SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - The Illinois State Fair continues with rides, music and food for families. Amid the fun are award-winning livestock.
Jamaica Patton and his horse, One Trip Chip, won their 1,000th career win on the Fairgrounds. Patton said racing started when he was a kid in Mississippi.
"My grandfather, I got into the horses, and I used to come to Illinois most of the summers and race, the county fairs and it just went from there," Patton said.
He started racing at county and state fairs in Illinois, eventually putting down roots in Sangamon County.
"I keep him here year-round. This is my stable. I stay here all year round, even when it's cold. I'm out here working," Patton said.
Patton said it is a labor of love, with early wake-ups and late nights of training and racing.
"Basically, we get up at six in the morning, and sometimes we don't return home to three or four in the morning. It just [we're] on the road all the time," Patton said.
His long days include cleaning stalls, feeding horses and putting in hours of training.
"It's something I love. You know what I'm saying. Let's make it a lot easier. Something I love doing every day," Patton said.
Last week, Patton hit a new career milestone, winning his 1,000th harness race.
"My youngest daughter, London, I think it meant more to her than me. But it was an awesome milestone just to reach a thousand," Patton said.
In addition to his family, Patton credits his business partners and the Fairgrounds family for his success.
"A lot of the other trainers, they contribute to my thousand wins. I just drove every stable out here on the fairgrounds, like there's a family out here, man. We [are] here every day, every morning, you know?" Patton said.
Fairgoers can watch Patton race Wednesday and Thursday at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.
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