The weatherman did not help his chances of ever being a morning line odds-maker, as the 2016 Pennsylvania fair season kicked off in beautiful weather at the Erie County Fair in this city in northwest Pennsylvania, despite a forecast initially calling for up to a 90 percent chance of thundershowers.
And while the day was not unpleasant, the racetrack action was hot, with 12 races of state-sired two-year-olds making their stakes debuts. Most impressive of all was the Yankee Cruiser pacing colt Teen Cruiser, who was a dominant winner in 2:03.3 – at a track where the divisional track record is 2:03, and set during the Fair’s “big week” in late August. Bob Key owns the precocious baby, who was one of two winners for both driver Shawn Johnston and trainer Rich Gillock.
Training honours for the day went to conditioner Bob Rougeaux III, who sent out three winning charges, and went 4-2-1-1 in three divisions of the baby colt trot. Rougeaux himself drove the two winners, both sons of Lucky Chucky, for the Brocious Racing Stable Inc.: Box Of Luck (2:07.3) and Vegas Chuck (2:08.3).
Rougeaux also harnessed the freshman pacing filly U Bettor Git, a daughter of Bettors Delight who was driven by Shawn Johnston for owners Sarah and Maria Decarlo. That filly’s time of 2:06.4 made her co-fastest in that section, along with the Dragon Again miss Camera Lady, who came into the race with two sub-2:00 qualifying victories and who kept her record picture perfect for owners Mitchell York and trainer/driver Dave Brickell, with doubles in all categories for them as well.
The leading driver of the day was – surprise – Roger Hammer, who certainly didn’t look 70 years of age while guiding home three winners, one in each of the four classes of races except the colt trot, where Team Rocky Top dominated. Hammer also co-owned and trained two of his winning trio.
The three-year-olds will get their turn in the sunshine spotlight tomorrow at noon, with 10 heats scheduled. Over $80,000 in purse money will be distributed during the two-day meet.
(PA Fair Harness Horsemen’s Association)