Cumberland, ME — My Saving Grace hasn’t had to endure much hardship in her short but successful career as the freshman filly is a perfect three-for-three so far this season in Maine Sire Stakes competition after her win on Friday (July 28) at Cumberland Raceway.

Driven by Mark Athearn for trainer Gretchen Athearn, the young daughter of Shake It Off Lindy (a son of Crazed) hasn’t had to save anything for next week as she scampered off to victory by eight lengths and took a 2:06.3 lifetime mark in her $14,367 2-year-old filly trot. Pembroke Breeze (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) finished second; Twisted Venture (Mike Cushing-Sherry Cushing) was third.

My Saving Grace was much the best in her $14,367 division of the Maine Sire Stakes. Stephanie Gray photo.

Owned by Margaret Thyng and bred by Leighton Property, My Saving Grace has earned $23,487 so far this season. Coupled with last week’s romp at Bangor, the filly has a combined margin of victory of 14-3/4 lengths. My Saving Grace paid $3.00 to win.

For the sophomore trotting fillies, it was a case of location, location, location.

In the $14,952 Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting fillies, heavy favorite She’salilbitmouthy ducked, pulled three-wide, and then ducked again before the field reached the pedestrian half in 1:02.3 following a :30.4 opening panel.

At the start, Another Adventure (Kevin Switzer Jr.-Marc Tardif) had taken command initially, but begrudgingly yielded to Melania’s Best (John Nason), who was intent on taking no prisoners. After getting stung to the quarter and then parking the favorite, Nason found himself leading the way with an empty tank with Melania’s Best in that filly’s first seasonal purse start.

Wild Ending (Ivan Davies) was first-up with She’salilbitmouthy and Hall in a tight pocket third. At the decisive 1:33.2 third panel, Wild Ending took the lead over Melania’s Best, who had called it an afternoon. Another Adventure had taken chase and was now beside the favorite, locking her behind the tiring former pacesetter. As the field rounded the final turn, it was a race for second as Wild Ending had put all the wild antics behind her. Another Adventure was too busy looking around to mount a serious stretch drive, but hung on to be second. B R Glory (Wally Watson-Lisa Watson) swooped into a fast-closing third.

Trained and driven by Ivan Davies, Wild Ending picked up her second lifetime victory for owner Anita Anastosopoulis. The daughter of Boy Band was bred in Maine by the late Michael Andrew. She paid $4.80 to win.

In the first division for 3-year-old filly pacers, Katelyn’s Angel grabbed her second wire-to-wire victory, winning her $14,684 Maine Sire Stakes in a lifetime mark-equaling 1:58.2. Slight favorite La Mambacita (Campbell-Grondin) finished second; Ally Mac (Nick Graffam-Mike Graffam) was third. Driven to a 10-1/4 length romp by Kevin Switzer Jr. for trainer Marc Tardif, the Leighton Property homebred daughter of Western Maverick paid $4.00 to win.

The second division was also an unimpeded rout by South St Dottie in a well-rated 2:00.2. Driven by Nick Graffam for trainer Mike Graffam, South St Dottie was on easy street after favorite Pickmepickme (Andy Harrington-Marc Tardif) made a costly break while giving chase in the final turn. Pickmepickme got back pacing and finished second; stable mate Justcallmemimi (Bruce Ranger-Graffam) was third.

The Jan Donaway-owned and -bred daughter of Western Maverick, heretofore undefeated in five seasonal Maine Sire Stakes events, paid $4.80 to win.

Saturday’s (July 29) Cumberland card has two divisions of freshman pacing fillies, with the freshmen pacing colts going on Sunday (July 30). All the divisions are on their respective betting programs. Daily first post is 3:15 p.m.

For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes and the new Mare Incentive Program, visit the Maine Sire Stakes website.