by Jeff Zidek, information specialist, Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission

Dayton, PA — The Pennsylvania Fair Circuit made a return visit to the Dayton Fairgrounds in Armstrong County for the first day of a two-day Sire Stake meet on Saturday, July 31.

The 2-year-olds took to the track for a lengthy 17-race card, and Kelpie Hanover won the opener for trainer/driver Marty Wollam in 2:07.3. The filly trotter, by SJ’s Caviar, is owned by Dale Sweet, Hans Bachmann and Patricia Wollam.

In the second filly trot, Bay Ridge scored in 2:09.4 for owner/trainer Jeff Indof. A daughter of Tom Ridge, Bay Ridge won for the first time in her career.

The third filly trotting division was a showcase for Arizona Miss (SJ’s Caviar), as she went wire-to-wire by more than a dozen lengths, scoring in 2:07.4. Owned by Mervin Wengerd and trained by Boots Dunn, Arizona Miss was driven to the win by Roger Hammer.

The fourth and final filly trot was won by Witch’s Magic Brew, a daughter of CR Royal Magic. Owned and trained by Ken Weaver, Witch’s Magic Brew trotted the mile in 2:09.4 with Ed McNeight, Jr., at the lines.

Three colt trotting groups were next up, and Centre County won the first in 2:11.1 despite a second-tier start. The Cantab Hall colt was driven to the win by Wilbur Yoder for trainer and co-owner John McMullen. Michelle McMullen also owns.

Cadence Hall (Chip Chip Hooray) won the second split in 2:09.3 for trainer/driver Bill Daugherty, Jr. Owned by Susan Daugherty, Cadence Hall has now won two straight on the fair circuit.

Trainer Boots Dunn and driver Roger Hammer teamed up to win their second race of the day in the final colt trotting division, as SJ Better Days (SJ’s Caviar) scored by a length in 2:09.2. SJ Better Days is owned by the Dunn Stable.

Five groups of freshman filly pacers then faced the starter. In the first division, Brookie B Quik (Quik Pulse Mindale) won in 2:07.2, giving McNeight his second driving win of the day. Dr. William Solomon owns the winner, while Jamie Coffey trains.

In the second division, Caramel Chinno scored in 2:05.2 for Hammer, who also owns and trains the daughter of Allamerican Native.

In the third division, Eric Neal drove Blissful Artist to her first career win in 2:03.3. The Blissfull Hall filly is owned by Neal Racing Stable and Shainah Rugh. Randy Neal does the training.

The fourth division belonged to DVC Hopnattitude, a Magical Mike filly. Owned, trained and reined by David Brickell, DVC Hopnattitude has now won five of six starts overall, and is undefeated at the fairs after winning in 2:05.4.

Another Blissfull Hall filly, this one named Another Bliss, won the final filly split in 2:09.4. John and Betty Shaw own the first-time winner, and Al Manke picked up the winning drive. For trainer Marty Wollam, it was his second training victory of the day.

Completing the day were five colt pacing divisions. Evening Shadows, yet another Blissfull Hall offspring, ran his record to four-for-four on the season, pacing in 2:04.2 for driver Chris Shaw. Charles Von See owns and trains the winner.

Jus Another Joe, a colt by I Am A Fool, won the second split, pacing in 2:06.3 for Brickell. Charles Kiser owns the winner, while Bari Farcus trains.

Shaw returned to the winner’s circle in the third division, guiding Stripe’n Star to a 2:07.3 win. Jason Shaw owns and trains the No Pan Intended gelding.

In the fourth division, Lookout Macatoo won his first start on the circuit, pacing in 2:06.4 for driver Brad Provost. Owned by Douglas Cullers and Thomas Hope, Lookout Macatoo (Blissfull Hall) is trained by Dean Collins.

The day ended with Chris Shaw’s third winning drive, as Red Burn got up in the final stride to edge DVC Hipnjazzy in 2:06.3. Red Burn, by Allamerican Native, scored for the first time in his career for owners Lisa Beinhauer and Jason Shaw.

Thirteen races for 3-year-olds are slated for Sunday (August 1) at the Dayton Fairgrounds, beginning at 1 p.m.