by Bill Peters

Edgerton, OH — The Van Wert County Fair at Van Wert, Ohio, completed a successful two-day meet on Monday (Sept. 5) with 12 races. Fourteen races were contested on Thursday (Sept. 1).

The fastest pacing mile for the week was turned in by the 7-year-old gelding Lol Ken Win (Feelin Friskie-Nolita) in the second division of the Peony Pace. Lol Ken Win toured the Van Wert oval in 1:59.1. Ken Phillips owns the gelding with Tim Hall doing the training and Pierce Henry handling the driving chores.

Rompaway Beau (Chip Chip Hooray-Rompaway Stacey) came home first in the second split of the Harvest Trot in 2:03.2 for the fastest trotting mile of the fair. Krista Harmon owns and trains the 10-year-old gelding with her husband Don doing the driving.

Pierce Henry and Duke Sugg both had five winning drives for the meet to lead all drivers. Ty Bates grabbed the training honors with three trips to the winner’s circle.

The Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association’s “Racing with the Stars” exhibit was on display during Thursday’s race program to provide information and entertainment for both young and old. Kids had the opportunity to participate in stick-horse races after the last race on that card.

A big hats-off to the Speed Committee of Mike Poling and Roger Wilkin for making sure that everything was in place to have a successful race program.

The Ohio Fair Racing Conference continues next week with racing at two sites. The Williams County Fair at Montpelier will race on Tuesday (Sept. 13) at 6:30 p.m. and Thursday (Sept. 15) at 1:30 p.m., while the Wyandot County Fair at Upper Sandusky will host racing on Wednesday (Sept. 14) at 6 p.m. and Thursday (Sept. 15) at 6 p.m.