Lucy’scountrycomet wins Carol Paris Memorial

The overcast skies did not deter harness racing fans from attending the races at the Davis County Fair in Bloomfield, Ia on Wednesday (7/16).  With a boisterous crowd cheering on their favorites, two-year-old trotters took the field in race two, the Carol Paris Memorial.

Carol Paris had been involved in harness racing for over seventy years.  She worked as Iowa Harness Racing’s Clerk of the Course for 61 years before retiring in 2024.  A lifelong resident of Davis county, she grew up in the horse racing world as her father, Lewis ‘Bud” Paris, trained thoroughbreds at the Davis County Fair Grounds in the late 1950’s – 1960’s.  Ms. Paris passed away in February 2025 but family and friends from all over the state gathered to celebrate her love of trotters at the Davis County Fair.

As the trotters lined up behind the gate, Blue Policy (Heidi Saner) quickly left from the four-hole to take a commanding lead, leaving the field in the dust.  Trotting alone in 35.3 at the quarter-pole, Blue Policy charged to the half in 1:13.4.

Holding off a brief challenge by Lucy’scountrycomet (Chad Svendsen), Blue Policy maintained the lead as they raced toward the three-quarters in 1:51.2.  But Lucy’scountrycomet had gas in the tank, pulling to race head to head around the last turn.

Still racing in tandem down the lane, Lucy’scountrycomet made a final push towards the wire while the crowd cheered the competitors.  Trotting across the finish line in 2:27.2. Lucy’scountrycomet grabbed the victory in the Carol Paris Memorial.

Iowa harness racing is scheduled to race at Kahoka, MO on Sunday (7/20).  Post time will be 12:30pm CST.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Tara Spach, for the IaHHA