Skowhegan, ME – Marc Tardif’s unbeaten 3-year-old pacing filly Snowonthepines continued her reign of supremacy as she put her unblemished record on the line at the Skowhegan State Fair on Wednesday (Aug. 19) during a pair of $17,000-plus divisions of Maine Sire Stakes for the fairer set.
With the first division carded as an early, non-wagering race, racing fans enjoyed a beautiful twilight evening of racing, with Snowonthepines as the opening act while displaying her familiar pillar-to-post style.
Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. put the daughter of Dude’s The Man right on point in the $17,209 split, exercising his right of first refusal with a sharp :29 second opening panel.
As has been the norm in previous outings, Just Delightful (Ron Cushing) occupied a tight pocket seat as the field was carried to a :58.4 midway marker, with no outer flow developing. Past the third station in 1:28.4 it did not appear that anyone would challenge the undisputed divisional leader, as she floated around the turn and appeared poised for her 16th career victory, her disciples followed along in single file fashion.
Tripping the timer in 1:57.1, the mile was just two fifths off the track record for sophomore distaffs, and gave the filly phenom her seventh consecutive seasonal victory.
Snowonthepines was victorious in all nine of her races as a rookie, and now has $153,721 in lifetime earnings for trainer Marc Tardif and owner-breeder Leighton Property.
Just Delightful finished second by 1-1/2 lengths; She’s A Firefly (Aaron Hall) was third.
In the other $17,434 division, which was held on the regular program for 3-year-old pacing fillies, Heymickeyyousofine showed that she is no ‘one hit wonder’ as the daughter of Dude’s The Man picked up her second straight victory.
Campbell left swiftly from post four with Heymickeyyousofine, but not swiftly enough to beat Dudelookslikeafily to the lead as driver Aaron Hall had that filly off the “Wes Brown gate of renown” and on top in short order. The quick footed early leaver stung Heymickeyyousofine to a :29.1 opening panel, but she was able to clear by the time the field reached the half in 1:00.2.
Past the paddock turn the final time, Kevin Switzer Jr. tipped Perfectly Lovely to the outside, and was the only horse on the rim as the field rolled through the third stanza in 1:31.2.
Around the final turn and at the head of the stretch, Ekorus (Andrew Harrington) had gotten to within three parts of a length of the pacesetter and was poised to pounce. Seeing the threat, and with plenty left in the tank, Heath Campbell chirped to his charge and she responded by putting 2-1/2 lengths between her and her would-be challengers.
Cruising home in 2:00.1 with a :28.4 final quarter kicker, it was the second straight victory, and third of the season for Heymickeyyousofine. Trained by Steve Vafiades, and owned by Jason Vafiades, she was bred in Maine by Kimberly Vafiades. She now has $47,258 in lifetime earnings and returned $5 to her backers.
Ekorus finished second; Graceofspades (Dave Ingraham) was third.
Looking ahead, the harness racing action continues at Skowhegan on Thursday (Aug. 20) with four divisions for all of the 2- and 3-year-old trotters for the final evening card. For the weekend, the “State Fair” moves to matinees for the freshmen sidesteppers who close out the week-long meet with the 2-year-old pacing fillies on Friday (Aug. 21) and their male counterparts on Saturday (Aug. 22).
For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow them on Facebook @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: MaineSireStakes.com.