Illinois Standardbred Banquet awards Goomster Horse of the Year

Illinois harness racing’s top performers gathered in Springfield on Saturday night (Mar. 2) to celebrate the 2023 season. The banquet was organized by Tina Schrock, with trophies provided by the Illinois Harness Horseman’s Association and Kurt Becker serving as Master of Ceremonies.

The big award of the evening was given to Goomster (Cassis), who won 2023 Illinois Horse of the Year. Goomster is owned by Dennis Gardner, bred by Vern Miller, and trained by Dennis Gardner and Desirae Seekman.

“This means a lot to me,” Gardner says. “He’s my one-in-a-lifetime horse. I’ll never have another horse like him. He’s so consistent and so low maintenance. His breeder, Vern Miller, and trainer, Desirae, and I have all become great friends and we’re very proud to be here.”

The Flacco family also had a big night. Not only was their three-year-old trotter, Lou’s Private Eye (Lou’s Legacy) named a 2023 Illinois County Fair Champion, but Lou’s Legacy (Windsong’s Legacy) won Illinois Trotting Sire of the Year for the eighth year in a row.

“We’ve had Lou’s Legacy for about 10 years now,” Dr. Richard Flacco says. “Flacco Family Farms LLC does everything from breeding to training. We’re humbled and thrilled to be here tonight. Looking out into the crowd, it’s really impressive to see such diversity. It’s not just the wealthy anymore. It’s really a level playing field.”

Jamaica Patton and Jerome Daniels also took home quite a bit of hardware. Patton celebrated Deputy Dawg (World of Rocknroll), Illinois County Fair three-year old pacing colt of 2023, Hocuspocusnfocus (Dejarmbro), Illinois County Fair two-year-old trotting filly of 2023, and Party Of Two (Cassis), Illinois County Fair three-year old trotting colt of 2023, in addition to several colt association awards. Daniels celebrated Luling City (Dejarmbro), Illinois County Fair three-year old trotting filly of 2023 and TVS Kosmac (Strong Hope), Illinois County Fair two-year-old trotting colt of 2023, in addition to several colt association awards.

Owners, trainers, breeders, drivers, and fans at all levels of the sport enjoyed dinner, drinks, door prizes, and social time as they looked back on 2023.

Following is a list of the award winners:

Illinois Divisional Champions

2-Year-Old Filly Pace: Chickabell (Somestarsomewhere)

2-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Pace: Gorgeous Big Guy (Ashlees Big Guy)

3-Year-Old Filly Pace: Fox Valley Leah (Somestarsomewhere)

3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Pace: Fox Valley Landen (Somestarsomewhere)

4-Year-Old & Up Mare Pace: Scorecard Dandy (Sportsmaster)

4-Year-Old & Up Horse/Gelding Pace: He’zzz A Wise Sky (Yankee Skyscaper)

2-Year-Old Filly Trot: Whiskey Lou (Lous Legacy)

2-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Trot: Lous Private Eye (Lous Legacy)

3-Year-Old Filly Trot: Bell Boots (Lous Legacy)

3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Trot: Goomster (Cassis)

4-Year-Old & Up Mare Trot: Annas Lucky Star (Cassis)

4-Year-Old & Up Horse/Gelding Trot: On Higher Ground (Cassis)

Pacing Broodmare: Gimmeazzzmooch (Four Starzzz Shark)

Trotting Broodmare: Queen Jamie (Cant Be Jimmie)

Pacing Sire: Somestarsomewhere (Somebeachsomewhere)

Trotting Sire: Lous Legacy (Windsongs Legacy)

Based on their performance at the Illinois county fairs, the following horses received a colt association award:

Pacers

Sour Grapes (Revenge Shark)

I Understand (Hypnotic Blue Chip)

Rocket Party (Party At Artsplace)

Major Rosita (Major Bombay)

Foxman (Major Bombay)

Midnight Chrome (Somestarsomewhere)

Ms Miley (World Of Rocknroll)

Fillys Revenge (Revenge Shark)

Bapa’s Last Call (Fort Knox)

Vertical Speed (Stevensville)

Deputy Dawg (World Of Rocknroll)

Downtownleroybrown (Ashlees Big Guy)

Scrappycomingup (Somestarsomewhere)

Carli Bay (Major Bombay)

Counselor Em (Major Bombay)

South Gate Sally (Somestarsomewhere)

Jodi’s Big Boy (Duneside Perch)

Super Shark (Revenge Shark)

Rockonbigstar (Sagebrush)

Somestartsandi (Somestarsomewhere)

Big Flicka (Hypnotic Blue Chip)

Dash Around (Party At Artsplace)

Heavy Pressure (Real Desire)

Mr Nuttin Nice (Racing Hill)

Take Me Dancing (Tellitlikeitis)

Kandi’s Fortune (Ryan N Hanover))

Trident Born (Odds On Equuleus)

Trotters

Hocuspocusnfocus (Dejarmbro)

Bell Boots (Lous Legacy)

Fireballs Pride (Dejarmbro)

Luling City (Dejarmbro)

Judge Me Not (Cant Afford It)

GJ Lindagrit (Lous Tru Grit)

Party Of Two (Cassis)

TVS Kosmac (Strong Hope)

Dashing Durango (Danish Durango)

Justa Nother Bag (Pine Credit)

Yoders Gracey (Guccio)

Youain’tnofool (Dontcheatonmenow)

Shady Maple Isaac (Dontcheatonmenow)

Peekaboo Sal (Lous Legacy)

Fox Valley Jessie (Cant Afford It)

Hope’s Star (Strong Hope)

Ingo Bingo Bango (Yankee Valor)

YF Peanut (Lous Legacy)

Miss Josie (Dontcheatonmenow)

by Nicolle Kain, for Harnesslink