LUDINGTON, Mich. — After track conditions and weather forced multiple postponements of the Great Lakes Stakes, the 2024 Michigan fair harness racing circuit came to a close Thursday (Sept. 26) when the Great Lakes Stakes highlighted a 22-race marathon card at the Western Michigan Fair, in Ludington, Mich.
Art McIlmurray took top honors in the Great Lakes Stakes portion of the card, driving four stakes winners — two of them from his own barn.
Mr Pnut, trained and driven by McIlmurray, rallied to a 2:06.1 win in the $20,000 Great Lakes for 3-year-old male pacers. The Manhardt gelding enjoyed a pocket trip behind Kourageous Key, wedged off the pegs turning for home, and drew away in the final sixteenth to win by 2-1/2 lengths over the ground-saving Seeyalaterbye. He now has won two of his last three starts for owner Staci Malady, including the Sept. 3 Michigan-Sired Championship.
McIlmurray also trained and drove Smashin'classy to a 2:15.3 win in a $10,100 division of the 3-year-old filly trot for owner Ryan Morefield. His other driving wins came with Ruth Langmore (2:11), in a $10,200 rookie filly trot for trainer Kevin St. Charles, and Solidasabrickhouse (2:08.1), who edged Michigan champion Forever A Flirt in a $10,150 sophomore filly pace for trainer Krista Harmon.
After delivering devastating drubbings to 3-year-old male trotters all season long, Guns A Brazen and trainer-driver Raymond Kinney went out with a bang at Ludington, vacating the pocket with five-eighths to go, overtaking Inkadabra Abe at race's midpoint, and winning a $10,150 Great Lakes split by more than 15 lengths in 2:07.2, the fastest trotting mile of the day. The Brazen gelding won nine of 11 starts this summer for Sandra Kinney and Chad and Jared Kreeger.
The fastest pacing mile of the day went to Bunkerhill Lil, who sat the golden chair behind Mother Mary before lifting in the stretch to prevail by a long neck in 2:05.2. Charles Taylor drove the Vlos filly for trainer Jeff Novak and owner-breeder Gene Miller.
To watch all 22 races from Ludington, visit the Michigan Harness Horsemen's Association YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9J9zEYAnI4.
