How To Pick Harness Racing Winners; 2nd Annual Labor Day Choices at Fulton County Fair

Posted by BarbaraAnne Helberg Sep 13, 2008

Four and one-third winners from eight races. No, I didn't bet. Not my thing. I project winners from the racing program information just for the fun of it and have a fine time. Reporting my "expertise" is the second half of the fun. 2008 represented my 2nd (of a targeted annual) Fulton County Fair Labor Day at the harness races to be followed by a blog report (and factual article reports).

How did I pick four and one-third winners? Well, I got winners in Race Two, Race Five, Race Six and Race Seven; in Race One I called a dead-heat between TimJon and Oh My Sam and they obliged me by finishing first (TimJon) and third (Oh My Sam). So I gave myself a one-third point for that "almost" pick.

There were exciting, close races, runaway races, and come-from-behind races. A nice variety for any fan. Two runaways, Taco Chip (Race Two) and Snow Storm Sam (Race Five) and 14-year-old Presidential Pride (Race Six) got the most cheers for their exhilarating efforts.

If you go to the local harness race tracks without much knowledge, a complete program can help a lot in picking potential victors. Pay attention to

• pedigrees -- does a named sire have multiple entrants on the day's card?
• racing records -- does an entrant have nearly one win for every three, or four starts?
• highest career earnings figures -- meaning an entrant has won against best competitors in distinguished races with the largest purses

Follow your first choices. Trust that instinct after considering the above facts. Good luck! Have fun!