by Mike Sweeney, for Scarborough Downs

Scarborough, ME — Maine Sire Stakes action returned to Scarborough Downs on Saturday (Aug. 16) as the 3-year-old filly pacing division visited the seaside oval for the fifth and final time this year in preliminary leg competition before embarking on their late-summer fairgrounds swing.

The state-bred fillies split out into three dashes with slight upsets sneaking up on the punters in the first two splits before order would be restored by a heavily backed favorite in the final stakes event of the day.

Michael Newman photo

Trainer Ralph Andersen drove Mary Rose Of Topaz to her fifth consecutive Maine Sire Stakes victory on Saturday at Scarborough Downs.

Shadytouch took full advantage of drawing into the weakest of the three flights on Saturday as the daughter of Shady Character settled third in the early going before swinging three-wide off the final turn to just get up at the wire in a jam packed photo finish. Handled by driver Mike Cushing for owner Neal Tranten, the sophomore lass took a new lifetime mark of 2:01 as she won for only the second time in her career in the $10,076 split.

Big Bad Rose (Greg Bowden) threw in a game runner-up placing in extended overland fashion as she appeared to be on the verge of regaining her outstanding freshman championship season form. Sweet Catastrophe (Kevin Switzer) rode the conservative inside path for third.

Veteran driver Gary Mosher utilized his vast array of talents to dictate the terms from the get go in the $10,075 second division as he confidently steered Fast Pat to the early lead before awaiting the expected challenge of heavily favored Cheryl Leigh.

Mosher stung the bettor’s choice to the quarter, in an adequate clocking of :29.3, before finally cutting her loose just past the three-eighths pole. Fast Pat then sat the pocket trip behind the softened up leader, biding her time covered up before pouncing to victory at the wire. The daughter of Neutralize scored her maiden win for owner Ben Bill and Will Stable, timed in 2:00.4 while lighting the board at 11-1 odds.

Princess Wave (Heath Campbell), who appeared much sturdier in the turns this week, charted a game first-over trip as she ground it out for the place. Cheryl Leigh (David Ingraham) faded slightly at the wire as she settled for third best.

Anticlimactically, the third and final split of the day offered little of the unexpected as the streaking Mary Rose Of Topaz effortlessly claimed the early advantage, only to play a rousing game of catch me if you can to the wire. With regular driver Kevin Switzer Jr. in action at the Skowhegan State Fair, trainer Ralph Andersen took to the seat on Saturday to engineer the winning strategy, enabling the daughter of Ashlee’s Big Guy to claim her fifth consecutive stakes victory for veteran owner Andrew T. Card in the $9,850 contest. The mile was clocked in an unhurried 2:00.3.

Shurfine Babycate (Michael Cushing) sat the pocket seat throughout to gain the bridesmaid share, while B Glamorous (Drew Campbell) rode the wood for third.

Live racing continues throughout the summer at Scarborough Downs with the Friday and Saturday cards scheduled to get underway at 4:30 p.m. (EDT) and the popular Sunday matinees kicking off at 1:05 p.m. For more information, visit www.ScarboroughDowns.com or our Facebook page.