DARKE COUNTY – Harness racing returns to Greenville at 6:30 p.m. Friday for the Great Darke County Fair’s annual week long race meet.
Racing also takes place at 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 19, at 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 24 and at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 25.
On opening weekend, Friday and Saturday nights will feature the Ohio Colt Racing Association events. Friday night also will feature The Terry Thomas Memorial Signature Series Trot. Saturday night will feature the Rhys Bowman Memorial Signature Series Pace.
The following Thursday and Friday night sessions will feature the Dr. HM Parshall Memorial Futurity. All the sessions will host several overnight events for both trotters and pacers.
Closing night will feature the sixth edition of the Gene Riegle Memorial Open Pace. The event is open to the world with no more than eight starters – first preference to Ohio sired, second preference wholly Ohio owned and third preference to top 2017 money earners. There are no trainer’s entries. The event is carded as one dash for a purse of $42,000, with $300 to start.
The fair also will host the Arnie Almahurst Trot. This race will carry a purse of $22,000. The Arnie Almahurst Trot race has the same conditions as the Gene Riegle Memorial Open Pace with $150 to start.
Closing night will feature a giveaway of a collectible glass to the first 1,000 fans buying a racing program.
The Great Darke County Fair thanked all of the sponsors and the warm outpouring of contributions to make this year’s events possible. Fans can check out all the sponsors, activities and the condition sheets at www.generieglememorial.com along with lots of photos and information on Hall of Famer Gene Riegle.
