POMEROY — Horse racing and betting have gone hand-in-hand for decades, and this year it will be happening at the Meigs County Fair.
This is not the first time for wagering at the Meigs County Fair, but it’s the first time in a long time — maybe 25 or 30 years.
In Ohio, there are seven raceways and several county fairs that offer wagering on horses and have for a number of years.
Racing at the Meigs County Fair this year is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 16, beginning at noon on the oval racetrack of the Rock Spring Fairgrounds. There are classes for 10 to 13 races for pacers and trotters with two being “free for all,” according to the schedule released by the Meigs County Fair Board.
“For those who have been to the raceways or dog tracks, the methods of wagering will be the same,” said Steve Swatzel, racing superintendent. “During the harness horse races fans can study a ‘tote board’ which will display the odds of each horse and a program of the past performances. A normal bet of win, place or show costs only $2 and can be placed at the betting window which will be located near the middle of the grandstand.”
Swatzel went on to explain that the winnings depend on the total amount bet by everyone at the races.
He said that even those who don’t wager at the races will enjoy them since they will be getting a look at some of the best horses and drivers in Ohio as they try to overcome one the toughest race tracks around.
“The fair board anticipates a large crowd for the races and hopes everyone enjoys a little friendly wager against their friends or family,” said Swatzel with a reminder that the harness races this year will be held on Thursday.
For senior citizens with a Golden Buckeye Card, there will be free admission to the fairgrounds until 2 p.m. that day. There is no charge to sit in the grandstand.
Again this year, racing fans sitting in the grandstand will have an opportunity to win prizes provided by the Fair Board in drawings during the racing progam.
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