Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen's Association
  • Home
  • Welcome!
  • About the PHHA
  • Join the PHHA
  • PHHA PAC
  • Philanthrophy
  • PA Harness Week
  • PHHA Blog
Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen's Association

STAY HAPPY SETS TRACK RECORD AT WASHINGTON PA FAIR

8/17/2022

0 Comments

 
By: Jerry Connors, Jr. 
WASHINGTON PA – The great Albatross got his early lessons and trained down for the races with trainer Harry Harvey at the Washington County Fairgrounds just down the road from The Meadows, so it seems appropriate that the highlight of two days of Pennsylvania Fair Circuit racing on Sunday and Monday at “Arden Downs,” as it was known when it was a Grand Circuit track, would be provided by a freshman.
 
The Stay Hungry – Sara Diamond pacing filly Stay Happy toured the half-mile oval at Washington in 2:01.3 for driver Mike Wilder, trainer Dan Altmeyer, and owner Ruth Altmeyer. The baby, who has already won at The Meadows in 1:56.2, thus broke a three-way tie for the divisional track record of 2:02.1 that began 26 years ago: Star On Broadway (1996), Bell On Wheels (2008), and TSM Maija Star (2013) were the former recordholders.
 
Bell On Wheels was owned, trained and driven by Roger Hammer, and the 76-years-young Hammer swept the two-year-old male trotting events on the same card, both with sons of Fordham Road he trains and owns: the colt Battin Athousand (dam The Yankees Win), whom he drove, and the gelding Drive To Deliver (dam Diamond Creek), who was guided by Shawn Johnston.
 
After the races for freshmen Sunday, the sophomores had their turn Monday, with the quickest clocking of the meeting turned in by the Betting Line gelding Aladdin Hanover, who won in 2:01.2 to run his fair record to four wins and a second in five starts for driver Jack Killeen, trainer Jason Shaw, and owner Mason Shaw.
 
Fastest trotter of the meet was the Winning Mister gelding Ice Breakers K, home in 2:03.4 for his second straight for driver Hugh O’Neil and trainer/owner Rich Gillock. The other division of the colt trot was taken by 2021 Fair Final champion Father Son, a Father Patrick gelding who had had four seconds in previous PaFSS races but made the winning breakthrough here for driver Brian Zendt, trainer Bill Daugherty Jr., and owners Susan and Dylan Daugherty.
 
The dash for the crowns for top driver and top trainer at the meet were very competitive affairs, and the winners combined quality and quantity – as all four have already been mentioned in this story. Shawn Johnston and Brian Zendt tied for the top among the sulkysitters with four wins apiece, while Rich Gillock and Jason Shaw each sent out three winners to have equal honors on their side.
 
The most hectic week of the year on the Pennsylvania Fair Circuit continues on Wednesday and Thursday at Dayton, with post time at noon both days; at the Somerset County Fair, where the action starts on Thursday at 2 p.m. on Thursday and noon on Friday; and the Crawford County fair at Meadville on Saturday and Sunday at noon. We’ll post full reports at the conclusion of each meet.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017

    RSS Feed

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture