by Michael Sweeney, for Scarborough Downs
Scarborough, ME — The 3-year-old filly pacing division of the Maine Sire Stakes program anchored the card at Scarborough Downs on Thursday (July 20) and while hopes for success were high among the 12 fillies entered, two dominant forces continued to rack up the wins, much to the delight of their owners but to the chagrin of the competition.
Meadows Rosebud remained perfect as a sophomore as she extended her current win streak to three in a row in the first of the two stakes splits.
Guided by driver Eddie Davis Jr. for trainer Ralph Anderson, the daughter of Western Maverick-Rose Of Aquamarine engaged in an insistent sort of campaign on Thursday, bullying her way through three-wide traffic from the start, gaining command after flashing a sizzling :27.4 clocking at the quarter-pole, throttling down that early speed to conserve energy, and then fending off all challenges en route to posting a seasonal best 1:57.4 race time.
Meadows Rosebud, who claimed the lion’s share of the $10,241 purse, is owned by Lorraine O’Connor.
Arabella (Drew Campbell) repeatedly hounded the pacesetter before settling for an encouraging runner-up placing. Persephone (Heath Campbell) rode the pylons to the show.
Michael Newman photo
Pembroke Perfect scored in 1:58.2 on Thursday.
Pembroke Perfect matched Meadows Rosebud in their pursuit of the perfect season by throwing in yet another dominating performance in the second $10,242 stakes division. Hustled confidently to the early lead by driver Heath Campbell, the filly was never seriously threatened as she strode majestically twice around the half-mile oval in 1:58.2.
The win was the third of the season for the daughter of Western Maverick-Perfect Launch who is trained by Valerie Grondin for the ownership group of William Varney and Lynn-Marie Plouffe.
More impressively though, the win marked the ninth consecutive victory lap for the 2016 freshman pacing champion, a string of wins that remarkably began exactly one year ago to the day.
CBF Sunshine (Eddie Davis Jr.) completed a great day at the races for the Ralph Anderson stable by finishing second. Spoxy’s Girl (Drew Campbell) aggressively secured the show dough.
Maine Sire Stakes action returns to Scarborough Downs on Sunday (July 23) afternoon as the 2-year-old trotting divisions revisit the seaside oval.
Scarborough Downs is pleased to present twilight harness racing cards on a Thursday and Saturday schedule at 4:30 p.m. (EDT) with the Sunday matinee heading to post at 1:30 p.m.
For more information, visit www.ScarboroughDowns.com or visit our Facebook page.