The fans in the grandstands couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day to get out to the track. They did just that on Thursday morning, as the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes rolled into town with 15 races to kick off three days of harness horse racing at the Big Butler Fair.

Driver Steve Schoeffel of Evans City kept busy all morning, as he drove a horse in 14 of the 15 races. Schoeffel certainly experienced his share of success, as he piloted five of those horses to the winner's circle.

"It feels good," said Schoeffel of his first-place finishes, which occurred on the track on which he trains his horses. "It should have been six, though, if I had driven (a little better) in one of the other races."

Schoeffel singled out the performances of his 2 year-old trotting colt Brannan Hanover and 2 year-old filly pacer Big Time Hanover as the most impressive.

"(Brannan Hanover) raced last night up in Buffalo, but he got beat by a nose at the finish," said Schoeffel. "He got out front and cruised today."

"I was also happy to see my 3 year-old colt (pacer) Korsar Hanover come back and race well today after we've been having some trouble with him (breaking stride) in the last couple of weeks."

Schoeffel's other wins came aboard KT Brat in the 3 year-old filly trot and Au Dragon in the 3 year-old filly pace.

Kenneth Weaver, the owner of KT Brat, took home first-place checks in both divisions of the 3 year-old filly trot as KT Cutie (driven by Ed McNeight, Jr.) won as well.

"I like to get in the winner's circle, but I should have been there a couple more times," said Weaver. "I thought those two would win today. (KT) Cutie hasn't been beat at the fairs yet, and the only horse that has beaten (KT Brat) wasn't here today. My 2 year-old colt KT Nickerin Dixie had some equipment that wasn't adjusted quite right or he would have won for fun as well."

Terry Brown took a day off from his job as a police officer in Slippery Rock to drive Clear Character to victory in a division of the 2 year-old filly pace.

"It's nice to be here rather than at work," joked Brown. "The last couple of races (Clear Character) would (get) up to a horse but not want to go by them. I couldn't have asked for a better race from her today."

Charlie Flickinger tasted victory in two of the first four races, leading both Tuscarora Pay Cash and Sphinx to wins for owner Jason Shaw.

David Brickell won aboard JC Mik Mac Jillio (named for his six grandchildren) in the 2 year-old filly trot. Other winners included Gary Harrison on Blushing Dragon (2 year-old colt pace), McNeight, Jr. with Black Dog (3 year-old colt trot), Kimberly Good on Odo Hanover (3 year-old colt trot), J.C. Miller, Jr. atop Blissful Luck (3 year-old colt pace), and Lester Wright aboard Angel on Top (3 year-old filly pace).

Horse racing continues at the fair through Saturday, with races beginning at 10 a.m. each day.

Cimbal is a publicist for the United States Trotting Association