by Jeff Zidek, information specialist, Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission

Port Royal, PA — The Port Royal Speedway in Juniata County, Pennsylvania scraped off some clay, added some limestone and hosted harness racing, featuring 2-year-olds in stake competition under the lights.

My Gal Hannah, a Metropolitan filly, won the first race, a PASS 2YO filly pace, covering the mile in 2:02.4. Roger Hammer and Clair Corle bred and own the filly, while Hammer also trains and was in the bike.

Four groups of colt pacers were slated next, and Constructor won his second straight fair stake by pacing in 2:01 to capture the first split. Randy Neal trains and drove the McArdle colt, and co-owns with David and John Prushnok.

Sapphire City gave sire Metropolitan his second win of the night, scoring in the second division 2:00.2. Hammer and Todd Schadel own, while Schadel trains and drove. It was all Hammer in the next division, as he guided Twilight Artist to a 1:59 victory. Hammer and Vicki Fair own the Real Artist colt.

Ryan Zidek photo

Evening Shadows went wire to wire for driver Chris Shaw, setting a new 2-year-old record by pacing in 1:57.

The fastest time was turned in by the final group, as Evening Shadows went wire to wire for driver Chris Shaw, setting a new 2YO record – and just missing the all-age record by one-fifth of a second – by pacing in 1:57. Evening Shadows cut fractions of 28, 58, and a blistering 1:25 en route to the record win. Charles Von See owns and trains the Blissfull Hall gelding, now a 9-time winner on the circuit.

Another filly pace was next, and Blissful Artist scored despite a tough first-over trip for driver Eric Neal. The Blissfull Hall filly won in 2:02 with a 58.3 last half mile. Neal Racing Stable and Shainah Rugh own, while Randy Neal earned his second training win of the night.

Two $5,998 divisions of colt trotters next faced the starter, and KT Tag I’m It was a 2:05 winner in the first group. Owned and trained by Ken Weaver, the Tagliabue gelding was driven to the win by Eddie McNeight. In the second division, Greatest Hits scored for driver Bryce Truitt in 2:06. Bryce and Cindy Truitt own the Great George Two gelding along with Teddy and Joyce Baker, while Cindy Truitt trains.

In the first of three PASS filly trotting races, Howardeena Hanover went wire-to-wire for owner/trainer/driver Kim Good in 2:08.3. The Andover Hall filly is now a two-time winner in 10 career outings. The second division was captured by Arizona Miss, trained and driven by Roger Hammer to a 2:03 win, the fastest of her five career victories. The SJ’s Caviar filly is owned by Mervin Wengerd. In the final division, RT Girls Lie Too set a new lifetime mark by trotting in 2:07 for trainer/driver Bobby Rougeaux. The Brocious Racing Stable owns the Ebanks filly.

In the first division of the Quaker Pace, Special Agent Gibz was placed the winner for owner Rae Lynn Bergman and trainer/driver Steven Gastelu. Born For Speed crossed the wire first in 2:03.3, but was placed back to third for interference while on a break just past the half-mile pole. Bermuda Rough (Allamerican Ingot) was a winner in the second division in 2:07 for owner/trainer Jason Shaw and driver Chris Shaw.

The final race of the night was a Quaker Trot, and top honors went to Juniata County – a horse bred in and named for the host county of the night’s card. John and Michelle McMullen own the winner, while Winston Lineweaver recorded the winning drive.

Action at Port Royal continues on Tuesday at 1PM. For video highlights from the PA Fairs, visit www.pafairharness.com.