Two Ohio charities get top prize at OHHA Charity Night

Grove City, OH –Two Central Ohio charities left Eldorado Scioto Downs with big smiles and $10,000 checks as the harness racing winners at the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association’s second charity night of the year.  A total of ten charities benefited from the generosity of the Ohio horseman.

The charities participating in the event were paired with a horse in the ninth race Saturday, June 3.  Each charity received a donation from the OHHA for participating, with the top three finishers receiving larger donations.  First place received $10,000, second place received $5,000, and third place $3,000.  All other finishers received $2,000 donations.

Haven House of Pickaway County and Warrior Bags cheered home Rose Run Xiled with Austin Hanners to claim victory.  Haven House was paired with Rose Run Xiled in the draw that matched the charities with the horses.  Warrior Bags was paired with King’s Cruiser, who was scratched.  That allowed Warrior Bags to choose which horse they would like to represent them in the race.

Haven House of Pickaway County provides an alternative to domestic abuse, violence, and sexual abuse by providing resources, shelter, and counseling to those in need, while Warrior Bags gives encouragement and assists those fighting cancer by sending them a leather tote filled with comforting and purposeful items.

Rose Run Xiled and Hanners took the pocket trip and grabbed the lead down the stretch to win by a length.  Winning Charity Night is nothing new for Hanners.  He drove the winner of the OHHA’s first charity night of the year at Miami Valley Gaming and Raceway in April.

Beach Party with Dan Noble finished second for M-A-S-H Pantry and Resource Center earning the charity $5,000, while McThirsty with Kayne Kauffman finished third for the Pickaway County Special Olympics which received $3,000.

The other charities represented were the American Red Cross, Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Ohio, Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, Home For Families, International Order of Rainbow for Girls, and PBJ Connections.

A total of $40,000 was donated to the charities by the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association.

by Frank Fraas, for the OHHA