by Michael Sweeney, for Scarborough Downs

Scarborough, ME — The 3-year-old trotting divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes program made their initial appearance of the 2018 season at Scarborough Downs on Sunday (July 1), sporting twin six-horse splits of fillies contesting purses of $10,589 apiece while the boys were grouped together in one eight-horse bunch, vying for their share of the $11,107 prize.

Derek Davis photo

Peregrine Elanas takes her division of the Maine Sire Stakes at Scarborough Downs.

The first filly brigade changed complexion even before the starting gate released the field as last season’s freshman champion and this week’s 4-5 favorite, Pembroke Dancer, rolled off stride for the first time in her career. Taking advantage of circumstances, driver Drew Campbell sent Sweet Amy O smartly to the lead while walking the field to the half timed in 1:03.3. Sensing the lack of pace, Ron Cushing sent American Flambé to battle in first over fashion, with these two trotter’s matching strides through an accelerated :30.1 third panel, before the front-runner succumbed to the persistent pressure and rolled off stride midway through the final turn.

Loose on the lead now, American Flambé appeared home free, but then a late burst of speed from Peregrine Elanas and driver David Ingraham changed the complexion of this race once again, as the duo raced wide into the stretch to reach the wire, ultimately 1-1/2 lengths the best.

Trained by Eric Bickmore for owner Kemit Allen, Peregrine Elanas, a daughter of Lord Valentine-Elanas, stopped the clock in a maiden establishing 2:04.3

American Flambé’s game bid resulted in runner-up honors while Pembroke Dancer (N. Graffam) recovered from her early misfortunes to rally for third.

The second filly division began with some level of uncertainty too, as the heavily favored June Carter Cast made a not so rare break before the start, spotting the field an advantage of multiple lengths in the early going, as she was left in their wake attempting to regain a confident stride. Once back in gear though, she and driver Gary Mosher wasted precious time establishing a dominant position as they hustled to the lead while approaching the quarter mile marker. Once on the point, Mosher throttled down his charge, coasting to an unhurried 9-1/4 length margin of victory, timed in a career best 2:03 flat.

The daughter of Current Cast-Celebrity Image is trained by Hall of Fame conditioner, Donald Richards, for noted state of Maine owners Thomas Dillon and Walter Hight.

DualPatWitchyWoman was second at every pole en route to securing the runner-up placing while Lilly Longwood overcame an early misstep to rally for third.

The colt division saw a powerful mutuel entry sent to post by the Gretchen Athearn Stable, with the combination of He’sALittleBitNoble and Mouthpiece being backed to the tune of 1-5 odds by the patrons assembled. The patrons were forgiven for uttering an early startled gasp though as He’sALittleBitNoble rolled madly off stride while Mouthpiece scored multiple lengths off the gate before the word go was even given.

Never one to disappoint the fans though, driver Matt Athearn quickly regrouped, shifting Mouthpiece into gear, and steering him into a first-over assault through torrid fractions of :30/1:00.1/1:29.3 before gaining the pylons entering the final turn. The son of Noble Venture-Beluga then coasted through the lane to stop the teletimer in a lifetime best 1:59.3 for owner William Phipps.

Pembroke Boss Man (N. Graffam) drafted in second-over position to rally for the runner-up honors while Myreh’s God Son (R. Cushing) saved ground to grab the show dough.

The sophomore Stakes Stars will be absent from Scarborough Downs for a two week period, but the Downs is pleased to present a program of Maine Sire Stakes Preview races for 2-year-old state-bred hopefuls on Sunday (July 8).

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.