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StalLOIN “smacks” competition during opening weekend of Triple PIG Crown

FitBACONBit star sweeps takes 5 of 6 races, favorite heading into PIGtucky Derby

Sylvester StalLOIN came into weekend one of the Triple PIG Crown series and qualifying rounds for as a relative underHOG. But he’ll enter weekend two as the odds-on favorite to capture the PIGtucky Derby — first leg of the TPC (presented by Wally’s White River Drive In) after winning 5 of 6 qualifying races amongst his FitBACONBit teammates. StalLOIN, known as lil’ smoky for his tiny build, dominated his fellow Westside Pizza-sponsored teammates by sweeping all three qualifying races on Saturday and two of three on Sunday. He secured one of the four slots for this weekend’s PIGtucky Derby.

“StailLOIN showed that you don’t have to be the biggest, bulkiest boar in these battles,” said longtime race announcer Dennis “PIG Whisperer” Riley. “If your savvy and smart with a big heart, it goes a long way! Lil smokey was just that this weekend.”

ConHAM O’Brien of the ComediHAMS (sponsored by Blazing Bagels) won 4 of 6 qualifying races to also secure a slot in the Derby. Two other slots will be filled following the noon qualifying race this Saturday, and three thoroughHOGS are vying for those two slots – donald PLUMP (3 wins) and HAMala Harris (2 wins) of the PIG Politicians sponsored by Honeycomb Raw Honey and dave ChapPORK (2 wins) of the ComediHAMS. A PLUMP victory will ensure him a slot. But a HAMala victory and a ChapPORK victory will put them in the Derby and PLUMP out of the Derby.

“It’ll be the biggest, most amazing race anyone has ever seen,” PLUMP told reporters at a post-race press conference Sunday afternoon. “And, of course, I will be the most fastest and amazing amongst my running mates. It’ll for sure be a ratings bonanza.”

The 18th running of the PIGtucky Derby will begin at 2 pm at PIGlico Downs on the grounds of Maris Farms.

“Should be one helluva Derby on Saturday afternoon,” said race coordinator Steve HOGfather Templeman. “StalLOIN and ConHAM are obviously the ‘top hogs’ heading into this first leg of the TPC, but anything can happen when you mix the best racing hogs…it gets pretty damn crazy and competitive!”

Training for the 5-weekend TPC series held all of October started in mid-September for these young thoroughHOGS, and they’re still trying to get into some semblance of race-shape. They’ve also looked a bit hog-tied racing in front of large crowds for the first time in their young racing careers.

Farm visitors who happen upon the weekend races can place bets on the hog(s) they believe will win during qualifying or marquee races, and 100% of those “bets” are donated to local nonprofit, Celebrate HARVEST, whose mission it is to preserve family farms by inspiring and financially supporting present-day farmers and future experiential farmers. Fans will be amused and entertained by these local celebrity-named pigs – which feature many of the local, national and world-renowned fitness stars, business icons and comedians you’ve come to love over the years!

Last weekend, a total of $133 was raised for Celebrate HARVEST. A total of 158 “bets” were placed and donald PLUMP (Honeycomb Raw Honey) had the most bets placed on him with 30. Second most bets went to HAMala Harris (Honeycomb Raw Honey) and third most was Arnold SchwartzenHOGger (Westside Pizza) with 20.

2024 TPC SERIES RESULTS WINS SEASON POINTS BETS
PIG Politicians presented by Honeycomb Raw Honey  
#1 Donald PLUMP 3 3 30
#2 HAMala Harris 2 2 28
#3 BOARak Obama 1 1 20
Late Night Talking Head HOGSogs presented by BLAZING BAGELS  
#4 conHAM O’Brien 4 4 12
#5 Dave ChapPORK 2 2 18
#6 Michael BerPIGlia 0 0 11
FitBaconBits presented by WESTSIDE PIZZA
#7 Sylvester StalLOIN 5 5 8
#8 Richard SOWmmons 0 0 9
#9 Arnold SchwartzenHOGger 1 1 22

Thank you to our title sponsor Wally’s White River Drive In, team sponsors Honeycomb Raw Honey, Blazing Bagels and Westside Pizza as well major race supporters Washington Athletic Club, Salish Lodge, Glow Martini Lounge, Skulpt (wood carving) and Gillihan Farms (supplier of racing hogs).

