No washouts at Meadville (PA) Fair

MEADVILLE, PA – The Pennsylvania Fair Circuit went to the Crawford County Fairgrounds  for harness racing action this Sunday and Monday, and perhaps because Meadville was the home track of the legendary friend of the fairs, the late Walter “Boots” Dunn, the weather cooperated and allowed both days of racing to be held.

Sunday was devoted to the two-year-olds, and the fastest mile, 2:02, was recorded by a first-time starter at the fairs, the Captaintreacherous – Temptation Hanover gelding Captain T Hanover. Roger Hammer got along just fine with his new pupil as they won by 21½ lengths for owners Glenn Dyke, Douglas Johnson, and LeBlanc Racing Inc.

The very first mile of the meet came close to producing a track record as the Southwind Frank – Tymal Elvira trotting filly Till Im Gone won by an even bigger margin, 31 lengths, in 2:04.3, just 2/5 off the local mark of A Little Laid Back. Wayne Long drove for the red-hot barn of Robert Rougeaux III and the Brocious Racing Stable Inc.

The first six-time fair winner in the freshman ranks was the Betting Line – Strait N Great pacing filly Bettor Strait N Up, successful for her co-owners, driver Tony and trainer Linda Schadel. Bettor Strait N Up has already amassed $23,940 racing solely at the fairs.

In Monday’s sophomore action, another stable that has been scorching, that of Todd Schadel, swept the colt “A” events. In the single pacing heat, Terry A Hanover, the 2020 Fair Champion who already has four 2:00 miles on the twicearounds this season, just missed adding a fifth, the Artspeak colt winning in 2:00.1 for trainer/driver Schadel and owners Christine Schadel and Caitlin Solt.

The two trot sections went to the Donato Hanover colt By A Hoff Hanover in 2:03.2 for Todd and Christine Schadel, Timothy Hayes, and Dr. Megan Moschgat, and another 2020 Fair champion, the Bar Hopping colt Top Me Off, whose 2:03 victory left him undefeated in seven fair starts (he’s the top winner on the circuit) for Todd and Christine, co-owners with Rick and Regina Beinhauer.

Closest bid to a track record among the three-year-olds was the 2:01.1 turned in by the Sweet Lou filly Sweet Baby Kaylee, just two ticks away from the mark shared by Unbeamlieveable and Camera Lady, for Team Tony/ Linda Schadel. Their nephew Cody drove three winners on the card.

Todd Schadel (7) and Roger Hammer (4), the partners on the legendary Vivid Photo, were the leading trainers, while Todd’s four sulky successes placed him just one ahead of a quintet of drivers: Roger Hammer, Wayne Long, Eric Neal, Cody Schadel, and Tony Schadel.

Little rest in the next few days at the Pennsy fairs: they draw Tuesday for Thursday-Friday racing at the Indiana County Fair; draw Saturday for Monday (8/30) -Tuesday (8-31) racing at the Erie County Fair in Wattsburg; and between racing days at Wattsburg draw for racing at the Stoneboro Fair on Thursday (9/2) and Friday (9/3).

From the MSOA, PHHA and the PFHHA Partnership