The 145th edition of the Great Stoneboro Fair featured a 14-race card for freshmen on Friday (August 31) in Northwestern Pennsylvania.
The Quaker Stake for trotters opened the card, and Southern Gal (Pinetucky) picked up her first career win, scoring in 2:10 on her home track for owner, trainer and driver Charlie Crouser.
In the Quaker Pace, Royal Native, driven by Wayne Long, was a 2:07.1 winner. Trainer Joe Torok co-owns the Allamerican Native filly with Wayne Glessner.
Pennsylvania Sire Stakes filled out the remainder of the card, kicked off with three divisions of the freshman colt trot.
BSMaximummoondream was a 2:07.4 winner for trainer/driver Dave Brickell in the first division. The Bedford County gelding is now a nine-time winner on the season for owners Dave and Sue Brickell.
Ruddy Rusty, who came into his division 0-for-11 on the season, picked up a 2:08.2 victory by a whisker over Albany House, who made a break in the early going. Ruddy Rusty (SJs Caviar), is owned by the Dunn Stable and trained by Boots Dunn. Chris Shaw picked up the winning drive.
In the final division, Polamalu and trainer/driver Bill Fahy took advantage of a late break by frontrunning Spicey Victor, winning in 2:09. Moira Fahy and John Bowers own the Cantab Hall colt.
Two $5,936 divisions of the filly trot were next, with victories earned by Lady Broadway (Broadway Hall) and Bellagio Bay (Tom Ridge). Lady Broadway, trained and co-owned by John McMullen along with his daughter-in-law Michelle, trotted the fastest mile of the season on the circuit by a freshman filly, covering the mile in 2:05 with Bryce Truitt at the lines. Bellagio Bay scored in 2:08.2 for the Shaw/Dunn team.
Three groups of colt pacers were up next in sire stake action. In the first division, Roger Hammer scored with Camturo Beach in 2:06. The Somebeachsomewhere colt has now won four of nine starts on the season.
In the second division, Backbay Hanover and driver John Green went wire-to-wire in 2:05.4. It was the first career win for the son of The Panderosa, owned by Tye Loy and Michael Lowe. Tye Loy was the winning trainer.
The final division brought the day’s fastest race, as Skylites Finale led every step for trainer/driver Steve Schoeffel, winning in 2:03.4. Ginny Schoeffel, Mike and Lori Callipare, and Ryan Zidek own the Allamerican Native gelding.
Three groups of filly pacers completed the day. In the first group, Dave Brickell guided his own Magical Mike filly, DVC Jaded Attitude, to a 2:05 win.
In the second division, Shesalilfireball went wire-to-wire for driver Aaron Johnston in 2:05.2. Robert Grover owns and trains the Allamerican Native filly.
In the day’s final race, Lifesarealbeach (Somebeachsomewhere) got up in the final stride for Hammer, winning in 2:04.3 for owner Vicki Lynn Fair. It was the filly’s sixth win in 12 career outings.
Action resumes on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Stoneboro, with 17 heats for sophomores carded.
(PA Fair Harness Horsemen's Association)