---- — WESTPORT -- There was harness racing on two fronts Wednesday with the opening of the Essex County Fair in Westport and the first day of action at the Franklin County Fair in Malone.
Essex racing featured the New York County Fair Sire Stakes with more than $25,000 in purse money at stake on the 11-race program.
Scott LaPage reined Prove It to victory in both heats for 2-year-old pacers while Days of Delight, with Doug Jones in the bike, stepped off a lively 2:06.4 to win the Free-for-all Pace, the final event on the card.
RG Preceptinator, and Mark Whitcroft, turned the fastest mile, getting it 2:06.3 in the first dash for 3-year-old pacers; however, he was unable to duplicate that effort in the second heat, finishing fourth behind Itsgottabme, with Scott LaPage driving, who paced the mile in 2:07.0.
Racing in Malone got off on the wrong foot with a disqualification in the first race. Vacation Journal finished first, but was placed third due to interference in the stretch. Swanky Sweetwater, with Larry LaPage driving, was awarded the victory.
Heavensperlygate, with Kevin Gale in the bike, showed good speed for a two-year-old pacer, winning both dashes in 2:07.0 and 2:07.2. Those stood as the fastest times of the day until the eighth and final race, when Tom Gale sent Style Guy to a dazzling 2:02.4 in the Open pace for 3-year-olds.
Breewood Briar also doubled in the Open competition for 3-year-old trotters, winning in 2:12.3 and 2:08.2.
Racing resumes at 1 p.m. today at the Franklin County Fair.
Franklin County Fair
Harness racing
Wednesday, Aug. 11
1st race Open 2 yr old trot.
Total Purse $1100, each dash $550
Lloyd White & Son Trophy
a-1, Swanky Sweetwater (L. LaPage)
2. Claire's Cash (R. C. Gale)
b-3. Vacation Journal (K. Gale)
a-Finished third placed first
b-finished first place third due to interference in stretch.