by Jeff Zidek, information specialist, Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission

Meadville, PA — The Pennsylvania Fair Circuit returned to the Crawford County Fairgrounds in Meadville to kick off a four-day meet on Monday, August 23.

Freshman trotters were featured on the card and four PA Sire Stake filly events opened the day over a sloppy track. In the first race, Kelpie Hanover (SJ’s Caviar) came from behind to score the win in 2:08.2 for trainer/driver Marty Wollam. Owned by Dale Sweet, Hans Bachmann and Patricia Wollam, Kelpie Hanover earned her fifth win in seven career starts.

Brian Podnar photo

RT Show Stopper was a winner in 2:12.2.

After more rain fell, RT Show Stopper stopped the clock in 2:12.2, winning for the first time in her career. Owned by the Brocious Racing Stable and trained/driven by Bobby Rougeaux, RT Show Stopper is a daughter of RT Giant.

In the third division, Lyrical Lady scored for hometown owners the Dunn Stable and trainer Boots Dunn. Roger Hammer drove the Cantab Hall filly to a 2:08.1 win, her third in eight starts.

In the last group, Malibu Bay Breeze was a 2:13.2 winner for trainer/driver Spencer Kahrig. A daughter of SJ’s Caviar, Malibu Bay Breeze is owned by the Kahrig Stable.

Three divisions of colt trotters were up next in PA Sire Stake action and the first division winner was KT Tag I’m It (Tagliabue). Owned and trained by Ken Weaver, KT Tag I’m It moved past the $40,000 mark in season’s earnings with Eddie McNeight at the lines. The winning time was 2:08.4.

Blueridge Dagon, a Donerail gelding, was a winner in the second group for owner/trainer Mike Gillock. JC Miller, Jr., picked up the catch-drive as the trotter covered the mile in 2:06.4.

The final Sire Stake of the day was captured by Otto, who went wire-to-wire for Wollam in 2:11.4. After backing off the half to 1:08, Otto was able to hold off a strong challenge from Cadence Hall (Chip Chip Hooray) and driver Bill Daugherty for the win. Otto, a Tagliabue colt, is owned by Patricia Wollam and Acadia Farms.

In Quaker Stake trotting action, Juniata County won in 2:15.2 for driver Winston Lineweaver. The Chip Chip Hooray filly is owned by trainer John and Michelle McMullen.

The lone overnight on the card, the Free-For-All Pace, was won by former fair specialist Real Espresso and Roger Hammer. One of the nation’s winningest horses last year with 19 victories, Real Espresso picked up her first win of 2010 in her 18th start for Hammer, who also owns and trains the 4-year-old daughter of Real Artist.

Racing continues on Tuesday with 10 events, featuring 2-year-old trotters. For video highlights from the PA Fairs, visit www.pafairharness.com.