by Jeff Zidek, for the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission

Meadville, PA — USTA District 7 Director Walter “Boots” Dunn last drove in a race in August of 2008 at his hometown track, the Crawford County Fairgrounds in Meadville, Pa. As it turns out, it was not a retirement, but merely a hiatus from racing.

On Thursday (August 25), Dunn, at the age of 81, donned a brand new set of blue and white colors and climbed into the bike, and a victory was virtually guaranteed.

Jeff Zidek photo

Boots Dunn, 81, was a winner behind Mr Patterson.

In an overnight trot for a purse of $950, a scratch left Mr Patterson, a 2-year-old gelding by Wonder Dancer, as the only entrant. Trainer Eileen Lineweaver and her husband, Winston, opted to ask Dunn if he would like to drive, and he accepted the invitation. The trotter, winless in eight previous career starts, reached the half in 1:12.4 and went a mile in 2:24.1.

By making an appearance in the bike, Dunn, who also serves as the Crawford County Fair President, has now driven in eight decades. The victory was number 1,151 in his long career, all of which have been as an amateur. Dunn’s friends at the fair were quick to remind him not to accept any money from the Lineweaver barn for his efforts, or else he would lose his amateur status until he reaches 91.

In other action at Meadville, Metrodisle (Metropolitan) and Livinwell Hanover (The Panderosa) finished in a dead heat in the first of two $5,855 divisions of the PA Sire Stake 3-year-old filly pace. Metrodisle, owned by Joe Offutt and Samuel Stoltzfus, was driven by Timmy Offutt, while Livinwell Hanover, owned by Rosemarie Moore, was trained and reined by Paul Moore. The time of the mile was 2:04.2.

The second filly pacing division was won by Blissful Artist, a daughter of Blissfull Hall. Owned by the Neal Racing Stable and Shainah Rugh, Blissful Artist is trained by Randy Neal and was driven by Eric Neal to a 2:03.3 triumph.

Three groups of sophomore colt pacers were up next in PA Sire Stake action, and the first division was won by Stripe’n Star. Chris Shaw got away last in the field of five but swept past his rivals near the three-quarter pole, as the No Pan Intended gelding covered the mile in 2:02 for his sixth win in 18 starts on the year. Jason Shaw owns and trains.

In the second division, Evening Shadows and driver Jordon Miller survived an early speed duel to win in 2:02.3. It was the gelding’s eighth win in 15 starts on the year. Charles Von See bred, owns and trains the son of Blissfull Hall.

The final group was led wire-to-wire by Ya Gotta Go, as the Metropolitan gelding drew clear of the field to win in 2:00.3. Timmy Offutt drove for owner/trainer Rich Gillock.

Two divisions of the 3-year-old Quaker Stake for pacers ended the four-day meet. New Idea, in rein to Brady Brown, won for the first time in 11 starts this season in the first division, pacing in 2:07.1, a lifetime mark. Brady and Ashley Brown co-own the Ponder gelding with Bernard Callihan. Ashley Brown earned the training victory.

In the second division, Bermuda Rough paced in 2:03.3 to win for the third time in his last four starts. Jason Shaw owns and trains, while Chris Shaw drove the Allamerican Ingot gelding.

For video highlights from Meadville, including Boots Dunn’s driving win, click here.

The PA Fair Circuit next moves on to Indiana, Pa., for three days of racing beginning Monday. On Tuesday, a two-day meet commences at the Erie County Fair in Wattsburg.