Fair announces addition of Signature Series to racing program
June 12, 2009,by Tami Hartman, for the Pickaway County Fair
Circleville, OH — The Pickaway County Fair harness racing program will feature two new races in 2009. Signature Series races, the “Spinners Café Trot” and the “Spinners Café Pace,” will be contested as part of the fair’s 63rd annual race meet.
USTA/Ed Keys photo
Harness racing will be held at the Pickaway County Fair on June 20 and June 21.
The Signature Series is a statewide program intended to expand the opportunity for older horses to race at county fairs, creating exciting, competitive races with the potential to break track records, something fans love to see. The series is designed as a late closing event for older horses (4-year-olds and up). Races are sponsored, creating the “signature” race, and offer a substantially larger purse than the overnight events typically open to these older horses.
In addition, the series offers a points system, with the top eight point holders being eligible to race at the Delaware County Fair on Little Brown Jug day. The horse with the most points at season’s end receives an award and a cash bonus.
The series was organized in 2000 with five participating fairs; currently, 17 fairs participate. Clearly, the series has been successful from the standpoint of horsemen, racing fans, and fair directors. Pickaway County Speed Committee chairman Sean Mayhugh is hopeful that the series will be just as successful here in Pickaway County.
“We really think the addition of these races for older horses will add to the entertainment value of the product we offer. The Signature Series draws seasoned race horses who are generally capable of more competitive racing, as well as having consistent past performance information for those fans interested in wagering,” Mayhugh says. “Horsemen are given additional opportunities to race this type of horse, and the fans get good races. It’s a win-win situation.”
Harness racing will be held at the 2009 Pickaway County Fair on Saturday, June 20, and Sunday, June 21, at 1:00 p.m. Pari-mutuel wagering will be available. Admission is free.
- Horsemen already “Fair-minded” in Circleville (Wednesday, June 17, 2009)
Summertime and the hectic county fair harness racing season is fast approaching, and the Pickaway County Fair will be the first start for many of the young horses which passers-by have watched jogging through the snow, cold, and ice of the past winter.