by Jerry Connors, the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission

Harrisburg, PA — Talk about not wanting to miss the daily double!

Roger Hammer

Roger Hammer, unofficial king of the Pennsylvania fair circuit, rewrote the Honesdale, Pennsylvania track trot mark when he guided the sophomore filly Riann Photo to a 2:03³ win in the very first race of the Wednesday card, a Pennsylvania Sires Stakes event, at the Wayne County Fair.

And then, never one to sit on his laurels, Hammer also steered the winner of the day’s second event, a Sires sophomore colt trot. Keystone Americus stormed home in a breathtaking :28 flat over the half-miler while stopping the timer in 2:03¹ -– lowering the local trot mark Hammer and his filly had set some 15 minutes earlier!

Riann Photo is a daughter of S J’s Photo bred, trained, and driven by Hammer; her owner is Todd Schadel, Hammer’s frequent “friendly rival” and sometimes partner.

Roger is the owner/trainer/driver of the Lindy Lane colt Keystone Americus, who was bred by the estate of Max Hempt.

The previous Honesdale trotting mark of 2:04², set by Thornbush Wilomena and driver Bryce Truitt, had lasted six summers before yesterday’s racing; Riann Photo’s lasted 15 minutes before the distinction finally fell on Keystone Americus.

FINISHING LINES: The twin records bring to four the all-time track performances over the Pennsylvania fair circuit this year: Shu Hanover (Todd Schadel) had earlier lowered the Gratz pace mark to 1:56², and just on Tuesday Dixie Pride rewrote the Waynesburg pacing standard to 1:58⁴ (ironically, “Shu” was second in “Dixie’s” record mile).

Both Honesdale and Waynesburg wrap up their 2004 action today, weather permitting.

Next week is the most crowded on the Pennsylvania fair schedule, with both Washington and Wattsburg racing Monday through Wednesday and Dayton hosting the sulky set Wednesday through Friday.