The sophomore class of 2012 highlighted the second day of racing at The Great Stoneboro Fair on Saturday (September 1) in Stoneboro, Pennsylvania.
Three Quaker Stake events kicked off the day, with Triple T Casey winning the first event, a three-year-old trot, in 2:12. Sandra Petersen trains and co-owns with Donna Weyant, and Dave Brickell drove the Garth Vader colt to the victory. Try My Way dominated the second Quaker trot for owners Shawn Johnston and Aaron Johnston, who also trains and drove the Chip Chip Hooray gelding to the win in 2:11.3. The Quaker pace went to Big Pulse and drive Chris Shaw, cruising home in a time of 2:04. Debbie U'ren owns and Scott U'ren trains the Quik Pulse Mindale gelding.
Three $3,878 PASS filly trotting divisions were up next. Magnolia Grace took the first division in 2:07.2, giving driver Eric Neal his first of four wins on the day. The Glidemaster filly is owned by Jack and Sharon Claypoole, and trained by Bill Kreutzer. Marion Mon Ami (Cabtab Hall) captured the second division in 2:08 for owners Archie Kohr, William Emmert, Scott Pagano, and J.B. Pagano, and trainer/driver Wayne Long. The third division was won by Cupcake Hanover, who went wire-to-wire for driver Steve Schoeffel in 2:05.1. Omar Beiler and Bruce Dufford own, and Sharlene Dufford trains the Cantab Hall filly.
Mulligan Bi (Andover Hall) used a late rush to edge Ballagio Hanover and win the first of three $3,871 PASS colt trotting divisions for owner/trainer/driver Jim McIlmurray. Ibanez overcame an early break to give Eric Neal his second driving win of the day. The Wonder Dancer gelding is owned by Ellen Warren and Eileen Lineweaver, and trained by Randy Neal. The third and final division was won by Steve Schoeffel and Mans Treasure, an SJs Caviar gelding owned by Bob Key and trained by Mike Gillock.
Following that were four $2,958 divisions of the PASS colt pace, where KF Shark took the lead in the stretch and didn't look back, tripping the timer in 2:03.4. Pat Medors trains, Mike Medors owns, and Eddie McNeight drove the Four Starzzz Shark gelding to the win. Nucular Enemy continued his dominance on the circuit, scoring his 14th win on the year, and 24th in his career. Roger Hammer owns, trains, and drives the Nuclear Breeze gelding. The third division went to McJestic (McArdle) and driver Eric Neal, who paced the mile in 2:05.1 for owners Andray Farm and Lindwood Farm, and trainer Randy Neal. The same combination went to the winner's circle in the fourth division, this time with McHoffman in 2:04.
The final four races of the day belonged to the $3,030 divisions of the filly pace. Lima Beauty (Yankee Cruiser) was a winner in the first division for owner Ruby Orr and trainer/driver Bobby Rougeaux in 2:03.1. Caribe, another Yankee Cruiser filly, swept the field three-wide in the final quarter to win the second division for owner/trainer/driver Dave Brickell in a time of 2:06.1. Chris Shaw guided Serenity Breeze to the win in the third division for owner/trainer Roger Hammer. The Nuclear Breeze filly paced the mile in 2:02.2 to pick up her fifth win on the year. The final race of the day proved to be the closest, as Shootoutthelights (Dragon Again) and owner/trainer/driver Roger Hammer nosed out Wanna Go Fast and Kaitlin Kir at the wire to score the victory in a time of 2:04.0.
Racing at the PA fairs continues Tuesday at the Juniata County Fair in Port Royal, Pennsylvania with a 5 p.m. post time.
(PA Fair Harness Horsemen's Association)