State Fair Harness Racing Card Postponed to Saturday

BY KURT BECKER

Friday’s harness races at the Illinois State Fair have been postponed, following rainfall throughout Sangamon County on Thursday afternoon.

Noting a forecast which called for more rain throughout Thursday evening and continuing into Friday, officials decided to delay Friday’s program until Saturday at 10 a.m. The realignment will make for a doubleheader session of harness racing, with Saturday’s originally scheduled program to follow Friday’s card. A total of 20 races will be in the offing, featuring several horses with Effingham County connections.

Concerns about the scheduling of race day, equine medications also contributed to the decision to postpone Friday’s program. Saturday’s forecast appears more favorable for racing conditions, leading to greater certainty concerning paddock times and the proper administration of medications approved by the Illinois Racing Board.

Saturday’s doubleheader will be highlighted by prep races and elimination heats for the 70th annual Illinois State Fair Colt Stakes.