by Michael Sweeney, for Scarbororough Downs

Scarborough ME — The Maine Sire Stakes program made its second seasonal appearance at Scarborough Downs on Sunday (June 24) with the 3-year-old colt pacing division taking center stage at the raceway. Thirteen state-breds were divided into two splits which raced for purses in excess of $10,600 per dash.

Michael Newman photo

Mylastdime wins in Maine Sire Stakes action Sunday afternoon.

Speed was the order of the day in the $10,605 first stakes division as driver/trainer Eddie Davis Jr. briskly hustled the pacer, Twelve, out to the early lead while simultaneously taking determined air to a quarter timed in :28.1. Despite the torrid opening panel, the son of Shady Character-Sabine Hanover continued to add to his lead at every successive pole, before stepping out to an in hand margin of 5-1/2 lengths at the finish line, stopping the clock in a seasonal best 1:57 flat.

Owned by Dean Malin, the win marked the fourth triumphant effort for the sophomore campaigner.

StormyWeatherAhead (M. Athearn) skimmed the wood to finish second, while The DeuceMeister (D. Deslandes) rallied strongly to grab the show dough.

As impressive as Twelve was in the opening split, Eddie Davis’ bid to claim victory in both stakes divisions was thwarted at the wire, as no fewer than four challengers came flying late after the pacesetting duo, with the stampede ultimately separated by less than two lengths when the dust had settled.

As starter Bruce Ranger released the field, Davis sent ThankYouAllMyFans smartly to the lead as Mylastdime and driver Shawn Gray settled solidly in second. With motion coming from the back of the pack approaching the half, Gray calculated that the pocket was not the proper place to be, and he quickly pulled alongside Davis to engage. The duo battled toe-to-toe throughout the second navigation of the oval, only to be separated by mere whiskers as they crossed the wire in lockstep, with Mylastdime ultimately declared the winner after a careful examination of the photo-finish print.

Owned and trained by Alicia Gray, Mylastdime, a son of Baron Biltmore-Twin B Candy took a brand new lifetime mark of 1:58.4 in only his first start of the 2018 season.

ThankYouAllMyFans held on for the runner-up placing by the official margin of a nose, while HeyThePartysOver (D. Ingraham) finished third by a scant half-length measure.

Maine Sire Stakes action returns to the Downs on Sunday (July 1) when the 3-year-old trotting divisions take center stage with post time slated for 1:30 p.m. (EDT).

Scarborough Downs will proudly feature live harness racing on Thursday and Saturday at 4:30 p.m. (EDT) with the popular Sunday matinees getting underway at 1:30 p.m.

For more information, visit www.ScarboroughDowns.com or visit our Facebook page.