It’s all PLUMP all weekend long!

Honeycomb Raw Honey star sweeps all 6 of his races including the PIGtucky Derby

There wasn’t even a doubt in his mind what the result would be on Saturday afternoon at PIGlico Downs at Maris Farms. Donald PLUMP, of the Honeycomb Raw Honey sponsored Political Pigs team, captured the first leg of the Triple PIG Crown series (presented by Wally’s White River Drive In) by less than a pig nose over second place Blazing Bagels sponsored Dave ChapPORK of the ComediHAMs racing team. ConHAM O’Brien, also of the ComediHAMs, finished third just a pigtail behind ChapPORK, and Westside Pizza sponsored Sylvester StalLOIN of the FitBaconBits racing team, was fourth by the same narrow pigtail.

“I knew I had it the whole time, never a doubt, no question, it was in the bag,” an exuberant PLUMP told a group of reporters at the post-race press conference. “Did you see race? Wasn’t I awesome. The crowd was excited. The atmosphere was electrical. It might’ve been the best PIGtucky Derby in Triple PIG Crows series history.”

Well…possibly. It was at least the closest Derby in history as all four finished with in one pig length of each other.

“I don’t recall there ever being that close of a race for ANY of our Triple PIG Crown series marquee races,” longtime pig race announcer Dennis “PIG Whisperer” Riley said. “It was as exciting a finish as we’ve seen in quite a long time, and now we see if that round mound of sound can keep the momentum rolling for next weekend’s second leg.”

Riley, of course, is talking about The SQUEAKness, which will kick off at 2 pm (PST) at PIGlico Downs.

By virtue of his PIGtucky Derby victory, Plump is already qualified for The SQUEAKness. He’s got a total of 9 wins after an unbelievable weekend of racing where he swept all 6 of his races. ConHAM O’Brien is also an automatic qualifier with 5 total wins, 2 more than anyone else on his ComediHAMs racing team. Arnold SchwartzenHOGger, who won all 5 of his races for the weekend and has 6 wins total, has qualified for the SQUEAKness. His teammate, Sylvester StalLOIN, who was the favorite to win the Derby after winning 5 of 6 races opening weekend, is the fourth and final qualifier for The SQUEAKness.

“This group, any one of them can win as they’ve all shown they can compete when the hot lamp is on them,” event coordinator Steve Templeman said. “They’re as competitive a group as we’ve seen in quite some time.”

One surprising development amongst the racers was Michael BirPIGlia – the tiniest of all 9 thoroughHOGs – who captured all three of his races on Sunday over his much stronger and athletic ComediHAM racing teammates.

“Don’t treat me like I’m some sort of lil’ smokey!” BirPIGlia said on Sunday after his final race to a group of reporters gathered outside his pen. “I’ll bite your ankles off in order to get the win. I’m not a pushover.”

Farm visitors who happen upon the weekend races can place bets on the hog(s) they believe will win during qualifying or marquee races, and 100% of those “bets” are donated to local nonprofit, Celebrate HARVEST, whose mission it is to preserve family farms by inspiring and financially supporting present-day farmers and future experiential farmers.

Last weekend, a total of $383 was raised for Celebrate HARVEST and a total of $516 over the first two weekends. A total of 390 “bets” were placed (548 for the season) and PLUMP had the most bets placed on him with 75 (total of 105 for the season). Second most bets went to StalLOIN with 69 and third most was ChapPORK with 55.

