County Fairs for Harness Racing

Posted by BarbaraAnne Helberg Sep 4, 2007

Sawdust. Straw. Manure. Hayracks. Rubber matting in the aisles. Walking blankets. Tack and gear.

And the Standardbreds.

It's the stuff of a walk through the barns of the horse heroes who will soon leave the straw and hayracks behind to don tack and gear and hitch to a sulky to do honorable battle on an oval race track.

In the midst of these things and events, I spent my Labor Day afternoon. A local county fair, most of which hold fully sancioned races, is a unique place to experience the drama and action of the Standardbreds.

Pari-mutuel betting, too.

Personally, I don't attend the races to bet. My interest is purely aesthetic and mental. I'm into the mystery and beauty of the participants and the fun and emotional reward of the competition.

But if you're fond of trying your hand at the windows, a well done county fair is a winning place to see the Standardbreds perform. Many share your passion.The small town local county fair I went to featured an aluminum seated grandstand three quarters full with a mixed generation audience plenty interested in the pari-mutuel windows located underneath it.

Racing on a one-half mile oval, the Standardbreds entertained their spectators in satisfactory fashion. In eight races of mixed age and experience in pace and trot, we witnessed a new track record by a two-year-old colt named Snow Storm Sam from the nearby stables of the tiny bergs of Deshler and Ridgeville Corners, a commanding win by a nine-year-old Michigan bay, impressive lifetime money winners, and an eager first time starter from my area (Napoleon) who broke his gait just yards into his initial contest.

All was put on with class and precision. A day of harness racing at the Fulton County Fair, Wauseon, Ohio. You can't beat the county fairs if you love the Standardbred.