by Jeff Zidek

Hughesville, PA — The Pennsylvania County Fair Racing Circuit visited the Lycoming County Fairgrounds in Hughesville on Wednesday (July 18), with nine events featured for sophomore pacers and trotters.

The day started with a pair of Quaker Stakes, captured by Susquehanna County (Sierra Kosmos) and Big Bad Shady (Shady Character).

Susquehanna County won the trotting event in 2:07.3 for driver Bryce Truitt and owners John and Michelle McMullen, while Big Bad Shady took the pacing race in 2:03.1 for Chris Shaw. Big Bad Shady is owned and trained by Jason Shaw.

Up next was the first division of the PASS sophomore filly trot, won by Virginia and Kathy Schoeffel’s Indiana Hanover. Trained and driven by Steve Schoeffel, Indiana Hanover (Tagliabue) crossed the wire in 2:08.

The second split was won by Dave and Ronna Brickell’s JC Mik Mac Jillio. With Dave Brickell at the lines, the daughter of Bedford County trotted the mile in 2:07.

Just one division of the 3-year-old filly pace was carded, for a healthy purse of $3,824. Fire And Art was the winner, driven by Tony Schadel for trainer Manley Brown, Jr. and owner Pamela Wagner. Fire And Art, a Dragon Again filly, paced the mile in 2:03.

Two divisions of the 3-year-old colt trot for PA sired horses were carded, won by Our Last Photo (S J’s Photo) and RT Gizmo (RT Giant).

Our Last Photo, driven by Syl King, Jr. for trainer Julianne Bobby, trotted in 2:05.1, while RT Gizmo, trained and reined by Robert Rougeaux for owner Harold Brocious, scored in 2:04.3.

The fastest mile on the day was recorded by Broule Hanover (Real Artist) in the $3,809 PASS sophomore colt pace. Bryce Truitt drove the winner for owner Norwood Truitt and trainer Cindy Truitt. Broule Hanover paced the mile in 2:00.4.

Also at Hughesville, the $2,125 Free For All Pace was won by Slayer Of Dragons (Brickell). The 4-year-old paced the mile in 2:03.1.

Racing continues at the Lycoming County Fair on Thursday, with 2-year-olds featured.

For more information on racing in Pennsylania, see the Harness Racing Commission’s Web site at www.agriculture.state.pa.us or the PA Breeders site, www.standardbredbreederspa.org. The fair horsemen also have a site at www.pafairharness.com.