by Jessica Schroeder, assistant fair liaison, the U.S. Trotting Association

Springfield, IL — The Illinois State Fair is in full swing, hosting live harness racing August 13-19 (except for Sunday) at 12 noon (CDT) each day.

One of three fair tracks participating in ‘Back to the Track’ promotions, the Illinois State Fair will be conducting a driver/trainer autograph session Saturday, August 14, in the winner’s circle starting at 11:30 a.m. There will also be drawings for Back to the Track t-shirts, starting gate rides, the “owner for a day” program and Review Stakes prizes.

Racing on Monday, August 16, will be part of a special Senior Citizens Day. Driver Leo Burns, 95, will be featured in the ninth race and there will be a commemorative card handed out. Owner/trainer Glen Brown, 102, from Viola, Ill., will also be on hand for the day’s festivities. On Tuesday, August 17, the harness races will celebrate Abe Lincoln’s involvement in horse racing.

Grandstand admission is free for the harness races and there is pari-mutuel wagering.

The Illinois Standardbred Owners & Breeders Association will be present in the Farmer’s Little Helper display near the first turn to explain Standardbred racing for the duration of the fair, August 13- 22.

Kids can try on driver’s colors, sit on a pedal horse and get their picture taken. There will also be race videos playing, along with handouts, activity books and a “Name the Foal” contest. Winners of the “Name the Foal” contest will have a chance to meet that foal next spring at a local breeding farm. Kids can also answer trivia questions for a chance to win prizes such as t-shirts and rides in the starting gate during the live races at the fair.