Farmington, ME – A pair of $16,000-plus divisions of freshman female pacers rolled into the Farmington Fair on Thursday (Sept. 24) for the Maine Sire Stakes, with the unbeaten rookie No Small Wonder increasing her winning streak to an even eight straight victories.
The sidestepping sensation was, as always, sent right to the top by Kevin Switzer Jr. Scoring from post 2, No Small Wonder hit the opening panel in a moderate :30 during the second pari-mutuel $16,983 event for Pine Tree State-bred 2-year-old pacing fillies.
The daughter of State Treasurer continued to cut the fractions through middle stations of 1:00.4 and 1:30 while Bad Bunny T (Andy Harrington) kept a tight pocket. Down the backside the final time, Feel The Fury (Aaron Hall) came first-over to challenge the leader and was right alongside No Small Wonder as they entered the final turn.
At the head of the stretch, Switzer Jr. gave the filly the signal and she quickened her pace to win by 2-1/2 lengths over the fast track in 1:59.1.
Trained by Kevin Switzer Sr. for owners KDK Standardbreds, Kathleen Mofield and Anthony Sivik Jr., she was bred by Luke and Patricia Varnum and has earned $65,739.
Feel The Fury finished second; Bad Bunny T was third.
In the other $16,808 division, which was held before the regular program, Bettor’s Treasure and McGwire Sowers came away with the win and a new record after sitting a perfect two-hole trip.
Leaving from post 4, the daughter of State Treasurer ducked in the pocket while Wine For The Lady (Aaron Hall) hit the opening panel in :29. That filly showed the way through a :59.1 half that produced no outer flow, and she had no real pressure through the 1:30.3 third station.
However, Sowers had his charge out and rolling and was wheel-to-wheel with the pacesetter at the head of the stretch. They continued their momentum down the stretch and won by 1-3/4 lengths in 2:00.1 for a new time badge.
Trained by David Dziengiel, who co-owns with John and Thelma Kiernan and Tony Lake, it was her second lifetime victory. She was bred in Maine by Larry Dancer.
Showfaith Showdown rallied for second; Wine For The Lady finished third.
Looking ahead, the Maine Sire Stakes action continues at Farmington with the 2-year-old male pacers on Friday (Sept. 25). Then the series transitions to the Cumberland Fair with the sophomores racing Sept. 29 through Oct. 2 and then the lucrative Freshman Finals slated for Saturday, Oct. 3.
For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow them on Facebook @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to MaineSireStakes.com.