by Bill Peters

The directors of the Northwestern Ohio Colt Racing Association, which consists of fairs at Paulding, Oak Harbor, Bowling Green, Napoleon, Hicksville, Van Wert, Wauseon and Montpelier, have adopted a new payment schedule for their 2- and 3-year-old colt and filly stakes.

In the past, Van Wert has raced super stakes with a $50 nominating fee on February 15, a $50 sustaining fee on April 15 and a $200 entry fee. The other seven fairs have had a $35 nominating fee, a $35 sustaining fee and a $75 entry fee.

Under the new payment schedule, all eight fairs will have a $50 nominating fee on February 15, a $50 sustaining fee on April 15 and a $30 entry fee. All owners must continue to pay a $40 membership fee.

Comparisons were made with two super stakes raced at Van Wert and 11 “traditional” stakes representing a cross-section of races raced at the other seven fairs in 2011.

In both of the super stakes, the horses finishing third or worse came out ahead financially with the $50-$50-$30 payment schedule. In one of them, the horse finishing second had the same financial advantage under both payment schedules.

In the 11 traditional stakes, ten of the races showed a financial advantage for all horses in the race with the $50-$50-$30 payment schedule. The 11th race showed an advantage for the winning horse only under the $35-$35-$75 schedule.

Anyone wishing to have a copy of the comparisons may obtain one by phoning Bill Peters, the secretary-treasurer of the Northwestern Ohio Colt Racing Association, at 419.298.7408.