by Rick Tittsler

Viroqua, WI — County fair racing in Wisconsin concludes with two full days of competition at the Vernon County Fair, just 20 miles from the mighty Mississippi River. More than 70 head are expected to compete this Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 19 and 20) with Pacer of the Year, Trotter of the Year and Driver of the Year titles on the line.

WHHA President Gabe Wand has a career-best 14 wins heading into the final weekend, and WHHA Vice President Rick Davis is in the hunt for pacer of the year with 7-year-old mare Dancer’s Shiann. In 12 starts in 2009, Dancer’s Shiann is an impressive 3-3-4. Davis also drove Dancer’s Shiann to victory at Running Aces Harness Park on July 4.

Bob and Dyan McCabe have their trotter, Coco Donut, poised for possible Trotter of the Year honors after winning five in a row on the badger circuit. Coco Donut’s lifetime stats now show 69 starts (18-12-11) for $94,920. The Frilly Filly (four wins in Wisconsin) trained by Jay DeLong will surely have something to say about that title going into the last weekend of racing.

“Everyone loves coming to Viroqua,” says trainer Susan Schroeder. “It’s a two-day farewell to our fellow owners, trainers, drivers and horses here in Wisconsin as some head back to the farm and others are pointed toward the pari-mutuel tracks.”

Viroqua is located at the crossroads of five State routes in western Wisconsin, just 25 minutes SE of La Crosse. To learn more about the Vernon County Fair, visit www.geocities.com/vernoncountyfair/. Information about harness racing in America’s Dairyland, is available at www.wiharnessracing.com.