Scarborough, Maine – June 23, 2018 … The Maine Sire Stakes action got underway at Scarborough Downs on Saturday (6/23) with the three-year-old filly pacing division making its initial harness racing appearance of the 2018 season. Sixteen sophomore hopefuls divided into twin 8-horse fields, contested miles for purses in excess of $11,000 per split.
Like a fine wine, Cab Bearnaise has clearly improved with age, as the daughter of Shady Character – Get A Cab seems to have reached her peak vintage as she embarks on her 3-year-old season. Like an expertly crafted culinary masterpiece, she patiently followed a tried and true recipe for success on Saturday while claiming victory in her first foray into Maine Sire Stakes action in 2018.
Guided in the $11,055 split by regular pilot Mitchell Cushing for the ownership consortium of Linwood Higgins and John Korhonen, the Charlene Cushing trainee, secured a picture perfect picket trip behind the heavily favored She's A Maverick (John Nason). She then followed the punter's darling twice around the oval before pouncing to a 1-1/4 length margin of victory at the wire, claiming a maiden breaking clocking of 2:01.4.
She's A Maverick who finished second, has now finished top-two placed in all of her 11 career appearances. Poocham Magic (N. Graffam) raced tidy at the rail to finish third.
JustCallMeDee extended her seasonal undefeated streak to two-a-row by claiming victory in the $11,056 second division on Saturday with driver Mark Athearn plotting the winning strategy. The duo tussled with Top Em Off (S. Thayer) to the quarter before establishing a dominant front-end position that they would ultimately never surrender despite a full field cavalry charge at the finish.
The daughter of Deuce Seelster – JustCallMeRosie is trained by Gretchen Athearn for owner William Phipps. The win marked the 4th training win on the program for the Athearn Stable.
Tip Em Off fell a mere 1-1/2 lengths short after parlaying a pocket trip into the runner-up placing. Pembroke Passionly (H. Campbell), last season's freshman divisional champion, ground out a determined first over attack to finish third.
Maine Sire Stakes action continues on Sunday (6/24) when the three-year-old colt pacing division takes center stage with post time slated for 1:30 pm (EDT).
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.
by Michael Sweeney, for Scarborough Downs