by Jeff Zidek

York, PA — Harness racing returned to the York, Pennsylvania Fairgrounds on Friday morning (September 8), bringing back old faces and a few special guests to the track.

The “old faces” took part in Pennsylvania Sires Stake and Quaker Stake races for two-year-olds. The “new faces” belonged to five drivers from Finland who were given the opportunity to race at a true American county fair.

The first stake of the day was captured in record time by Todd and Christine Schadel’s Light Headed (SJ’s Caviar), who scored in 2:04, the fastest in track history by a sophomore trotting colt, as he won the first of three splits of the PASS event. Todd Schadel trains and drove the winner.

RT Gizmo was the second division winner, scoring for trainer/driver Robert Rougeaux and owner Harold Brocious. The son of RT Giant picked up his third win of the year, crossing the line in 2:08.3.

Que Pasa and Roger Hammer were 2:04.2 winners.

Roger Hammer and Nevin Gilbert’s Que Pasa won the final division in convincing fashion, winning by nearly the length of the stretch in 2:04.2. The son of Andover Hall, driven by Hammer, was making his first appearance on the fair circuit.

Hammer went back to the winner’s circle in the $2,697 Quaker Stake trot with Hardwood Hanover, who won in 2:09.1. The SJ’s Caviar colt won for the sixth time in nine career starts.

Hammer made it three straight, in a way, in the Quaker Stake pace, as Art Admiration scored in 2:04.2. Hammer owns and trains the winner, but turned over the lines to Todd Schadel. Hammer drove Desert Turbulence, another member of his stable, to a second place finish.

Two groups of freshman PA-sired filly trotters were led by Penn Tag and JC Mik Mac Jillio. Penn Tag (Tagliabue) scored in 2:09.2 for owners Bryce and Cindy Truitt. Bryce Truitt picked up the winning drive, as Penn Tag won for the seventh time in 11 starts.

JC Mik Mac Jillio’s win for trainer/driver Dave Brickell, timed in 2:05.1, was the Bedford County filly’s ninth win in 15 efforts. She recovered from an early break to earn an open length win for owners Dave and Ronna Brickell.

Jeff Zidek Photos

DVC Done Good was a 2:01.4 winner, the fastest time of the day.

Brickell drove back-to-back winners, as DVC Done Good won the first split of the frosh colt PASS pace, timed in 2:01.4, the day’s fastest event. The gelded son of Quentin Hanover is now an eight-time winner on the year.

Mocha Latte (Real Artist) won the second division in 2:03.1 for owner/trainer/driver Hammer.

The final two stakes on the day were two pairings of PA-sired filly pacers. Isabella’s Wish (Hammer) won the first division in 2:04. It was the eighth win in 11 starts for the daughter of Real Artist. Clair Corle owns the winner.

Not to be outdone, Brickell returned to the top spot in the second division with DVC Dixie Cocktail. The Western Hero filly cruised to her ninth win of the season in 2:03.2. Dave and Ronna Brickell own the winner.

While most of the names and faces on the racetrack during the day were familiar, five drivers stood out, getting their own special event. The Suomi Stake, a trotting event for five visiting amateur drivers from Finland, gave the group of visitors a chance to participate in American racing at the country’s grass roots level. York Race Secretary Don Young, with the aid of Terry Schoeffel of the PA Fair Harness Horsemen’s Association, put together a $1,000 race for the visitors.

San Remo Kosmos won the race for Hannu Korpi, trotting in 2:06.3. But the win and the time weren’t of much relevance, as the group was simply happy to have a chance to race at a county fair, and the crowd greeted them with cheers.

“It was more than what I expected,” said Timo Karosvuo, who finished second with Hi Roller K. “It was really fun. The audience was great.”

“It was a great event,” said Young. “The York Fair is pleased to have hosted the event and this great group of drivers.”

Harness racing at York continues on Saturday morning (September 9), as three-year-olds will be in action in PA Sires Stakes and Quaker Stake races.

For more information on the PA Fair circuit, see the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission website at www.agriculture.state.pa.us or the PA Breeders site, www.standardbredbreederspa.org.