by Thom Pye, for the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association

Wellston, OH — An enthusiastic crowd was on hand at the Jackson County (Ohio) Fairgrounds on Friday (July 13) as an all-volunteer group of locals hosted the 2018 Southern Valley Colt Circuit colts and fillies.

E. Diane Baker’s Pine Kiss (by Pine Valley) surprised the gathering when the Steve Baker-trained 2-year-old, driven by Derek Watiker, captured her $3,375 SVCC division when she paced the mile in 2:05.2 in her very first appearance. Cruisin Camnation (by Yankee Cruiser) with Greg Forcum landed second as Night Prowler and Hunter Myers took third.

A good old time battle took place in the $4,600 SVCC first division for 3-year-old pacing colts. Jack Dailey tipped Reagan’s Avenger, Mark Ford’s altered son of Dragon Again-Up Front Foxy, just past the quarter pole and went eyeball to eyeball with Rocknroll Charm (by World Of Rocknroll) and a determined Chris Shaw, who finally faded to third behind a well-positioned Happy Stew E (by Woodstock) and driver Jonas Hershberger in 2:01.3.

It was a good Friday for owner/trainer Michael Myers as young Hunter Myers made his move in front of the grandstand with Simmy and drew off to win the FFA trot in 2:02 over Major Count (Ryan Holton) and Jack Dailey and Caring Gracee.

Young Myers had a driving triple as he also took the $3,375 SVCC 2-year-old filly pace with Ron Randall’s Officially My Way (by Art Official) by 5-1/4 lengths in 2:04.1 and the $4,600 SVCC 3-year-old colt pace division as the Dustin Arledge-conditioned Smell That Rock (by Pet Rock) paced a sharp mile in 2:01.3 over Jets Surprise (Jonas Hershberger) and Final Gambit with local co-owner/trainer/driver Michael Charles of Jackson.

Trainer Steve Carter hopped aboard his and Peggy Carter’s Sackfullofmemories and dominated the $4,515 SVCC 2-year-old fillies as she trotted off by herself to win by 53-1/2 open lengths in 2:13.1.

In the Racing With The Stars “Invitational” event, the $8,655 SVCC stake for 3-year-old trotters, pocket-sitting veteran Jack Dailey collared Heavy Duty K and Kato Young in 2:04.1 as a game young Kato opted for the frontend in his third lifetime drive.

It was a first-time trip to the races for Jackson residents Linda Fisher and her family and as bearer of the matching RWTS No. 1, it also got to be a first-time ever trip to the winner’s circle. As the apprehensive novice to the festivities walked across the track there was a multitude of questions such as “what do I do?” that was answered with a reassuring “just smile.”

And after the win photo and the return trip back into the grandstand, it was a happy lady who lifted her arm over her head and let out a loud “wuh-hoo!” to her friends.

Quite the feeling, eh?

More fun Saturday night at 5 p.m. with a 10-race card.