A large crowd was in attendance for the first day of racing at the Dayton Fairgrounds in Dayton, Pennsylvania to watch two-year-olds in action.
Trainer/driver Aaron Johnston swept both $5,955 divisions of the PA Sire Stake colt pace, guiding both Mein Schatz and Cruising Machine to wins. Mein Schatz, owned by Jim Biego, paced in 2:03.4 to earn his third seasonal win. Mein Schatz is a son of Real Desire. Cruising Machine, by Yankee Cruiser, covered his mile in 2:04.3 for owners Tracy Chropek and Gary Johnston.
In the first $6,102 filly pacing PASS, Caviart Ginger won for the fourth time on the year, pacing home in 2:06.2 for driver Brady Brown. Jason Bresnahan trains and co-owns the Real Desire filly with Clyde and Marilyn Bresnahan and Debbra Kerr.
Real Leggy, yet another Real Desire youngster, won the second split in 2:03.4. Wayne Long trains and drove for owners Theresa Pavlik and David Kinee.
Two $6,023 colt trotting events were next and BSMaximummoondream easily won his eighth race in 10 career starts, trotting in 2:08.1. Trainer/driver Dave Brickell co-owns the Bedford County gelding with Sue Brickell.
The second division featured a close finish, as Broadway Vino and Bill Daugherty held on by a nose over Prince Lauxmonth and driver Wayne Long. Broadway Vino (Broadway Hall) picked up his second win of the season for owner Susan Daugherty, timed in 2:08.1.
Filly trotters ended Sire Stake action in two $5,886 groups. Classical Love, owned by trainer Bill Kreutzer in partnership with Eileen Lineweaver, won the first division in 2:07. Eric Neal picked up the catch-drive behind the Classic Photo filly. In the second division, Lady Broadway (Broadway Hall) was a 2:08.1 winner for trainer John McMullen and driver Bryce Truitt. John and Michelle McMullen own the filly, now a six-time winner in 10 starts.
The Quaker Pace, for PA-owned or PA-sired horses, was won in a romp by Fool Bewitch U, a Western Ideal filly. Ron Linweaver leases and trains Fool Bewitch U, while Jim Dodson drove to the 2:04.3 win.
In the Quaker Trot, Holy Warrior earned his first career victory, trotting in 2:14.2. Charlie Flickinger trains and was in the bike behind the Ethen Seelster colt.
Fourteen stakes for three-year-olds are on tap for Thursday, with post time set for 12 noon.
(PA Fair Harness Horsemen's Association)