Bangor, ME – While some punters discount horses starting from the far outside, even the dreaded 8-hole could not stop the undefeated Snowonthepines from conquering her fellow 3-year-old Maine-bred pacing fillies on Sunday (July 12) at Bangor Raceway.
With regular driver Kevin Switzer Jr. back in the bike for the $15,968 lone division of the Maine Sire Stakes for sophomore sidestepping distaffs, the perfect daughter of Dude’s The Man was sent off as the 1-9 heavy favorite from her outermost post position.
Switzer Jr. left swiftly from the rim and was met with some strategic resistance in the form of the diminutive Just Delightful (driven by Ron Cushing), who stretched the public choice into a :28.1 opening panel before clearing.
With those two leaders nearly 10 lengths ahead of the rest of the pack, they reduced the tempo and hit the half in :58.1, with Dudelookslikeafily (Aaron Hall) sitting third and Andy Harrington tipping Race Me Ireland from fifth to start the outer flow.
The field tightened up dramatically while heading into a 1:28 third station with Snowonthepines on point and trying to duck her persistent pursuer Just Delightful. Around the turn and down the stretch, Cushing pulled the pocket to engage the leader. However, with Switzer Jr. merely shaking the lines at the pacesetter, the fast filly proceeded to draw off and win easily by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:56.2, a new lifetime best.
Having won all nine of her races at 2, Snowonthepines now has four wins this year for trainer Marc Tardif and owner-breeder Leighton Property. She returned $2.20 to win, with no show wagering on this race at historic Bass Park.
Dudelookslikeafily finished third.
Looking ahead, Bangor hosts all the 3-year-old trotters on Wednesday (July 15), with all the 2-year-old trotters making their pari-mutuel debut on Friday (July 17) at First Tracks Cumberland. Over the weekend Cumberland presents the 2-year-old pacing fillies on Saturday (July 18) with Bangor inviting the 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Sunday (July 19).
For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow them on Facebook @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to MaineSireStakes.com.