Fresh Fan Club's Mister Wins Woodchopper

Patricia Miessler and Cliff Raber's homebred Fan Club's Mister returned from a three-month layoff to win the $100,000 Woodchopper Handicap at Fair Grounds Saturday. Under Craig Perret, Fan's Club Mister completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.09 on firm turf.

Under high weight of 120 pounds, Fan Club's Mister seized the early lead after breaking from the extreme outside (post 12), quashed a bid by Even the Score in the stretch, and held off the late closing kick of Mystery Giver to eke out a half-length win.

Illinois-bred Fan Club's Mister (Mr. Greeley--Exciting Fandance, by Lear Fan) won the 1 3/16-mile American Derby (gr. IIT) on soft turf at Arlington Park in July, then finished off the board in the Secretariat Stakes (gr. IT) before missing by a nose in an overnight handicap in September. Fan Club's Mister earned $60,000 for Saturday's win, his fifth in 14 career starts. Rickey B. Harris trains him.

The 7-2 morning-line favorite, Fan Club's Mister was sent off at just over 6-1 and returned $14.20 for the win. Mystery Giver completed the $142 exacta.