by Jeff Zidek, information specialist, Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission

Wattsburg, PA — The Erie County Fair in Wattsburg, Pennsylvania wrapped up its two-day meet on Wednesday (Sept. 1) with a new all-age track record and several other stellar performances, as three-year-olds competed in 13 stake events.

Erik Kaminski photo

Straight Character set his third track record of the summer when he won in 2:01 at Wattsburg.

Bob Krenitsky, Jr.’s Straight Character, a Shady Character colt, set his third record this summer, and his second in three days, pacing in 2:01 for driver David Brickell. The mile erased the former record of 2:02.1 set by Roger Hammer and Keystone Rambler back in 1991.

For Straight Character, it completed a hectic 48 hours. Just two days earlier, the colt paced in 1:58.3 at the Indiana County Fairgrounds to set a new all-age record. On August 17, Straight Character set the record at the Washington County Fairgrounds by winning in 1:57.2.

The other sophomore colt PA Sire Stake was won by Luscious Al and Hammer in 2:03. Hammer also owns and trains the Arturo gelding.

Four divisions of 3-year-old pacing fillies competed in Sire Stake action as well. Trainer/driver Randy Neal won the first two divisions, guiding Grand Central (Four Starzzz Shark) and Variance Hanover (The Panderosa) to victories. Grand Central paced in 2:05.2, while Variance Hanover was a 2:05.1 winner.

In the third division, I’m Notbad Hanover won for the second time in three days, following a win at Indiana with a Wattsburg victory in 2:05.2. Steve Schoeffel trains and reined the No Pan Intended filly.

The final division was won by Kalua Killeen, a winner for driver Eddie McNeight and owner/trainer Chris Oluvic. The Allamerican Ingot miss paced the fastest of the four splits, stopping the watch in 2:04.2.

Two filly trotting divisions were next, with wins going to Caviar’s Dancer and Caviar And Kisses, a pair of SJ’s Caviar fillies. Caviar’s Dancer was driven by Brickell for trainer Bob Krenitsky, Sr. to a 2:07 victory. Hammer guided Caviar And Kisses for trainer Boots Dunn to a 2:06.2 win.

In 3-year-old PASS colt trotting action, Biscuits N Gravy was a 2:05.2 winner for owner/trainer/driver Kim Good. A Cantab Hall gelding, Biscuits N Gravy won for the first time since joining the Good stable.

The second division was captured by Marjoe Hall, as the Hammer/Dunn combination teamed for a 2:05.3 win. Marjoe Hall is a Tom Ridge gelding.

Two Quaker pacing events were carded, and Quickpop won the first for owner/trainer Jason Shaw and driver Chris Shaw. The Poplar Laag colt scored in 2:04. The second division was won by Schoeffel and Whiting Hanover in 2:06.3. The Dragon Again colt is owned by Virginia and Kathy Schoeffel.

In the lone Quaker Trot, Zoom A Rail won for the fourth time in five starts on the year for owner/trainer Elbert Kohler. The Donerail gelding trotted in 2:08.2 with Chris Shaw at the lines.

The circuit now moves on to Stoneboro in Mercer County on Sunday and Monday. For video highlights, visit www.pafairharness.com.