The Tuesday and Wednesday cards at the Clearfield (Pa.) County Fair were devoted to Pennsylvania Fair Sire Stakes racing for three-year-olds. Pacers produced three sub-2:00 miles on the Wednesday card – with the fastest coming in an unlikely circumstance.
The Delmarvalous filly April Ava, winless in 2019 and entered in the “B” division of the Sire Stakes, won by nine lengths for driver Eric Neal, stopping the timer in 1:59, almost five seconds better than her previous career best. Owned and trained by Wayne Glessner, April Ava consistently paced in the 1:56 range at The Meadows without success, but she enjoyed the move to the half-mile oval and in the process lowered the divisional season’s record on the fair circuit.
The fastest of the “A” pacing fillies was the Sweet Lou miss Sweet Tea Baby, who came first-over in a 2:00.3 triumph for owner-trainer-driver Stephen White.
The fastest time for the colts and geldings — 1:59.3 — was turned in by Motive Hanover, who became the first horse to post two sub-2:00 victories at the fairs this year. The Well Said colt opened his fair campaign with three wins at the “B” level (including a 1:59.4 triumph at York), and was second to stablemate Way To Close in his first “A” start, before winning at Clearfield by 2-3/4 lengths for trainer-driver Todd Schadel, who shares ownership with his son Cody.
Yet another Todd Schadel pupil, the Western Terror gelding Find One More, dropped down to the “B” level and promptly won by five lengths in 1:59.4. Christine Schadel shares ownership of this three-year-old with the trainer-driver.
Todd’s brother Tony produced the fastest trotting mile of the Tuesday card, a 2:02.4 victory with Andovers Asset. It was his third win in four fair starts, and a time which equaled the trotting colt's fastest win at the fairs. Tony’s wife Linda trains the Andover Hall gelding, and the pair share ownership.
Among the trotting fillies, there were two miles in 2:03.2, both recorded by daughters of Muscle Massive. Touch of Dough earned her second win at the fairs this season for driver Eric Neal, trainer Randal Neal, and Neal Racing Stable LLC.
The other 2:03.2 sophomore filly trot was produced by a first-time winner in 2019, Miss Right Now, for trainer-driver Roger Hammer, who shares ownership with Vicki Fair.
Eric Neal had four driving victories during both the two-year-old and three-year-old sessions, with his eight total wins earning him the Buster DiSalvo trophy, annually given at Clearfield to the winningest driver. Eric’s father Randal is a former DiSalvo trophy winner.
(with files from the Pennsylvania Fair Harness Horsemen's Association, the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen's Association, and the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)