2024 TPC SERIES RESULTS WINS SEASON POINTS BETS
PIG Politicians presented by Honeycomb Raw Honey  
#1 Donald PLUMP 9 12 85
#2 HAMala Harris 2 2 44
#3 BOARak Obama 1 1 42
Late Night Talking Head HOGSogs presented by BLAZING BAGELS  
#4 conHAM O’Brien 5 5 44
#5 Dave ChapPORK 3 3 67
#6 Michael BerPIGlia 3 3 20
FitBaconBits presented by WESTSIDE PIZZA
#7 Sylvester StalLOIN 5 5 58
#8 Richard SOWmmons 0 0 14
#9 Arnold SchwartzenHOGger 6 6 38

Thank you to our title sponsor Wally’s White River Drive In, team sponsors Honeycomb Raw Honey, Blazing Bagels and Westside Pizza as well major race supporters Washington Athletic Club, Salish Lodge, Glow Martini Lounge, Skulpt (wood carving) and Gillihan Farms (supplier of racing hogs).

StalLOIN “smacks” competition during opening weekend of Triple PIG Crown

FitBACONBit star sweeps takes 5 of 6 races, favorite heading into PIGtucky Derby

Sylvester StalLOIN came into weekend one of the Triple PIG Crown series and qualifying rounds for as a relative underHOG. But he’ll enter weekend two as the odds-on favorite to capture the PIGtucky Derby — first leg of the TPC (presented by Wally’s White River Drive In) after winning 5 of 6 qualifying races amongst his FitBACONBit teammates. StalLOIN, known as lil’ smoky for his tiny build, dominated his fellow Westside Pizza-sponsored teammates by sweeping all three qualifying races on Saturday and two of three on Sunday. He secured one of the four slots for this weekend’s PIGtucky Derby.

“StailLOIN showed that you don’t have to be the biggest, bulkiest boar in these battles,” said longtime race announcer Dennis “PIG Whisperer” Riley. “If your savvy and smart with a big heart, it goes a long way! Lil smokey was just that this weekend.”

ConHAM O’Brien of the ComediHAMS (sponsored by Blazing Bagels) won 4 of 6 qualifying races to also secure a slot in the Derby. Two other slots will be filled following the noon qualifying race this Saturday, and three thoroughHOGS are vying for those two slots – donald PLUMP (3 wins) and HAMala Harris (2 wins) of the PIG Politicians sponsored by Honeycomb Raw Honey and dave ChapPORK (2 wins) of the ComediHAMS. A PLUMP victory will ensure him a slot. But a HAMala victory and a ChapPORK victory will put them in the Derby and PLUMP out of the Derby.

“It’ll be the biggest, most amazing race anyone has ever seen,” PLUMP told reporters at a post-race press conference Sunday afternoon. “And, of course, I will be the most fastest and amazing amongst my running mates. It’ll for sure be a ratings bonanza.”

The 18th running of the PIGtucky Derby will begin at 2 pm at PIGlico Downs on the grounds of Maris Farms.

“Should be one helluva Derby on Saturday afternoon,” said race coordinator Steve HOGfather Templeman. “StalLOIN and ConHAM are obviously the ‘top hogs’ heading into this first leg of the TPC, but anything can happen when you mix the best racing hogs…it gets pretty damn crazy and competitive!”

Training for the 5-weekend TPC series held all of October started in mid-September for these young thoroughHOGS, and they’re still trying to get into some semblance of race-shape. They’ve also looked a bit hog-tied racing in front of large crowds for the first time in their young racing careers.

Farm visitors who happen upon the weekend races can place bets on the hog(s) they believe will win during qualifying or marquee races, and 100% of those “bets” are donated to local nonprofit, Celebrate HARVEST, whose mission it is to preserve family farms by inspiring and financially supporting present-day farmers and future experiential farmers. Fans will be amused and entertained by these local celebrity-named pigs – which feature many of the local, national and world-renowned fitness stars, business icons and comedians you’ve come to love over the years!

Last weekend, a total of $133 was raised for Celebrate HARVEST. A total of 158 “bets” were placed and donald PLUMP (Honeycomb Raw Honey) had the most bets placed on him with 30. Second most bets went to HAMala Harris (Honeycomb Raw Honey) and third most was Arnold SchwartzenHOGger (Westside Pizza) with 20.

