Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Mendota Races Could Be Cut

January 29, 2010

When the bell rang during the last harness race of Mendota’s Tri-County Fair in 2009, fair organizers didn’t realize it was the last bell for the sport at the fairgrounds.

Racing superintendent Randy Tuftie resigned last fall after the conclusion of the 2009 fair and the fair board actively sought a new superintendent before the Dec. 1 deadline as required by the State of Illinois.

Fair board member Carol Ramer said despite the board members’ best efforts, they were unable to find a superintendent in time for the 2010 fair season.

“We tried all kinds of things and did not get even one applicant,” she said. “Our hands are tied; it’s so sad.”

Ramer said they advertised the position in several media outlets and sent press releases to area publications as soon as Tuftie resigned. She also notes the requirements can be a little stiff for anyone interested in the volunteer position.

“It has to be someone who loves horse racing and everything about horses,” she said.

“The position is a volunteer position consisting of a 20-hour week from mid-July to mid-September and then a four-five hour week the rest of the year. And you have to raise $25,000 in funding to get the races going again.”

An e-mail from Jilly Cross accused the fair board of lying to the public and harness racing fans last summer when a tenant’s lease was not renewed. But Ramer said that incident actually preceded the 2009 races and at the time, the fair board had every intention of continuing the tradition.

And they still do — all they need is a volunteer willing to put in the hours and raise the funds to bring the races back to the annual fair. Ramer said if the board can find a superintendent, then she believes the board could petition the state to grant a waiver that would allow the races to resume.