by Jeff Zidek, information specialist, Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission

York, PA — Seventeen stake races were held under the lights at the York Fairgrounds in York, Pennsylvania on a perfect late summer night (Sept. 13).

Jeff Zidek photo

Lyrical Lady set a York track record for 2-year-old trotting fillies as she scored in 2:03.3.

Freshmen filled the card, led off by four divisions of filly trotters in PA Sire Stake action. In the first division, Girls Getaway sprinted the first half in :59.1 before holding on to a 2:05 victory for driver Chris Shaw. Bill Altmeyer owns the Donerail filly, while Terry Altmeyer was the winning trainer.

In the second division, Mynah Hanover scored in 2:06 for trainer/driver Steve Schoeffel. The Cantab Hall filly is now a four-time winner this season for owners Stephen Lander and Virginia and Kathy Schoeffel.

The third group was a showcase for Dunn Stable’s Lyrical Lady, as the Cantab Hall filly set a new track record for freshman trotting fillies, covering the mile in 2:03.3. Roger Hammer trains and was in the bike for the record mile.

The Dunn/Hammer combination came back to win the fourth split as well, with Graciously (SJ’s Caviar) trotting in 2:07.3.

Another track record fell in the fifth race on the card, the first of three PASS pacing filly divisions. Blissful Artist, in rein to Eric Neal, was parked on the outside for the entire mile from post six, but still managed to earn the victory in 1:59.2, a lifetime best and new track standard for 2-year-old filly pacers. Randy Neal trains the Blissfull Hall filly for owners Shainah Rugh and the Neal Racing Stable.

In the second division, My Gal Hannah also overcame the outside post six and won for trainer/driver Roger Hammer in 2:02.1. Hammer co-owns the Metropolitan filly with Clair Corle.

The final filly pacing group was captured by Dragon Dance and trainer/driver Todd Schadel in 2:00.4. The Dragon Again filly is owned by the Horse Around Stable.

Four groups of colt pacers faced the starter in PASS stake action, and Keystone Reactor (Dragon Again) won the first event in 2:03.2, a lifetime best. Owner Cory Kreiser also drove the colt, while his father, John, was the winning trainer.

In the second division, Twilight Artist held off a determined charge from newcomer Ishmael’s Brother to win in 1:59 for Hammer, who co-owns with Vicki Fair. Twilight Artist (Real Artist) has now won nine of 12 starts this season.

The third division resulted in another sub-2:00 mile, as Sapphire City went wire-to-wire for Schadel in 1:59.4. The Metropolitan colt is co-owned by Schadel and Hammer.

Schadel picked up the winning catch-drive in the final colt pace, guiding Rich Gillock’s Ya Gotta Go to a 2:00.3 victory. Another son of Metropolitan, Ya Gotta Go has now won three times in nine career starts.

In the lone division of the Quaker Trot, Juniata County (Chip Chip Hooray) led at every post, trotting in 2:12.1 for driver Winston Lineweaver. Trainer John McMullen co-owns with his daughter-in-law, Michelle.

Two divisions of the Quaker Pace were next, and What A Jolt was a come-from-behind winner in the first split in 2:03.2. Chris Oluvic owns and trains the Village Jolt gelding, while Aaron Johnston was in the bike. The second division was won by Metrodisle, by Metropolitan, in 2:05.4. It was the first career win for the filly, owned by JR Ramsburg and trainer Joe Offutt. Timmy Offutt was the winning driver.

Schadel added another win in the first PASS 2-year-old colt trot, guiding Keystone Wild Card to a 2:07.2 victory. The SJ’s Caviar colt is owned by Schadel, Max Hempt, John Fritsch and B.W. Graffius.

In the next division, Schadel catch-drove Meadowbranch Red to a 2:05.4 win for owner Hans Enggren and trainer Bjorn Noren. The SJ’s Caviar colt won for the first time in his third career outing.

The final division was won in fine fashion by Cadence Hall, who kicked into high gear in the stretch to win in a lifetime best 2:05 for trainer/driver Bill Daugherty. Susan Daugherty owns the Chip Chip Hooray gelding, now a winner of eight races in 13 starts.

Action continues at York on Tuesday morning with a 10:30 a.m. card featuring 3-year-olds. For video highlights from the PA Fair circuit, visit www.pafairharness.com.