by Bill Peters
Hillsdale, MI — The Hillsdale County Fair at Hillsdale, Michigan, opened up its two-day race meet on Tuesday (September 27) by hosting the state’s Silver Circuit. Nine races were contested over a track rated as heavy.
Heartsaregonnaroll (Hard Rock N Roll-Primrose Hanover) captured the 2-year-old filly trot in 2:14.3. Mike Sweeney trains the filly and also co-owns her with Francis Kayden. Jeff Sweeney picked up the winning drive on Heartsaregonnaroll.
Trainer-driver Carl Putnam, Jr. steered Splitsville (Hard Rock N Roll-Meet My Ex) to victory in the 2-year-old colt trot. Mary Johnson pays the bills on the gelding, which toured the Hillsdale oval in 2:13.3.
Trainer Mike Sweeney and driver Jeff Sweeney returned to the winner’s circle after Tropical Breeze (Canyon Wind-Freddi’s Surprise) took the 2-year-old filly pace in 2:09.3. Mike also co-owns the filly with Phil Stommen.
Keith Crawford’s Ididitmyrei (Cheyenne Rei-Hoot N Dasher) won the 2-year-old colt pace in 2:07.1. Crawford also owns the colt with Carl Putnam, Jr. picking up the winning catch-drive.
Mike and Jeff Sweeney made a third appearance in the winner’s circle when Girly Girl (Keystone Nordic-Birdsall Mary) came home first in the 3-year-old filly trot. Mike owns the filly along with Michael Charbonneau and David Haylett. Girly Girl took 2:11 to complete her mile over the Hillsdale twice-around.
Caught Cheatin (Hard Rock N Roll-Meet My Ex) duplicated his full brother’s achievement by winning the fastest split of the 3-year-old colt trot in 2:09.3. Keith Crawford is the owner-trainer-driver of Caught Cheatin. The second division went to Benns Hicktown (Lockkeeper-Delightful Holli) in 2:12. Larry Smith piloted the Aaron Bennett-trained gelding with Bennett Farms Inc. of MI and Marilyn Oosting picking up the expenses.
Roca Rei (Cheyenne Rei-Roca Suave) was victorious in the 3-year-old filly pace with a mile in 2:07.3. Kelly Goodwin is the owner-trainer-driver of Roca Rei.
Lawrence Gary’s Forty Four Magnum (Gunthatwonthewest-Dragon Jessi) had the fastest mile of the day with a 2:07 win in the 3-year-old colt pace. Todd LaFountaine trains the colt with Brad Kramer providing the driving services in Tuesday’s last race.
Heavy overnight rains have caused Wednesday’s 13-race Bronze Circuit program to be postponed until Sunday (October 2) with a 12 noon post time. Sunday’s races will conclude fair racing in Michigan for 2011.