by Bill Peters

Van Wert, OH — The Van Wert County fair at Van Wert, Ohio, opened up its two-session harness racing program on Thursday night (August 30) with 13 Standardbred races and five Trottingbred races. Close finishes and several first-time winners highlighted the program.

CC Big Boy Sam (Nobleland Sam-CC Biggirl Bretta) captured the 2-year-old colt pace in 2:07. Scott Christner is the colt’s trainer-driver with Paul Perdue, Brady Galliers and Jeff Batt paying the bills.

Sammy Sammy Sammy (Victory Sam-Katie Katie Katie) trotted a mile in 2:10 to take the 2-year-old colt trot. John Konesky III trains and drives the gelding and also co-owns him with his son Patrick.

Brandon Bates steered Where U At (Feelin Friskie-Locator) to victory in the 3-year-old colt pace. Ty Bates trains the colt with Suzanne Bates and Robyn McGhee picking up the expenses. Where U At needed a mile in 2:02.2 to secure the win.

Jesse’s Touch (Jailhouse Jesse-Touching Heaven) came home first in the 3-year-old colt trot after a mile in 2:05. Ken Phillips, Art Erford, Pete Meyer and Rick Estle own the gelding with Tom Moore, Jr. performing the training and driving duties.

Both Cadillac Coop and Malibu Heat paced half-miles in 1:02.2 for the fastest Trottingbred races of the night. Matt Sanders is the owner-trainer-driver of Cadillac Coop while Leland Yoder drove Malibu Heat for owner Kevin Miller and trainer Devon Miller.

Harness racing will conclude at the 2012 Van Wert County Fair on Friday night (August 31) with a 7 p.m. post time. The Signature Series Trot and the Signature Series Pace will be the features on the seven-race card.