from the PA Fair Harness Horsemen’s Association

Bedford, PA — Mother Nature was not kind to Bedford (PA) Fair Director of Racing Jake Hoover or his dedicated staff this year. They lost both cards of their two-day meet to moisture earlier, had to cancel the Monday card during their fair meet because of constant precipitation, then got only four races in on Tuesday before the skies opened up again. Four races, instead of the anticipated four cards.

The four contests that did go were Pennsylvania Fair Sire Stakes races for the “A” division, and produced excellent racing.

Jeff Zidek photo

Grandpa Erv in the winner’s circle after his victory on Tuesday.

Starting off the show was the Muscle Massive–Alidade colt Grandpa Erv, who is the only four-time freshman winner at the state’s fairs after traveling the course in 2:04.1, which is the fastest time posted by a 2-year-old colt on the circuit to date. Atlee Bender guided the Erv Miller trainee, and the Ervin Miller Stable Inc. co-owns the undefeated freshman with Michael Anderson.

Some 13 years after sharing ownership on Hambletonian winner Vivid Photo, Todd Schadel and Roger Hammer still make a good team. Todd had two trotting fillies in his event, both with two fair wins, and Todd handled Ridinonarainbow (also a Stallion Series winner), while Roger was entrusted with Bumper Hanover. And it was Hammer and the Muscle Massive–By A Nose Hanover miss Bumper Hanover who got the decision in his hometown, winning in 2:04. Schadel trains the winner and co-owns her with Christine Schadel.

In the pacing contests, Schadel and Hammer each were victorious with a horse who had posted three straight seconds in fair competition before making their breakthroughs Tuesday. First up was the Delmarvalous–Turn Her Ingo filly Turn Marvalous, who won in 2:01.3 for breeder-owner-trainer-driver Hammer. In the next race, the Western Terror–Tootsie J gelding Way To Close got his maiden win in 2:00.3, with Todd the trainer-driver and again co-owner with Christine Schadel.

And then it started to pour. Again. And it was soon apparent that racing over the clay track was done for the day.

They’ll be hoping for better weather at the Clearfield County Fair in the north-central part of the state, where a four-day stand begins on Sunday at 1 p.m.