by Jeff Zidek, for the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission
Washington, PA — The Pennsylvania Fair Circuit completed its two-day stop at Arden Downs in Washington County on Tuesday (August 16) as 3-year-olds competed in 12 stakes events.
Caramel Chinno opened the day with a 2:00.2 victory in the first of two $5,805 PA Sire Stake 3-yerar-old filly pacing events. Roger Hammer owns, trains and was in the bike behind the Allamerican Native filly, now a winner of six consecutive fair stakes. In the second division, Countless Gold tipped three wide off the last turn and won for owner/driver Cory Kreiser. The Blissfull Hall filly paced in 2:04.
In the first of four PASS filly trotting events, Cameron County was a winner in 2:09, getting up in the final stride to win in a close photo over Crowdswild Hanover and Norma Jean Hall. Cameron County, a daughter of Sierra Kosmos, is owned by John and Michelle McMullen. Wilbur Yoder was the winning driver. In the second division, Lyrical Lady gave driver Brian Zendt, trainer Boots Dunn and the Dunn Stable their first win of the day. The Cantab Hall filly scored in 2:04.2. The third division belonged to Mynah Hanover, another daughter of Cantab Hall. Mynah Hanover, owned by Stephen Lander and Virginia and Kathy Schoeffel, trotted in 2:04.2 for trainer/driver Steve Schoeffel. The Yoder/McMullen combination captured the final split with Juniata County, covering the mile in 2:06.3. Juniata County is a daughter of Chip Chip Hooray.
Two $5,870 divisions of the sophomore colt pace were up next, and each was hotly contested. In the first division, Ya Gotta Go went wire-to-wire, holding off a determined challenge in the stretch by Stripe’n Star to win by a head. Ya Gotta Go (Metropolitan), is owned and trained by Rich Gillock. Wayne Long recorded the winning catch-drive. In the second division, Stealth Flight and Schoeffel parked Evening Shadows, driven by Jordon Miller, to a :58.3 opening half. Evening Shadows eventually cleared and held off Stealth Flight to win in 2:02.2. Charles Von See owns and trains the Blissfull Hall gelding, now a six-time winner on the circuit this year.
Two divisions of the PASS colt trot followed, and both were won by the Dunn/Zendt team. Linus B Worthy (Cantab Hall) scored in 2:05.1, while stablemate SJ Better Days (SJ’s Caviar) was a 2:03.4 winner.
The day’s final two races were Quaker Stakes, won by pacer Bermuda Rough and trotter Girls’ Getaway. Bermuda Rough was a 2:03.4 winner for owner/trainer Jason Shaw and driver Chris Shaw. Girls’ Getaway trotted her mile in 2:04.4 for owner Bill Altmeyer, trainer Terry Altmeyer and driver Steve Schoeffel.
For video highlights from Washington, visit this link.
Action moves to Armstrong County on Wednesday for two days of action at the Dayton Fair. Post time will be 12 Noon.