by Jeff Zidek, information specialist, Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission

Gratz, PA — Sophomores were featured on day two of the fair meet at the Gratz, Pennsylvania Fairgrounds on Monday (Sept. 20).

A $5,837 division of the PA Sire Stake 3-year-old colt trot opened the card, and Powerlifter won on his home track for owner/traner Bruce Schadel and driver Tony Schadel. The winning time was 2:01.3, a lifetime best for the SJ’s Caviar gelding.

In the second division, it was another Schadel — Todd — picking up the win behind Rock This Hall. Owned by Todd Schadel and Rick Beinhauer, Rock This Hall (SJ’s Photo) scored in 2:00.2, another lifetime mark.

In the first of three filly trotting Sire Stakes, AJ Peyton Rose, owned and trained by Joe Torok, scored in 2:05.2. The pacing-bred filly, by London Pinjarra, earned her third win in the last five starts, all with David Brickell at the lines.

Keystone Fling, a Donerail filly, won the second division in 2:04 for trainer/driver Steve Schoeffel. Owned by Stephen Lander and Virginia and Kathy Schoeffel, Keystone Fling won for the fifth time in 21 seasonal starts.

The final filly trot brought Tony Schadel back to the winner’s circle, this time catch-driving for owners John and Leslie Ducharme and trainer Syl King’s Bunny Tech. The High Tech filly is now a two-time winner this year after the 2:02.1 performance.

Two colt pacing splits were next, and Armageddon Hanover scored in 1:57.1 for trainer/driver Todd Schadel in the first group. Owned by Todd and Christine Schadel, Armageddon Hanover is a son of Western Hanover.

The second group winner, Straight Character, also paced in 1:57.1. Owned and trained by Bob Krenitsky, Jr and driven by Brickell, Straight Character won for the 15th time this season — more victories than any other 3-year-old pacing colt in North America.

In the first sophomore filly pace, I’m Notbad Hanover scored from the pocket in 1:59.4 for trainer/driver Steve Schoeffel. Virginia and Kathy Schoeffel, Marian Schilling and Ryan Zidek own the daughter of No Pan Intended, now a six-time winner this season.

Steve Schoeffel picked up his third victory of the day in the second division, guiding Do Me First (Allamerican Ingot) to a 1:59.1 win. Owned by Engle Equine and Allen Tomlinson, Do Me First has now won half of her 16 starts this year.

The final group winner was Variance Hanover, driven by Eric Neal. A filly by The Panderosa, Variance Hanover came from the back of the pack to win in 1:59.3. Eric Neal co-owns with Shainah Rugh, while Randy Neal trains.

Quaker Stakes ended the meet, with two divisions each for trotters and pacers. In the first Quaker trot, Elmer Fletcher was a winner in a life-best 2:06.2. Ken Weaver trains and co-owns with Shaffer Standardbreds, while Eric Neal drove.

In the second Quaker trot, it was Telling Secrets covering the mile in 2:05.3 for the win. Syl King leases and trains the Go Get Lost gelding, while Wayne Long catch-drove. It was the trotter’s third straight win on the circuit.

Quaker pacing action was next, and Quickpop scored in 1:58.2 for owner/driver Chris Shaw and trainer Jason Shaw. The wire-to-wire win gave the Poplar Laag colt a new lifetime mark in his eighth career victory.

Finally, Burton Hanover gave Steve Schoeffel his fourth win as both a trainer and driver on the day, pacing in 2:01.4. Terry Schoeffel, Jim Reuther and Roger Romesser own Burton Hanover, a gelding by The Panderosa.

The final fair of the season gets underway on Monday (Sept. 27) at Bloomsburg in Columbia County, the first of four days of action. For video highlights from the circuit, visit www.pafairharness.com.