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BIG RAPIDS — The first night of harness racing at the Mecosta County Free Fair featured a multitude of tight racing and many different winners on Monday.
Ten races had 10 different winners as a tight field saw veterans such as Tim Roach and Brad Kramer take home wins alongside Big Rapids’ own Matt Currie.
Among the dramatic moments on the night was Curries’ mad dash to the wire in the first non-Winners of 3 Races. Piloting Racing on Air, Currie found a lane on the home stretch and took the leaders three wide, willing Racing on Air to a victory.
“At first I saw nothing, then I saw a little bit of daylight up the inside and I took it.” Currie said on the race winning move. “I’ve got a guy that I do his horse’s teeth and the owner said ‘It’s Matt’s hometown fair. Let’s let him drive him and he’s a nice horse. He hasn’t raced in a year, but he was pacing well.”
Among the other highlights on the night was the Two-Year-Old Philly Pace, which had a three-wide photo finish with Mother Mary and driver Joe Casagranda edging out Girlridinshotgun and Big Rapids’ Aaron Colley by less than two feet.
The night featured many different winners, with no drivers winning multiple races on the evening. Currie stated that part of the reason was the increase in the quality of competition in the harness racing community.
“The breed is getting better here in Michigan,” Currie said. “There’s more money than there has been in the past. The breeds have definitely gotten better and they’re growing faster.”
Winners on Monday night:
Two-Year-Old Filly Trot:
Horse: John’s Baby Filly
Driver: Justin Irvine
Two-Year-Old Colt Trot Race 1:
Horse: Lukes Rainbow
Driver: Brett Boyd
Two-Year-Old Colt Trot Race 2:
Horse: Bo Silas
Driver: Brad Kramer
Two-Year-Old Philly Pace:
Horse: Mother Mary
Driver: Joe Casagranda
Two-Year-Old Colt Pace:
Horse: Born Wild
Driver: David Lake
Maidens Race 1:
Horse: Shermont
Driver: Tim Roach
Maidens Race 2:
Horse: Parade of Hits
Driver: Greg Bateson
Maidens Race 3:
Horse: Wish Upon a Tell
Driver: Paul Cloer Jr
Non-Winners of 3 races or $10,000 Lifetime:
Horse: Racing on Air
Drive: Matt Currie
Non-Winners of 3 races or $10,000 Lifetime Race 2:
Horse: Irish Ihada Harley
Driver: Dennis Dicken
Fair Schedule for the Rest of the Week
Wednesday, July 12
· Market Beef, Market Dairy, and Baby Calf Show at 9 a.m.
· Kids Day 12 p.m. – 11 p.m.
· Horse & Pony Show at 1 p.m.
· (Jumping, Huntset, Saddleseat, English, and Gymkhana)
· Dairy Breedstock Show @ 2 pm · Grandstand: Micro Wrestling 7 pm – 9pm; $12 and $40 ring-side tickets: https://microwrestling.com/tour-dates
Thursday, July 13
· Horse & Pony Show at 9 a.m. (Trail and Reining)
· Midway Opens 1 pm – 11 p.m.
· Livestock Auction Sale at 5 p.m.
· Grandstand: Super Kicker Rodeo 7 pm; Adults $15, Children 12 & under $5
Friday, July 14
· Horse & Pony Show at 9 a.m. (Western, Speed and Costume Class)
· Midway Opens 1 p.m. – 11 p.m.
· Grandstand: MTTP MI Truck & Tractor Pullers 7 p.m. Adults: $15, Children 12 & under $5
Saturday, July 15
· Horse & Pony at 10 a.m. (Cloverbud and Peewee Classes Including Cloverbud Costume Class)
· Roping and Obstacle Course at 1 p.m.
· Midway Opens 1 p.m. – 11 p.m.
· Showmanship Sweepstakes at 4 p.m.
Grandstand: Demolition Derby 7 p.m. Adults $15 , Children 12 & under $5.