Cumberland, ME — Three $14,000 Maine Sire Stakes divisions for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings bolster Friday’s (July 10) 13-race card at Cumberland Raceway, with the freshmen sidesteppers all making their first pari-mutuel starts.
The first division, slated as race 3, features several full- or half-brothers to previous Maine Sire Stakes stars. Many had taken advantage of the baby races held at Cumberland over the last several weeks, with several taking qualifying marks in those preliminary events.
The co-favorite from post 2 is Marc Tardif trainee Survive The Ride (3-1, Aaron Hall), a Deuce Seelster full brother to Mrs Foxy Roxy p,4,1:57h ($111,990). Scoring from pylon position is Dudeisadelight (7-2, Ron Cushing), a Dude’s The Man half-brother to Hesjustadelight p,4,1:52.4f ($221,169). In addition, Bill Phipps sends Painter’s Treasure (5-1, Andy Harrington), a State Treasurer half-brother to Glorilla p,3,1:56f ($101,421), into the mix.
The second $14,000 division is led by Rustysonlytreasure (5-1, Aaron Hall), who is the first foal from the successful race mare Rusty’s Treasure p,4,1:55.3f ($192,258). Tardif also sends One Last Deal (9-2, Andy Harrington), a Dude’s The Man half-brother to Deal With It Roman p,1:55.1h ($214,082), whom he also owns and bred. M&L Of Delaware, who had an ownership interest in Dude’s The Man while he raced, bred Duderrific (7-2, Heath Campbell), a half-brother to Manador p,2,1:54.4.f ($102,155).
The third and final division of the Maine Sire Stakes features Justcallmebuddy (5-1, Aaron Hall), a Deuce Seelster full brother to four horses who paced in 1:55 or faster and the winners of nearly a million dollars, including Justcallmebuck p,4,1:51f ($212,960). Tardif sends out They Call Me Jaws (3-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.), a Thirty Two Red half-brother to Whisper Of Luck p,4,1:57.2h ($100,662). Rounding out the top three is Top Notch Treasure (7-1, Mike Stevenson), a State Treasurer half-brother to This Dudes Perfect p,4,1:56.3h ($87,699).
Racing continues on Saturday (July 11) in keeping with the track’s Friday-Saturday schedule for the remainder of the month. The only exception is a three-day run from Friday, July 24, through Sunday, July 26, during the penultimate weekend of the meet.
First post is 12:15 p.m. (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through Aug. 2.
A complete calendar and additional information can be viewed by visiting the track’s website.