Cumberland, ME – The Pine Tree State’s hopefuls were back in full force on Friday (July 24) at Cumberland Raceway for three $15,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings.
The first $15,328 division was another gate-to-wire romp by The Gucci Man and driver Kevin Switzer Jr.
Establishing calculated early fractions of :30.1 and 1:01, the son of Dude’s The Man played catch me if you can with the rest of the field. When The Gucci Man hit the 1:30.4 third panel, he was on top by four and looking for more. All alone, the duo rolled on to a 9-1/2-length victory in 1:59.4, the fastest division of the afternoon.
Owned, trained and bred by Marc Tardif, the 1-9 favorite returned $2.20 while posting a :29 final quarter in his second straight score. Justcallmebuddy (Aaron Hall) finished second; Duderrific (Dave Ingraham) rebounded for third.
In the second $15,538 division of the Maine Sire Stakes, it was the first lifetime victory for Harriman who established a new 2:01.2 time badge in the process.
Driver Nick Graffam came from off the pace to catch the pacesetting Rustysonlytreasure (Aaron Hall) in mid-stretch to score by 1-1/4 lengths.
Bred, trained and co-owned by Mike Graffam with partner Aaron Merriman (yes, THAT Aaron Merriman), the son of State Treasurer returned $2.40. Rustysonlytreasure finished second; Destiny Is All (McGwire Sowers) was third.
In the third and final $15,328 division of the Maine Sire Stakes it was a second-straight wire-to-wire win for Top Notch Treasure, who hung on to win by three parts of a length in 2:00, a new lifetime best.
Trained by Christopher Dubois for owner Steven Moskowitz Racing, Top Notch Treasure is a State Treasurer half-brother to This Dudes Perfect p,4,1:56.3h ($87,699). He was bred in Maine by Lynn-Marie Plouffe and returned $2.40.
Switzer Jr. led all drivers with five wins on the 13-race program.
Racing resumes on Saturday (July 25) with a pair of $15,000-plus non-wagering events for 3-year-old filly pacers in the Maine Sire Stakes, featuring undefeated Snowonthepines, starting at 11:45 a.m. (EDT). The action continues with another 13-race pari-mutuel card.
Saturday bettors will also be able watch and wager on the entire card from Hollywood Casino at The Meadows, featuring the 60th renewal of the Delvin Miller Adios Stakes. First post on that card from Washington, Pa., will be 11:30 a.m. (EDT).
A complete calendar and additional information can be viewed at the First Tracks Cumberland website.