from the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission

The Big Butler Fairgrounds hosted its initial day of harness racing on Thursday (July 2), and the PA Fair Circuit picked up right where it left off in Crawford County, both on the track and in the skies. Six of the 12 races were won by horses that also captured victories at the last venue, and rain again dampened the afternoon.

Rain fell prior to the start of the card, but the track crew kept the half-mile oval in racing shape for the day’s opener, the first division of the PA Sire Stake 2-year-old filly trot. Cantab Lady, out of the Boots Dunn Stable, remained undefeated in her career, trotting to a 2:13.4 win. The Cantab Hall filly was driven by Brian Zendt.

In the second division, Keystone Fling, who had finished second behind Cantab Lady last weekend, held off a determined close by AJ Peyton Rose to win in 2:11.1. Steve Schoeffel trains and reined the winner. The Donerail filly is owned by Stephen Lander and Virginia and Kathy Schoeffel.

The final filly division was won by Whisk Hanover (Cantab Hall) and trainer/driver Marty Wollam in 2:12. James Beluscak and Robert Carson own the winner.

Ryan Zidek photo

DVC Givemeattitude equaled the 2:03.3 track record for freshman pacing colts and geldings.

Four divisions of 2-year-old PA-sired colt pacers were up next, with victories going to SBM Innocentoutlaw (Rattler Hanover), DVC Givemeattitude (Arturo), Yuma Hanover (Real Artist) and Luscious Al (Arturo).

SBM Innocentoutlaw, trained and driven by Charlie Flickinger for his wife, owner Debbie Flickinger, was a wire-to-wire winner in 2:09. The second division winner, DVC Givemeattitude, equaled the track record for freshman pacing colts/geldings, scoring in 2:03.3 for owner/trainer/driver Dave Brickell. Yuma Hanover, owned and trained by Sherry Libengood, paced the mile in 2:08.2 with Kim Good in the bike, while Luscious Al won his second fair stake of the season by pacing in 2:06.3. Luscious Al made a break early in the mile for owner/trainer/driver Roger Hammer, but recovered quickly and went on to collect the win.

The day’s richest events were up next, two $6,348 divisions of the 2-year-old PASS colt trot. Marty Wollam earned his second win of the day, guiding Tag The Lady (Tagliabue) to victory in 2:10.2. Patricia Wollam, Dennis Sheehan and Charles Zeune own the colt.

In the second split, KT Justin A Moment captured his second win of the season, trotting in 2:10.3 for driver Eddie McNeight. Ken Weaver owns and trains the Super Vintage gelding.

After the eighth race, rain started to fall once again, and the final three heats of the day, divisions of the PASS 2-year-old filly pace, were contested despite the inclement conditions. Budgirls Hanover won the first group, pacing in 2:07.3. The daughter of No Pan Intended earned her first career win for owner Randy Ringer, trainer JC Miller, Jr., and driver Jordon Miller.

In the second split, My Gal Mykenna scored a come-from-behind win for owners Roger Hammer and Nevin Gilbert. The Real Artist filly paced in 2:06.2 for her second win in three starts on the season.

The final race of the day was won by another Hammer-stable entrant, Anxiety Hanover. A daughter of The Panderosa, Anxiety Hanover won her second in a row, pacing in 2:10 in a driving rain.

Action continues on Friday at Butler, with 3-year-old Pennsylvania Sire Stakes featured.

For video highlights of PA Fair Circuit action, visit www.youtube.com/phrc08.