Cumberland, ME — Last year’s freshmen pacing filly champion Gowestyounggrace picked right up where she left off in the Maine Sire Stakes, taking the faster of two $16,196 divisions at Cumberland on Saturday (June 15).

Gowestyounggrace (Dave Ingraham) returned to her winning ways in the Maine Sire Stakes at Cumberland. Joe Shaw photo.

Heavily favored Gowestyounggrace (1-9) and driver Dave Ingraham got away fourth in the field of five, with Heath Campbell taking point with Who’s Perfect (10-1) through a :29.2 opening panel.

Sensing the modest pace, Ingraham pulled the daughter of Western Maverick at the three-eighths pole and moved swiftly to match strides alongside the leader at a 1:00 half.  Those two got some separation from the field as they fought tooth and nail to the three-quarter pole, resulting in a stinging 1:28.1 stanza.

The battle continued through the far turn and into the head of the stretch, with Gowestyounggrace finding another gear to out sprint the Valerie Grondin-trained pacesetter and score by a measured length in 1:58.2.

Trained by Fred Ward Jr., who co-owns with Sharon Ward, it was the first seasonal victory and a new lifetime mark for the 2023 Pine Tree State 2-year-old pacing filly final winner.  She paid just $2.20 to win, and increased her bankroll to $66,641.

Ghost Of You (Kevin Switzer Jr. – Marc Tardif) finished third.

In the other $16,196 division, the Tardif Taskforce showed that they have plenty of quills in their quiver as they sent two of their four 3-year-old filly pacers into this skirmish.

When the wings folded Heath Campbell sent Pembroke Red right to the front from post two, as the Tardif fillies merged into traffic close behind.  Favored My Sweet Revenge (Switzer) followed along in the 2-hole, with Push Your Luck (Walter Case Jr.) settling in third.

No movement occurred through the 29.2 opening panel, nor by the laxer 1:01.2 half.  Heading down the backstretch for the final time Case pulled Push Your Luck to the outside and made a swift move to challenge the leader into a 1:31.1 third panel.

As the field turned for home Push Your Luck put a nose in front and continued to gain momentum and ground as Case steered the daughter of Thirty Two Red to a maiden-breaking victory in 2:01.2.

Owned, trained and bred by Marc Tardif it was just the filly’s eighth lifetime start and only second time on the board.  She paid $6.60 in redeeming victory as the third wagering choice.

Pembroke Red (Campbell-Grondin) held on for second; even-money first choice My Sweet Revenge (Switzer-Tardif) ran out of racing room and had to settle for third.

Looking ahead, the Maine Sire Stakes resumes on Wednesday (June 19) at Bangor (post time 3 pm) with the return of the 3-year-old male pacers, and then on Friday (June 21) Cumberland hosts several divisions for 3-year-old trotters (post 3:15 pm).

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their new website:  https://www.mainesirestakes.com