by Evan Pattak, for the Meadows

Washington, PA — When The Meadows Racetrack & Casino hosts the “$1 Million Pennsylvania Harness Championships” on Saturday, September 4, more than $1 million in purses will be on the line, but the card also will boast a line-up of compelling stars and sagas.

The program features all four $200,000 Pennsylvania Sires Stakes sophomore finals as well as a $50,000 consolation for each division, with competitive overnight races pushing the day’s purses well beyond $1 million. The festivities for the exciting card, which begins at 12:55 p.m., include a host of family-oriented activities and a live, remote radio broadcast by WJPA from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It’s the highlight of The Meadows’ late summer/fall stakes season with these budding story lines:

$200,000 Colt & Gelding Trot

Cassis, Pilgrim Taj and Hard Livin all did battle in the Hambletonian, and they’ll clash once more Saturday. Far and away the points leader in PASS standings, Cassis is coming into the race off a show finish in the Colonial Trot at Harrah’s Chester. However, he experienced cold-like symptoms following that event, prompting trainer Ray Schnittker to give him last week off.

“It was just a little mucous, something that was running through the whole barn,” Schnittker said. “He should be in good shape Saturday.”

Pilgrim’s Taj, the 2009 PASS champ, can become the first colt or gelding to win consecutive finals. Only Armbro Dancer, Western Graduate and Coulantine — all fillies — have gone back to back.

Another Hambletonian participant, On The Tab, scratched from the race, enabling ninth-place finisher Mystery Photo to draw in.

The field in post position order:

1. Pilgrims Chuckie–John Campbell–7-2
2. B Winner K–Brian Sears–10-1
3. Hard Livin–Daniel Dube–6-1
4. Freedom Ridge–Brett Miller–10-1
5. Pilgrims Taj–Mike Lachance–3-1
6. Kirty Dream–Dave Palone–5-1
7. Cassis–Tim Tetrick–9-2
8. Mystery Photo–Andy Miller–8-1

$200,000 Colt & Gelding Pace

Speaking of rematches, this championship marks the reunion of four horses who competed in the 2010 Delvin Miler Adios at The Meadows — Versado, Pang Shui, We Will See and Nova Artist. Versado, Pang Shui and We Will See were among the six horses who finished within 1-1/2 lengths of Adios winner Delmarvalous. Versado, second in the Pace for the Orchids, is the clear leader in PASS standings.

Some participant connections probably are breathing a collective sigh of relief that the championship field includes eight horses rather than nine. In that ninth spot and just failing to qualify is Fred And Ginger, who on June 12 won a PASS stake at The Meadows in 1:48.4, breaking the track’s all-age mark. Barring a late scratch in the championship field, Fred And Ginger will go in the consolation.

The field from the rail out:

1. Four Starz Trace–Eric Ledford–8-1
2. Fashion Heart–John Campbell–8-1
3. We Will See–Brett Miller–7-2
4. Versado–Dave Palone–3-1
5. Aracache Hanover–Doug McNair–9-2
6. Pang Shui–Tim Tetrick–6-1
7. Shark’s Legacy–Daniel Dube–10-1
8. Nova Artist–Brian Sears–10-1

$200,000 Filly Pace

Much has happened to Dancinwiththestarz since she completed her drive to the top of the PASS leaderboard. She was moved to the stable of trainer Mark Harder and, in the Mistletoe Shalee at The Meadowlands, established a world record of 1:48.4 for sophomore fillies on a mile track. Can the 2009 PASS champion successfully defend her title?

“She seems right on schedule,” Harder said. “She had a tough trip at Chester (in the Valley Forge), but she seems healthy. Everything seems good for her. The draw? I don’t get myself upset or happy over draws. No matter where you draw, nobody’s going to hand you a good position.”

The field in post position order:

1. Ruffle’s Kiss–John Campbell–8-1
2. It’s De Lovely–Daniel Dube–7-2
3. Panagler–Dave Palone–6-1
4. Dancinwiththestarz–Brian Sears–5-2
5. Kate’s Joy–Don Irvine, Jr.–10-1
6. All Heart Gal–Eric Ledford–8-1
7. Odds On Moinet–Tim Tetrick–9-2
8. Queen Me–Brett Miller–10-1

$200,000 Filly Trot

On paper, at least, this shapes up as the most competitive championship, as only 20 points separate the top four — Merger Blue Chip, Easy Dream, Spicy Wings and Barham Hanover. Moreover, Merger Blue Chip has been off nearly a month following a pair of out-of-the-money performances, and the speedy Easy Dream hasn’t raced since July 20.

That could provide an upset opportunity for the locally based Barham Hanover, who prepped for the championship with two starts against accomplished mares in The Meadows Preferred Handicap Trot.

“I had no place else to race her,” said her trainer, Dan Altmeyer, “and the Preferred seem like a good spot to follow along fast and not really race much. I think it probably sharpened her.”

The field from the rail out:

1. Top Photo–Brett Miller–8-1
2. Ally-Gal Ridge–Eric Ledford–8-1
3. Easy Dream–Dave Palone–6-1
4. Spicy Wings–John Campbell–5-2
5. Barham Hanover–Mike Wilder–10-1
6. Secret Magic–Mike Lachance–10-1
7. Merger Blue Chip–Greg Grismore–9-2
8. Cantab It All–Daniel Dube–7-2