by Evan Pattak, for the Meadows

Meadow Lands, PA — Like the successful insurance executive that he is, Tom Svrcek knows it’s better to be covered. So he used a patient cover trip with Serrafina on Friday night (Oct. 6) at The Meadows to triumph in the Pennsylvania Fair Championship for 3-year-old filly trotters and score his first stake victory as a driver.

San Remo Kosmos took the Fair Championship for 3-year-old colt trotters while Big City Hanover won the title for freshman filly pacers. Each championship leg carried a purse of $10,000. The finals for 2- and 3-year-old colt pacers will be contested on Saturday night (Oct. 7) at The Meadows.

Svrcek, a 53-year-old amateur driver who operates an insurance agency in Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, has owned Standardbreds for many years and drives on occasion, but he had competed in only a few stakes before the fair championship.

“Another day at the office? You gotta be kidding me,” said Svrcek, who also owns the daughter of Sierra Kosmos. “This is better than any day the office. It’s just so hard to win. You’re racing against guys, they’re better drivers with good horses. Everybody’s trying to win. So when it happens, we’re thrilled.”

In the championship, Svrcek waited until the final turn to launch his definitive move, making up three lengths on a game but tiring Cobina, who finished 1-3/4 lengths back. KT Cutie, who led for much of the mile, finished third.

“The game plan was to get her off the gate trotting and to follow live cover,” Svrcek said. “She’s a big mare, and once you get her going, she can make up a lot of ground.”

Rich Gillock trains Serrafina, who scored in 2:01.2.

Big City Hanover got away third, but when driver Dick Stillings noticed the break by favorite DVC Dixie Cocktail, he urged the daughter of Dragon Again to the lead at the quarter pole. She drew off late to score in a career best 1:58.4, eight lengths better than Isabellas Wish. She’s So was third.

With only eight starts under her belt entering the final, Big City Hanover was the most lightly raced filly in the field. Owner/trainer Mike Gillock said he planned it that way.

“I programmed her to start right around Aug. 1,” Gillock said. “She was a May foal and little, so I took my time with her. This is her last start for the year as well. She’s in good health, and I don’t want to wear her out as a 2-year-old.”

Big City Hanover is eligible for a variety of stakes next year, but don’t be surprised if she sticks to the fair circuit.

“I’ll race her in Sire Stakes and a couple other ones, but I’m a fair man,” Gillock said. “I grew up with the fairs.”

San Remo Kosmos took the early lead but was pocketed by Euro Hanover. When that one slowed, driver Rodney Bolon wondered if he would find racing room for the daughter of SJ’s Photo.

“I was just hoping to get through,” Bolon said. “Euro Hanover sort of ran out, and I got through in time. Once she got through and got going, she was all right.”

San Remo Kosmos charged through the “Lightning Lane” to edge the first-over RT Romans Pride, with R U Tuff Enuff finishing third.

Roger Hammer trains and co-owns San Remo Kosmos with Nevin Gilbert. The victory pushed her career bankroll past $80,000.