by Jeff Zidek, for the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission

Butler, PA — Eleven races were held at the Big Butler Fairgrounds in Butler, Pa., on Friday (July 1), all Sire Stake races for Pennsylvania breds.

Marty Wollam opened the day with a victory with Vertical Takeoff in the PASS 3-year-old filly trot in 2:06.3. Wollam also trains the daughter of Broadway Hall for Steiner Stock Farm and G&B Racing.

In the second filly trot division, Juniata County recorded the win in 2:07.3, a lifetime best. Wilbur Yoder drove the Chip Chip Hooray filly for trainer John McMullen, who co-owns with his daughter-in-law, Michelle.

The last group was led to the wire by My Good Side, making her fair debut for trainer/driver Steve Schoeffel. Tom Barrett owns the Broadway Hall filly, who recovered from a break behind the gate to win in 2:07.1.

In the first of two $5,850 sophomore colt trotting events, S J Better Days (SJ’s Caviar) was a 2:06.2 winner for driver Brian Zendt. Boots Dunn trains for the Dunn Stable.

In the second split, KT Tag I’m It recorded his first victory of the season. The Tagliabue gelding is owned by Robin and Brian Weaver, while Eddie McNeight trains and was in the bike. The winning time was 2:07.

Three groups of PASS filly pacers were next to the track, with Third Times Acharm winning her division with ease in 2:03.3 for Yoder. Charles Vigneron owns and trains the Blissfull Hall filly.

Another Blissfull Hall filly, Bliss My Britches, won the second division in 2:07.3. Jason Shaw trains and co-owns with Lisa Beinhauer, while Chris Shaw picked up the winning drive. It was the second straight win for the filly.

Yet another Blissfull Hall filly, appropriately named Another Bliss, made it a clean sweep of the 3-year-old filly pace, capturing the third division in 2:05.1. Steve Schoeffel catch-drove for trainer Lisa Beinhauer and owners Jeffrey Demiere and Jody Emrich.

In the first colt pacing event, Twilight Artist made it 2-for-2 in his 2011 season for Roger Hammer, winning in 2:04.1. Hammer trains and co-owns the Real Artist colt with Vicki Fair.

Stealth Flight, competing on his home track for trainer/driver Schoeffel, was a winner in the second split in 2:05.3. A Blissfull Hall gelding, Stealth Flight is owned by Virginia and Kathy Schoeffel, Jim Reuther and Jerry Dedoszak.

In the final race of the day, SJ’s Patriot gave Chris Shaw his second driving win of the day, scoring in 2:06. S&J Racing owns the Blissfull Hall gelding, while Terry Altmeyer trains. For sire Blissfull Hall, it was win number five from six pacing events on the afternoon.

Action at Butler concludes on Saturday morning with five Quaker Stakes. For video highlights, visit www.youtube.com/pafairs.