BUCYRUS — Harness racing is back at the 167th Crawford County Fair.

Two nights are on the docket, starting with 12 races on Wednesday night.

Harness racing went through some lean times. For instance, for many years, the Crawford County Fair sponsored three nights of racing.

With waning interest from owners, trainers, drivers, and fans, racing dwindled to one night at the Crawford County Fair — and many others — in the not-too-distant past.

Fans turned out once again on Wednesday, with a full card of races. And as I am wont to do — unlike my very knowledgeable colleague, Railbird Rob McCurdy — I tried another one of my quirky analyses of potential betting methods (virtual, of course). I offer this information for entertainment purposes only.

The most horses scheduled to run was seven (Race 6 and Race 8). But due to scratches, no race had more than six (Races 6, 8, and 12).

No. 7 horses ran I just two races and did not finish in the money (win, place, or show) in either.

No. 6 was next fewest with five races but finished in the money three of the five with a win and two shows.

Only No. 4 ran in all 12 races and amazingly finished in the money 11 times, with 4 wins, 4 places, and 4 shows.

No. 1 tied with 4 wins and cashed eight tickets with 4 places, while running in 11 races. No. 5 had 2 firsts and 3 shows in 10 races.

The highest payout for a $2 bet was $18.20 in Race 11. Little Legend (a No. 1) turned the trick. The highest total payout, of $103.80, was the trifecta in Race 12.

Speaking of legends and Race 12, one of the horses was Southwind Amazon (No. 6), currently the second winningest trotter in North American history. The gelding has 133 wins and needs four wins to pass Winning Shadow. The 14-year-old will be retired after this racing season.

Sadly, Southwind Amazon broke stride and finished last in the six-horse race.

All this information can be categorized as interesting but mostly useless if you’re risking your hard-earned cash. Yet, gamblers at the track are a different breed and use any number of methods to place bets.

File this one under entertainment only.

Post time for Thursday’s races is 6 p.m.