Cumberland, ME — Outlawofthevalley defeated his nemesis Wabanaki on Saturday (Aug. 5) at Cumberland to take his third Maine Sire Stakes victory of the season, placing him firmly atop the 3-year-old male trotter leader board.

Outlawofthevalley picked up his third Maine Sire Stakes victory of the season. Stephanie Gray Photo.

The Pine Tree State-bred and sired trotters made their final appearances at Cumberland Raceway before the series starts its summer-long tour of Maine’s pari-mutuel fair circuit, with Outlawofthevalley taking a new 2:00.4 record to bring on the road with him.

As the wings folded in the featured $15,166 sophomore trot, driver Kevin Switzer Jr. wasted little time in taking command of the field as Hesalilnaughty jumped into the two-hole and then misbehaved and jumped off stride.  As the field approached the 29.2 first quarter, Wabanaki (Ivan Davies) inherited the catbird seat and gave chase.  Stealin Money (Nick Graffam) sat closely in third.

When the field set upon the 1:01.1 half-mile marker a head-strong Wabanaki was not interested in sitting on a helmet and assumed a partial pocket through the paddock turn.  Down the backside Davies committed to pulling the right line and set Wabanaki into gear to catch the leader. But Switzer Jr. would have none of that as he let out a notch on Outlawofthevalley and the pair scooted off past a 1:30.1 third panel and finished the job at the wire.

Although closing valiantly, the 1-5 favorite Wabanaki could not catch his foe, who won by a measured length and paid $7.80 to win.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner-breeder Leighton Property, the son of Pembroke Slugger picked up the sixth win of his career, pushing his bankroll to $68,410.  Stealin Money finished third.

The $14,727 Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting fillies was won easily by Wild Ending and trainer-driver Ivan Davies.  Completing a wire-to-wire score in 2:04.3, the time equaled the lifetime best for the daughter of Boy Band.

Owned by Anita Anastosopolous and bred by the late Mike Andrew, it was her third stakes victory of the season, and she paid $2.20 to win as the odds-on favorite.  Another Adventure (Switzer Jr.-Tardif) finished second; B R Glory (Wally Watson-Lisa Watson) was third.

Freshmen trotters also participated in the blockbuster Cumberland closing day card, with the $14,367 filly trotters doing battle in the opener.  Previously undefeated 2-year-old My Saving Grace (Mark Athearn-Gretchen Athearn) cut the fractions, but it was Pembroke Breeze who overtook the lead in the final strides and picked up her first stakes victory and a new 2:06 race record for driver Heath Campbell and trainer Valerie Grondin.

Owned and bred by Bill Varney, the daughter of Pembroke Slugger doubled her lifetime earnings to $14,366 in the process, and paid $15.20 in the upset.  1-9 favorite My Saving Grace finished second by half a length; Bernie’s Legacy (Ivan Davies) was third.

Trainer-driver Valerie Grondin won the early $14,146 freshman colt trot with Chipper Dale in 2:09.1, giving her a training sweep of the baby races, and giving that son of Shake It Off Lindy his third consecutive victory.  He is owned and was bred by Lynn-Marie Plouffe.  Carrabassett (Athearn) finished second; Pembroke Will (Campbell-Grondin) was third.

Monday (Aug. 7) the Maine Sire Stakes program transitions to the fair circuit with Maine Sire Stakes racing at Topsham, and continue will all the pacing divisions through August 12.  The third week in August brings the monsters of the midway up to Skowhegan for another full week of Maine harness racing at its finest.

For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow their Facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  https://www.mainesirestakes.com