by Bill Peters

Kendallville, IN — The Noble County Community Fair at Kendallville, Indiana, held its annual day of harness racing on Saturday (July 16) with a 19-race program.

The fair participated in the USTA’s “Back to the Track Weekend” promotions with a Pick the Winner contest for each race, periodic drawings for rides in the starting gate, and stick horse races for kids. An enthusiastic crowd consisting of all age groups appeared to enjoy each of the promotions. A big thanks goes out to Mike Retcher of the Defiance County Area Horsemen Association and Leroy and Charlotte Stantz of the Williams County Harness Horsemen’s Association for being in charge of the activities. Both of those groups are Ohio-based.

On the racing front, Northwesterndreams (Northwest-Dasher’s Girl) captured the lone division of the 2-year-old colt pace in 2:04.4. Enos Lengacher trains the gelding for Chapel Ridge Farm with Mike Peterson picking up the winning drive.

The same combination of Chapel Ridge Farm, Enos Lengacher and Mike Peterson took the fastest of the three divisions of the 3-year-old colt pace in 2:03 with Hillcrest Niagra (Whitefish Falls-Dalestdnc). Trainer-driver Don Eash found the winner’s circle in the other two splits with Hopskipanajump (Royal Art-Hoptuit Hanover) in 2:03.1 and E R Highvoltage (Kilowatt-Goforthemoneyhoney) in 2:04.4. Eash Racing Stable Inc. is the owner of both horses.

Headed For Home (Steeler Spur-Navicular) came home first in the fastest division of the 2-year-old colt trot with a mile in 2:08.1. Lynn Hanes owns the colt with Lamar Wingard doing the training and driving. Derek Hooley piloted Summit City Earl (Earl Of Stormont-Stone Cold Fox) to victory in the other division with a 2:12.1 mile. Byron Hooley trains the gelding with Summit Pacing Acres LLC paying the bills.

Indiancreek Joe (B Fair-Win With Val) took the fastest division of the 3-year-old colt trot in 2:08.1 for owner-trainer-driver Carrie Hollman. The other split went to Sherwood Secret (Keep It A Secret-Rollaway Peggy) in 2:09.3. Milo Owen trains and drives the gelding and also co-owns him with his brother Mark.

Jeff Phlipot’s Emmasphere (Pro Bono Best-Daten Time) captured the fastest division of the 2-year-old filly pace in 2:06.3 in her first lifetime start. Brandon Bates picked up the winning catch-drive for trainer Jeff Miller. The Rheinheimer family found the winner’s circle in the second split with Loretta (Dontgetinmyway-Skyway Lori). Mary Jo and Marty own the filly, Larry does the training, and Matt does the driving. Loretta toured the Kendallville oval in 2:09. Owner-trainer-driver Bob Morrow took the third division with Bonita Rocks (Southsider-Mac’s Dutchess) in 2:08.

Adam Short steered I’m A Scooter (I Scoot Hanover-Childrens Charity) to victory in the fastest split of the 3-year-old filly pace. Ora Miller owns and trains the filly which paced a 2:03.2 mile on Saturday. Robert Shinn’s Citori (Kilowatt-Stutzie) won the second division in 2:06.2. Kyle Trafzer trains the filly with Brandon Bates doing the driving. The third division went to Jolene Watts (Kilowatt-Mdma) in 2:06.4. Mike Peterson picked up the winning drive for owner-trainer Leroy Slabaugh.

Mike Peterson guided V-Key’s Lila (Solid Stock-V-Key’s Hiawatha) to the winner’s circle in the fastest division of the 2-year-old filly trot after a mile in 2:14.1. Justin White trains the filly with Hartley Farms Inc. picking up the expenses. The other two divisions each went in 2:14.4. Jay Cross drove Carry The Pride (Earl Of Stormont-Mariah’s Winter) to a win in the second division for owner-trainer Solomon Wickey. The third split went to Super Leah (Super Slam-Honerail) for owner-trainer-driver Sam Hedington.

The 3-year-old filly trot concluded the 19-race program with both divisions going in 2:13.2. Jay Cross piloted Dutchess Of Darvin (Iron Duke-Carefree Darvin) to victory in the first split for trainer Chad Williamson and owners Mary and Lonnie Miller. Cross was also the winning driver in the second division behind Dakota’s Savage (Keystone Savage-Miss Dakota). Dave Brumbaugh trains the filly and also co-owns her with Jeff Bixler.