by Mike Sweeney for Scarborough Downs

Scarborough, ME — Legendary colt conditioner, Elmer Ballard, secured his 99th career Maine Sire Stakes victory on Sunday (6/23) at Scarborough Downs. Ballard’s charge, the 3-year-old Stewie, expertly catch-driven by Dan Deslandes, stalked the early pace of the heavily favored Murphy’s Cyclone before pouncing to the narrowest of victories, just getting up at the wire. Stewie, who is a double Maine-bred, was sired by the exciting Maine stallion, Western Cyclone, out of Maine Sire Stakes Champion broodmare, Blond Moment, took a brand new lifetime mark of 1:59.3. Stewie is owned in partnership by Robert Croteau and Elmer Ballard.

Michael Newman photo

Stewie (with driver Dan Deslandes) won the first Maine Sire Stakes race of the 2013 season at Scarborough Downs on Sunday.

Murphy’s Cyclone (Ruel Goodblood, Jr.,) was second; Willy Mac (Gary Mosher) was third.

In other stakes news, 2012 freshman champion, Neutral Data, served notice that he would once again be a force to reckon with, soaring coast-to-coast timed in 2:00 to secure his 6th career victory with driver/trainer Wallace Watson calling the shots. Neutral Data is owned by Harold and Nancy Dresser.

Utah Skye (Kevin Switzer) turned disaster into near triumph, recovering from a costly early bobble to secure runner up honors; Toughtimes (Shane Taggart) was third.

Summerwinds Atlast breezed to victory in the final stakes split of the afternoon, with driver Greg Bowden sending the Gerald Smith trainee to the early lead and absolutely toying with the field en route to the win and a brand new lifetime mark of 1:58. Summerwinds Atlast is owned by Florence O’Keefe.

Circle’s Showgun (Michael Cushing) was second; Master of Puppets (Gary Mosher) was third.

Maine Sire Stakes action continues on Thursday, June 27th as the 3-year-old trotters invade the Seaside Oval. Post time is 4 pm.