Whiskey Lou’s 2023 tops in her division honor gave trainer Curt Grummel three consecutive ICF 2-year-old-filly trot champions. (Terry Young photo) 

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA 

 It’s rare for a harness racing trainer to condition a division champion in back-to-back years however when Whiskey Lou was named the best in her division, it gave Illinois horseman Curt Grummel an even more unique accomplishment, his third consecutive ICF two-year-old filly trot titleholder.

 Whiskey Lou has followed in the hoof steps of the Grummel stable’s Funky Wiggle in 2021 and Marvelous Mystery in 2022. Is there a fourth straight division champion on the horizon coming out of the Grummel barn?

 “It’s way too early for that conversation,” answered Grummel with a laugh. “I do have a couple of youngsters that I like about ready to qualify though.”

 Meanwhile Whiskey Lou is off to a terrific start in her second season. She’s unbeaten with her new driver Casey Leonard in four starts and was particularly impressive winning a recent division of the Violet stake.

 “She was very strong in the Violet,” said Casey. who took over the driving chores this year on the home bred daughter of Lou’s Legacy, out of the Cantab Hall broodmare Whisk Hanover for owner and breeder Randy J. Wilt of Savannah, Missouri.

 Last year Casey drove the Grummel’s freshman Calypso Moon for the Grummel stable and did well with her, mostly competing in different divisions than her stable-mate Whiskey Lou, a full sister to 2022 Illinois Harness Horse of the Year Funky Wiggles, earning over $62,000 and winning 4 of 9 starts including a First Lady split at Du Quoin.

 Meanwhile Whiskey Lou raked in almost $94,000 and won a division of the Illinois State Fair Colt Stakes, raced at Hawthorne with Kyle Wilfong, a leg of the Fox Valley Flan, also with Wilfong, and division of the Violet with Grummel.

 With Wilfong committed to driver at Hoosier Park this summer, Grummel asked Leonard if he would like to drive Whiskey Lou year, saying “she’s the better of the two fillies.”

 “Coming from a trainer with Curt’s résumé with trotters, I replied: ‘Of course,’ said Casey. “I’ve since learned she’s a very easy filly to drive. She’s handy and she just keeps getting stronger out there.”

 “Every time I’ve asked Casey how the filly was after a race I get the same reply: “Absolutely perfect,’ said Curt.

 We asked Curt how Marvelous Mystery and Funky Wiggle are doing. Both missed significant portions of their 2023 season with health issues.

 “Marvelous Mystery was going to qualify Wednesday but the races got rained out,” said Curt.” She’s really sharp and is ready to go. ‘Funky’ has had some lameness problems but her legs are good now. She isn’t far off from qualifying.

 “I’m hoping they can both stay sound and are healthy when some of the bigger races come around later this summer and in the fall.”