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Monday’s (Sept. 7) edition of Fair Roundup features a results story from the Great Stoneboro (PA) Fair.

Hammer wins six at Great Stoneboro Fair

Mercer County, PA — The second day of action at the Great Stoneboro Fairgrounds in Mercer County, Pa., featured 14 stake races for sophomore trotters and pacers.

RT Sun Poco, a filly by Yankee Paco, won her eighth straight race to start the day, capturing the first division of the 3-year-old Quaker Stake for trotters. Owned by the Brocious Racing Stable, RT Sun Poco trotted in 2:06.2 for trainer/driver Bobby Rougeaux.
In the second Quaker Trot, Lasers Kayde won for the first time this season, going wire-to-wire in 2:09.3. Trainer/driver Fred Uber co-owns the Armbro Laser filly with his daughter, Jodi Martin.

In the Quaker Pace, victories were earned by a pair of Quentin Hanover 3-year-olds, DVC Fine Tuned and OHM Debutante. Filly DVC Fine Tuned paced in 2:03.1 for owner Ellen Warren, trainer Joyce Lineweaver, and driver Roger Hammer. OHM Debutante, also a filly, was a 2:07.2 winner for trainer Chris Oluvic, who co-owns with Tony Lisi. Aaron Johnston picked up the winning catch-drive.

The remainder of the card was filled with Pennsylvania Sire Stake events. In the first of two sophomore colt trotting divisions, HRS Major Windfall was a 2:08 winner, controlling the fractions for trainer/driver Dave Brickell. It was just the second win this season for the Donerail gelding and owners Jack and Sharon Claypoole. In the second division, Columbia County (Sierra Kosmos) made a break at the start but recovered to earn a 2:03.3 win for driver Wilbur Yoder. Owned by trainer John McMullen and his daughter-in-law, Michelle, Columbia County has now won 10 of 21 starts in 2009.

Ryan Zidek photo

Red Hot Scandal’s 2:01.3 triumph produced the day’s fastest mile.

Two colt pacing splits were next, and Red Hot Scandal (Real Artist) paced the fastest mile of the day, covering the distance in 2:01.3. Chris Shaw catch-drove for the Dunn Stable and trainer Boots Dunn. In the second division, Lahaye, who has set track records across the state this summer for trainer/driver Roger Hammer, backed down the fractions, ultimately winning in just 2:04.3 with a last half of :59.4. Hammer owns the son of Real Artist in partnership with Nevin Gilbert.

In the 3-year-old filly trot, Hammer returned to the winner’s circle with Sharkie’s Flame, owned by Clair Corle. The Shark Kosmos filly trotted in 2:08 to win the first division. Hammer won his third straight race in the next event, guiding Almost Dawn (Dark Magic) to a life-best 2:07 win for the Dunn Stable and Boots Dunn. Finally, the Yoder and McMullen combination teamed once again, this time with Bank Star, winning the final split in 2:07. The Banker Hall filly is now a six-time winner on the season.

The day ended with three groups of filly pacers facing the starter. Bell On Wheels (Western Hanover) won her 14th race of the season in the first split, pacing in 2:02.1 for Hammer. In the second division, Tremor Hanover went wire-to-wire for owners Charles Moses and Shawn Johnston. Trainer Aaron Johnston picked up his second driving win of the day as well, as the filly paced in 2:02 with a :58.1 last half. Finally, Hammer picked up his sixth win of the day in the last event, as Real Espresso (Real Artist) paced in 2:02.2 for her 13th win in 27 starts. Hammer owns and trains both of his winning sophomore filly pacers.

— PA Harness Racing Commission