Hershberger and Malone double up

LEWISBURG WV – The third day of the four-day State Fair of West Virginia harness racing meet at the fairgrounds in this city in the southeast part of the state saw a familiar name – Ammon Hershberger – and a new name for 2017 – Ryan Malone – both record driving doubles on the Wednesday card, including a feature win for each on the two gaits.

The Victory Sam mare Bettys Sam was victorious in the day's $1600 featured trot after finishing third behind her stablemate under the Ammon Hershberger shedrow, War Chief, on Monday. She posted a 2:05 victory for her owner, trainer, and driver – the training win his fourth at the meet for the lead in that category, and the sulky success his sixth, also leading the local colony. Earlier, Hershberger had made it two victories in two days with the Camluck gelding Red Carpet Dude, Wednesday in 2:02.2 for owner/trainer Jamie Coffy.

Ryan Malone has done well in previous campaigns at the Lewisburg oval, and Team Malone, consisting of Ryan and trainer Wendell, got on the scoreboard in their first start at this year's meet, winning in the fastest time of the day, 2:01.2, with the Real Desire gelding Lightning Desire, who has won in less than 2:00 in each of the 11 years he has raced. Ryan and Wendell share ownership of the veteran. Later, trainer Herman Hagerman tapped Ryan to catch-drive Springhouse Mojo in the $1600 featured pace, and the Panspacificflight gelding was victorious in 2:03.2 for owner Greg Malta.

Driver Jeff Lieberman and trainer Jimmy Viars put themselves into second place with one day to go in the meet, combining with the freshman Badlands Hanover gelding Lemonaideshine, who made his career debut a winning one in 2:05.1 for owner Susan Viars. Lieberman and Viars now each have three wins at the meet.

On the Thursday getaway card, the Mountaineer Free For All Pace for $3000, and $2000 events for three-year-old pacers and free for all trotters, should ensure fast miles, especially if the sun is shining when the first race takes to the track at 1 p.m.

Jerry Connors