from Harness Publicists across North America

Thursday’s (August 6) edition of Fair Roundup features results stories from the Brown County (IL) Fair and the Clearfield (PA) Fair.

I Can Only Imagine sizzles at Brown County Fair in 1:51.1

Mount Sterling, IL — I Can Only Imagine won the $25,000 Taser Gun at the Brown County Fair Thursday night in an Illinois county fair record time of 1:51.1. This shatters the previous mark of 1:53.4 established in 2002 by — who else — Taser Gun at the same Brown County Fair half-mile oval.

Congratulations to driver Brandon Simpson, trainer Tom Harmer, and owner Michael Polansky. I Can Only Imagine is a 7-year-old horse by Cole Muffler, out of the Incredible Finale mare Incredashell. It was the pacer’s 33rd victory of his career and pushed his career earnings over $480,000.

— Joshua Potts

Final day of action in Clearfield

Clearfield, PA — Eight 3-year-old pacing events wrapped up the four-day meet at the Clearfield County Fairgrounds in Clearfield, Pa., on Thursday.

In the opener, OHM Debutante won her first career race, capturing the 3-year-old Quaker Pace for PA-owned or PA-sired horses. The Quentin Hanover offspring paced in 2:05.3 for driver Aaron Johnston and trainer Chris Oluvic, who co-owns the filly with Tony Lisi. In the second division, Gladiare Grande cruised to a 2:04 victory for driver Jordon Miller. Michael Grande owns the Sharky Spur gelding, who is trained by Jordon’s father, JC.

Three divisions of 3-year-old fillies were next up in Pennsylvania Sire Stake action, with victories going to Ashley’s Pride (The Panderosa), Bell On Wheels (Western Hanover) and Real Espresso (Real Artist).

Timmy Offutt guided Ashley’s Pride to a 2:01.3 win, her first in eight starts this season. Samuel Stoltzfus owns the winner, while Joe Offutt does the training. Roger Hammer’s Bell On Wheels extended her win streak to six with a 2:01.2 win, while stablemate Real Espresso paced in an identical time for her seventh win in 20 starts on the year.

In the first PASS colt pacing division, Hammer won his third consecutive race, guiding Lahaye through fractions of :28, :59 and 1:27.3 before tying the track record for sophomore pacing colts with a 1:59.2 mile. Hammer co-owns the Real Artist colt with Nevin Gilbert.

In the second division, Red Hot Scandal and driver Wil Yoder crossed the wire first in 2:00.4, but the horse could not surivive a judge’s inquiry. Red Hot Scandal broke stride earlier in the race and was disqualified, boosting A K and driver/trainer Steve Schoeffel to the win. Terry Schoeffel owns the Audie K gelding.

The final race of the meet was won by Bruce Kav, driven by co-owner Randy Neal. Randy’s father, Cliff, co-owns and trains the Blissfull Hall colt, who posted his second straight win by pacing the mile in 2:00.

The Pennsylvania Fair Circuit moves to the Southwestern corner of the state next week for two days of action at the Greene County Fairgrounds in Waynesburg, Pa.

— Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission