by Evan Pattak, for The Meadows

Washington, PA — When Fashionwoodchopper won last year’s Pennsylvania Sires Stakes championship for 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters at 38-1 odds — from post eight, no less — he surprised everyone but his trainer, Jim Campbell.

“We liked him all along, but it took him a little while to get himself set,” Campbell said. “I’m really happy with the way he’s come back.”

Chris Gooden photo

Fashionwoodchopper leads a trio of talented Jim Campbell-trained 3-year-olds into Saturday’s $174,888 PA Sires Stakes opener.

Fashionwoodchopper leads a trio of talented Campbell-trained 3-year-olds into Saturday’s (May 19) $174,888 PA Sires Stakes opener, known as the Super Bowl, at The Meadows. He’ll go in race nine from post six, with David Miller up. His stablemates, Crystal Fashion (race 10, post eight) and Patent Leather (race eight, post one) will have the services of Tim Tetrick. Jules Siegel’s Fashion Farms owns all three hopefuls. First post is 11:25 a.m.

Fashionwoodchopper added victories in the International Stallion Stakes and Bluegrass to his impressive resume, earning $258,449 for the year. He opened his sophomore campaign with a strong show finish in a tough overnight at the Meadowlands, timed in 1:52.2.

“He’s a really nice horse to be around, a real pleasure to train,” Campbell said of the son of Donato Hanover-Woodshopper. “It’s early in the season, so my main concern is that he doesn’t get roughed up. I want to get a good race into him without too tough a trip.”

Fourth in last year’s PASS final, Crystal Fashion, a Cantab Hall-Window Willow gelding, banked $161,292 at 2 and launched his sophomore season with an impressive victory at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

“Where Fashionwoodchopper can race either way, Crystal Fashion likes to come from behind,” Campbell said. ”He’s really good if he can sit on the outside and grind horses down. He really seems to thrive on that.”

Although he’s the least heralded of the three, Patent Leather earned $77,992 last year while racing through injuries.

“He’s a real gutsy horse,” Campbell said. “He forgot all about those injuries when he raced last year. He has quick speed, and he’s gritty.”

The son of Broadway Hall-Designable enters the Super Bowl after a win in a Harrah’s Philadelphia overnight.

Saturday’s action-packed Preakness Day card also features an $80,000 PA Stallion Series stake for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters and a pair of rich guarantees — $7,500 for the Pick-4 (races four-seven), $5,000 for the Pick-5 (races 10-15).

Fan-centered activities include:

• A DJ and food and beverage specials at BBQ tents on the apron
• Paddock tours and jog cart and starting gate rides, courtesy the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association
• “Plinko” games offering such prizes as hats and betting vouchers

To register or for more information, stop by the MSOA table in the Racebook.