The first Quaker Stakes of the season were held on Saturday (June 30) at the Big Butler Fairgrounds in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Quaker Stakes, for Pennsylvania-sired or Pennsylvania-owned horses, were featured in all four divisions.
The first event of the day held the least drama, as Cory Kreiser’s Sheza Skipalong was the lone entrant in the $2,413 Quaker two-year-old pace, resulting in a walkover. After getting to the half in 1:09, the Village Jolt filly completed her mile in 2:14.3.
In the lone $2,541 division of the Quaker two-year-old trot, Broadway Vino was a 2:13.4 winner for trainer-driver Bill Daugherty. Susan Daugherty owns the Broadway Hall gelding.
Two divisions of the three-year-old trot were next, with victories going to Try My Way (Chip Chip Hooray) and Ona Wyoming Trip (Bedford County). Trainer-driver Aaron Johnston guided Try My Way to a wire-to-wire win in 2:13.2 despite making a break near the half-mile marker. Aaron co-owns with his brother, Shawn. Ona Wyoming Trip came from behind to earn a 2:10.1 win for owner Heidi Weaver and trainer-driver Brian Weaver.
In the final race, the $2,416 Quaker three-year-old pace, Allstar Life gave Kreiser his second win of the day, pacing in 2:06.3. A filly by Four Starzzz Shark, Allstar Life is now a two-time winner on the season.
The PA Fair Circuit now moves on to the Dayton Fairgrounds, with racing set for 3 p.m. on Saturday.
(PA Fair Harness Horsemen's Association)