Action and weather are both hot at Hughesville, Pa.
Harrisburg, PA --- Heat in excess of 90 degrees greeted horsemen at the Lycoming County Fairgrounds in Hughesville, Pa. on Wednesday, the first day of a two-day harness rcing meet.
Three-year-olds were in action on the Wednesday card, with the Quaker Stakes opening the day. Procol Harem Chip, trained and reined by Kim Good, was a 2:06.4 winner in the lone division of the Quaker Trot. The Chip Chip Hooray--Whitershadeofpale colt, owned by Good and Brian Weaver, scored in 2:06.4.
Two divisions of the Quaker Pace were next, with victories earned by Precise Accusation (Allamerican Ingot--Program Manager) and Countless Gold (Blissfull Hall--Golden Jasmine). Trainer-driver Bobby Rougeaux guided Brocious Racing Stable’s Precise Accusation to his first win in 21 career starts, timed in 2:07.1. For Countless Gold and owner-driver Cory Kreiser, the winning time of 2:03.3 was a new lifetime mark, as the filly paced the last half-mile in :58.4.
Two $5,820 divisions of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes 3-year-old filly trot were up next, and Juniata County took a pocket trip through the first half-mile before turning a first-over bid into a winning effort for driver Tony Schadel. Owned by trainer John McMullen and Michelle McMullen, Juniata County (Chip Chip Hooray--R Prestige Lo) covered the mile in 2:06.4.
In the second division, Witch’s Magic Brew (CR Royal Magic--Witch Of Wyoming) was a 2:05.3 winner for driver Timmy Offutt. Robin and Brian Weaver own the winner and Brian Weaver trains.
The Dunn Stable, trainer “Boots” Dunn and driver Roger Hammer captured the first two divisions of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes 3-year-old colt trot, as Linus B Worthy and S J Better Days were winners. Linus B Worthy, by Cantab Hall and out of Penn Worthy Lane, trotted in 2:04.3, while his stablemate, by SJ’s Caviar and out of Chaka Kahn, went one-fifth of a second faster.
In the final colt trotting division, Cadence Hall won for the third time this season, trotting in 2:07.1 for trainer-driver Bill Daugherty. Susan Daugherty owns the Chip Chip Hooray--CR Campfiregirl gelding.
Hammer returned to the winner’s circle in the first filly pacing Sire Stakes, guiding Caramel Chinno (Allamerican Native--Miss Chinno), from his own barn, to a 2:01.4 win.
In the second division, Last Minute Cindy, out of the Syl King Stable, picked up her first career win in start number 25. The Metropolitan--Lady Lawrence filly, owned by Joseph Benedetti, Ron Siletto and King, was driven by Tony Schadel.
Three groups of colt pacers completed the day’s action, and Stripe’n Star was a come from behind winner in the opening division. The No Pan Intended--Princess Nadia gelding earned his fourth win of the season for owner-trainer Jason Shaw and driver Chris Shaw, timed in 2:01.1.
Jacob’s Pepper (Dragon Again--Yankee Pepper) won the second split in 2:02.2 for owners Joe and Bernard Offutt. Joe Offutt trains, while his son, Timmy, was in the bike.
Finally, Evening Shadows concluded the day with a 2:01.1 victory for owner-trainer Charles Von See. David Brickell picked up the catch-drive behind the Blissfull Hall--Clearly Clout gelding.
Action at Hughesville will continue on Thursday, with freshmen in action for 15 heats beginning at noon, eastern. For video highlights from the Pennsylvania Fair Circuit, visit www.youtube.com/pafairs.