Horse Racing Hall of Fame

Claude Lorance, who farmed and established Riverview Stables near Laura in Peoria County, began his racing career when he plunked down a few thousand dollars to purchase a 2-year-old pacer, Miss Elktide. The horse had a history of breaking stride in a race, but Claude, climbing in a sulky for the first time at age 55, cured this problem, and drove Miss Elktide at age 3 to earnings of $126,000.

There have been many other outstanding standardbreds developed and raced by Claude and his family.

Never Still, a trotter, went 1:59.4 and earned $248,000. Never Dance was a bit faster at 1:58.2 and brought home $78,000. Jane Dancer, a pacer with 1:56.3 speed, won $177,807 and Elktide, a 2:01 trotter who won 19 out of 22 starts as a 2-year-old, earned $126,000.

Over the years Claude's horses set eight world records, beginning with one for Miss Elktide, who won 21 out of 23 races, along with a flock of other marks. Never Still, for instance, broke eight track records in 10 starts as a 3-year-old.

During a long driving career, Claude posted 196 wins in 1,078 starts with 144 second place finishes and 118 thirds. He had earned $639,023 in total purses.