Two $5,867 PASS divisions of filly trotters kicked off the card, with Magnolia Grace and driver Eric Neal taking the first division in 2:03.3. The Glidemastermare is owned by Jack and Sharon Claypoole, and trained by Bill Kreutzer. The second division went to Roger Hammer and Barefoot Brook (Cantab Hall), also trotting the mile in 2:03.3 for the Dunn Stable and trainer Boots Dunn.
Up next were two $5,807 divisions of the PASS colt trot, and two more wins for the Dunn-Hammer combination. Hammer used a late rush on Ibanez to score the victory in the first division with Trustworthy Kid. Boots Dunn trains, and the Dunn Stable owns the SJ's Caviar gelding, who trotted the mile in 2:02.2. The second division showcased the talents of three of the best trotters in the circuit this year, with Redder Than Red and Roger Hammer nosing out Bob And Bobby and Mulligan Bi at the wire in a track record time of 2:00.4. The SJ's Caviar gelding gave the Dunn Stable and trainer Boots Dunn their third straight win of the afternoon.
Roger Hammer continued his dominance on the day, this time as the winning trainer of Serenity Breeze, who captured the first division of the $4,056 PASS filly pace in 2:03.3. Chris Shaw drove the Nuclear Breeze mare for Hammer and owner Vicki Fair. Hammer once again returned to the winner's circle as a driver, taking Paints Hall wire to wire in a time of 2:03.1. Hammer also owns and trains the Blissful Hall mare.
The third division of filly pacers would have to wait until the 11th race, as three $3,928 divisions of PASS colt pacers took to the track next. Hammer struck yet again, going wire to wire with Nucular Enemy in 2:01.2. Hammer owns, trains, and drove the Nuclear Breeze gelding to his 22nd lifetime win. Owner/trainer Steve Schoeffel finally broke Hammer's streak by winning the second division in 2:02.4 with Hershey Please, an I Am A Fool gelding owned by Kathy Schoeffel and Stephen Lander. Hometown favorite Eric Neal scored his second win of the day in the third and final division with McJestic, clocking in at 2:00.4. Andray Farm and Lindwood Farm own, and Randy Neal trains the McArdle gelding.
Future Past, a Classic Photo mare, crushed the competition in the first division of the Quaker Stake trot, cruising to the finish in 2:05.3 for driver Eric Neal, trainer Randy Neal, and owner Andray Farm.
Quaker action was interrupted by the final division of the PASS filly pace, where Shootoutthelights gave owner/trainer/driver Roger Hammer his sixth and final win on the afternoon. The Dragon Again mare paced the mile in 2:02.1, the fastest of the three divisions.
Try My Way was able to overcome two failed attempts at overtaking leader RR's Socks Of Gold to capture the second and final division of the Quaker trot. Aaron and Shawn Johnston own the Chip Chip Hooray gelding, with Aaron training and picking up the winning drive in 2:08.3.
Two divisions of the Quaker Stake pace closed out the two days of racing at the Dayton Fair. In the first division, the finish line was unable to separate theAllamerican Native mares Laundress Hanover and Lifetimewithoutyou, resulting in the second dead heat of the 2012 fair season. Wayne Long and Joyce Lineweaver own Laundress Hanover, with Wayne training and driving. Lifetimewithoutyou is owned and trained by Louis Di Nicola, and was driven by Brady Brown, who was also involved in the other dead heat earlier in the season. The time for the mile was 2:04. The final race of the meet was won by Big Pulse (Quik Pulse Mindale), who was able to overcome an early break to win his third straight race for driver Chris Shaw, trainer Scott U'ren, and owner Debbie U'ren.
The circuit next moves to the Crawford County Fair in Meadville, PA on August 20 for four days of harness racing action.
For additional photos, video and information from the PA Fair Circuit, visit the Standardbred Breeders of PA website, www.standardbredbreederspa.org or the PA Fair Horsemen's website, www.pafairharness.com.