by Thom Pye, for the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association
Columbus, OH — The action began at the 170th Hartford Independent Fair this past weekend as the Ohio Fairs are going full force.
On Friday afternoon (Aug. 11) the Ohio Fair Racing Conference’s $4,701 second division for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings saw owner/trainer Rene Houska’s One Sneaky Pete (Dejarmbro) clip off a mile in 2:00.1h with Hunter Meyers aboard, one of four wins for Myers at Croton on the day.
In the $4,889 OFRC division for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings it was the undefeated Carmensdaleyapple establishing a new track record as the altered son of Mr Apples won by 10 lengths in 1:59h. The Joe Paver owner, trained, and bred youngster went a dominating mile for driver Pierce Henry.
Saturday’s card had the $9,028 OFRC 3-year-old filly pace as the William Arter Memorial and Hula Shuffle (Santanna Blue Chip-Hula Dancer) was teamed by Ryan Holton and bested five others in 1:59h.
Mercer County Fair in western Ohio showcased its WOCRA stars on Sunday (Aug. 13) and the picturesque town of Celina on the shores of the Grand Lake treated racing fans and horsemen alike to a very enjoyable afternoon.
Owner/trainer/driver Beau Brown wowed the crowd with a gutsy win with Sweetnfamous (Yankee Cruiser-Gimmealittlesugar) as he smoked the 2-year-old filly in 1:58.3h across the finish line.
A large crowd watched Pierce Henry post a driving triple. Not to be outdone, Jack Dailey stepped up and grabbed a four-bagger on the day.
But it was Cameron McCown who made the headlines when he took the Kent Wilcox-trained 7-year-old No Pan Intended gelding Hunchie on a track-record equaling performance in 1:56.3h for owners Bob Rodrigues and Chad Howell. It was a fitting tribute to the Trent Bates Memorial Free For All.
Monday’s (Aug. 14) journey brought us to Zanesville (the capitol of Ohio from 1812-1814) and the 171st Muskingum County Fair as Chris Shaw drove three winners on the night as the large crowd in attendance was entertained between the Southern Valley Colt Circuit stake races by a talented local band.
Henry County Fair in Napoleon offered Ohio Fair Racing Conference stakes for 2- and 3-year olds and on Tuesday night (Aug. 14) the fans were treated to the one-man karaoke-style tunes between the races as Art McIlmurray enjoyed a driving triple. Cameron McCown matched that total as well.
It was the Miami County Fair in the city of Troy and the Ohio Colt Racing Association on Wednesday (Aug. 16) that held 18 races for an afternoon/evening card. Young Joe Putnam grabbed the 3-year-old filly pace with Only Live Once (Foreclosure N) as the Tyler George trainee won by five in 1:57.4h.
Diane Hartsook took her second drive behind Led Schneppelin straight to the winner’s circle as she triumphed in 1:58.3h in the summer-long Ladies Pace Series.
Jack Dailey emerged with four wins on the day as he topped it off with Mary and Jeff Riddle’s 4-year-old Rocknroll Hanover gelding Lissilas simmering a mile in 1:58.3h in the program’s finale.
And at Rocksprings located south near the Ohio River, the Meigs County Fair and Steve Swatzel’s team put together a very well-attended day at the races on Thursday (Aug. 17). While the youngsters in the Southern Valley Colt Circuit rocketed around the track, the fans seated in the historic and remodeled 1890s amphitheater were kept involved with giveaways and contests as they witnessed Jonas Hershberger tally a driving quartette on the day.
Fair racing at its finest — everywhere and anywhere in Ohio!