by Mike Wandishin, for The Great Pocomoke City Fair

Pocomoke City, MD — The Great Pocomoke City Fair will have a day of harness racing on August 3, with a first post of 12:30 p.m. Both exhibition and sanctioned races will be carded and, as usual, a wide range of races contested.

New this year is the over 50 pace/trot for older drivers. A Powder Puff and a 9/16ths-mile dash are among the other races on tap.

The popular “Heavyweight Challenge” for drivers over 225 pounds will also return but the feature will remain The Jack Dolby Stars of the Future, for those aged 14-18 with some experience behind the gate. It will also be carded for those under 18 with a valid “m” license.

It is with great pride and pleasure that we will once again be conducting USTA sanctioned races in this year’s meet in addition to the exhibition races we have conducted in the recent past. It is our hope that we will have a packed box as we have had in the past couple years.

All purses will be listed at $750. Purses will be adjusted depending upon the number of races we have (unless more than 60 horses enter, purses will in no case be lowered). In addition, upon entering please specify whether you wish to race in a sanctioned race with a charted line, or in an exhibition race.

The Great Pocomoke City Fair policy in regard to cancellation of the races is if it becomes necessary to cancel the races due to unforeseen circumstances, an expense reimbursement of $100 per horse will be paid. Any leftover funds resulting from a cancellation will be placed in escrow and added to the following year’s purse fund. Any entry in a sanctioned race (charted lines will be generated) requires all connections (owner, trainer and driver) to be licensed with the USTA.

The races will be contested Saturday (August 3) with first post at 12:30 p.m. The entry box opens Monday (July 29) at 10 a.m. (EDT) and closes on Wednesday (July 31) at 12 noon. The draw will be posted on this site that evening.