Ann Mossbarger Is 2004 Lady Pace Honoree By Tom White 2/26/04 Delaware, Ohio--Ann Mossbarger, who gave up a "great job at the Columbus Dispatch" to help launch her husband's veterinary career in 1945, will be the fourth Lady Pace honoree of the Delaware, Ohio County Fair. The $20,000-estimated Lady Pace will be raced Sunday afternoon, September  19th, opening day of Delaware's five afternoons of Grand Circuit harness racing,  said Marketing Director Phil Terry. The Little Brown Jug is scheduled for  Thursday, September 23rd.
		Ann and Doc Mossbarger, Grand Marshalls during a Christmas Parade in Washington Court House.

Neither Ann nor Doc had a harness racing background. "I grew up in New Vienna, Ohio, in Clinton County. I had seen some harness racing as a child at the county fair," said Ann.

In the mid 1960s Ann and Doc launched Midland Acres and through the years have built their farm into one of the largest and most successful breeding farms in the sport. The farm foals approximately 250 to 300 mares annually.

"There are three big times for me each year...yearling show day at the Farm (this will be our 24th), sale days, and the Little Brown Jug," said Ann. "Doc and I never miss Grand Circuit week at Delaware and we always go to Lexington for the races and sale after the Jug."

Ann remembers an exciting trip to Lexington when she and her husband went down to work out a deal to stand the trotter Speed In Action. "Andy Grant and Delvin Miller made the arrangements. Speed In Action was such a beautiful horse." Today the farm stands such notables as Nobleland Sam, Chip Chip Hooray, Master Lavec and Yankee Cruiser. According to U.S. Trotting Association statistics, Midland Acres-bred winners earned $1.6-million in 2003.

One of Ann's favorite yearlings was the filly Magic Touch. "She sold at auction during one of our show days and later became a huge favorite racing in the Ohio Sires Stakes. I think she even had a fan club."

Doc and Ann have raised five children including Dr. John Mossbarger, who heads Midland Acre's breeding department, and Jay, who is farm manager and directs the yearling sale preparation. Their daughters are Jo Ann (teacher), Jeanie (nurse) and Jan (nurse). (The names of all the grandchildren also start with the letter J.)

"Our staff have been with us for many, many years. They have been so faithful, just like family," says Ann. "We have had some exciting times and we have made so many friends in the sport."

(*) The Mossbarger home was an important stop on the Underground Rail Road before and during the Civil War affording runaway slaves safe heaven. "We still have the room in the basement where slaves found safety and shelter," said Mrs. Mossbarger.