by Jeff Zidek, information specialist, Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission

Butler, PA — Harness racing returned to the Big Butler Fairgrounds in Butler, Pa., with 13 Sire Stake events for freshman trotters and pacers on Thursday (July 1).

Two colt pacing divisions carried the largest purse of the day, with each race going for right around $6,100. Stripe’n Star (No Pan Intended), owned and trained by Jason Shaw, won the first split in 2:07.3 with Chris Shaw at the lines.

Ryan Zidek photo

Evening Shadows was a 2:05.3 winner for driver Chris Shaw.

Chris Shaw then swept the division as he catch-drove Evening Shadows (Blissfull Hall) to a 2:05.3 win. Charles Von See owns and trains Evening Shadows, who is now 2-for-2 on the fair season.

Three $4,065 divisions of 2-year-old colt trotters opened the card, with Procol Harem Chip (Chip Chip Hooray) winning the first split in 2:12.3. Brian Weaver, who co-owns with trainer Kim Good, drove the winner.

In the second division, KT Tag I’m It was an open length winner for driver Eddie McNeight. The Tagliabue gelding won in 2:09.1 for owner/trainer Ken Weaver.

In the final division, Otto moved to the front at the quarter pole and never looked back, scoring in 2:11.3 for trainer/driver Marty Wollam. A Tagliabue colt, Otto is owned by Patricia Wollam and Acadia Farms.

Four divisons of freshman filly trotters were up next, and the Weaver/McNeight combination scored in the opening division with Witch’s Magic Brew (CR Royal Magic). Witch’s Magic Brew covered the mile in 2:16.2.

In the second group, RT Girls Lie Too won her first career race, going wire-to-wire in 2:18.2 for trainer/driver Bobby Rougeaux. A daughter of Ebanks, RT Girls Lie Too is owned by the Brocious Racing Stable.

The third division brought Wollam back to the winner’s circle as Kelpie Hanover was a 2:11 victor. Owned by Dale Sweet, Hans Bachmann and Patricia Wollam, Kelpie Hanover is a daughter of SJ’s Caviar.

Another SJ’s Caviar filly, Leona, won the final division for owner/trainer Janet Irvine and driver Wil Yoder in 2:14.2.

The day ended with four groups of freshman filly pacers facing the starter. Roger Hammer and Clair Corle’s My Gal Hannah (Metropolitan) won the first division with Hammer driving in 2:09.2.

In the second split, David Brickell guided his own DVC Hopnattitude to an open length win in 2:06.4. DVC Hopnattitude is a daughter of Magical Mike.

In the third division, Countless Gold was a winner in 2:08.4, giving driver Cory Kreiser his first career driving victory. The 16-year-old Kreiser also owns the filly, a daughter of Blissfull Hall.

Finally, Hammer won his second of the day as Caramel Chinno scored in 2:05 in the day’s last race. A daughter of Allamerican Native, Caramel Chinno is now 2-for-2 in her career for owner/trainer Hammer.

Racing continues at Butler on Friday morning at 11 a.m. with 3-year-olds in action.