Remembering Harness Racing

FAIRLEA W.Va. (WVDN) – Harness racing at the State Fair of West Virginia was one of the most exciting attractions for nearly one hundred years.

Some may remember going to the harness racing with their family in the old wooden grandstand, where the judge’s booth was under a big umbrella across the race track beside the old wooden stage. Before and in between each race, fans were treated to the classical York Spring Garden Band from York, PA, performing music like Hello Dolly, Cabaret and other jazzy tunes. Acrobats on stage and high wire acts beside the stage also dazzled the harness racing crowds.

Few, but some may remember when Col. N.S. Arbuckle, on horseback, would parade the trotters and pacers before each race in front of the grandstand for the introductions.

Many families have sponsored races for this great event year after year. Some that come to mind of late were the George Aide family, the Jack Arbuckle family, the Col. N.S. Arbuckle family, the Clemons family, the Joe Black Hayes family, the Frank McClung family, Simms Exxon, the Carl Smith family, the David E. Tuckwiller family, and the Frank Wilson family.

I have kept race programs for the past forty years, and here are some results from past decades.

Forty years ago in 1984, Red Oaks Drew and Sovereign Breeze won the most races with four. The fastest pacer was Flying GT, a 2 year old from Pomeroy, OH, who paced the mile in 205.1.

Thirty years ago in 1994, Tuck Away B won the most with four. The fastest pacer was Wolf Creek Levi, a 10 year old from Waterford, OH, who paced the mile in 201.3.

Twenty years ago in 2004, Crysta’s Exchange, Presidential Bull and Ambro Wager won the most races with two. The fastest pacer that year was Sold American, a 4 year old from Marietta, OH, who paced the mile in 159.1

Ten years ago in 2014, Maurview Four, Go Easy on Me, DVD Easy Does It, and Vertigo Hanover won the most races with two. The fastest trotter was Parthian, a 4 year old from New Philadelphia, OH, who trotted the mile in 203.4. The fastest pacer at the State Fair track that year was Bourbon Street Hanover, a 6 year old also from New Philadelphia, OH, who paced the mile in 200.1.

I would like to dedicate these memories in the memory of Carol Hayes Cales. Carol grew up and loved harness racing. I always enjoyed talking to her about horse racing before and after a race at the fair, or before or after church. Carol was a daughter of the late and great harness racing legend, Joe Black Hayes.

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