by Tami Hartman

Corcleville, OH — This year’s Pickaway County Fair harness racing meet, to be held Saturday (June 18) and Sunday (June 19), will feature a new open pace honoring world champion double-gaited harness horse Steamin Demon.

Steamin Demon was owned, bred, and oft-times trained and driven by Circleville resident George W. Van Camp. Steamin Demon was foaled in 1953 and throughout his amazing career was stabled and trained at the Pickaway County fairgrounds — often under the care of well-known Circleville horseman Forrest Short.

He began his career on the trot, but preferred pacing, and as a 3- and 4-year-old had great success at this gait, being named Ohio Older Pacer of the Year and earning more than $43,000. Van Camp was determined to make the horse into a trotter, however, and in 1958 Steamin Demon raced at the Pickaway County matinee races at that gait. By the end of the season, he was racing the best trotters in the country.

Over the next two years, Steamin Demon would win numerous awards, set several track records, and become the double-gaited world champion. Following an injury in 1961, he was retired to stud on the Van Camp farm in Circleville. He died there just a few years later, after suffering a broken leg.

This horse’s close ties to Circleville and to the Van Camp and Short families, both steadfast supporters of harness racing and the Pickaway County Fair, made him a natural choice for a named race. To help support this new race, the Pickaway County Fair was awarded a $2,500 matching grants fund from the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association. Additional support from the Pickaway County Agricultural Society and local businesses has resulted in an advertised purse of $7,500 for the inaugural race. The speed committee hopes that in future years a Steamin Demon trot division will also be offered, in honor of the champion’s prowess at both gaits.

The Steamin Demon Pace will be held on Sunday (June 19), the second day of the meet. Other activities include giveaway events and prize drawings to be held throughout the program on both Saturday and Sunday. Prizes include many items from local businesses and retailers.

Post time for the races will be 1 p.m. each day. Admission is free and pari-mutuel wagering will be available.