by Anne Doolin, for Scioto Downs

Columbus, OH — Ohio’s best 2- and 3-year-old trotters and pacers will square off in the most competitive racing of the season at Scioto Downs this week in the $675,000 State Fair Stakes. The rich stakes events were contested for many years at the state fairgrounds before moving to Scioto.

The State Fair Stakes schedule means Scioto has added a night of racing to the calendar, racing Wednesday this week, which is normally dark. The first race post time, Tuesday through Saturday, is 6:30 p.m.

The State Fair Stakes are the first leg of Ohio’s Triple Crown, followed by the OSS Championships (this year at Northfield on Ohio Super Night), and the Ohio Breeders Championships during Jug Week at Delaware, Ohio.

New to Scioto is a Cornhole Tournament on Saturday, August 4, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Conducted by the American Cornhole Organization, based in Cincinnati, the event will feature micro-tournaments and specialty tournaments. Players of all skill levels are welcome, and it costs just $5 per tourney to play. Prizes range from cornhole bag sets, to t-shirts and hats, to betting vouchers.

The usual weekly promotions continue this week as well. Tuesday is Two for $2 night, with a soda or draft beer, and choice of hot dog, pizza slice, or pretzel for just $2 at select grandstand locations. Thursday is Patio Party night, with $1 draft, sodas, hot dogs and popcorn, as well as a radio station providing entertainment and prizes weekly. And Friday features Budweiser Happy Hour with Bud specials at all walk-up bars on all levels. All weekly promotions are available from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The schedule for Ohio State Fair Stakes at Scioto Downs:

Wednesday — $95,000 2-year-old filly trot & $70,000 3-year-old filly trot
Thursday — $95,000 2-year-old colt trot & $80,000 2-year-old filly pace
Friday — $75,000 3-year-old filly pace & $65,000 3-year-old colt trot
Saturday — $95,000 2-year-old colt pace & $70,000 3-year-old colt pace