Three-year-olds were in action in Pennsylvania Sire Stakes at the Big Butler Fair in Butler, Pennsylvania on Friday (June 29).
The most impressive effort of the day was turned in by Mulligan Bi, an Andover Hall colt, in the first race. Owned, trained and reined by Michigan's Jim McIlmurray, Mulligan Bi sat third throughout much of the mile, then made his move around the last turn and came on to best Bob And Bobby (Steve Schoeffel) and Trustworthy Kid (Brian Zendt). Mulligan Bi’s time of 2:03.2 was just two-fifths of a second off the all-time track record for trotters, and was faster than any other mile of the day, including pacing events.
In the second $5,800 colt trotting division, Redder Than Red was a winner for Zendt in 2:05.2. The SJs Caviar gelding is owned by the Dunn Stable and trained by Boots Dunn.
Zendt and Dunn then teamed to win the next two races, a pair of three-year-old filly trots. First up was Barefoot Brook, by Cantab Hall, who scored in 2:07. She was followed by Desired Outcome, a Tom Ridge filly, who covered her mile in 2:07.4.
The final filly trotting division was won by Erin Kristen, a Chip Chip Hooray filly, owned by Bill Kirwan. Dave Brickell drove for trainer John McMullen. For Erin Kristen, it was her third straight win on the fair circuit.
Pacers were featured on the remainder of the card, and Roger Hammer dominated the action, winning four of the six races as a trainer, including three driving wins.
Nate Breeze, with Hammer at the lines, won the first colt pacing split in 2:04.3. Nate Breeze is a son of Nuclear Breeze. Stablemate Nucular Enemy, also by Nuclear Breeze, won his division in 2:05.2.
The other colt pacing event was won by Real Tenacity, a wire-to-wire victor for New York invader Robert Verney. Owned by Audrey Wolf, Real Tenacity is a son of Real Artist.
The first filly pacing division was won by Wanna Go Fast, a daughter of Yankee Cruiser. Steve Schoeffel trains and was in the bike for owners Trish Adams and Brooke Schoeffel.
Hammer Stable fillies won the day’s last two races. Paints Hall, a Blissfull Hall filly catch-driven by Chris Shaw, won her event in 2:04, while Shootoutthelights, driven by Hammer, was a 2:06 winner. Shootoutthelights is a daughter of Dragon Again.
Racing at Butler continues on Saturday, with five Quaker Stakes on the 10 a.m. card.
(PA Fair Harness Horsemen's Association)