by Rick Tittsler, for the WHHA

Wautoma, WI — After a rain out in 2009, fans at the Waushara County Fair in Wautoma, Wisconsin were ready for some great racing action. The Wisconsin Harness Horse Association provided that and a great deal more!

Rick Tittsler photo

Great Getaway (#5) and Danny Carey overtake Coco Donut (#4) with Robert Grismore in deep stretch.

A competitive card featured six races, and in the FFA trot, Great Getaway (Danny Carey) and the other four entries crossed the wire within three-fifths of a second of each other for one of the closest five-horse finishes in recent memory.

Following the National Anthem by the local 4-H singers, announcer George “Woody” Woodbridge called the first race to the track. Trotter Brandon’s Branded and driver Danny Carey were first across the line in this N/W3000, with Southbound Plane (Ben DeLong) a close second.

The second race featured green pacers, with Sues Blue Pants driven by Gabe Wand and Vee Double U Bug handled by Wayne Weaver finishing 1-2.

The third was a pace for N/W2500 lifetime with Johnny Blood (3-3-0-0) carrying driver Bob Yohn home in 2:06. Gabe Wand and Mr Shankopotamus made a strong finishing move, but were no match for the undefeated combination of Johnny and Bob.

The fourth was the FFA Trot, with Great Getaway finishing just ahead of Coco Donut, Amidst, Cmebeatrotter and a locked-in Fox Valley Bunns.

The fifth race saw a field of four pacers go to the post in a N/W6500 lifetime contest. Sues Blue Jeans with Gabe Wand aboard held off Whose Trick N Who and Bob Yohn in 2:06.3.

The FFA Pace was a wild affair, finishing in reverse-post position order. Twelve-year-old King Stanley handled by Gary Magee took his time getting to the top, but not in going around this historic oval. Magee asked for pace, and he got it when needed, bringing the King home in 2:03.1 for his third consecutive victory. Rounding out the finishers were Azteck Nick (Ben DeLong), Fox Valley Windy (Danny Carey) and Storms A Brewin (Wayne Weaver).

Following the six-card program, the WHHA presented the “Waushara County Bouncy Pony Stakes,” featuring drivers on their inflatable mounts. With names like Inflate Ted, Hot Air Claire and Phony Pony, these “hoppity-hop” horses took their drivers for a wild ride down the stretch.

Amber Sawyer took off like a flash, but was dismounted near the half from her far-outside post position. Danny Crey and Gabe Wand locked “wheels” early and finished in mid-pack, behind Mike Magee and eventual winner Ben DeLong in an honest-to-goodness photo finish!

Fans were drawn at random to “own” the bouncy ponies for the Bouncy Pony Stakes, with the winning owner receiving $25 and the other contestants each getting a WHHA T-shirt. A complimentary group win photo will be mailed to each of the pony owners.