The Delaware County Fair has suspended Monday afternoon racing during the 2011 Delaware County Fair
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The move comes due to a decline in the horse population in the state of Ohio.
“A large part of our racing program depends on Ohio-bred horses, and with the dwindling numbers we will lose 80 to 100 horses this year,” said Phil Terry, manager and director of marketing for the Delaware County Fair. “In order for the Delaware Fair to provide a premier race program, we have eliminated Monday as a race day for 2011. This will allow us to put on four great afternoons of racing that all of our fans will enjoy. Monday was eliminated because it is our least attended with the smallest live handle of our great stakes schedule.”
Grand Circuit racing will begin on Sunday, September 18 and continue Tuesday, September 20; Jugette Day Wednesday, September 21; and Little Brown Jug Day Thursday, September 22.
Over the past few years, the Ohio horse population has steadily decreased because of strong competition from surrounding states which have alternative gaming as part of their business plan. Monies from alternative gaming have allowed Indiana, Pennsylvania, New York and Ontario to provide much larger purses than in Ohio. Thus, owners and breeders have migrated to those states.
“Since 1939, the Delaware County Fair has strived to provide a premier racing program. From the start, our racing has been world-class. In 2010, Rock N Roll Heaven set a World Record in winning the 65th Little Brown Jug and went on to be voted Horse of the Year (in the United States). This is the type of horse that we attract to Delaware and will continue to attract in the future," Terry said. "We will still have four of the greatest days in harness racing with the largest crowds in North America in 2011 and beyond.”
For a complete Grand Circuit stakes schedule and other news about the Delaware County Fair, click here.
(Delaware County Fair)