by Regina Mayhugh, communications director, Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association

Columbus, OH — A fun filled third annual Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association’s charity race night at Scioto Downs Racino was held on Aug. 20.

With this event, the Ohio harness horsemen provide an introduction to Standardbred horse racing for many that have never been to a racetrack and give back in a small way to ten Ohio based charities.

Up to six members of each charity’s staff joined an OHHA representative as their host for the night. They shared a meal in the clubhouse, an evening of harness racing fun, and had an opportunity to take home a donation for their charity.

Cathy Paessum, Executive Director with the Mid-Ohio Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, loved being hosted and the personal touch.

“It was a great evening. We loved meeting and spending the evening with our host Roy Burns. Roy taught us about harness racing, betting and rural life in Ohio. This was very interesting to the city girls from the Mid-Ohio JDRF office.”

Cathy also loved the Scioto Downs Racino.

“The track is beautiful and the new Racino adds some extra interest to folks waiting for the next race.”

Throughout the night the charities shared their organization with their hosts, manned information tables distributing information to race fans, and shared news and information with the crowd between the races, each taking their turn at the microphone over the Racino’s public address system.

As a bonus, the young 14-year-old with juvenile diabetes accompanying the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation was graciously given a ride in the starting gate by starter Bob Mount.

For the charity race, each charity was coupled with a horse and driver combination via a random draw. After the draw the lineup included: 1. Delta Dawn Hanover-Alzheimer’s Association; 2. Thunder Flight-Central Ohio Parkinson’s Association; 3. So Long My Love-American Cancer Society; 4. Sectionline Aqua-Ronald McDonald House; 5. Igottafeelinfran-Big Brothers Big Sisters; 6. Ride A Cowboy-Arthritis Foundation; 7. Last Flight In-Ohio 4-H Foundation; 8. Cheat Sheet-Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; 9. Shakin Friskie-American Red Cross; 10 Hot Mandy-ALS Association.

Each charity’s designated representative donned a numbered t-shirt reflecting their horse’s post position number. Based on where the horse finished, the charities received a donation: $5,000 to the charity with the winning horse; $2,500 for second place; $1,200 for third place; $800 for fourth place; and $500 each for those horses finishing fifth through tenth.

Each representative lined up in the winner’s circle and the group was cheering as the starting gate roared past the start to send off the field of pacers. By the finish the representatives were jumping up and down and high-fiving each other as their respective horses crossed the finish wire. At the finish all the charities joined the winning charity in the winner’s circle for the picture.

When the results were posted official, Big Brothers Big Sisters went away with the largest single donation of the night, $5,000 when their horse Igottafeelinfran crossed the wire in 1:53.1 with Brad Hanners in the sulky. This placing was not only exciting for the charity, but when talking to Tim McCarthy, VP of Relations of Big Brothers Big Sisters, he stated how the win was even a little more special.

“Before the draw we were looking at the race form and reviewing the horses. We saw Igottafeelinfran and said that horse’s name could be an omen from my mother. Her name was Frances.”

A poignant moment for Tim to have drawn that horse’s number and in the end come out with Igottafeelinfran being the winning horse for his charity.

Second place went to the American Cancer Society with So Long My Love, driven by Greg Grismore. Sectionline Aqua finished in third for the Ronald McDonald House with Hugh Beatty in the sulky. Fourth place was Ride A Cowboy and driver Shawn Barker II for the Arthritis Foundation and fifth was Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation with Cheat Sheet driven by Kayne Kauffman.

The charities were all excited to be a part of the evening. Susan Davis from the Arthritis Foundation summed it up best, “We had a great time at the event. We intend to use our proceeds to support those suffering from the pain and debilitation of arthritis here locally. We have some great education programs that benefit both children and adults afflicted with arthritis, allowing them to live their everyday lives much more comfortably. Thank you so much for the opportunity to attend.”

The OHHA would like to thank the charities for participating, Scioto Downs Racino for hosting and everyone who made the evening possible, including the phenomenal staff and management team at Scioto Downs Racino.