2024 TPC SERIES RESULTS WINS SEASON POINTS BETS
PIG Politicians presented by Honeycomb Raw Honey  
#1 Donald PLUMP 3 3 30
#2 HAMala Harris 2 2 28
#3 BOARak Obama 1 1 20
Late Night Talking Head HOGSogs presented by BLAZING BAGELS  
#4 conHAM O’Brien 4 4 12
#5 Dave ChapPORK 2 2 18
#6 Michael BerPIGlia 0 0 11
FitBaconBits presented by WESTSIDE PIZZA
#7 Sylvester StalLOIN 5 5 8
#8 Richard SOWmmons 0 0 9
#9 Arnold SchwartzenHOGger 1 1 22

Thank you to our title sponsor Wally’s White River Drive In, team sponsors Honeycomb Raw Honey, Blazing Bagels and Westside Pizza as well major race supporters Washington Athletic Club, Salish Lodge, Glow Martini Lounge, Skulpt (wood carving) and Gillihan Farms (supplier of racing hogs).

Shout out to our 2024 Celebrate HARVEST fall sponsors @ Maris Farms:

◦ Blazing Bagels (pig races)
◦ Bootleggers Bar & Groll (pig/duck races)
◦ Gillihan Farms (pig races)
◦ Glow Martini Lounge (pig/duck races)
◦ Goodwill ORR (2023 QUACKY race series)
◦ Honeycomb Raw Honey (2023 Triple PIG Crown series)
◦ Jennings Equipment (cow train)
◦ OG Concepts (pig races)
◦ Salish Lodge (pig races)
◦ Skulpt (pig races)
◦ Umpqua Bank (duck races)
◦ Wally’s White River Drive In (pig/duck races)
◦ Westside Pizza (pig/duck races)
◦ Washington Athletic Club (pig races)

We appreciate all your support. #goDOfarms!”

HOW OUR PIG RACES WORK: 

On a small round track near the animal barn, several races will occur during the course of a weekend day. Prior to each racing session (3 races per session, 3 sessions per day), racing fans can make donations of $1 (1 ticket) or $5 (6 tickets) and pick a pig they feel will win that race. ALL DONORS earn a special “pignostication” pig nose for their contribution. ALL DONATIONS will go to Celebrate HARVEST. All donators also receive a numbered raffle ticket – they keep half and put the other half in the betting slot of their “chosen” winner. At the end of the race, the announcer will draw a name from the “winning” pig’s slot, and that individual will win a prize from one of our sponsors. In addition to the 3 marquee races – the PIGtucky Derby (Oct. 7th, 2 pm), the SQUEAKness (Oct. 14th, 2 pm) and the BOARmont Stakes (oct. 21st, 2 pm) – there will be the normal weekend “qualifying” races, which start Saturday, Sept. 30th, and continue on each weekend until Sunday, Oct. 29th. Approximately 90 races are scheduled over the course of the 5- weekend racing series – 3 sessions at 3 races/session each Saturday and Sunday.   

About Celebrate HARVEST (Helping Agriculture Reimagine Via Entertainment, Scholarships & Tourism) Celebrate HARVEST is a nonprofit charitable organization whose mission is to preserve traditional  family farms by promoting and supporting experiential farming, also known as agritainment – it’s  Farming Reimagined. Celebrate HARVEST is also committed to inspiring youth to pursue the  agritainment profession via continuing education awards for those wanting to pursue some aspect of  experiential farming as well as funding of field trips to experiential farms for underserved  students/schools. It also helps fund/build/manage non-traditional farming events/activities at  experiential farms as a means of adding to the farms appeal and a potential fund-raising event/activity  for Celebrate HARVEST. 

MORE ABOUT MARIS FARMS: In its 24th year of operation at this current site, Maris Farms is located in scenic east Pierce County about 3 miles west of Buckley, Washington, at 25001 Sumner Buckley Highway. It has been selling pumpkins for 29 years (first five years were at a different location) and started a corn maze at its current location in 2000. Since then, the 40-acre operation has grown into a mega-agritainment venue with more than 40 activities and events for visitors of all ages to enjoy.