By Michael Sweeney for Scarborough Downs

Scarborough, ME —The trotting division of the Maine Sire Stakes Program made its 2013 debut at Scarborough Downs on Thursday (6/27) with both freshman champions serving immediate notice that they would be prime contenders to claim the sophomore crowns.

Scarborough Downs photo

Heath Campbell guided Obrigado to victory on Monday at Scarborough Downs in Maine Sire Stakes for sophomore trotters.

On the filly side of the equation, Song of Virtue secured her 8th career victory from only eleven lifetime starts as driver/trainer Gordon Corey put a new lifetime mark on the daughter of Boy Band, stopping the clock in 2:04. Owned and bred by Michael Andrew of Gorham, Maine, Song of Virtue added over $5,000 to her bankroll following that sizzling performance.

Future Cast (Mark Athearn) was second; Race Me Liberty a patriotic third for driver William Childs.

Obrigado fell just 2/5 of a second from matching his sister’s fine performance, claiming victory in the colt division with Heath Campbell calling the shots for trainer Ivan Davies. This win marked the 9th victory lap from eleven lifetime starts for the son of Boy Band, who is also owned and bred by Michael Andrew of Gorham, Maine. The mile was timed in 2:04.2.

Obrigado’s stable mate, Wakefield Fire, claimed runner-up status with Ivan Davies in the bike, while Bad Boy Bernie (Kim Ireland) took the show dough.

The other filly stakes winner on the program, Blazee Moving, was guided to victory in 2:03.2 with driver/trainer Wallace Watson piloting for owner/breeder Susan Muldoon of Marblehead, Massachusetts.

Cranmeadow Willow (Louis Gasbarro, III) rallied for second after Bella Cast (Don Richards) rolled off stride late in the mile. Bella Cast settled for third.

Sire Stakes action returns Saturday, June 29 when the 3-year-old filly pacers take to the raceway. Post time is 4 pm.