Over Labor Day weekend, 70 yearlings grossed $793,000 and averaged $11,329 at the Land of Lincoln sale. At the Illini Classic, 147 yearlings collectively grossed $919,700, good for an average of $6,256.

by James Platz

More than 240 pacers and trotters were offered at a pair of Illinois sales over the Labor Day weekend. Buyers had their first opportunity to stock up for 2024 on Saturday, Sept. 2 at the Land of Lincoln sale, followed by the Illini Classic sale, conducted on Labor Day.

Somestarsomewhere colt Fox Valley Chuckle and Crazy Wow colt Shady Maple Bow topped the Land of Lincoln sale held at Walker Standardbred Farm, each fetching $40,000 bids.

Cassis filly GJ’s Ladyannabelle topped the Illini Classic, selling for $28,000.

With his first two crops already earning over $1.1 million cumulatively, offspring from Somebeachsomewhere son Somestarsomewhere were well received at the Land of Lincoln sale. Fox Valley Chuckle is out of Laughing Once More, sister to world champion and double millionaire One More Laugh. The colt, purchased by Brian Ogan, is a full-brother to Fox Valley Kia, a $140,000 winner with a 1:51.2 mark.

Closely following on the sales sheet was Fox Valley Jericho, sold for $38,000. The colt, purchased by Jim Hepp, is a full-brother to Fox Valley Steeler, who sports a 1:52.2 sophomore record. Fox Valley Groupie and Fox Valley Vitali each brought $24,000, purchased by Jim Ballinger and Benita Simmons. A group of 21 yearlings sired by Somestarsomewhere sold, averaging $13,881.

Curt Grummel signed the ticket on Shady Maple Bow, a trotter consigned by Freeman Mast. The son of Crazy Wow is from a 100 per cent producing mare, and the colt is a half-brother to Spicy Nugget, an eight-time winner in 2023 with over $120,000 in seasonal earnings. Grummel, serving as agent, also purchased Skyline Jewel for $19,000. The Lou’s Legacy filly, consigned by KEM Standardbreds, is a sister to $600,000 winner Swansea.

Another Lou’s Legacy filly, What A Legacy, brought $34,000, purchased by Mike Brink. Consigned by Oakwood Farms, the yearling is out of a sister to Breeders Crown champion Big Rigs. The second dam is O’Brien Award winner Filly At Bigs. Six Lou’s Legacy progeny passed through the sale ring selling for an average of $15,500,

A total of 70 yearlings were sold at the Sherman, IL sale for a gross of $793,000 and $11,329 average.

At the Illini Classic, 171 yearlings passed through the sale ring, with 147 selling on the day, grossing $919,700, good for an average of $6,256. Leading all yearlings, GJ’s Ladyannabelle was consigned by Glenn R. Jess. Purchased by All Wright Racing, the filly is the second foal from a Conway Hall mare that has produced freshman winner GJ’s Sunday Star.

Lou’s Legacy offspring occupied three of the next four slots on the sales sheet. Filly Addie Lou, a sibling to two six-figure earners, was hammered down for $24,000. Colts Handsome Lou and Twincedars Delayne brought $20,000 and $19,000, purchased by Brink and Kenny Collier, respectively.

Illini Treacherous, a filly from the first crop of Captain Trevor, led all pacers sold on Labor Day. A sister to millionaire Racine Bell, she was purchased by Doug Overhiser for $20,000. Nineteen yearlings sired by the son of Captaintreacherous sold for an average of $8,768.