from the Western Ohio Colt Racing Association

Mt. Victory, OH — The Western Ohio Colt Racing Association’s 2014 banquet was held at the Plaza Inn on Oct. 19 in Mt. Victory, Ohio.

This year we had two new county fairs celebrating the successful season of harness racing at the fairs, Hancock County and Logan County. The WOCRA would like to give a big thank you to the horsemen who raced with us. Our Master of Ceremonies was Mike Woebkenburg, an awesome starter. He made for a fun evening and was very informative. We actually ran out of tickets before we ran out of door prizes.

The following are the 2014 WOCRA winners in their perspective classes:

2-year-old filly pacer: Mighty Good Feelin, owned by EG Trot LLC, John B. Arnold and Hack Hendershot
Driver/Trainer: Ed Greeno Jr.

2-year-old filly trotter: Reins To Victory, owned by Dennis Shaner and Carol Winters
Driver/Trainer: Mark Winters Sr.

2-year-old colt pacer: Deanariffic, owned by Rosemary LeVan
Trainer: Herb LeVan
Driver: Jack Dailey

2-year-old colt trotter: Crowned With Glory, owned by EG Trot LLC, Mike Mallett, James E. Paul and John B. Arnold
Driver/Trainer: Ed Greeno Jr.

3-year-old filly trotter: Lily Adonno, owned by John Hubbell
Driver/Trainer: Ed Greeno Jr.

3-year-old filly pacer: RK’s Zip Code, owned by Dwight D. Clark
Trainer: Mark Rowe
Driver: Michael Smith

3-year-old colt trotter: Mainstreet Willy, owned by Howard A. Taylor, Richard M. Lombardo, Abraham N. Basen and Judith S. Taylor
Trainer: Rebecca M. Zubkoff
Driver: Jack Dailey

3-year-old colt pacer: Blackhawk Lookout, owned by Rosemary LeVan
Trainer: Herb LeVan
Driver: Jack Dailey

The Bess Field Memorial for fastest trot in the WOCRA was won by Majesty Dream, owned by Thomas H. York and Upfront Racing LLC
Trainer: James R. Arledge
Driver: Roy Burns

The Dr. C. W. Field Memorial for the fastest pace in the WOCRA was won by Chance I Might, owned by Rebecca J. Dyer
Trainer: James Dailey
Driver: Chris Page

Hancock County Fair and Logan County Fair brought with them the Dr. HD Schoonover Award, which has been given out by the North Central Ohio Circuit for the last 13 years. Unfortunately Dr. Schoonover pasted away Oct. 14. The Schoonover daughters, Sharon and Sandra, wanted to continue with the award. Sharon and Sandra Schoonover presented the award to Jayne Weller, the former NCOC secretary/treasurer. The award now has 14 engraved names of honored men and women. There’s room for 10 more.

This year we honored drivers and trainers with the most points earned in the eight classes.

Driver awards: Jack Dailey won four: 2-year-old colt pace, 3-year-old filly pace, 3-year-old colt pace, 3-year-old colt trot; Ed Greeno Jr. won three: 2-year-old filly pace, 2-year-old colt trot, 3-year-old filly trot; and Mark Winters Sr. won one: 2-year-old filly trot

Trainer awards: Ed Greeno Jr. won two: 2-year-old filly pace and 3-year-old filly trot; Mark Winters Sr. won two: 2-year-old filly trot and 2-year-old colt pace; James Dailey won one: 2-year-old colt trot; J. Brian Georges won one: 3-year-old filly pace; Herb LeVan won one: 3-year-old colt pace; and Sherald Haynes won one: 3-year-old colt trot.

Rising Stars received more than recognition this year with their numerous catch drives. We thank you: Michael Smith, Tyler Rush, Cody Greeno, Pierce Henry, and Kacey Burns.

These young people are the future of Ohio’s harness horse racing. Between them are more than 16 years of racing experience. In her first year, Kacey has won half her races.

In honor of our fallen horsemen, HD Schoonover, Bob Farrington and & RJ Brown, take a few moments of silence and thank them with us.

Western Ohio Colt Racing Association, President Dennis Fricke, Allen County; Vice-President Randy Leopard, Champaign County; Secretary/Treasurer Katie Meddles; Wayne Lybarger, Auglaize County; Brad Wallace, Hancock County; Paul Rickenbacher, Hardin County; Bob Maier, Logan County; Emily Hay, Mercer County; Gerald McHenry, Madison County; Eleanor Risser, Putnam County; Matt Henman, Shelby County; John Fitzgerald, Union County; and Curt Massie, Wyandot County.

Thanks also to Ann and Ray Lumpkin, Champaign Landmark, Woodside Veterinary Hospital, and all of the donators for the door prizes.