by Mike Sweeney, for Scarborough Downs

Scarborough, ME — Maine Sire Stakes action returned to Scarborough Downs on Saturday (July 5) as the 3-year-old filly pacers took center stage in three splits for total purses in excess of $30,000.

Michael Newman photo

Shurfine Babycate was a 2:00.4 winner.

Shurfine Babycate (Michael Cushing) posted a minor upset of sorts to kick stakes competition off on Saturday as she managed to secure the lead past the quarter-mile marker after a total of three fillies jockeyed for early position through a series of retake maneuvers.

From that point, she never looked back as the daughter of Fast Company coasted to the win en route to breaking her maiden in a fleet 2:00.4. Shurfine Babycate is owned in partnership by Donald Tranten and Michael Cushing. Cheryl Leigh (David Ingraham) was second; On Wings Of Silver (Wallace Watson) was third.

Princess Wave (Kevin Switzer Jr.) withstood a judges’ inquiry in the second division after a brief misstep at the three-eighths pole raised the question of the possibility of a breaking rule violation. When the judges completed their review, however, she was found to be in compliance, thereby securing her second straight win and remaining undefeated on the year. The daughter of Armbro Wave, owned by Tony Dearborn, paced the mile in 2:02.1.

Danvile Sweetheart (Eddie Davis Jr.) was placed second after the original runner-up, Big Bad Rose, was convicted of a pylon rule violation. Shady Touch (Michael Cushing) was elevated to the third place showing.

Making her first start from the powerful Bo Sowers stable, LP’s Shyla mounted a strong rally effort to crash the board at 50-1 odds, keying huge mutuels, featuring a $518 exacta and a $1,380 trifecta. The daughter of Southwind Mountain is owned by her former trainer, David Miller, and broke her maiden on Saturday in an extremely brisk 2:00.3. Mary Rose Of Topaz (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was second, while Your Special (Drew Campbell) faded to third.

In other news, Drew Campbell maintained his dominance over an extremely deep drivers colony, scoring four wins on the 12-race program, helping to cement his lead in the Scarborough drivers’ standings.

Maine Sire Stakes action returns to The Downs on Sunday (July 6) at 1:05 p.m. and features the 3-year-old colt pacers, with an extended card featuring the 3-year-old colt and filly trotters.