Mother Nature was not kind to Bedford (Pa.) Fair Director of Racing Jake Hoover or his dedicated staff this year. They lost both cards of their 'two-day meet' earlier this summer to moisture, had to cancel the Monday (July 23) card during their 'fair' meet because of constant precipitation, and then got only four races in on Tuesday (July 24) before the skies opened up again.
The four contests that did go were Pennsylvania Fair Sire Stakes races. Starting off the show was Muscle Massive-Alidade colt Grandpa Erv, who is the only four-time freshman winner at the state’s fairs after traveling the course in 2:04.1, the fastest time posted by a two-year-old colt on the circuit to date. Atlee Bender guided the Erv Miller trainee, and the Ervin Miller Stable Inc. co-owns the undefeated freshman with Michael Anderson.
Thirteen years after sharing ownership on Hambletonian winner Vivid Photo, Todd Schadel and Roger Hammer still make a good team. Schadel had two trotting fillies in his event, both with two fair wins. Schadel handled Ridinonarainbow (also a Stallion Series winner), while Hammer was entrusted with Bumper Hanover. It was Hammer and the Muscle Massive-By A Nose Hanover miss Bumper Hanover who got the decision, winning in 2:04. Todd Schadel co-owns the winner with Christine Schadel.
In the pacing contests, Schadel and Hammer each were victorious with a horse who had posted three straight second-place finishes in fair competition before making their breakthroughs Tuesday. First up was Delmarvalous-Turn Her Ingo filly Turn Marvalous, who won in 2:01.3 for breeder-owner-trainer-driver Hammer. In the next race, the Western Terror-Tootsie J gelding Way To Close broke maiden in 2:00.3, with Todd Schadel the trainer-driver and again co-owner with Christine Schadel.
The Pennsylvania fair season continues next week at the Clearfield County Fair in the north-central part of the state, where a four-day stand begins on Sunday (July 29) at 1 p.m.
(Pennsylvania Fair Harness Horsemen's Association)