by Jay Wolf, for the Darke County Fair

Greenville, OH — Defending champion Mykindachip (Dan Noble) will face seven of the Midwest’s toughest free-for-allers in the $35,000 Gene Riegle Memorial Friday evening (Aug. 26) at the Darke County Fair in Greenville, Ohio.

The 7-year-old Art’s Chip gelding is owned by Carl L. Atley and conditioned by Jim Dailey. His 1:52.4 victory in last year’s Gene Riegle Memorial established a new track and stakes record. Mykindachip will have to overcome the outside post eight.

Atta Boy Dan (Mike Wilder) should provide the defending champ his toughest challenge. Atta Boy Dan comes from the powerful Ron Burke stable and has earned more than $130,000 in 2016 and $596,542 lifetime. The 7-year-old gelded son of Western Terror is campaigned by Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi. Atta Boy Dan will leave from post two.

The fifth edition of the Gene Riegle Memorial has arguably its deepest and most talented field ever. The eight starters have earned a combined $3.1 million and have an average lifetime mark of 1:50.1.

The complete field and announced drivers for the $35,000 Gene Riegle Memorial, in post position order: 1. Hare Craft (Ron Wrenn, Jr.); 2. Atta Boy Dan (Mike Wilder); 3. My Buddy Ninkster (Shawn Barker II); 4. Norma Jean (Kurt Sugg); 5. Hanky L (TBA); 6. Tyber Tyke (Walter Haynes, Jr.); 7. Night Pro (Peter Wrenn); 8. Mykindachip (Dan Noble).

The Gene Riegle Memorial honors one of the greatest trainers in the history of the sport and native of Greenville, Ohio. Mr. Riegle was enshrined into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 1992.

On the Riegle Memorial undercard is the $22,900 (div.) Parshall Futurity and the $15,000 Arnie Almahurst Trot. First post is 5:30 p.m.