by Bill Peters

Edgerton, OH — Good weather and a well-manicured track made for many fast miles during the two-day meet at the Ottawa County Fair at Oak Harbor, Ohio on Monday (July 17) and Tuesday (July 18). Five races went in less than 2:00 with many more “knocking on the door.”

The fastest mile of the week came in the second division of the 3-year-old colt pace when Dancin Fever (Indian Fever-First To Cruise) paced in 1:55.3 to equal the track record for sophomore male pacers. The other holder is Threetimer from back in 2002. Dancin Fever also holds the track’s 2-year-old colt pace record while his dam holds the 2-year-old filly pace record for the Ottawa County Fair oval. Bill Webb trains Dancin Fever and also co-owns him with the D and K Stables LLC. Mark Headworth was the driver in the record-tying performance.

Hootintootinhannah (Jailhouse Jesse-Indiana Amy) turned in the fastest trotting mile for the meet in winning the Ottawa County Harness Horsemen’s Association Honor Race for free-for-all trotters. The 7-year-old mare toured the Oak Harbor twice-around in 2:00.4 for driver Mark Headworth and owner-trainer Tony Smith.

Mark Headworth was the leading driver for the week with four trips to the winner’s circle. Kent Hess, Steve Novak, and Joe Paver led all trainers with two wins apiece.

Thom Pye with the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association’s “Racing with the Stars” exhibit was on hand each evening to provide information and entertainment for harness racing fans, both young and old. Many kids participated in stick-horse races and bouncy-pony races after the regular program each day.

Hats off to Speed Superintendent Ed Wagner and the other Speed Committee members for putting on an excellent program. A big thanks to Rich Petersen, Ron Baker, and the McGlaughlin family for all the time and hard work that they put in to provide an excellent race track for horses and drivers to go over. Last but not least, another big thanks to Nancy Lajti and Patti Knipp for maintaining a well-run speed office.

The next stop for the Ohio Fair Racing Conference will be at the Union County Fair at Marysville on Saturday (July 22) and Sunday (July 23). Post time at Marysville will be 12:30 p.m. each day.

The meet at Marysville will be closely followed by two-day meets at the Seneca County Fair at Tiffin and the Lake County Fair at Painesville. Racing will take place at Tiffin on Monday (July 24) at 5:30 p.m. and on Tuesday (July 25) at 1 p.m. while the racing at Painesville will start at 12 noon on both Tuesday (July 25) and Wednesday (July 26).