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Darke County Fair...
Too much
excitement in one night at the fair
By George Starks
GREENVILLE- With well over 60 races in the books at the Great Darke
County Fair Friday, including the much acclaimed Gene Riegle Memorial
Pace, the final race of the fair ended with a very bad twist.
With the final race nearing completion, the P.A. announcer came across
saying, "Horse down in the backstretch."
At that point a horse down meant a driver down. Before long, the horse
was up and running loose in the infield and two drivers were down. The
drivers were Mark Winters Sr. and his son Mark Winters Jr.
The rescue squad was sent to attend to the drivers and at last report
both were fine, but the issue of a standard bred horse on the loose was
still an issue. Covering the speed program at the fair all these many
years, I had never seen this happen before.
After the announcement was made that a horse was loose in the infield,
my heart fluttered and the next thing I heard was Tim Harless yelling,
"Clear out of the area and take cover."
A very dangerous situation to say the least.
I was able to get away from the table and get between a couple of golf
carts. I was told I was in a safe place there although I'm not sure
there really is a safe place when a horse is running wild.
When I got in a more secure area, I looked up and saw the horse on the
move. The next thing I knew, the horse hit the green pylon at the
finish line bending it. When the animal reached turn one, it did a 180,
and took off in the same direction it came from.
I can't put into words my first thoughts as to what was happening; they
can't be put into print. After the horse got back to the south end of
the track, I thought, "WOW"! I always knew something of this nature
could happen but never could I actually picture it.
To be honest, it was the first time I was ever really scared at a horse
race.
Friday night was a little more excitement than I had ever bargained for
and I hope it never happens again.
The last time I heard there was a horse down, it was before the start
of the race and the horse eventually died. This was a different and
more serious situation. Not only was a very expensive Standard Bred on
the loose but lives were on the line, including mine.
It really made me realize how short life is and how fast it can change.
I know there will be a day when I will close my eyes for the last time
and I realize no one knows their fate in life. What I did realize was
this.
Friday night had way too much excitement for me at my age.
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