Fryeburg, ME – The final leg of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotters went postward at the famous Fryeburg Fair on Friday (Oct. 9) with two $16,000-plus divisions of the high-stepping action.
The only $17,711 pari-mutuel race for sophomore trotters was captured by filly divisional star Hayden, who protected her position at the top of her class with another wire-to-wire romp with trainer-driver Gary Hall in the sulky.
Scoring from the outermost post 7, the daughter of Cantab Fashion made every call a winning one to secure the victory by 3-3/4 lengths in 2:03.1. A winner of 10 races this season, she has earned $131,596 lifetime for owner-breeder Stephen Hall.
Hayden returned $3 as the 1-2 favorite. Roseapple Ave (Wally Watson) finished second; I Think I Can (John Nason) was third.
In an early, $16,783 non-wagering event for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters, it was Gus’s Workout who led every step of the way to score in 2:01.2.
Driven by Heath Campbell for trainer Valerie Grondin and owner-breeder Lynn-Marie Plouffe, the son of Whataworkout grabbed his fifth win of the season, increasing his career purse total to $123,823.
Trottinfortreasure (Ron Cushing) finished second; Wilder N Idy (Mark Athearn) was third.
The series concludes with the $320,000-plus sophomore finals, which take place at Bangor Raceway on Saturday, Oct. 17.
For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow them on Facebook @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: MaineSireStakes.com.