by harness publicists across North America

Thursday’s edition of Fair Roundup features a results story from Meadville, Pa.

A new all-age track record provided excitement on the final day of the 4-day race meet at the Crawford County Fairgrounds in Meadville, Pennsylvania.

Roger Hammer gave a preview of things to come when he began the day with a wire-to-wire win with Bell On Wheels (Western Hanover). The filly, who has now won 10 straight, paced in 2:02.3 with a 28.4 last quarter to post the win in the first division of the PA Sire Stake 3YO filly pace.

The second division belonged to Ashley’s Pride (The Panderosa), who paced the mile in 2:04.4 for driver Timmy Offutt. Samuel Stoltzfus owns the winner, who is trained by Joe Offutt.

Hammer returned to win the third division with Real Espresso, who recorded her 11th win in her 24th start of the year. The Real Artist filly is also owned and trained by Hammer. Time for the mile was 2:02.

In the first division of the PASS 3YO colt pace, hometown horse Red Hot Scandal flirted with the track record, pacing in 1:59.4, just one-fifth shy of the standard. Brian Zendt drove the son of Real Artist for owner/trainer Boots Dunn.

However, in the second division, Lahaye, another son of Real Artist, managed to defeat the mark set by Shu Hanover in 2004. With trainer Roger Hammer in the bike, Lahaye paced the quarter in 30.4, reached the half in 1:00.2, then got to the three-quarter pole in 1:30 before posting a 28.4 final panel to trip the timer in 1:58.4, the fastest mile in the history of the half-mile Meadville oval. Hammer co-owns Lahaye with Nevin Gilbert.

In 3-year-old Quaker Stake action, Miss Valley won her first race of the season, pacing in 2:05.2. The Allamerican Native filly is owned and trained by Jim Brewer, and was driven by his grandson, JR Brewer.

The second Quaker pace was won by DVC Fine Tuned, driven by Charlie Flickinger. The Quentin Hanover filly scored in 2:05.4 for owner Ellen Warren and trainer Joyce Lineweaver.

The PA Fair Circuit will split into two venues next week, with action Monday through Wednesday at the Indiana County Fairgrounds in Indiana, PA, and two days of racing beginning Tuesday at the Erie County Fairgrounds in Wattsburg.

— PA Harness Racing Commission