Three-year-olds compete in PASS at Big Butler Fair

by Jeff Zidek

Three-year-old trotters and pacers were in action at the Big Butler Fairgrounds in Butler, PA, for Pennsylvania Sire Stake and Quaker Stake action on Friday morning.

Driver Dave Brickell was the big winner on the day, driving four winners, including three from his own stable.

The day began with Au Artist (Steve Schoeffel) winning the first division of the Quaker Stake for sophs, pacing the mile in 2:04. Sweetthoughtlegacy (George Barry) finished second. Au Artist, by Real Artist, is owned and trained by Bill Kreutzer.

Brickell’s first win of the day came in the second Quaker pacing split, behind Wallrose Maxine. The Shotgun Scott filly scored in 2:07.3 for owner Curtis Bicehouse and trainer Ted Williams. Big Bad Shady (Chris Shaw) was second.

David Wade made the trip to Butler on Friday with a pair of horses, and was a winner in the first division of the Quaker Trot with Ice Princess. The Self Possessed filly went wire-to-wire in 2:07.4, ahead of Susquehanna County (Ed McNeight Jr).

Another ‘county’ horse, Forrest County, won the final Quaker event for the day in 2:09 for driver Timmy Offutt. The gelded son of Sierra Kosmos is owned by John and Michelle McMullen. Powerspring (Rick Beinhauer) finished second.

The top purse of the day, $3,759, was up for grabs in the PA Sire Stake 3-year-old Colt Pace. DVC Done Good (Brickell) was the winner, pacing in 2:05.4 with a last half of 1:00.1. Dave and Ronna Brickell own the winner, who passed frontrunning Noble Maximus (Schoeffel) for the win.

Brickell made it back-to-back wins, capturing the first division of the 3-year-old filly pace in 2:05 with DVC Dixie Cocktail. The Western Hero filly picked up her first win of the year, holding off Clear Character (McNeight). The last half mile was timed in :59.2.

The second filly pacing split brought She’s So to the winner’s circle for the third straight time, as she remained undefeated in PASS competition at the fairs this season. Ed McNeight drove the daughter of Dragon’s Lair to the win for trainer Ken Weaver, who co-owns the filly with Wayne Shaffer. The winning time was 2:07.1.

McNeight and Weaver teamed in the next race as well, winning the first division of the 3-year-old colt trot for state-breds, with KT Nickerin Dixie. The Sierra Kosmos gelding went wire-to-wire, as Hardwood Hanover (Brickell) made an outside move just past the half, only to break stride. Hardwood Hanover fought back to finish a fast-closing second. The time for the mile was 2:05.3.

The second group of sophomore trotters watched RT Gizmo take the victory for trainer/driver Robert Rougeaux. Owned by Harold Brocious, RT Gizmo (RT Giant) scored in 2:09.3, ahead of TV Showoff (Chris Offutt).

The day’s final two races, a pair of 3-year-old trotting filly sire stakes, were won by JC Mik Mak Jillio (Brickell) and June Party (Randy Neal).

JC Mik Mac Jillio came from fifth at the 5/8 mark to get up for the win over front running Indiana Hanover (Schoeffel). It was the third win in three fair starts this year for JC Mik Mac Jillio, a daughter of Bedford County owned by Dave and Ronna Brickell. The final time was 2:07.3.

June Party backed off the half to 1:07.4 and cruised to an easy 2:11.1 victory over Miss Katie Lane (Timmy Offutt). June Party, a Party Party filly, is owned by Randy and Cliff Neal.

Racing will continue at Butler on Saturday, with five overnight events. PASS action will resume on Saturday at the Dayton, PA Fairgrounds.

Back to Top

Share via