Cumberland, ME — A relative tsunami of Maine-bred trotters converged on Cumberland Raceway on Saturday (July 26), with six $11,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes.
Last year’s freshman trotting champion, Whatawonder (1-5), made his sophomore debut in his $11,976 division after missing the first four weeks of the series. Regular pilot Ken Watson put the son of Whataworkout on the lead, where the heretofore unbeaten gelding likes to be placed.
However, by the third station, Liberty’s Wildcard (8-5, Kevin Switzer Jr.), this year’s star with the unblemished record, had other intentions. He looked the pacesetter right in the eye and went right on by. Lengthening his lead with every stride, the son of Noble Venture rolled on to win by 3-3/4 lengths in 2:02, a new lifetime best.
It was the fifth consecutive victory for the divisional leader Liberty’s Wildcard, whom Marc Tardif trains for owner Leighton Property. He was bred by Jerry Stratton Jr. and paid $5.40.
In the first of two $11,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting fillies, Little Shot (2-1, Ivan Davies) sat a perfect two-hole trip behind Race Me Bombshell (7-1, Drew Campbell) and took her shot down the backstretch. Ultamately, Little Shot overpowered the pacesetter to score by a length in 2:03.2, a seasonal mark and first win of the year. Heavy 1-5 favorite Barbella (Nick Graffam) recovered from several miscues to be third.
Also trained by Ivan Davies, the daughter of Noble Venture is owned and was bred by Dr. Douglass Hutchins. She paid $4.40 to win.
In the second division for sophomore trotting fillies, even-money favorite Twisted Fate (Mike Cushing) cruised to a wire-to-wire romp in a lifetime best 2:04 by over 10 open lengths. Pandemic Princess (Heath Campbell) finished second; Belabelle (Eric Bickmore) was third.
Trained by Mike Cushing for owners and breeders Mike Graham and Nelson DiPompo Jr., the daughter of Whataworkout paid $4.20.
The virtual tornado of trotting bloodstock resulted in half the day’s program dedicated to the Pine Tree State-bred dynamos, with all divisions of freshman trotters also up for grabs.
The $11,254 Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old trotting fillies was captured by Hayden, who went from pillar to post from pylon position for trainer driver Gary Hall in 2:06, a new lifetime best.
Her only anxious moment came from Our Last Quote (7-1, Steve Wilson) who got to within a head of the pacesetter as the duo matched strides down the homestretch. Hayden, a daughter of Cantab Fashion owned and bred by Stephen Hall, paid $6.00 to win.
Pembroke Lady (1-9, Heath Campbell) went a virtual training mile in the other $11,429 division for 2-year-old trotting fillies, scoring in a new lifetime best 2:07.4 by four open lengths. Roseapple Ave (Wally Watson) finished second; Race Me Boomer (Bill Childs) was third.
Trained by Valerie Grondin for owner Brenda Varney, she paid $2.20 and was bred by the late Bill Varney.
Heavy 1-9 favorite Wilder N Idy also had things his own way in the freshman colt split, winning by half the length of the stretch in 2:03.4, which shaved a full four seconds off his previous lifetime best. Gus’s Workout (Heath Campbell) finished second; Trottinfortreasure (Switzer Jr.) was third.
Driven by Mark Athearn for trainer Gretchen Athearn and owner Patrick Leavitt, the son of Cantab Fashion paid $2.20 and was bred by the late Mike Andrew.
Sunday’s (July 27) special 12 noon card welcomes two $11,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old filly pacers, as well as six individual $6,000 End of Summer Pop Up series legs with finals going on closing day (Aug. 2) for $8,000.
First Track’s Cumberland Spring/Summer meet will continue through Aug. 2, featuring full-card simulcasting of the Grade 1 Hambletonian from the Meadowlands.