Topsham, ME – Maine’s 2-year-old filly pacers made their annual visit to the Topsham Fair on Thursday (Aug. 13) with freshmen pacing sensation No Small Wonder taking her fourth stakes win in a row.
A pair of $14,983 Maine Sire Stakes events went postward on the pleasant summer afternoon, with one dash before the card, and the second carded as the opener on the 10-race program.
When the wings of the starting gate folded, driver Kevin Switzer Jr. pointed the division leader, No Small Wonder, right out to the front from her pylon position with little fanfare. They reached the opening panel in :30.3 with Siri (Heath Campbell) sitting a loose pocket with Bettor’s Treasure (McGwire Sowers) in third.
They passed the stands the first time with No Small Wonder leading the way and setting a 1:01.2 half-mile mark. Around the five-eighths, Feel The Fury (Andy Harrington) had caught the pack despite an earlier miscue and was gaining ground first over. Switzer Jr. fired up his charge past the 1:31.4 third station and began to gain some separation from the rest of the field.
With no threats in sight, No Small Wonder was free to pace down to the wire on cruise control, tripping the timer in 2:00.4 to win by 3-3/4 lengths.
Trained by Kevin Switzer Sr. for owners KDK Standardbreds, Kathleen Mofield and Anthony Sivik Jr., it was the fourth consecutive victory for No Small Wonder. Bred in Maine by Luke and Patricia Varnum, the daughter of State Treasurer is undefeated thus far in her inaugural season and has earned $31,022.
Siri finished second; Bettor’s Treasure was third.
In the second $14,983 division, which was on the pari-mutuel card, the public’s second choice, Showfaith Showdown (2-1, Nick Graffam) got out for an early lead from post three. They reached the opening panel in :32 with Lillian G (9-2, Dakota Niles) in the pocket and Wine For The Lady (8-5, Aaron Hall) sitting third.
Just past the 1:04.3 midway point, Kevin Switzer Jr. driving Bad Bunny T was able to flush the cover of Wine For The Lady as the field passed the paddock turn for the second time. At the 1:35 third stanza, Wine For The Lady had collared the pacesetting Showfaith Showdown and the two battled around the final turn and through the head of the Topsham Fair stretch. Down to the wire it was a champagne toast for Wine For The Lady as she prevailed by 2-1/2 lengths in 2:04, a new lifetime best.
Trained by Marc Tardif for owner-breeder Leighton Property, the daughter of State Treasurer now has two wins in four seasonal outings. She returned $5.20 for the victory.
Lillian G hung on for third.
Looking ahead, the fair racing concludes at Topsham with the 2-year-old male pacers on Saturday (Aug. 15). The following week the harness racing action moves north to Skowhegan and kicks off on Tuesday (Aug. 18) with the 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers, followed on Wednesday (Aug. 19) by the sophomore distaff pacers.
For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow them on Facebook @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: MaineSireStakes.com.