When Fashionwoodchopper won last year’s Pennsylvania championship for two-year-old colt and gelding trotters at 38-1 — from Post 8, no less — he surprised everyone but his trainer, Jim Campbell.

“We liked him all along, but it took him a little while to get himself set,” Campbell says. “I’m really happy with the way he’s come back.”

Fashionwoodchopper will lead a trio of talented Campbell-trained three-year-olds into Saturday’s $174,888 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes opener, known as the Super Bowl, at the Meadows. He’s set to strut his stuff from Post 6 in Race 9 with David Miller aboard. His stablemates, Crystal Fashion (Race 10, Post 8) and Patent Leather (Race 8, Post 1) will have the services of Tim Tetrick. Jules Siegel’s Fashion Farms owns all three hopefuls. First post is 1:05 p.m.

Fashionwoodchopper added victories in the International Stallion Series and Bluegrass to his impressive resume and earned $258,449 for the year. He opened his sophomore campaign with a strong show finish in a tough overnight at the Meadowlands Racetrack, timed in 1:52.2.

“He’s a really nice horse to be around, a real pleasure to train,” Campbell says of the son of Donato Hanover-Woodshopper. “It’s early in the season, so my main concern is that he doesn’t get roughed up. I want to get a good race into him without too tough a trip.”

Fourth in last year’s PASS final, Crystal Fashion, a Cantab Hall-Window Willow gelding, banked $161,292 at two and launched his sophomore season with an impressive victory at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

“Where Fashionwoodchopper can race either way, Crystal Fashion likes to come from behind,” Campbell says. ”He’s really good if he can sit on the outside and grind horses down. He really seems to thrive on that.”

Although he’s the least heralded of the three, Patent Leather earned $77,992 last year while racing through injuries.

“He’s a real gutsy horse, “Campbell said. “He forgot all about those injuries when he raced last year. He has quick speed, and he’s gritty.”

The son of Broadway Hall-Designable will enter the Super Bowl off of a win in a Harrah’s Philadelphia overnight.

Saturday’s action-packed Preakness Day card will also feature an $80,000 PA Stallion Series stakes event for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters and a pair of rich guarantees — $7,500 for the Pick 4 (Races 4-7), $5,000 for the Pick 5 (Races 10-15). Fan-centered activities include:

• A DJ and food and beverage specials at BBQ tents on the apron;
• Paddock tours and jog cart and starting gate rides, courtesy the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association (MSOA);
• ‘Plinko’ games offering such prizes as hats and betting vouchers.

To register or for more information, stop by the MSOA table in the racebook.

(Meadows)