Bangor, ME – All the usual suspects invaded historic Bass Park on Wednesday (Sept. 9) for four $17,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2- and 3-year-old trotters, but when the dust settled two previously unbeaten horses had finally tasted defeat.
The first $17,210 Pine Tree State-bred event on the Bangor Raceway betting card for freshman male trotters saw Heath Campbell send Pembroke Zagursky right out to the front ahead of the heretofore unbeaten 1-5 favorite U Know I Know. They hit the first panel in :30.3 with the favorite in a loose pocket for driver Ken Watson, an unfamiliar spot for the division’s leading high-stepper who had won all six of his previous outings.
Mark Athearn tipped Come On Charlie into a 1:03.4 half-mile marker and found himself right alongside U Know I Know who was gapping in third place as they hit the third station in a swifter 1:34.4.
Around that long far turn, Watson found a seam and slipped out in front of a stalling Come On Charlie and engaged the pacesetter for the stretch drive. However, there was no catching Pembroke Zagursky as the trotter sped off like a good horse while the formerly unbeaten U Know I Know drifted out while giving chase.
Trained by Valerie Grondin for owner Brenda Varney, the colt was bred in Maine by the late Bill Varney.
It was the first lifetime victory for the son of Pembroke Slugger, who split the beam in 2:05.3, and returned $7 for the quarter-length win.
High Fashion Owyn (Nick Graffam) finished third.
A few races later in the $17,711 event for 3-year-old trotting fillies, 1-5 favorite Hayden put her seven race seasonal winning streak on the line from post 6 but was quickly thwarted at the start by the well-positioned Our Last Quote and driver Mike Cushing, who sent his charge to the top while protecting the pylons.
After a speedy start, Hayden and driver Gary Hall found themselves shuffled back to third into the :30 opening panel as I Think I Can and John Nason had ducked into the pocket during the opening foray.
As the field hit the half in 1:01.3, Coronation Moon (driven by Ivan Davies) flushed Hayen out of her third position to be first-over. That filly stuck her nose out and then advanced to the front into a 1:31.1 third panel while looking Our Last Quote right in the eye. And then, in the blink of an eye, Hayden jumped off stride, which allowed the pacesetter to continue unfettered to the wire in 2:02.1, a new lifetime best.
Trained by Charlene Cushing for owners-breeders Nelson DiPompo Jr. and Mike Graham, the daughter of Cantab Fashion picked up her first seasonal victory by 2-1/4 lengths, returning $8.20.
Race Me Boomer (Andy Harrington) finished second; I Think I Can was third.
As part of the early non-wagering card, driver Gary Hall got redemption for his previous week’s defeat with Princess Caledonia, who won easily in her $16,681 Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old trotting fillies.
The daughter of To The Hilt got away on top and never looked back, scoring by 1-1/2 lengths in 2:07. Princess Caledonia now has five wins this season and earnings of $48,975. Co-owned and trained by Gary Hall with partners James Kelley Jr., Betsey Kelley and Kristina Hall, she was bred in Maine by Anita Anastosopoulos.
Cape Cod Friday (Dave Ingraham) finished second; Mikella Bella (Heath Campbell) was third.
In the $17,008 Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings, it was a repeat performance for driver Heath Campbell and Gus’s Workout as they enjoyed another front-end circuit for that gelding’s second consecutive score.
Winning by a measured length in 2:01.2, he is trained by Valerie Grondin for owner-breeder Lynn-Marie Plouffe. The son of Whataworkout now has $105,688 on his card.
Wilder N Idy (Mark Athearn) finished second; Trottinfortreasure (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.
Looking ahead, the Maine Sire Stakes action resumes for the Bangor home stand with the 2-year-old male pacers on Saturday (Sept. 12) and their female counterparts on Sunday (Sept. 13). Then it’s back to the glamour boys, who make their return to historic Bass Park on Wednesday (Sept. 16).
For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow them on Facebook @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to MaineSireStakes.com.