Cumberland, ME — Sophomore trotter Wild Oats picked up his second Maine Standardbred Breeders Stake at Cumberland and third of the season on Wednesday (Aug. 4), winning in a lifetime best 1:59.1 over the historic half-mile oval.

The 12-race card also generated a new handle threshold which exceeded $100,000 for the first time in the First Tracks Cumberland Spring/Summer meet.

Wild Oats (Ivan Davies) won his second Maine Sire Stakes at Cumberland. Stephanie Gray photo.

When the gate wings folded for the third race $13,422 event, Pembroke Regal (post two, Heath Campbell) was the first to leave and took command of the field through an opening panel of :28.3. Following a modest half in :59.1, the outer flow started to develop with Billy B (post six, Wally Watson) who had gotten away second and pulled the pocket going to the half.

While failing to take the lead past the five-eighths, Billy B and Watson continued a dire pursuit of the leader down the backstretch. Sensing an opportunity, conditioner Ivan Davies drove Wild Oats, the 3-year-old gelded son of Boy Band, perfectly from his third position, blasting past the leaders and cruising home in :29.4. Pembroke Regal, still the leader in the MSBS divisional point standings, held on for second. Katahdin Ben (Gary Hall) got up for third.

The 4-5 favorite Wild Oats paid $3.60 to win, and is owned and was bred by Michael Andrew.

The current point leader in the 3-year-old trotting filly division is Emmajean Jellybean, who returned to her past form and posted a wire-to-wire victory for driver Steve Wilson and trainer Sherry Cushing. Having drawn the pylon position, the Mister Anson filly never relinquished control of the tempo and held off the late charge of Pembroke Secret (post five, Heath Campbell) to stop the timer in 2:04 for the tight finish.

The remaining members of the field were nine or more lengths behind the action with Hunters Gal (Dave Ingraham) finishing third.

Emmajean Jellybean paid $6.40 to win for owners Nelson DiPompo Jr. and Michael Graham (also the breeders), along with co-owners Pamela Smith and Jane DiPompo.

The Spring/Summer meet at Cumberland continues and concludes Thursday (Aug. 5) with an 11 a.m. post, featuring 11 races with two divisions of MSBS 2-year-old male pacers. Racing resumes at First Tracks Cumberland for our winter meeting, beginning Nov. 3 and racing through Dec. 31.

For more information go to our website at firsttrackscumberland.com or follow us on Facebook at @FirstTracksCumberland.