Ohio Fair Racing Conference dinner held Saturday night

Ridgeville Corners, OH – You have to say that “it was worth the trip” on Saturday (Nov. 17) as this hamlet along State Route 6 in northwest Ohio was the scene of the fifth annual Ohio Fair Racing Conference Awards dinner. The Ridgeville American Legion #454 was in full holiday colors as host/emcee Bill Peters presented an enjoyable evening of good food, handsome awards and fine camaraderie to honor the best performers of 2018 of the 22 Fairs that comprise the OFRC.

After a hearty and delicious dinner prepared by the Legion and its chef of 39 years, special recognition was given to the many men and women who made the 2018 Fair season a success. Bill Peters then called upon Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association Vice President Steve Bateson and Northeast Regional Coordinator Todd Brown to present the award plaques to the 2018 Champions.

The top 2-year-old colt pacer award went to Suzanne Bate’s Skyway Artistic (Mcardle-All Over You) as Ambitious Lillian (Big Bad John-Life’s Highway) earned best 2-year-old filly pacer.

Their trotting counterparts were Robert Rowland’s I Get It (Dontyouforgetit-Less Stress) and Neal Oskenberg and Patrick Sweeney’s filly Urban Buzz (Full Count-Royal Two).

OHHA VP Steve Bateson presents the trophy to owner John Turigliatto for his 3-year-old colt pacer Tinker Toy at the 2018 OFRC dinner. Thomas Pye Photo

John Turigliatto’s Tinker Toy (Powerful Toy-Helene’s Escape) was the top point earner for 3-year-old colt pacers while Gerald Mijal’s Believe In Waco (Believeinbruiser-Waco Sharon) garnered the accolades as the reigning filly.

Blasco (Manofmanymissions-Zakanana) was the best 3-year-old colt trotter for owner Bud High and the Michael Carter, Johanna Beaver, Joe Sbrocco, Steven Zeehandelar-owned filly Bugs MVP (My MVP-Char Catie Becca) was tops on the distaff side.

The leading Ohio Lady Driver 2018 trophy went to Mandy Jones as Cameron McCown, with his 56 victories on the circuit, was OFRC’s driver award winner. Trainer Chris Beaver posted 26 OFRC tallies to take the best conditioner’s award.

Plaques were awarded to the runners-up in each division and a round of well-deserved applause was given to the winners and in appreciation of the sponsors.

Bill Peters offered up a look back at 2018 stating that “in all, 264 pacers and 243 trotters competed” in the 22 OFRC Fairs in which “95 percentĀ of the purses were for $3,000 or better” and gave a positive look ahead to 2019.

Everybody got to pick from multiple tables of door prizes and the evening’s festivities were capped with a 50/50 drawing. It was a fun, enjoyable evening and it was great to connect with everybody once again.

Plaudits to all.

 

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