by Charlene Sharpe, USTA Web Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Charlene Sharpe

Laurel, DE — Even as he was prepping for Sunday’s World Driving Championship, USA representative Corey Callahan could still recall every detail of his first race. A race that, in spite of his explosive success in recent years, was not at well known Harrah’s Chester or Dover Downs, but rather a tiny half-mile track at the Pocomoke City Fairgrounds.

“It was ridiculous,” Callahan said. “Nobody was on the gate, then we were all gapped back. I dropped the whip at the quarter pole. But I definitely got bit by the bug there.”

Callahan, who was 25 at the time, took part in the fair to get a feel for what it was like to go behind the starting gate. The Great Pocomoke Fair, one of just a few in Maryland to still offer harness racing, is known for its number of uncharted races that do not require a driver’s license — just a knowledge of harness horses — from participants.

“It’s a good learning experience,” Callahan said.

Firestorm Photography

Charles Williams, 77 years young, was in the winner’s circle last summer at the Great Pocomoke Fair with What A Fantasy.

Mike Wandishin, the fair’s race secretary for the past nine years, believes those races are key for keeping youth interested in the sport. Each year, the Pocomoke Fair‘s uncharted races are highlighted by the “Stars of the Future” race, open to those in the industry too young to get their driver’s license.

“Everyone in the industry complains that we have lost the youth,” said Wandishin, who fulfilled a dream of his own by driving in the fair in 2002. “Stars of the Future is my solution, albeit a small step, to that problem.”

In addition to Callahan, who in just six years has surpassed 2,000 career wins and accumulated earnings of $25 million, Montrell Teague is a “graduate” of the fair. Teague, who finished second Saturday in the Adios with Custard The Dragon, has a UDR of .321 and earnings of $1.58 million this year at the age of 20.

Delaware driver Blake Baker says he was a regular at the fair from the time he was 15 until he was old enough to get his driver’s license.

“It’s fun for everybody,” he said. “It teaches young kids and gets them into the sport.”

Justin Brenneman, another Delaware trainer and driver, started taking part in the Pocomoke Fair when he was 15 and hasn’t stopped. He plans to bring at least one horse this year.

“It’s a hometown-type thing,” said Brenneman, who grew up in Worcester County. “You kind of feel obligated to go.”

Like the fair’s other past competitors, he has no trouble remembering his first race.

“I drove RT Um Jim, a trotter of (John) Wagner’s,” he said. “I left with him and got to the front and just got beat. Brandon (Givens) won.”

While he admits he was nervous his first time Brenneman said the fair was something he always looked forward to.

“When I was a little kid I couldn’t wait for the fair,” he said. “It was a starting point for me.”

Along with the Star of the Future races, the Pocomoke Fair offers other unique events for participants. “The Humbletonian” is offered for trotters who have not won a race in the past two years, while “The Heavyweight Challenge” is for drivers who tip the scales at 250 pounds. A variety of sanctioned races will be held in addition to these exhibition races.

“We have a fun time here,” Wandishin said. “The majority of people that race with us once become regulars.”

The entry box for the fair is open until Wednesday (Aug. 3) for this Saturday’s (Aug. 6) card. For information call Wandishin at 765.621.7959.