by Tami Hartman

Circleville, OH — This year’s Pickaway County Fair will open with a harness racing meet to be held on Saturday (June 17), Sunday (June 18) and Monday (June 19).

In recent years, harness racing has been held on Saturday and Sunday only, but the success of the racing program and the increased number of horses nominated to the Ohio Colt Racing Circuit, which kicks off here at Circleville, have prompted the fair board to add racing on Monday evening.

Harness racing has been an important component of the fair since its inception in 1946, but in the past few years the racing program has seen even greater success and growth. This year, more than 750 horses are eligible to participate in OCRA stakes races at Circleville. This is approximately 250 more than were eligible just last year. Several events for older horses have been written as well.

Saturday’s races will feature the John F. Fissell Pace for 2-year-old colts, the Tish Arledge Memorial Pace for 3-year-old colts, the Pollock Family Trot for 2-year-old colt trotters, and the Macs Classic Open Trot.

Sunday’s races will consist of OCRA stakes races for 2-year-old filly trotters, the George W. Van Camp Trot for 3-year-old fillies, the Edward “Yock” Strawser Memorial for 3-year-old colt trotters, and the Bill Mayhugh Memorial Pace for conditioned pacers.

Monday’s race card will mark the first time in 25 years that harness racing will be held during the fair proper. Fair Board member and Speed Committee chairman Sean Mayhugh says, “We’re really looking forward to the opportunity this new card gives us. It will provide fairgoers with great entertainment, but will also probably be the first time that many of those folks will see harness racing close up. That’s the great thing about racing at the fairs; the fans can go to the barns to see the horses, talk to the horsemen, ask questions. It’s a great experience for fans and horsemen alike. Racing during the fair also gives us a chance to work with the 4-H program more closely.”

The 4-H opening day parade will end at the track and 4-H outhouse races will take place between harness races. The 4-H-ers and harness horsemen will also be sharing the barn area on Monday. Mayhugh hopes for much greater collaboration in the upcoming years.

Monday’s races will include OCRA stakes races for 2-year-old filly pacers, while 3-year-old filly pacers will compete in the Forrest Short Memorial. This card will also feature the second edition of the Steamin-Demon Pace. This race will be limited to one division of eight open pacers who will be competing for an estimated purse of $8,000. The Ohio Ladies Pace will be making its debut at Circleville on Monday as well. Sponsored in memory of local horseman Mike Levernier, the Ladies Pace showcases the talents of female drivers.

Other activities include giveaway events and prize drawings to be held throughout the program on all three days. Prizes include many items from local businesses and retailers.

Post time for the races will be 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free. Post time for Monday’s races will be 5:30 p.m. Grandstand admission is included in fair admission. Pari-mutuel wagering will be available for all races.