by Tami Hartman

Circleville, OH — This year’s Pickaway County (Ohio) Fair will open with a two-day harness racing meet to be held on Saturday (June 20) and Sunday (June 21) at the Circleville fairgrounds. More than 300 horses are nominated to the fair and total purses are expected to be more than $86,000.

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 Pickaway County Open Pace, the Pollock Stable Trot for 2-year-old colt trotters and OCRA stake race for 2-year-old filly pacers.

Sunday’s races will include OCRA stakes races for 2-year-old filly trotters and 3-year-old colt trotters, as well as the Forrest Short Pace for 3-year-old fillies, the George W. Vancamp Trot for 3-year-old fillies, the Ed “Yock” Strawser Memorial for 3-year-old colt trotters, and two overnight events for older horses — the Macs Classic Open Trot and the Bill Mayhugh Memorial Pace for conditioned pacers.

Visitors to the grandstand will also have the opportunity to view the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame traveling exhibit “A Drive to Win.” This exhibit focuses on several drivers/trainers who are representative of the thousands of avid industry participants who make harness racing work on a daily basis, but who never rise to the level of “stardom.”

One such person featured in the exhibit is local harness racing legend and Circleville native Forrest Short whose daughters Sara and Anne can be seen every year at the races, assisting the Speed Committee and continuing their father’s commitment to the sport.

Other activities include giveaway events and prize drawings to be held throughout the program on both Saturday and Sunday. Prizes include many items from local businesses and retailers.

Post time for the races will be 1 p.m. each day. Admission is free and pari-mutuel wagering will be available.