Harness Racing Brings A Crowd
Young, Old Enjoy Fulton County Fair Standardbreds
New track records, a good grandstand crowd, and a classy show made up Labor Day harness racing at Wauseon's 150th Fulton County Fair.
Labor Day harness racing at the 150th edition of the Fulton County Fair, Wauseon, OH featured paces and trots of mixed participants, a large, appreciative crowd, frisky betting, and some new track records.
Sprinkled with youth, young adults and old, the grandstand audience cheered all efforts, including those of several first time starters. Sanctioned harness racing at the Fulton County Fair has a long tradition in this Ohio farmland area of small towns and family life. Local and out of state runners did themselves proud. Announcer John Pawlak brought it all to life.
The Northwest Ohio towns of Wauseon, Lyons, Archbold, Antwerp, Fayette, Napoleon, Delta, Ridgeville, and Deshler, as well as those of southern Michigan and the state of Indiana were represented.
In the day's fifth race, Royalton Star, a bay colt owned by Max W. Shaw of Lyons, OH cruised to a new personal best time of 1:54.2 that also established a new track record for three-year-old pacers. At the three-quarters pole of the mile race, Royalton Star pulled away from Lover's Concerto (Monroe, MI) and S A Sugar Bear (Wauseon) to stretch into a multi-length win.
In the third race, a mile pace for two-year-olds, Snow Storm Sam of For The Record Stable, Ridgeville, OH and I. L. Sugg, Deshler, OH made the most of his day. He took command at the three-quarters mark and roared through Cagey Attack (Hillsdale, MI), who had led most of the way. Finishing in 1:59.3, Snow Storm Sam set a new track record as he became the first two-year-old pacer to run under a two-minute mile at the Fulton County track. R C Cruiser (Monroe, MI) finished third.
The second race of the day, a mile trot, was an entertaining win by Pegasus Fury of Berkey, OH. He led comfortably until the three-quarters pole, when Sky Flyer (Commerce Twp., MI) briefly flew by to lead into the final turn. Pegasus Fury took up the challenge to forge back in front. My O My Joe (Delta, OH) got up to place second ahead of Sky Flyer.
The fourth race provided the day's nose to nose compeition. Standing Room (Monroe, MI) came from no where to claim the lead at the three-quarters pole and overtake Promised The Moon (Carleton, MI), who finally overcame Chateau's Romeo (Archbold, OH) for second place earnings.
Eight races in all filled the day's card. And, indeed, a good time seemed to be had by all.
