Farmington, ME — Massive Speed, the unbeaten Maine-bred sophomore, added another notch to his belt at the Farmington Fair on Tuesday (Sept. 16) in his $17,212 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old male pacers.
In the first division of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings, which was conducted as a non-wagering event, driver Aaron Hall put his star sidestepper right out on the front end, where they set comfortable fractions of :30.1 and :59.4 to the opening half.
Following a miscue at the start, Mike Stevenson continued to rally on the outside with Gordon Corey’s I’m Not Maverick as Cheatin Fate (Andy Harrington) sat in the pocket while the field approached the 1:29.3 third panel.
With no real challengers in sight and a few taps on the saddle pad from Hall to keep his attention, Massive Speed rolled down the lane with authority to score by four lengths in 1:58. Cheatin Fate finished second; This Dudes Perfect (Heath Campbell) was third.
Trained by Marc Tardif and owned by Leighton Property, Massive Speed recorded his 10th consecutive victory and 20th lifetime win. His seasonal total now reads $70,845, with his lifetime earnings now at $205,375. He was bred in Maine by Laurie Harding.
In the second division, Andy Harrington went from gate to wire with Dawn Two Dark, holding off a late-closing Gracies Tough Guy (5-1, Dave Ingraham) to prevail by a half length in 1:58.1. Ridgecrest Dan (2-1 John Nason) finished third.
Dawn Two Dark is owned and trained by Tardif and was bred in Maine by Gary and Kristina Hall. Winning for the fourth time this season, he paid $4.40 and upped his seasonal total to $45,978.
The Maine Sire Stakes continues at the Farmington Fair with 2- and 3-year-old trotters on Wednesday (Sept. 17) and concludes with 2-year-old filly pacers on Thursday (Sept. 18).
For more information, visit mainesirestakes.com.