Putnam County Fair “puttin’ on the ritz”
June 25, 2018,by Thom Pye, for the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association
Ottawa, OH — The exciting sounds of harness racing return to the Putnam County (Ohio) Fairgrounds this Tuesday (June 26) and Wednesday (June 27) with a 5:00 p.m. post time for both days as the Western Ohio Colt Racing Association (WOCRA) presents its young trotters and pacers.
When Putnam’s famous 1883 bell sounds to start the fair, it will mark the 145th year that the track has hosted harness racing. While it is steeped in history, the grandstand is also witness to new records being established, such as Henry Gulley’s lifetime winner of over $440,000 T Red pacing to a new track standard of 1:56 in 2017.
Speed Superintendents Eleanor Rissler and Luke Karhoff have put together two fine cards of WOCRA 2- and 3-year-olds, along with a Signature Series Trot on Tuesday and a Signature Series Pace on Wednesday. Each group of these quality horses could produce yet another new track record.
And while the equine stars are offered, the Ohio Ladies Pace Series is contested as well. At the Paulding Fair, fans saw newcomer Mariah Wright of Defiance take on the competition in her very first drive and win, but the other lady veterans are determined to defend their territory in Ottawa.
Fans are invited to stop by the Racing With The Stars tent during the races for more fun, info, and prizes.