Windsor, ME – Lord Of Misrule traded in his recent bridesmaid status in favor of winner’s circle glory on Saturday (Aug. 23) at Maine’s Windsor Fair, securing his 50th career win after settling for runner-up placings in nine of his 14 appearances this season.
Scoring from post three, the 14-year-old son of McArdle arrived at the open-air fairground paddock with his game-face on, leaving smartly from the gate at driver Heath Campbell’s request, and winning an early tussle for supremacy with Cotton On N (Kevin Switzer, Jr).
Charging through a brisk opening panel in :28, Campbell imperceptibly deadened the pace to a reasonable :58.3 midway clocking, providing his willing charge the briefest of respites as the duo switched strategies from power to guile.
Challengers came and challengers were dispatched as Lord Of Misrule reigned supreme on point. Turning for home and thundering down the lane, the class-master refused to be headed, extending out to a 1-3/4 length margin at the wire, timed in a seasonal best 1:58.
Lord Of Misrule, who is owned and trained by Steven Vafiades, elevated his career bankroll to $770,304 with the landmark win.
“He’s great to work with in the barn but oh boy, does he put a game-face on in the paddock” Kim Vafiades said, “Once the harness goes on he gets a little cranky as he amps himself up for the upcoming race and he always gives his all.”
“He loves turnout more than any other horse I’ve ever had and loves his ‘dirt baths.’ He’s one of those horses who can roll all the way over from side to side and when he gets turned out he does it repeatedly. It’s so good for him and his attitude.”
With Maine in the midst of a prolonged dry spell, there should be plenty of dust for Lord Of Misrule to roll in upon his post-race turnout on Sunday (Aug. 24). And with ample racing opportunities still remaining along Maine’s Fair and commercial track circuits this season, that cranky game-face figures to be a familiar feature throughout the year.
Windsor’s nine-day race meet continues on Sunday with a 1 p.m. post time and will continue on a daily basis through Labor Day with the exception of Wednesday (Aug. 27) which will be dark. Weekend post times will be at 1 p.m. (EDT) while the weekday cards will commence at 3 p.m.
Windsor’s marquee events, the $15,000 Windsor Fair Invitational Pace and the $10,000 T.R. Dillon Logging Open Trot, will be held on Saturday (August 30) and Monday (September 1) respectively.
For those not able to come to the track, wagering on the Windsor Fair will be available on most major wagering platforms including Hollywood Races at www.hollywoodraces.com as well as at all state of Maine off track betting parlors.
The video for Windsor’s races will be live-streamed on YouTube at www.youtube.com/@mainefairharnessracing and the live audio of Skowhegan’s cards will be available along the online radio network of Mix Maine Media at The Mix 107.9 FM, True Country 93.5 FM, and THE Score 1160 AM as well as online at www.mixmaine.com.