the 91st Du Quoin State Fair . . . the 28th under the State of Illinois ownership. Now bigger and better than ever and attracting more than 300,000 fans every year, even when the weatherman is uncooperative as he was a year ago, it's southern Illinois' most popular event.

Lightning McQueen -- a current auto rage -- has replaced Buck and others who followed him and there's another modern convenience that fans can't help but notice and enjoy.

It's today's computer version of the tote board.

Another local connection that Du Quoin and area fans will be able to appreciate tonight in the first of three harness racing sessions is Freddie Patton, Jr., who trains at the fairgrounds during the winter and early spring months, will be driving in two races tonight.

Patton's first appearance on the track will be in the third race when he'll be driving Sherrys Band, the third choice of the experts and an early 5-1 entry.

Patton will also be in the seventh race driving Bands Giant Star and hoping to continue his winning streak while competing on southern Illinois tracks.

Much earlier this year Patton piloted five winners at the Perry County fair and last Saturday had four winners at Anna.

His most successful pacer this season, however, Tower Power, is not scheduled to compete until Sunday afternoon. He'll be in the third race hoping to improve on his record of 13 wins in 17 starts.

All three sessions of harness racing have free admission.