by Jeff Zidek

For the first time in ten years, harness racing returned to Amulet Farms, a private training center in Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, on Saturday afternoon. Fifteen PA Sire Stake races were held on the half-mile track for 2- and 3-year-olds.

Divisional records were set in all eight groups of trotters and pacers.

Ryan Zidek photo

Blueridge Saprisa won in 2:06.1 for owners Steven Lander and Terry Schoeffel.

Todd Schadel and Steve Schoeffel were the big winners on the day. Each brought home four winners on the card.

Schadel opened the day by driving Keystone Teddy (Lindy Lane) to a win in the first split of the 2YO Colt Trot. The winning time was 2:08.4 for the gelding, owned by Schadel and Roger Hammer.

Bettis (Sierra Kosmos) won the second division in 2:09 for trainer/driver David Wade, who co-owns the colt with WF Peel, III.

Schadel picked up his second win in the first division of the freshman filly trot, driving Clair Corle’s Sharkie’s Girl (Shark Kosmos) to a 2:10.4 win. Roger Hammer trains the two-time winner on the year.

Blueridge Saprisa, a Donerail filly, won the second division, giving Schoeffel the first of three consecutive driving wins, all with horses from his own stable. Blueridge Saprisa won in 2:06.1 for owners Steven Lander and Terry Schoeffel.

Up next, it was Drive All Night scoring in the first division of the PASS 2YO Colt Pace in 2:00.4, the all-time, all-age track record at Amulet. The Real Artist gelding has now won 8 of 12 on the year for owners Virginia Schoeffel, Kathy Schoeffel and James Nelson. He paced the last half mile in :58.2 with equal quarters of :29.1.

Schoeffel completed a sweep of the frosh colt pace by guiding Special Character (Shady Character) to a 2:02.3 win. Virginia and Kathy Schoeffel co-own Special Character with Marian Schilling.

Schadel ended Schoeffel’s streak in the first group of freshman filly pacers, as Ty’s Artist scored in 2:07.1 off a slow 1:07.1 opening half. Ty’s Artist, a Real Artist filly, is owned and trained by Roger Hammer, and was making her fair debut after racing exclusively in high-priced stakes this year.

In the second division, Wayne Shaffer’s Miss Marfa was a winner for driver Wilbur Yoder in 2:01.4. Rich Gillock trains the daughter of The Panderosa.

The fourth win of the day for Schoeffel came in the first sophomore colt trot, as Brannan Hanover (SJ’s Caviar) scored in 2:03.2. Virginia and Kathy Schoeffel lease the winner, who is now 2-of-4 on the year.

Gambler Springs, making just his second fair start of the season, won the second split in 2:07.3 for Schadel. Rick Stamm and TS Watson own the winner, who is trained by Rick Beinhauer.

The first division of the 3YO filly trot brought My Elusive Dream (Lindy Lane) to the winners circle for the first time in her career. Unraced at two, My Elusive Dream won for the first time in six career starts for owner/trainer/driver Lloyd Lambert. The winning time was 2:06.4.

Susquehanna County won the second division for Yoder, scoring in 2:05.3. Michelle McMullen co-owns the winner with trainer John McMullen. It was win #9 in 31 starts this year for the Sierra Kosmos filly.

Mocha Latte, driven by Kyle Bolon, scored in the 3YO colt pace, covering the mile in 2:01.3 with a last half of :59.4. Roger Hammer owns the Real Artist colt, who is trained by Mark Ford.

The day’s richest race was the $3,874 sophomore filly pace, which was won by Big City Hanover and driver Rod Bolon in 2:01.1. Mike Gillock owns and trains the daughter of Dragon Again, who has now won five of 13 starts this season.

The circuit will move to the eastern portion of the Commonwealth next, with racing at the York Fair on Monday and Tuesday.