by Michael Sweeney, for Scarborough Downs

Scarborough, ME — Maine Sire Stakes action continued at Scarborough Downs on Saturday (July 4) as the 3-year-old colt pacing division invaded the seaside oval featuring twin nine-horse fields battling for identical $10,460 purse offerings.

Derek Davis photo

Dansan Ted powered to victory in Maine Sire Stakes competition.

Dansan Ted traded in the bar scene at Cheers for the heartfelt cheers of the large holiday harness crowd as he provided plenty of pyrotechnics en route to blowing up the Scarborough toteboard in the first grouping at 15-1 odds. The son of former track record holder Novia Hanover rode the pocket path to secure his maiden victory on the largest stage of his young racing career, breaking through to the winner’s ranks for driver Kevin Switzer in 1:59.2. Sign The Page (Michael Graffam) placed second while Littlebigtown (Michael Cushing) secured the show.

Neutral Court and driver Mike Graffam overpowered the second stakes division of the day as the defending 2-year-old state of Maine champion made short shrift of the competition while romping to a 4-1/2 length margin over Neutralizer (Drew Campbell) and Pembroke Mike (Heath Campbell) in 2:00.

Stakes action returns to Scarborough Downs on Friday (July 10) as the 3-year-old pacing fillies make their second local appearance of the year while the state of Maine 2-year-old season gets underway on Saturday (July 11) with freshman filly pacers filling out the undercard for The Mid-Summer Classic, Scarborough’s $25,000 marquee pacing invitational.

Downs Doings: Millionaire pacer Daylon Trooper scored the 43rd win of his career on Saturday at Scarborough with driver/trainer Jason Mac Dougall at the helm.

Rodeo Du Ruisseau claimed back-to-back top-class victories on Saturday to earn the lion’s share of the $6,000 Open-level event, tripping the timer in 1:55.1 with driver/trainer Shawn Gray calling the shots.

Scarborough Downs proudly features live harness racing every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 4:30 p.m. (EDT). The popular Sunday matinees feature a 1:30 p.m. post time.