Cumberland, ME — All four $15,000-plus divisions of Maine-sired trotters invaded Cumberland Raceway on Saturday (July 27) with several divisions captured by the usual suspects, yet others seeing some fresh faces emerge.
In the pari-mutuel $16,378 Maine Sire Stakes opener, Whatawonder had fans cheering ‘What a horse!’
With no equine able to reach his bridle, as of yet, the son of Whataworkout romped and stomped to victory for the fourth consecutive time, scoring in 2:07. Driven by Kenneth Watson for trainer Lisa Watson and owner Barbara Lawson, the heretofore undefeated gelding has never seen the back of a helmet. Liberty’s Wildcard (Kevin Switzer Jr.) got to within a half length at the wire, which has been the closest that any other foe has ever gotten to him. Katahdin Victor (Wally Watson) finished third.
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Whatawonder paid $3.00 to win.
Next up were the freshmen fillies going for $16,341, with even-money favorite Katahdin Mistress (Wally Watson) slow to get engaged. The first leaver was Blizzard’s Fury (Swizter,) who soared right to the top in a :31.1 opening panel.
Following her earlier hesitation, Katahdin Mistress ranged up to challenge for the lead but was stuck first-over into a 1:03.1 half. While the field bunched up going into the 1:34.2 third panel, Katahdin Mistress got shut out of the two-hole. Employing a second-over move was Heath Campbell driving Pandemic Princess who swooped the other combatants and had just Blizzard’s Fury to catch. Andy Harrington hustled Barbella three-wide in similar fashion to lap the tiring aggressors.
At the wire, Blizzard’s Fury held off the late charges to prevail in 2:06 by a half length. Pandemic Princess finished second; Barbella was third.
Blizzard’s Fury, who paid $15.00 to win, scored her first lifetime victory for trainer Marc Tardif and owner-breeder Leighton Property.
Before the pari-mutuel card, there were two Maine Sire Stakes events, with Chipper Dale repeating in his $15,983 3-year-old colt and gelding trot in 2:04.4. Driven by Drew Campbell for trainer Valerie Grondin, Chipper Dale has emerged as the leader of the pack and has added considerable padding to his top point total. The son of Boy Band now has three Maine Sire Stakes victories on the season for owner-breeder Lynn-Marie Plouffe.
It was a Grondin exacta as Pembroke Will (Heath Campbell) finished second; Carrabassett (Mark Athearn) was third.
The fairer set completed the quartet of Maine Sire Stakes, with Pembroke Breeze (Heath Campbell) taking the $15,983 sophomore filly trot in 2:03.2. Trained by Valerie Grondin for owner-breeder William Varney, the daughter of Pembroke Slugger has won her last four stakes outings and is the clear leader of her division.
Twisted Venture (Mike Cushing) finished second; My Saving Grace (Mark Athearn) was third.
In other news, Hunter Lofthus scored another knockout blow to his Maine Amateur Driving Club competition. Despite being assigned the eight-hole, the 35-year-old reinsman picked up his seventh win of the season and scored again with his trusty steed Forrest Blu, who paid $4.00 to win and scored by 3-1/2 lengths in 1:59.
The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.
Drew Campbell picked up three driving wins on the afternoon’s full program.
The First Tracks Cumberland meet concludes next week on Friday and Saturday (Aug. 2-3). The final day of the meet features the $25,000 Pine Tree Invitational Pace, as well as full-card simulcasting of Hambletonian Day at the Meadowlands and Whitney Stakes Day at Saratoga. Gates open at 11 a.m., with the first pari-mutuel harness race set for 3:15 p.m.