by Rick Stevens-Gleason, for the Darke County Fair
Greenville, OH — The 2018 Darke County (Ohio) Fair harness racing program will come to a close this Thursday (Aug. 23) with a 15-race program featuring the $45,000 Gene Riegle Memorial Pace and the $25,000 Arnie Almahurst Trot.
In the Riegle (race 14), the latest addition to the Dan Noble barn, Nuclear Dragon, is coming off his best effort to date, a 1:48.2 mile at Eldorado Scioto Downs. Not to be overlooked is Ron Burke trainee Dancin Yankee, who is currently riding a four-race winning streak and most recently turned in a 1:49.2 wire-to-wire victory at Northfield Park. Rounding out the seven-horse field are Lucky Lime, Docdor Friskie, Rock On Line, Hunchie and Camwood.
In the Almahurst (race 12), Churita will attempt to add to a career that already includes 35 lifetime wins, the most recent a 1:51.4 at Hoosier Park on July 28, and over $850,000 in earnings. Not to be outdone, Lady’s Dude, also from the Ron Burke stable, has made 45 visits to the winner’s circle and bankrolled over $750,000. Five others round out the field.
Four divisions of the 2-year-old Parshall Futurity Pace and two divisions of the 3-year-old Parshall Futurity Trot are included on the card. In the Ohio Ladies Pace, the women continue their quest for a spot in the final to be contested Jug week at Delaware (Ohio).
Post time is 5:30 p.m.
Foiled Again will also appear in the 10th race which is slated to go off at 7:45 p.m.