The Pennsylvania fair circuit split up into opposite corners of the state this week, with two-year-old action on Tuesday (Aug. 6) and three-year-old racing on Wednesday (Aug. 7) at the Greene County Fair in Waynesburg, Pa., and – 347 miles to the northeast – the Wayne County Fair in Honesdale, Pa.
The fastest mile of the week came from the star attraction of the week, as trainer-driver Nick Surick brought Camluck Classic winner The Wall to Honesdale to race in a division of the free-for-all pace. The Somebeachsomewhere gelding responded with a 1:59.3 mile for Surick and the J L Benson Stables Inc.m with the photo finish revealing a winning margin of 20-1/2 lengths. Surick recorded a sweep of the free-for-all pace divisions when he won with the mare Wynnfrith in 2:02.2.
Although his father Todd and his uncle Tony each won five races during the two-day session to share top driving honours, the sulky star was 17-year-old Cody Schadel, who won in his firsst career when he piloted Shady Grey to victory in 2:06.2. Later on the Wednesday card, his father recorded the fastest mile of the fair week with Way To Close in 2:01.1. Way To Close paced the York oval in 1:57.4 for the fastest mile at the Pennsylvania fairs so far this year.
On the trot, there were a pair of 2:04.4 winners: the filly Bumper Hanover, driven by Roger Hammer for co-owner and trainer Todd Schadel, and the gelding Andovers Asset, who now has won four of five starts at the fairs for driver Tony and trainer Linda Schadel.
The freshman “A” Sire Stakes colts races were among those washed out on Tuesday, so speed honours went to the ladies: the Well Said filly Search Light in 2:06.4, and the Father Patrick miss Cocktails N Dreams, undefeated in two fair outings after a 2:08.2 mile.
At Waynesburg, a trio of horses tied for fastest winners at 2:02.2: the two sophomores were the A Rocknroll Dance colt Under Paid, whom Chris Shaw handled in a rare fair start for Ron Burke, and the Delmarvalous filly April Ava, who stunned with a 1:59 mile in her fair debut in “B” Sire Stakes company before winning in the “A” division for driver Eric Neal, owner Wayne Glessner and trainer Scott Betts.
The quickest trot of the two days was the 2:06.2 time turned in by RT Gloria De Dios for driver Kyle Bolon and trainer Bob Rougeaux III. Her fellow 2018 Pennsylvania Fair Final-winning filly, Sure R Lookin Good, also visited the winner's circle during the meet. The fastest clocking for freshmen trotters went to two fillies who won in 2:07.3: Furious Fast and Siouxpergirl.
Shawn and Aaron Johnston finished in a dead heat for driving honuors at Waynesburg, winning five each. There was certainly no domination of the winner's circle by any trainer at Waynesburg on Wednesday – there were 14 heats and 14 different winning conditioners.
(with files from the Pennsylvania Fair Harness Horsemen's Association, the PHHA and the MSOA)