A nine-race card greeted visitors to the Washington County Fairgrounds, known as Arden Downs, on Tuesday and freshmen were featured in both Pennsylvania Sires Stakes and Quaker Stake events.
Two $6,053 divisions of the PASS for filly pacers kicked off the day, and Quik Response (Quik Pulse Mindale) paced in 2:02.4 to win the opener. Roger Hammer owns, trains and was in the bike.
The second division belonged to Mattwestern, a Western Terror filly. It was her second straight win on the circuit for owner/trainer Arnold Johnston. Brian Zendt picked up the catch-drive. The winning time was 2:03.
Filly trotters then took to the track for the day’s largest purse, $11,574. Classical Hooray, trained and driven by Steve Schoeffel, won for the second time in her career, trotting in 2:07. Steve Lander and Kathy Schoeffel own the Chip Chip Hooray filly.
Two $6,000 colt pacing splits were next, and the Lander/Schoeffel team captured the first division with Jungle Of Terror. The Western Terror gelding won for the sixth time in nine career starts, pacing in 2:04.2.
The second division was won by Captain Kubota (Mcardle) and driver Brady Brown in 2:02.4. Captain Kubota, owned by Rich Gillock and Mike Fleming, has now won five of seven career starts. Mike Gillock earned the training win.
In colt trotting PASS action, Albany House was a winner for Hammer in the first division in 2:05.1. Roger Hammer trains and drove, and co-owns the Andover Hall colt with the Ervin Miller Stable.
The second colt trot gave Steve Schoeffel his third winning drive of the day, this one as a catch-driver behind Luke Icewalker (Garth Vader), in 2:07.3. Rich Gillock and James Richardson own the first-time winner, while Mike Gillock picked up his second training win of the day.
Quaker Stakes, for PA-owned or PA-sired horses, completed the two-day meet. In the Quaker Pace, Gingerbread Rock won his second straight for driver David Simms, pacing in 2:06.4. Rich Gillock won his third as an owner, this time in partnership with Paula Sokol. Mike Gillock is the winning trainer.
In the Quaker Trot, Zolena became a two-time winner on the year, covering the mile in 2:15.3. Kent McGee trains, drove, and co-owns the Donato Hanover filly with Charles Minger.
The circuit now moves to the Dayton Fairgrounds in Armstrong County for two days of action beginning Wednesday at 12 p.m.
(PA Fair HHA)