by Michael Sweeney, for Scarborough Downs

Scarborough, ME — Freshman debutants ruled the school at Scarborough Downs on Thursday (July 13) as the 2-year-old filly pacers of the Maine Sire Stakes program made their second seasonal appearance at the seaside oval. The state-bred fillies were divided into two flights, each contested for an identical purse of $10,357 per dash.

Michael Newman photo

Pembroke Passionly withstands a determined rally from Shes A Maverick to record her second consecutive win.

Justcallmedee extended her undefeated streak out to four career wins as the daunting daughter of Deuce Seelster-Justcallmerosie lulled the field to sleep in the opening division.

After touring the outer rim through a respectable opening panel of :29.3, driver Mark Athearn jammed on the coaster brakes while fronting the fillies to the wire, eventually to be timed in a leisurely 2:04.2.

Justcallmedee is owned by William Phipps and trained by Gretchen Athearn, who entered into a tie with Christopher Hitchcock atop the seasonal trainer standings at the Downs with the victory.

Cab Bearnaise (M. Cushing) rallied strongly at 11-1 odds to secure the runner-up placing while Poocham Magic (G. Mosher) rode the pylons for the show.

Pembroke Passionly took the pike route to a brand new lifetime mark of 2:02.2 in the second twilight stakes division. The daughter of Western Maverick-B Passionate was deftly guided twice around the oval by driver Heath Campbell for trainer Valerie Grondin, while grabbing her second consecutive front-end score in Maine Sire Stake competition.

Pembroke Passionly is owned by the tandem of William Varney and Lynn-Marie Plouffe.

She’s A Maverick (J. Nason) mounted a determined stretch assault before settling for runner-up honors while Little Honeybadger (M. Graffam) rallied with determination to finish third.

Maine Sire Stakes action returns to Scarborough Downs on Sunday afternoon as the 3-year-old trotting divisions revisit the local venue.

Scarborough Downs is pleased to present twilight harness racing cards, and Drew Campbell, on a Thursday and Saturday schedule at 4:30 p.m. (EDT) with the Sunday matinee heading to post at 1:30 p.m..

For more information, visit www.ScarboroughDowns.com or visit our Facebook page.