by Susan Wilson, for Lebanon Raceway

Lebanon, OH — Live racing returned to Lebanon Raceway on Friday, January 18, to kick off the 2008 Winter Meet.

Driver Jeff Nisonger wasted no time jumping to the top of the drivers’ standings. With nine wins on the weekend he has a commanding lead over the rest of the drivers’ colony here at Lebanon Raceway. Kayne Kauffman holds the place position after week one with four wins followed by the trio of Jack Dailey, Tony Rose and Trent Tharps, Jr., each with two wins.

In the race for leading trainer, The Chris McGuire Stable sent nine behind the starting gate and were rewarded with four winners, followed closely by Kayne Kauffman’s stable that had an impressive three wins from eight starters. Tom Smith and Trent Tharps, Jr. each produced two winners from their stables.

On Friday night, Jerry Grant’s Gran Cameo posted a win in the feature race. Taking advantage of her post position one, driver Trent Tharps sent Gran Cameo to the front to make her own fate. Taking a breather to the half in 1:02.2, Gran Cameo outpaced her rivals with a last half in :58 and her last quarter in :28.2. As the timer stopped at 2:00.2, Gran Cameo was a half-length to the good in front of pocket sitter Cincy Chi Lizzie. Bananih finished third.

Saturday night found the temperature in the single digits and wind chills below zero. Despite the below average temperatures the times of the night’s races were above average.

The feature trot of the night was won by Dr KC Curry for driver Dan Noble. Benefiting from a perfect two hole trip behind pacesetter Natural Gulf, Dr KC Curry was able to gain the advantage in the stretch and finished on top in 2:00.4. Natural Gulf hung on for second followed by Fox Avenue Mark in third.

The feature pace saw a full field of nine go behind the gate. Leaving from post position two, TC Laser Beam went to the front for driver Eric Tharps and never looked back, wiring the field in 1:58.1. Sam’s Story and TJ Returns took the place and show positions, respectively.

Lebanon Raceway will be racing every Friday and Saturday night through May 3 with a new, earlier post time of 6:30 p.m. Every Friday night we will have a drawing for prizes that include I-pods, portable DVD players, TVs and much more. On Saturday nights there will be two $100 giveaways. As always, Lebanon Raceway provides simulcasting seven days a week from 12:00 noon until 12:00 midnight.