Meyersdale, PA — Inclement weather in southwestern Pennsylvania forced programs featuring 2-year-olds at both the Dayton Fair and the Somerset County Fair to be cancelled on Wednesday (Aug. 18) and Thursday (Aug. 19), respectively. Fortunately, 3-year-olds were able to get in their races at both locations on their respective next days.

The Somerset Fair, in Meyersdale, Pa., near the Maryland border, began their meeting with a bang, when the Southwind Frank gelding Killer Instinct earned his fourth fair victory of 2021 in six starts with a 2:01.2 score, missing No Name Yankee’s divisional track standard by three-fifths of a second. Wayne Long guided the sophomore, also one of the best on the circuit last season, to victory for trainer Robert Rougeaux III and the partnership of the Brocious Racing Stable Inc. and Lone Wolf Stable.

Of the other three sophomore divisions, the fastest mile came from the “B” Sire Stakes division rather than the “A” group, including the fastest mile of the meet, a 2:01 mile from Sassy Sophia. for driver Steve Schoeffel drove the A Rocknroll Dance filly for trainer Rich Gillock, who shares ownership with Barbara Richardson. The race before, Sassy Sophia’s contemporary Ginger Tree Liz won her first fair start of the year, defeating Tiamogonedancen in 2:01.2 for trainer-driver Sam Beegle, who also co-owns the Sweet Lou miss with Ginger Tree Ventures LLC, Double D Racing Stable and Reber-Chesen Stable.

At Meyersdale, Aaron and Shawn Johnston tied with Tony Schadel with two winners for top driving honors, while Gary Johnston and Linda Schadel both harnessed a pair of winners to tie among the trainers.

There was uniformity in the “A” Sire Stakes 3-year-old races at Dayton: the Todd Schadel barn sent out all five winners, including both divisions of the colt trot. The faster winner in that group, the Bar Hopping colt Top Me Off, continued his torrid form streak winning in 2:01.1 to remain undefeated at the fairs and the first six-time winner on the circuit. Schadel also sent By A Hoff Hanover (2:04) and Cheesy Hanover (2:03.1) to victory.

The Artspeak sophomore colt Terry A Hanover, also a 2020 Fair Champion, paced his fourth 2:00 mile of the season for Christine Schadel and Caitlin Solt. The filly pace went to the Somebeachsomewhere filly Tonianne, home in 2:01.3 for Andy Miller Stable Inc. and Louis Willinger. With Cody also driving a “B” winner for the barn, Todd led the way at Dayton with four driving wins and six training victories.

Eric Neal was the only driver to drive at both Dayton and Meyersdale (just over 100 miles apart), and won twice at Dayton. Trainers “doing the double” included Eric’s father, Randal, as well as Lou Goans.

Two-year-olds are scheduled to return to action at the Crawford County Fair in Meadville, Pa., on Sunday (Aug. 22), with 3-year-olds scheduled for the next day.