Bangor, ME — A quartet of divisions of Maine Sire Stakes for 2- and 3-year-old trotters put in their respective miles on Sunday (July 16) afternoon at Bangor, over a rain-soaked surface.

Last year’s champion freshman trotter, Wabanaki returned to his winning ways, taking the featured $14,941 sophomore colt trot.

Wabanaki won in 2:02 by two lengths. Thomas Smith photo.

Sent off as the 2-5 favorite in the opener, trainer-driver Ivan Davies had the son of Boy Band in high gear going into the first turn and posting a :29.4 opening quarter, despite the slow going. Sitting in a loose pocket was Outlawofthevalley (Kevin Switzer Jr.-Marc Tardiff) with Pembroke Traveler (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) third and moving first over just past the 1:01.2 softer second panel.

Down the backstretch the final time Campbell had Pembroke Traveler all revved up and managed to poke a head in front of Wabanaki into the 1:31.2 third stanza. However, Wabanaki came back and dug in for the final quarter and rolled on like a good horse to win in 2:02 by two lengths. Outlawofthevalley finished second; Eustis (Mike Stevenson-Gordon Corey) was third.

Owned by Anita Anastosopoulos, the Ivan Davies trained and driven colt picked up the fifth win of his career, and second of the season. Bred by Mike Andrew, Wabanaki increased his lifetime earnings to $72,808. He paid $2.80 to win, and leads his peers in the point standings.

Historic Bass Park hosted three non-wagering races, which preceded the regular card.

The first to fire were the 2-year-old filly trotters, vying for a purse of $14,367. Leaving little room for interpretation, My Saving Grace was sent out directly to the lead from post four, and proceeded to show the way for the other trotting freshmen. The daughter of Shake It Off Lindy cruised casually through a soft opening half of 1:09.1 on the sloppy track, with driver Mark Athearn urging the distaff to scamper home in 2:12 by 6-3/4 lengths. Pembroke Breeze (Campbell-Grondin) finished second; Bernie’s Legacy (Davies) was third.

Trained by Gretchen Athearn for owner Margaret Thyng, it was the second consecutive stakes victory for the Leighton Property-bred filly.

Next up was the $14,502 sophomore filly trotters, which witnessed another gate-to-wire romp by She’salilbitmouthy. Driver Aaron Hall had the daughter of Victor Blue Chip out and rolling from their starting pylon position, and made every call a winning one. Tripping the timer in 2:04, the Mona Dodd-owned distaff picked up her third front-end stakes victory of the season. With lifetime earnings of $117,340, the Michael Cushing-trained lass has roared her way to the top of her class this season. She was bred by Stephen Hall. Wild Ending (Davies) finished second by a tight length; Another Adventure (Switzer Jr.-Tardiff) was third, but unhurried.

The final $13,971 freshman colt trot Maine Sire Stakes event went to Chipper Dale, who broke his maiden in his first-time purse start. Driven by Campbell for trainer Grondin, they were content to follow pacesetter Carrabassett (Mark Athearn-Gretchen Athearn) through all the divisions. When the pair got to the head of the stretch they were heads apart. With Carrabassett jumping off stride, Chipper Dale went on to win by 6-1/2 lengths in 2:08.4. A son of Shake It Off Lindy, Chipper Dale is owned and was bred by Lynn-Marie Plouffe.

Maine Sires Stakes events resume on Friday (July 21) with the 2-year-old pacing fillies racing at Bangor. The following day, Saturday (July 22), the freshman colts return to Cumberland. Sunday’s (July 23) card sees the return of all the trotters once again to historic Bass Park.

For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our Facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website at www.mainesirestakes.com to learn about the new mare incentive program.