by Jeff Zidek, information specialist, Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission

Washington, PA — Historic Arden Downs in Washington, Pennsylvania hosted harness racing on Monday (August 16) as part of the Washington County Fair, with 2-year-olds featured on the first day of action.

Three PA Sire Stakes for filly pacers kicked off the card, and Countless Gold was a winner in the first race, pacing the mile in 2:03.4 for owner/driver Cory Kreiser. The Blissfull Hall filly is trained by John Kreiser.

In the second filly pace, Coasting Hanover (Dragon Again) picked up her second straight win, lowering her lifetime mark by nearly five seconds by pacing in 2:04.3. Spencer Kahrig picked up the winning catch-drive for trainer Jim Rothfuss, who co-owns with Bill Kreutzer.

The final filly pace was won by Another Bliss (Blissfull Hall), as she also lowered her lifetime mark to 2:04.3. It was her third consecutive victory, as Kyle Bolon guided the filly for trainer Marty Wollam and owners John and Betty Shaw.

Three filly trotting groups were up next on the half-mile oval. Witch’s Magic Brew captured the first division in 2:09.3, her seventh consecutive win and her eighth in nine career starts. Ken Weaver owns and trains the CR Royal Magic filly, while Eddie McNeight was the winning driver.

In the second division, Steiner Stock Farm and G&B Racing’s Vertical Takeoff (Broadway Hall) picked up her first career win, scoring in 2:07.4 for Wollam. It was his second training win and first winning drive of the day.

In the third split, Leona trotted the mile in 2:07.2 for the win. Janet Irvine owns and trains the daughter of SJ’s Caviar, while Bill Fahy was the winning driver.

Facing the starter next were three divisons of colt pacers in PASS action. In the first, Vino’s Desire, a gelded son of Real Desire, won his first career race, pacing in 2:03.2 for driver Wilbur Yoder. Rich Gillock trains.

The second group was led by Evening Shadows, a son of Blissfull Hall that came into the race undefeated in six career outings. Driver Chris Shaw guided Evening Shadows through fractions of :29.4, 1:00.2 and 1:30.1, while Ya Gotta Go (Metropolitan), making his first fair start, sat patiently in the pocket for Yoder. In the stretch, Ya Gotta Go went right by, securing the win in his fifth career start, pacing the mile in a speedy 1:59.4, while Evening Shadows was less than a length back in second. Rich Gillock owns and trains Ya Gotta Go.

Shaw got his revenge in the final division, guiding Stripe’n Star to a 2:04.3 win. Jason Shaw owns and trains the winner, a son of No Pan Intended. For Stripe’n Star, it was career win number five in nine starts.

The day’s final two Sire Stakes were for colt trotters, and Americangeneration (American Winner) was impressive in his 2:04.1 victory, the first of his career. After making breaks in five consecutive qualifying events in Ohio, Americangeneration became a winner in just his second official start. Owned by American Winner, Inc., Americangeneration gave Rich Gillock his third win of the day, while Winston Lineweaver picked up the winning catch-drive.

S J Better Days, a son of SJ’s Caviar, was a winner in the second split, trotting in 2:07 for driver Brian Zendt. Owned by the Dunn Stable and trained by Boots Dunn, S J Better Days won for the second time in six starts.

Two Quaker Stakes ended the day. In the pacing event, just two horses entered for the $2,446 purse. Born For Speed, driven by Bill Daumit, cut the fractions but jumped a shadow at the top of the stretch. That allowed Bermuda Rough (Allamerican Ingot) and driver Chris Shaw to get the win in 2:05.2. Jason Shaw owns and trains the first time winner.

In the Quaker Trot’s lone division, Juniata County (Chip Chip Hooray) brought Yoder to the winner’s circle for the third time on the day. John and Michelle McMullen own the filly, while John McMullen trains. The time of 2:09.3 was a lifetime best for Juniata County.

Racing continues at the Washington County Fair on Tuesday, with sophomores in action beginning at 10 a.m. For video highlights from the circuit, visit www.pafairharness.com.