Topsham, ME — With 7,883 lifetime wins amassed over a decades long career, driver David Ingraham certainly knows that there is more than one way to win a harness race. On Thursday (Aug. 8) at the Topsham Fair, the veteran teamster demonstrated two.
Driving hard from the gate, Ingraham aggressively secured a pocket journey for Skyful Of Lighters (2:00.1-$16.80) behind the equally determined early speed of Hurricane Bunny (Winter Asher-Stalbaum). Content to patiently pose in the garden spot as the rabbit sped around the oval, Ingraham remained pinned to the pylons as the field entered the stretch. Daylight suddenly appeared though as the wire came into view when Hurricane Bunny unexpectedly veered out into the path of Shou-Lao (Andy Harrington), causing interference in deep stretch, and allowing Skyful Of Lighters to advance ever so slightly along the pins.
The subsequent judges’ inquiry resulted in placings being initiated with Skyful Of Lighters eventually elevated to his 39th lifetime score.
The 13-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight is owned and trained by Kelly Case and now boasts career earnings of $522,908.
Ingraham came back in the very next race to earn a more conventional victory with CBF Star Power (1:59.4-$6.00). Breaking third from the gate, Ingraham employed another patient pylon ploy before splitting foes at the wire to secure the half-length margin. The win was the third of the season for the Maine-bred son of Deuce Seelster who is trained by David Crochere for owners Glenn Harris and Marion Phelps.
Thursday’s driving double elevated Ingraham into second place on the Topsham Fair leaderboard with six wins to his credit over the course of the first four days of the five day meet. Andy Harrington, who scored a pair of wins himself on Thursday, currently leads all drivers with eight top tallies notched during the week.
Live harness racing concludes for the season at Topsham on Saturday (Aug. 10) with post time scheduled for 1 p.m. (EDT).
The livestream of Topsham’s race meet is available at www.youtube.com/@mainefairharnessracing and online wagering is available at hollywoodraces.com.