by Michael Sweeney, for Scarborough Downs

Scarborough, ME — Bad Boy Billy successfully defended his 2-year-old stakes trotting title on Sunday (Oct. 18) at Scarborough Downs, adding the lion’s share of the $77,561 3-year-old championship purse to his impressive bankroll as he visited the winner’s circle for the 19th time from just 22 career starts.

Bad Boy Billy’s win in the 3-year-old colt trotting division marked the return of driver Leigh Fitch to Maine Sire Stakes prominence.

Bad Boy Billy mounted a successful front-end strategy on Sunday with veteran teamster Leigh Fitch calling the shots for trainer Gordon Corey. They dissuaded any challenge at all junctures en route to establishing a new Scarborough Downs track record for 3-year-old trotting geldings, tripping the timer in 2:00 to supplant the standard which had been established by his former stablemate, Up Tempo, just last season.

“I didn’t know he could leave that fast,” said jubilant owner Michael Andrew, “If he hadn’t made the top so quickly they would have tried to park him but he never gave them the chance. Leigh Fitch is so good on the front end. He’s a smart driver and perfectly controlled the issue on the lead.”

Fitch, the owner of more than 7,400 career driving wins, was emotionally grateful during post race comments stating, “He’s a powerful horse and I’d like to thank everyone for this chance to drive him. It’s been a long time since I’ve been to the Stakes Finals. To win this one is special.”

The Don Richards trained entry of Current Closer (Mark Athearn) and Current Ca Ching (Gary Mosher) finished second and third, respectively.

Thebandfromboston held off the determined charge of A Cappella Bella.

Thebandfromboston claimed top prize in the $77,577 filly trotting division with Gary Mosher insisting on the point while driving hard through an overland opening panel of :30 seconds to control the tempo and the eventual outcome. The rookie sophomore held firm in the lane to withstand a determined late challenge from A Cappella Bella (Ivan Davies) and post the half-length margin of victory in 2:02.2. Elegant Eve (Fitch) finished third.

“It was a challenge to develop her as an unraced 3-year-old; she was a bit of a nut case,” Mosher remarked. “But she’s progressed quite nicely, settling down and relaxing just a bit with every start and was strong coming into the finals today. My wife and I consider it a privilege to have had the chance to work with her this year.”

A contentious opening panel of :28.3, sparked by a three-wide cavalry charge for early supremacy, set the stage for a stunning stretch battle in the $77,658 filly pacing championship with heavily favored Pembroke Whittney (Heath Campbell) taking the brunt of the grueling opening salvo.

Steve Mahar confidently handled filly pacing champion The Salem Witch.

The torrid pace scenario set up perfectly for eventual winner The Salem Witch, with driver Stephen Mahar miraculously finding seam after seam to post the one length victory over Isn’t She Lovely (Fitch) in 2:01.4 with Pembroke Whittney settling for third.

“I’d like to thank Scarborough Downs for doing such a great job hosting this big weekend,” trainer Allie Hiscock said. “And thanks to the fans who came out to watch — what a great crowd we have here today — and of course, Stevie Mahar. This is the third stakes final we’ve won together; he does a great job with my horses.”

An accident heading into the first turn marred the $77,669 colt pacing championship as Guapo (Kim Ireland) stumbled and fell just past the start, putting Pembroke Mike (Heath Campbell) on an unavoidable collision course with the fallen entry. Horses and drivers were immediately attended to by track personnel and reported out with only minor scrapes and bruises.

Scarborough Downs photos

Signthepaige’s victory in the colt pacing final ended the undefeated season of stablemate Neutral Court.

The race itself eventually turned into a game of cat and mouse as heavily backed Neutral Court (Mike Graffam) pursued stablemate Signthepaige (Shawn Gray) around the oval. A nose in front at the top of the lane, Neutral Court’s bid at an undefeated season would fall just 1-1/2 lengths short as Signthepaige found another gear to repel the late challenge from his much ballyhooed competitor. Neutralize (Drew Campbell) finished third.

As the resurgent Maine Sire Stakes season comes to a successful close the final stakes on the New England harness calendar will be contested next Saturday (Oct. 24) as the New England Sulky Championships return to action at Scarborough Downs.

Scarborough Downs proudly features live harness racing every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 12:45 p.m. (EDT).