The Pennsylvania Fair Circuit headed to the northeast corner of the Commonwealth for two days of Sire Stake racing at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Honesdale.
Ten stake events for three-year-olds were on the Saturday (July 23) card, and the day kicked off with an upset in the first division of the sophomore colt pace. Sapphire City, out of the Todd Schadel barn, was expected to be the best, showing a 1:51.2 mark at Pocono Downs set just one month ago. However, the colt was unable to overcome a second tier start and first over trip, as Evening Shadows, driven by David Brickell, went wire-to-wire in 2:02.2. Evening Shadows, by Blissfull Hall, won his third consecutive start for owner-trainer Charles Von See. Sapphire City finished second.
In the second colt pacing division, Twilight Artist took advantage of a break by Stripen Star to record a 2:03.1 win for trainer-driver Roger Hammer. Hammer co-owns the Real Artist colt with Vicki Fair. Stripen Star, driven by Chris Shaw, recovered to be second.
In the final colt pacing group, Town Treasure (Metropolitan) picked up his first win in his 10th start of the season for trainer Jim Ray, who co-owns with David Wisser. Wade Ross picked up the winning catch-drive in 2:00.2.
In the first of three filly pacing stakes, Brickell returned to the winner's circle with DVC Hopnattitude, out of his own barn. The Magical Mike filly earned her first win in her 13th start of the season.
Caramel Chinno (Allamerican Native), owned, trained and reined by Hammer, was an easy 2:02 winner in the second division.
In the final division, Bliss My Britches (Blissfull Hall) took a pocket trip early, then came up the inside late, as the leader bore out in the stretch, to win in 2:05.2. Chris Shaw drove for trainer Jason Shaw, who co-owns with Lisa Beinhauer.
In the first $5,870 division of the three-year-old filly trot for Pennsylvania-breds, Red Rum Lass made her debut on the fair circuit a winning one, going wire to wire for driver Todd Schadel. Bill Kirwan owns the winner, while John McMullen trains. The winning time was 2:06.
The McMullen Stable also captured the second division, as Juniata County scored in 2:09.3. John and Michelle McMullen own the winner, while Winston Lineweaver drove the Chip Chip Hooray filly. For 68-year-old Lineweaver, it was career driving win No. 1,600.
In the first colt trotting division, Greatest Hits (Great George Two) was placed the winner, after it was determined that Coronado Caviar, who crossed the wire first, had gone inside a pylon around the last turn, resulting in a disqualification. Teddy and Joyce Baker own the winner, while Cindy Truitt trains. Bryce Truitt was in the bike.
Finally, Organized Chaos was a winner in the second division, as the Tom Ridge gelding won for the first time in his 22-start career. Scott Freck owns Organized Chaos, while Lyn Fry trains and was in the bike.