by Bill Peters, Regional Coordinator for the Ohio Fair Racing Conference

Edgerton, OH — The rains stayed away from the Paulding County Fair this week and allowed the fair to complete a successful three-day harness racing meet.

Horsemen were greeted with 72 new stalls in the stabling facility along with a much improved track thanks to the work done by area horseman Bill Webb. A big “hats off” to speed superintendent Dave Phillips along with fellow speed committee members Gus Davis and John Weisenburger for all the dedicated work they did in making the successful meet possible. Also, a big thanks to Dave Phillips’ wife, son and daughter for all of their help on race days.

The improvements to the track were evident with six of the 34 races timed in 2:00 or less. The fastest mile of the meet came in the third division of the 2-year-old colt pace when driver Chad Clark brought McLucky (McArdle-Luckmustbealady) home in 1:58.3.

Jeff Miller trains the colt and also co-owns him with Michael Creps. The mile was a new track record for 2-year-old colt pacers.

The fastest trotting mile of the week came in the second division of the 3-year-old filly trot. Sweet Adeline (Southfork-Eagle Lady) established a new track record for sophomore filly trotters when she stopped the timer in 2:01.

Eric Patalan trains and drives the filly for co-owners Michael Patalan and Dolores Rinke. Sweet Adeline was the 2015 champion 2-year-old filly trotter in the Ohio Fair Racing Conference and is off to a fast start in defending her crown.

Driver Ken Holliday visited the winner’s circle six times during the week to catch top honors in that category. The leading trainer honors stayed in the family with Sherri Holliday capturing the most training wins with four.

Closing night of the fair’s race meet featured the first leg of the 2016 Ohio Ladies Pace Series. Five ladies competed in the race with Tabatha Canarr bringing the 4-year-old gelding Stand Your Ground (Stand Forever-Camphire) to the winner’s circle after a mile in 1:59.2. Mandy Jones owns Stand Your Ground with Brian Jones doing the training.

The Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association’s (OHHA) new “Racing with the Stars” exhibit was present the last two days of racing with OHHA Project Coordinator Susan Schroeder and OHHA Iitern Hunter Holton present to man the booth. The exhibit proved enjoyable and informational for both young and old. A big thanks to OHHA Director Emily Hay for providing a horse for kids to pet.

The next stop in the Ohio Fair Racing Conference will be at the Madison County Fair at London on Saturday (July 9) and Sunday (July 10).

Post time each day will be at noon.