Maine Sire Stakes season kicks off at Scarborough Downs
June 23, 2018,by Mike Sweeney, for Scarborough Downs
Scarborough, ME — Maine Sire Stakes action got underway at Scarborough Downs on Saturday (June 23) with the 3-year-old filly pacing division making its initial appearance of the 2018 season. Sixteen sophomore hopefuls were divided into twin eight-horse fields, contesting miles for purses in excess of $11,000 per split.
Like a fine wine, Cab Bearnaise has clearly improved with age, as the daughter of Shady Character–Get A Cab seems to have reached her peak vintage as she embarks on her 3-year-old season. Like an expertly crafted culinary masterpiece, she patiently followed a tried and true recipe for success on Saturday while claiming victory in her first foray into Maine Sire Stakes action in 2018.
Guided in the $11,055 split by regular pilot Mitchell Cushing for the ownership consortium of Linwood Higgins and John Korhonen, the Charlene Cushing trainee secured a picture perfect picket trip behind the heavily favored She’s A Maverick (John Nason). She then followed the punter’s darling twice around the oval before pouncing to a 1-1/4 length margin of victory at the wire, claiming a maiden breaking clocking of 2:01.4.
She’s A Maverick, who finished second, has now finished top-two placed in all of her 11 career appearances. Poocham Magic (Nicolas Graffam) raced tidy at the rail to finish third.
![](http://ustrottingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/80881-JustCallMeDee06232018.jpg)
Derek Davis photo
Justcallmedee extended her seasonal undefeated streak to two by claiming victory in the $11,056 second division on Saturday.
Justcallmedee extended her seasonal undefeated streak to two by claiming victory in the $11,056 second division on Saturday with driver Mark Athearn plotting the winning strategy. The duo tussled with Tip Em Off (Shawn Thayer) to the quarter before establishing a dominant front-end position that they would ultimately never surrender despite a full field cavalry charge at the finish.
The daughter of Deuce Seelster-Justcallmerosie is trained by Gretchen Athearn for owner William Phipps. The win marked the fourth training win on the program for the Athearn Stable.
Tip Em Off fell a mere 1-1/2 lengths short after parlaying a pocket trip into the runner-up placing. Pembroke Passionly (Heath Campbell), last season’s freshman divisional champion, ground out a determined first-over attack to finish third.
Maine Sire Stakes action continues on Sunday (June 24) when the 3-year-old colt pacing division takes center stage with post time slated for 1:30 p.m. (EDT).
Scarborough Downs will proudly feature live harness racing on Thursday and Saturday at 4:30 p.m. (EDT) with the popular Sunday matinees getting underway at 1:30 p.m.
For more information, visit www.ScarboroughDowns.com or visit our Facebook page.