The Delaware, Ohio County Fair has added two new overnight races to its 2009 racing schedule

and made other changes to make the racing more competitive and to provide more opportunities for Ohio-bred horses.

“Our goal is to make the racing more competitive and yet appeal to a different class of horses,” said Tom Wright, director of racing.

“For example, we added a $3,000 pace for fillies and mares who have won $5,000 but not more than $15,000 as of September 9, 2009,” Wright said. The race is scheduled for Tuesday, September 22.

The second new race is a $5,000 open pace for winners of over $50,000 lifetime as of September 9. Scheduled for Little Brown Jug Day, Thursday, September 24, the new open pace is expected to draw top flight horses. Changes also were made for another race on Jug Day, for pacing colts and geldings which are winners of $20,000 but not over $50,000 lifetime. The purse is $4,000.

Starting fees for all overnight events are two per cent of advertised purses. All horses must be declared in to start by 10:00 a.m. three days prior to the event. Any questions, prior to September 15, should be directed to Tom Wright, 614-847-1948.

A complete listing of all overnight races and conditions is available on the LBJ website.

The five afternoons of harness racing get underway the afternoon of Sunday, September 20.

(LBJ)