The 2020 Pennsylvania Fair Season came to a close on Columbus Day, as The Meadows played host to 8 $25,000 championship events for the top point earners from each division.
2-YEAR-OLD COLT TROTTERS:
The two-year-old trotting colts and geldings were up first. Top Me Off and Andy Miller made the lead past the stands for the first time and never looked back, winning comfortably in 1:56:3 for trainer Todd Schadel. The Bar Hopping gelding has now won 6 of 15 this season.
Killer Instinct, who was the points leader, moved from 3rd past the ¾ pole to claim 2nd from By A Hoff Hanover. Cap Dei Capi finished 4th.
2-YEAR-OLD COLT PACERS:
In the the two-year-old colt pace Rowdy Rider, who was the points leader, did not start in the final. Seth Hanover and Aaron Merriman cut the mile before being collared by Terry A Hanover in the lane. Andy Miller drove Terry A Hanover for trainer Todd Schadel. The son of Artspeak took a new lifetime mark with the 1:55:2 win and has now won 4 of 17.
Seth Hanover was second, Shakealeg Hanover was third, and Jasper Hanover was fourth.
3-YEAR-OLD COLT TROTTERS:
Three-year-old colt trotters kicked off the wagering portion of the day, and 4/5 favorite Stickler Hanover went pillar to post to win in 1:56:3. Brady Brown drove the Explosive Matter colt for trainer Steve Schoeffel. Stickler Hanover has now won 7 of 17 in 2020.
Focus Pocus was second. Points leader No Name Yankee finished third but was placed 6th for going inside pylons around the first turn. The DQ moved Manofmanymuscles to 3rd and Libero Hanover to 4th.
2-YEAR-OLD FILLY TROTTERS:
Explosive Flower and Brady Brown blew up the board at odds of 25/1 in the 2FT. The entry of Sunshineintherain and R Speed Of Light was sent off as the 1-2 favorite. R Speed Of Light made a break in the first turn and then recovered, but it was not enough to get by a game Explosive Flower.
Explosive Flower is a daughter of Explosive Matter and was a 2:00:1 winner for trainer Rick Beinhauer. She has now won 7 of 14 in her career.
R Speed Of Light was second, Frankkiss was third and Crushworthy finished 4th.
3-YEAR-OLD FILLY PACERS:
By winning the 3FP final, Dream Dancing became the first points leader to also win her final. Dream Dancing enjoyed a great trip behind Ginger Tree Carey, who was sent off as the heavy 1-9 favorite. Chris Shaw then pointed Dream Dancing to the Lightning Lane and she got up just in time to win, stopping the clock in 1:53:1.
The win was her 14th of the year, making her tied for the title of harness racing’s winningest horse in 2020.
Mitch York trains the winner and shares ownership with his father-in-law, Dave Brickell. Ginger Tree Carey was second, Artistic Spirit was third and Silly But Serious was 4th.
3-YEAR-OLD FILLY TROTTERS:
Cocktails N Dreams picked up her second win of the year by winning the 3-year-old filly trot. Driven by Aaron Merriman, Cocktails N Dreams went right to the front and held off a late rally from Plumb who had been stalking her for most of the mile. A hard charging Furious Fast got up for 3rd and Elysian Promise finished 4th.
Linda Schadel trained the winner, who is a daughter of Andover Hall. Cocktails N Dreams stopped the clock in 1:57:3, a lifetime mark.
2-YEAR-OLD FILLY PACERS:
The combination of Shaw, York, & Brickell picked up their second win of the day in the 2-year-old filly pace with Tiamogonedancen. The A Rocknroll Dance filly went right to the front and never looked back, drawing off to win by open lengths in 1:55:2 at odds of 8/5.
Mountain Peaks rallied to be 2nd, Catie Faye Hanover was 3rd and Red Dawn was 4th.
3-YEAR-OLD COLT PACERS:
Nine three-year-old colt pacers faced the starter in the final championship of the day. Bipbopnallie, who had put up the fastest mile of the fair season with a 1:54:1 win at Bloomsburg, was dealt post 9. Full Send and Dave Palone would ultimately be sent off as the 6/5 favorite, but points leader Nome Hanover would emerge as the winner.
Full Send went right to the front and cut fast fractions of 26:2, 55:4, and 1:23:3. Andy Miller and Nome Hanover sat just behind the leader before popping the pocket at the top of the stretch to draw off and win comfortably. The Well Said gelding stopped the Teletimer in 1:52:4 to give trainer Todd Schadel his third final of the day.
Andy Miller led all drivers in the finals, making three trips to the winners circle. Brady Brown and Chris Shaw also each had two driving wins in the finals.
On the training side, PA Fair Circuit leading trainer Todd Schadel had three winners, while Mitch York also had a training double.
