by Bill Peters

Charlotte, MI — The Michigan fair season got underway on Friday (July 5) with a fifteen race program at the Eaton County 4-H Fair at Charlotte. The card was comprised of seven 3-year-old colt and filly stakes along with eight overnight races.

Crazy Sherry (Hard Rock N Roll-Anne X) captured the faster division of the 3-year-old filly trot in 2:10. Carl Putnam, Jr. trains and drives the filly and also co-owns her with Tammy Putnam.

Karen Greengard’s Then Came You (Hard Rock N Roll-Meet My Ex) took the other split in 2:16.1. Keith Crawford is the trainer-driver of Then Came You.

Tim Driver steered Hemlock Tough Guy (Perfect Spiral-Hemlock Honey) to victory in the faster split of the 3-year-old colt trot. Tim also trains the gelding with John and Mary Jo Stapleton picking up the expenses. Hemlock Tough Guy toured the Charlotte oval in 2:08.3. The other division went to Rocky Road Success (Hard Rock N Roll-Here Comes Hazel) in 2:11.2. George Anthrop trains the gelding for Steven Noffke with Carl Putnam, Jr. picking up the winning catch-drive.

Jason Merriman guided Super Soph (Admirals Galley-Platinum Card) to the winner’s circle after winning the lone division of the 3-year-old filly pace in 2:05. Ryan Morefield, Brian Campbell, and Mark Wamp pay the bills on Super Soph with Greg West performing the training duties.

Daniel Courtemanche’s That’ll Be The Rei (Cheyenne Rei-Unspeakable Joy) won the faster split of the 3-year-old colt pace in 2:05.1. Mike Micallef is the trainer-driver of That’ll Be The Rei.

Kody Massey piloted Lexington Avenue (Cheyenne Rei-Eastside Becky) to a win in the second division. Staci Malady owns the gelding with Gerald Malady doing the training. Lexington Avenue covered the Eaton County Fair twice-around in 2:07.

Harness racing resumes on the Michigan circuit on Monday, July 8, at the Mecosta County Agricultural Fair in Big Rapids. Post time is 7:00 p.m. on Monday. There will also be racing at Big Rapids on Tuesday, July 9, with a 6:00 p.m. post time.