Meadville, PA — The Pennsylvania Fair Circuit ended a marathon week in the northwest portion of the state, at the Crawford County Fairgrounds in Meadville, for two days of Pennsylvania Fair Sire Stakes competition on Friday (Aug. 21) and Saturday (Aug. 22).
A highlight of Opening Day was a special award ceremony honoring Lisa Dunn as “a Friend of the Fair” for her years of contribution to harness racing as part of an impressive family tradition. Dunn is past president of the Pennsylvania Fair Harness Horsemen’s Association and the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association, and continues to labor mightily for harness racing in the proud tradition of her grandfather, Cubby Dunn, who built the first racetrack on the Crawford County site, her legendary father, Walter “Boots” Dunn, and her sister, Kathy Dunn, the longtime Meadville racing secretary and clerk.
Youthful veteran driver James Dodson had a big day with the freshmen, sweeping both “A” sections for male pacers Friday in 2:03.2 miles: with the Bettor’s Wish – Hit Me Up gelding Turntheothercheek for trainer-owner Abigail Wright, and with the Heston Blue Chip – Mcvenus gelding Flying Arrow, whom Ron Lineweaver trains for owner Dodson. A .409 UDR on the fair circuit is reflective of Dodson’s steady success on the twicearounds this year.
The Papi Rob Hanover – Dragon Lady pacing filly Dragon Flame, the fair season’s leader, overcame the second-tier post six to win in 2:04.4 for driver-trainer Todd Scahadel, also co-owner with his wife Christine and with Caitlin Solt. On the trot, the Father Patrick – Bar Bar miss Sister Saloon was the fastest on her gait for the meet, freshman or sophomore, with a 2:04.4 victory, running her fair record to 4-3-1-0 for driver Chris Shaw, trainer Ashley Brown, and owners Sandy Petersen and Alexa Shaw.
During the Saturday card for sophomores, the rampaging Captain Crunch gelding Commander Crunch, twice a 1:55.2 winner at Bedford to tie their all-age mark and becoming the year’s fastest fair winner, got the action started quickly during the sole “A” divisional pace with the fastest mile at Meadville, 2:01.4, his fifth victory on the twicearounds for driver Jesse Barnard and trainer Jeff Indof, the latter co-owner with Misty Winkler.
The two divisions of the “A” PaFSS for the pacing fillies saw two members of Team Todd Schadel post their sixth win at the fairs, tying them for the lead among pacers: the Bettor’s Wish filly Don’t Be Late (2:04) for Todd and Christine, and the Papi Rob Hanover miss Papi Knows (2:05), in whom Schadel is partners with the seemingly-everywhere Let It Ride Stables Inc.
Quickest sophomore trot miles were the 2:05 victories recorded by the Father Patrick diamondgaited filly PA Patricia, last year’s Fair Champion who won for the same connections as freshman Sister Saloon, and the Bar Hopping gelding Swan Wayne, undefeated in his last three for the ownership team of driver Wayne Long and trainer Joyce Lineweaver. Also earning a mention is the Father Patrick gelding Family Guy, a five-time fair winner who sprinted home in :28.3 to tally for driver Steven Fedokovitz, trainer Steve Schoeffel, and the ownership “law firm” of Schoeffel, Schoeffel, Schoeffel, and Schoeffel.
The battle for Meadville backstretch bragging honors was very tight. Chris Shaw guided five winners to edge Wayne Long and Todd Schadel by one, while Schadel tied with Ashley Brown and Joyce Lineweaver at four victories in the trainers derby.
The Circuit lands next in Indiana PA (hometown of legendary actor Jimmy Stewart) for two days of racing starting at 2 p.m., on Thursday (freshmen) and Friday (sophomores). Entries will be drawn for these races on Tuesday morning (Aug. 25).