It was the 2023 yearling auction in Harrisburg, and trainer Roland Mallar was in a buying mood. After examining the youngsters for sale, Mallar put a mark by the name of Wedlock Blue Chip, a smallish but well built son of Bettors Wish-Heavenly Bride that caught the trainer's eye.

As the colt walked through the ring, Mallar was momentarily distracted. By the time he re-focused, the auction was over. The colt was hammered down for a bargain-basement price of $10,000, so bidding was done in a heartbeat.

That might have been the end of the story, but an associate of one of the successful bidders, Don Hawk, approached Mallar and asked if he’d be interested in training the colt. Indeed he was, and Mallar now finds himself in charge of a promising youngster who’s already taken a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes (PASS) in a swift 1:51.3 and banked more than $64,000.

On Friday, Wedlock Blue Chip will try to boost that bankroll in a $197,709 USD PASS leg, known as the Tyler B, for freshman colt and gelding pacers. The card also features a $100,000 USD PA Stallion Series leg for two-year-old colt and gelding pacers.

Mallar says his smallish colt has grown more robust and likes his work.

“If anything, some days he wants to do things too quickly,” he said. “You ask him to go, he goes too quickly. I made a couple adjustments and skipped the first PASS leg. I wanted to see if the changes I made put him in the right direction.”

That win in 1:51.3 would seem to confirm that the direction is right on. Mallar agrees.

“Not too long ago, you wouldn’t see miles like that until later in the season at places like The Red Mile.”

Speaking of The Red Mile, Wedlock Blue Chip may see some action there, but Mallar intends to keep him primarily in the Keystone State this season.

If Wedlock Blue Chip wants a second PASS win, he’ll have to outperform another precocious colt named Prince Hal Hanover. The auction for the son of Captaintreacherous-Percy Bluechip lasted a little longer than Wedlock Blue Chip’s session, as he brought a handsome $130,000.

The successful bidder, trainer Dr. Ian Moore, knew at once that he needed this youngster in his stable.

“I trained his dam, and she probably was the finest filly I ever had [earning more than $1 million],” said Moore. “Her son had a recent growth spurt, and he’s become big and strong. He displays a lot of his dam’s traits. She had the desire to get to the front just as he has, yet she was still very manageable, just as he is.”

Prince Hal Hanover, who races for Prince Hal Hanover Stable, shows a win and a second in PASS competition as well as a triumph in a Tompkins-Geers split at Woodbine Mohawk Park — all contributing to a bankroll of $74,902, the highest in Friday’s field.

As a measure of how highly he regards his colt, Prince Hal Hanover will be the first freshman the Canada-based Moore ever has raced in a Pennsylvania stakes. Will we also see him in late-season stakes down the road?

“Unless he shows he doesn’t belong, we’ll be there,” confirmed the reigning Trainer of the Year. “But with two-year-olds, you take it week to week. They dictate to you where they race.”

Wedlock Blue Chip (Troy Beyer) and Prince Hal Hanover (Bob McClure) will leave side-by-side from posts four and five in race eight. 

First post at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows is 5:10 p.m.

(With files from Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)