Horse racing on tap at 2014 County Fair

Van Wert County Fair information

The bell will ring and the gates fly open at noon less than a week from today when one of the most popular attractions of the Van Wert County Fair — Derby Day — kicks off.

With the recent closing of one of Ohio’s oldest horse tracks, Beulah Park in Grove City, the Van Wert County Fair’s Derby Day is one of the few traditional venues left. Derby Day is held in front of a grandstand that was built in 1928, but which saw several upgrades and improvements this year.

According to the Fair Board’s “speed man,” Mike Poling, the races attract a strong field of up-and-coming thoroughbred quarter horses in the 2-, 3-, and 4-year-old events, and each race also features pari-mutuel wagering that adds an element of excitement for fairgoers.

The entry fee for each race is $40 and entries close at noon Friday, August 29.

The purse for this year’s 1 1/8 mile Thoroughbred Open, which features only eight horses, includes $3,200 from sponsors, while the purse for the six other races (listed below) will include $2,500 added by sponsors.

• 220 Quarter Horse—2 years old
• 220 Quarter Horse—3 years old
• 220 Quarter Horse—4 years old
• 550 Quarter Horse—3 years old and up
• 5-Furlong Thoroughbred
• 6½-Furlong Thoroughbred

Post time is noon sharp in front of the grandstand on Labor Day, Monday, September 1. For more information or to make an entry, contact Poling at 419.298.7408 or 419.238.9270.

The 158th annual Van Wert County Fair opens this Wednesday, August 27, and runs through Monday, September 1.