The Scoop - April 10, 2017
Posted by Heather Rutz on Apr 11, 2017
Ohio leads the nation in Standardbred racing.
Ohio ranks No. 1 in the country for Standardbred racing business, Renee Mancino, executive director of the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association, told Lima Rotary Club Monday.
That is in large part to the more than 60 county fairs across the state, including Allen County, that feature pari-mutuel racing, Mancino said. About 2,500 horses are racing at county fairs. Between the county fairs and racinos, breeding, raising, caring for, and training horses, is large industry. Ohio’s largest breeding farm is in Hancock County.
Mancino talked about the history of Thoroughbred and Standardbred horse racing in the United States, saying it dates back to President Washington and his horses. Racing began in earnest in this country with the formation of the National Trotting Association in 1870, and it continues today with American Pharoah winning the Triple Crown in 2015, the first Thoroughbred in 37 years to do so.
Mancino took an interesting route to the job she has today. In college she was preparing to be a veterinarian when she met her husband. The two joined the gaming industry and moved to Las Vegas. While in Nevada, Mancino earned her law degree and worked in gaming law. The couple decided to move back to Ohio to raise their daughter and Mancino found a home that combined her love of horses and her industry skillset.
“Our future looks bright and I hope to see you at a racetrack or pari-mutuel race near you,” Mancino said.
In other Rotary business Monday:
Bath Township Fire Chief Joe Kitchen surprised Paul Swartz with a $500 donation made in his name to Rotary. The Allen County Fire Chiefs Association made the donation to honor Swartz’s five-year sponsorship of significant training for Allen County first responders. Swartz Contracting has arranged for the training and made a significant impact on first responders’ education, Kitchen said. Swartz can decide where he’d like the $500 donated.
“He’s a true Rotarian, and understands service above self,” Kitchen said of Swartz.
Richard Warren updated the club on the High Octane Drum Line, saying the group is preparing to play in several parades and special events this summer. The group is also considering purchasing equipment to help younger drummers handle the drums, which can be heavy, and also investigating a box truck or van to haul equipment.
