by Jeff Zidek, information specialist, Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission

Gratz, PA — The second day of action at the Gratz Fairgrounds featured 3-year-old Pennsylvania breds in Sire Stake competition.

Ryan Zidek photo

Straight Character was a 1:56.4 winner on Sunday.

Three divisions of sophomore colt pacers kicked off the card, and Straight Character looked as though he was going to make a run at the all-time track record, cutting fractions of :28.1, :57 and 1:26 for driver David Brickell. The Shady Character colt won easily in 1:56.4, and while he managed to pace the fastest mile of the two-day meet, he was unable to reach the track record of 1:55.1 held by Lahaye. Owned and trained by Bob Krenitsky, Jr., Straight Character won for the fourth time in 13 starts this season.

In the second split, Armageddon Hanover scored in 1:58.3 for trainer/driver Todd Schadel, who co-owns with his wife, Christine. Armageddon Hanover (Western Hanover) set a new lifetime mark, posting his first win of the season.

The final division brought the day’s biggest upset, as Luscious Al (Arturo) was collared by Yuma Hanover (Real Artist) at the wire in 1:58.1. Luscious Al, driven by Roger Hammer, cut fractions of :28.4, :58 and 1:27.2 while Yuma Hanover moved first over on the outside and powered by in the stretch for driver Kim Good. It was the first win of the season for Yuma Hanover, whose previous mark of 2:06 was set last summer on the fair circuit. Sherry Libengood owns and trains Yuma Hanover.

Hammer got his revenge in the next race, winning the first division of the 3-year-old filly pace with My Gal Mykenna in 1:59.4. The Real Artist filly was making her first fair start of the season, and her fifth overall appearance. Hammer trains and co-owns with Nevin Gilbert.

In the second division, Hammer appeared ready to win his second straight, as Anxiery Hanover (The Panderosa) led throughout, but Variance Hanover, another daughter of The Panderosa, closed to win the event in 2:01. Eric Neal drove the winner for trainer Randy Neal. Eric Neal and Shainah Rugh co-own the filly, a two-time winner in 2010.

The final filly pacing division saw I’m Notbad Hanover (No Pan Intended) overcome the outside post to score in 1:59.3 with a first-over effort. Virginia and Kathy Schoeffel, Marian Schilling and Ryan Zidek own the filly, while Steve Schoeffel trains and picked up the winning drive.

Filly trotters were next in three divisions, with victories earned by Caviar And Kisses (SJ’s Caviar), Caviar’s Dancer (SJ’s Caviar) and Leola (Wonder Dancer).

Caviar And Kisses, owned by the Dunn Stable and trained by Boots Dunn, scored in 2:03.4 with Hammer at the lines.

Caviar’s Dancer gave Brickell his second winning drive of the day, this time for trainer Bob Krenitsky, Sr., who co-owns with his wife Barbara. Caviar’s Dancer set a new lifetime mark with the 2:00.3 victory.

Leola also set a new lifetime mark, winning in 2:03.2 for driver Wayne Long. The filly is owned by Ellen Warren and trained by Joyce Lineweaver.

In the first of three colt trotting stakes, Southwind Nitro went wire-to-wire for trainer/driver Bill Daugherty in 2:01.3. The SJ’s Caviar colt, owned by Susan Daugherty, has now won five of eight starts on the year.

In the second division, RT Picaadilly (Ebanks) won with ease in 2:02.4 with a power move after the five-eighths-mile point. Bobby Rougeaux trains and drove the winner for the Brocious Racing Stable. RT Picaadilly has now won two of his last three starts.

Finally, Detech (High Tech) won his first career race, posting a 2:02 win for trainer Syl King and driver Tony Schadel. John and Leslie Ducharme own the winner.

The circuit returns to the western portion of the state next weekend, with the Dayton Fairgrounds in Armstrong County hosting two days of racing, beginning Saturday at 3 p.m.

For video highlights from the PA Fair Circuit, visit www.youtube.com/phrc08.