by Jeff Zidek, for the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission

Meadville, PA — Sophomores made their first fair starts of the season in Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action at the Crawford County Fairgrounds in Meadville, Pa., on Sunday (June 26).

Three groups of colt pacers opened the day and Roger Hammer visited the winner’s circle after the first two events with Roses Wild (Allamerican Native) and Twilight Artist (Real Artist).

Roses Wild, owned and trained by Hammer, won in 2:06.4 after working his way to the front from a second-tier start. Twilight Artist, owned by Hammer along with Vicki Fair, was making his 3-year-old debut after going 9-for-12 and banking more than $80,000 in 2010, while taking a mark of 1:53.1f. The colt had to earn his win the hard way, spending the final half-mile on the outside, getting up in the closing strides over frontrunning Stealth Flight (Blissfull Hall) and driver Steve Schoeffel in 2:04.

The third division was captured by Stripe’n Star in 2:03.1. Owned and trained by Jason Shaw and driven by Chris Shaw, Stripe’n Star (No Pan Intended) won for the first time in seven starts this season after posting eight fair victories last year.

The Shaws returned to the winner’s circle in the first division of the 3-year-old filly pace, as Bliss My Britches (Blissfull Hall) scored in 2:05.1. It was her first career win in her 13th career start. Lisa Beinhauer co-owns with Jason Shaw.

In the second division, Crafty Friend (Allamerican Ingot) appeared to be in trouble early, getting knocked off stride by another breaking horse on the way to the first quarter. Trainer/driver JR Brewer guided the filly back into contention and she went on to win her seasonal debut in a tight photo over SJ’s Diva and driver Chris Shaw in 2:08.3. For Crafty Friend, owned by Jim and JR Brewer, it was her third career victory.

Ryan Zidek photo

Livinwell Hanover scored in 2:02.2, the meet’s fastest mile.

PA Fair newcomer Livinwell Hanover and trainer/driver Paul Moore went wire-to-wire in the third and final filly pacing split, scoring in 2:02.2, the meet’s fastest mile. Owned by Rosemarie Moore, Livinwell Hanover (The Panderosa) won for the second time this season.

Three groups of sophomore filly trotters were next onto the track, and wins were earned by Juniata County (Chip Chip Hooray), Vertical Takeoff (Broadway Hall) and Girls’ Getaway (Donerail).

Juniata County scored from the outside post six in 2:09.1, a lifetime best for owners John and Michelle McMullen and driver Wilbur Yoder. John McMullen trains. Vertical Takeoff, trained and reined by Marty Wollam, scored in 2:07.3 for owners G&B Racing and the Steiner Stock Farm. Girls’ Getaway, owned by William Altmeyer and trained by Terry Altmeyer, was a 2:10.1 winner. Chris Shaw had the winning catch-drive, his third victory on the afternoon.

The day’s highest priced events were two splits of the PASS 3-year-old colt trot, each for a purse of $5,800. Linus B Worthy scored in the first division for driver Brian Zendt in 2:07.4. Owned by the Dunn Stable and trained by Boots Dunn, Linus B Worthy is a son of Cantab Hall.

Wollam earned his second win of the day in the final heat, as Otto trotted in 2:07.3 for owners Patricia Wollam and Acadia Farms. Otto is a Tagliabue gelding.

For video highlights from Meadville, visit this link.

Fair races from 2011 will be posted on a new YouTube page, www.youtube.com/pafairs.

Racing on the circuit now moves to Butler County and the Big Butler Fairgrounds for three days of racing beginning Thursday (June 30) at 11 a.m.