Delaware County Fair: World records duplicated in Standardbred flights

Arnold N Dicky and Chase H Hanover both equaled world records in winning their respective Standardbred events for 2-year-old males of both sexes on Thursday at the Delaware County Fair.

The trotters were up first in their $47,006 tilt, and Arnold N Dicky (Dave Palone) led through fractions of 27 4/5, 57, and 1:25 3/5 on his way to a 6 1/4 length win over Sunny Crockett (Andy Miller) in a 1:54 mile. To Be Frank (Tony Hall) finished in third.

That time of 1:54 tied Action Uncle's mark for a rookie trotting colt on a half-mile track, set at the Delaware County Fair a year ago.

"It's an added bonus racing for Chuck (Sylvester). He was a hero of mine when I first started in the game," said Palone. "He's a legendary trainer, and who wouldn't jump at that opportunity?"

Sylvester also co-owns Arnold N Dicky, a colt from the first crop of Bar Hopping, with Amy Stoltzfus and Gilbert Short. Arnold N Dicky has four wins and a second from nine tries, has earned $144,060. He paid $2.20 to win.

In the $54,206 Standardbred for pacers, Chase H Hanover (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) dashed to the top from post five and chopped out the quarter in 27 3/5 and the half in 56 3/5. Lou's Pearlman (Matt Kakaley) attacked out of the pocket after the half, but Chase H Hanover countered and quickened, leaving him out to the 1:24 3/5 three-quarters and around the last turn. In the lane Chase H Hanover pulled away again, going on to score by 2 1/2 lengths in 1:51 1/5. Lou's Pearlman got second and Jackie Moon (Hall) checked in third.

The final time of 1:51 1/5 matched Ocean Rock's world record for a 2-year-old gelding pacer on a half-mile track established at Northfield Park on August 24, 2019.

"We got the whole group involved today. Like I said yesterday, it's fantastic just to be able to be here to race," said Delaware resident Jason Ash, who picked up his second Standardbred win in the last two days, as he also co-owns winning filly pacer Fighting Evil. "It's obviously sad for the economic aspect of everything, but thankful that we can be here."

Trainer Scott Cox also co-owns Chase H Hanover, a gelding by Captaintreacherous. The runner-up in the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes final, Chase H Hanover has a record of 3-5-0 from nine appearances, and he has now pocketed $210,797. He returned $3.00 to win.