by Jeff Zidek for the PA Fair Harness Horsemen’s Association

Butler, PA — The Big Butler Fair in Butler, Pennsylvania hosted 13 PA Sire Stake events for freshmen on Thursday (June 28).

Roger Hammer opened the card with a victory in a 2YO colt trot, guiding Albany House (Andover Hall) to a 2:09.2 win. It would prove to be the fastest trotting mile of the day. Hammer trains and co-owns Albany House with the Ervin Miller Stable.

In the second division, Montour County won his second straight race, covering the mile in 2:13.3 for driver Wilbur Yoder. John McMullen trains and co-owns the Sierra Kosmos gelding along with Michelle McMullen.

The final colt trot was captured by Mervin Wengerd’s Broad Horizon. A colt by Broadway Hall, Broad Horizon went wire-to-wire with Ed McNeight at the helm. Marcus Marashian earned the training victory. The winning time was 2:13.

In the first filly trot division, MM’s Miss Tess, a daughter of Malabar Millennium, picked up her first career victory, trotting in 2:16.3. Jim Daugherty owns and trains, while his father, Bill, was in the bike.

In the second split, Lindyofalifetime was a 2:12.3 winner for the Dunn Stable, trainer Boots Dunn, and driver Brian Zendt. For Zendt, it was his circuit-best 10th driving win of the season. Lindyofalifetime is a daughter of Cantab Hall.

In the final division, Solicitation (Tom Ridge) scored in 2:11.1. Winning driver Hammer co-owns with Todd Schadel.

Colt pacers were up next, and trainer/driver Steve Schoeffel captured the first two divisions with horses from his own barn. Jungle Of Terror, by Western Terror, remained undefeated in his career, now three-for-three, after a 2:06.4 win. Steve Lander, Kathy and Virginia Schoeffel own Jungle Of Terror.

The second division brought the day’s fastest winning time, as first-time starter Skylite’s Finale (Allamerican Native) went wire-to-wire in 2:03.2. Mike Callipare bred and owns the winner.

Another first-time starter, Cruising Machine (Yankee Cruiser) won the third split in 2:08.1 for trainer/driver Aaron Johnston. Tracy Chropek and Gary Johnston own the winning colt.

The fourth and final colt pace was won by another newcomer, Charlie’s Chapel. A son of Allamerican Native, Charlie’s Chapel is owned by Charles Meyer and trained by Walter Johnson. Chris Shaw picked up the catch drive.

The day’s 11th race, the first filly pacing division, was marred by a three-horse accident that left drivers Wilbur Yoder and Bobby Rougeaux injured. Blue Beyond (Village Jolt), trained and reined by Steve Schoeffel for owners Gregory, Bernard and Susan Callihan, won in 2:08.4.

In the second division, She’salilfireball paced in 2:04.3 for her second win of the season for owner/trainer Bob Grover. Aaron Johnston picked up his second winning drive of the day. She’salilfireball is a daughter of Allamerican Native.

The final race of the day was won by DVC Jaded Attitude and owner/trainer/driver David Brickell. A daughter of Magical Mike, DVC Jaded Attitude paced the mile in 2:04.1.

Racing at Butler continues on Friday at 10AM, with 11 heats for 3-year-olds slated.

For additional photos, video and information from the PA Fair Circuit, visit the Standardbred Breeders of PA website, www.standardbredbreederspa.org or the PA Fair Horsemen’s website, www.pafairharness.com. To view video from today’s races visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKsOQoJR4Bg.