The Lycoming County Fairgrounds in Hughesville, Pa. hosted 16 heats for 3-year-olds.
Three divisions of the Pennsylvania Sire Stake for sophomore pacing fillies were held, and Lima Beauty (Yankee Cruiser) opened the card with her second consecutive win. Chris Shaw drove for trainer Bobby Rougeaux and owner Ruby Orr. Lima Beauty paced her mile in 2:05.
In the second division, Steppin Hanover also won her second straight, as Wayne Long guided the Syl King trainee to a 2:01.3 victory. King co-owns with Joseph Benedetti and Ron Silletto. Steppin Hanover is a daughter of Allamerican Native.
Wanna Go Fast, another Yankee Cruiserfilly, won the third split, going wire-to-wire in 2:02 for trainer/driver Steve Schoeffel. Trish Adams and Brooke Schoeffel own the winner.
Two divisions of the Quaker Pace for 3-year-olds were up next, for Pennsylvania-sired and Pennsylvania-owned horses. Cheshire Cat, who entered the day zero-for-18 in his career, broke his maiden with a 2:04.4 win in the first group. Chris Shaw earned the driving win for his brother, trainer Jason Shaw, and owner Amanda Beinhauer. Cheshire Cat is a son of Yankee Cruiser.
In the second split, which featured fillies, Laundress Hanover was a winner for Long, who also trains and co-owns with Joyce Lineweaver. Laundress Hanover, by Allamerican Native, paced in 2:03.1.
Next to face the starter were three groups of Quaker trotters, with wins earned by Dixie General (Bedford County), Try My Way (Chip Chip Hooray) and Future Past (Classic Photo).
Dixie General, owned by Heidi Weaver, earned his first career win in his third start, trotting in 2:11.4 for trainer/driver Brian Weaver. Try My Way scored in 2:10.1 for trainer/driver Aaron Johnston, who co-owns with his brother, Shawn. Future Past, owned by the Andray Farm, was a 2:07 winner for trainer-driver Randy Neal.
In the first Pennsylvania Sire Stakes colt pace, Cervante Bluestone, making his debut in the Robert Verney barn, earned his first win in his 19th career start. Verney was also in the bike behind the son of The Panderosa, owned by Dean Santantonio. The winning time was 2:02.3.
Nucular Enemy, owned, trained and reined by Roger Hammer, then paced the day’s fastest mile, 1:59.4, winning the second division. It was the seventh win in 16 starts this season for the Nuclear Breeze gelding.
In the final grouping, Herlastchance, driven by Brady Brown for trainer Ryan Shafer, was a 2:04.2 winner. It was the first career win for the Nuclear Breeze gelding, owned by Lynne and Eric Wright.
The day’s first Pennsylvania Sire Stake trot, for colts, was won by Ibanez and driver Eric Neal. The Wonder Dancer gelding made up two lengths in the stretch and got up at the wire for his third straight win. Randy Neal earned his second training win of the day as Ibanez trotted in 2:03.3 for owners Ellen Warren and Eileen Lineweaver.
The other $5,707 colt trot was won by Bob And Bobby (Andover Hall), in rein to Steve Schoeffel. Susan Daugherty owns the winner, while Bill Daugherty trains. The winning time was 2:02.4.
After a period of rain, filly trotters completed the day, and RT USS Chilton won the first division in 2:11.2. Dave Brickell catch-drove for Rougeaux and the Brocious Racing Stable. RT USS Chilton is a daughter of RT Giant.
Brickell then captured the second division behind Bill Kirwan’s Erin Kristen, a daughter of Chip Chip Hooray. John McMullen trains Erin Kristen.
Bloomfieldcantifly, a Cantab Hall filly, won the finale for driver Long and owner-trainer King. It was the second win of the season for Bloomfieldcantifly, as she scored in 2:07.2
Video highlights from the day are available online at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KI-W18UzJdQ
For additional photos, video and information from the Pennsylvania Fair Circuit, visit the Standardbred Breeders of Pennsylvania website, www.standardbredbreederspa.org or the Pennsylvania Fair Horsemen's website, www.pafairharness.com.