Scarborough, Maine – July 6, 2017 … The sophomore trotting divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes program made their premier stop at Scarborough Downs on Thursday (7/6) with a grand total of 16 colts and fillies gathered to vie for their share of purses totaling $30,328, in what remains a rather lucrative, yet apparently under appreciated harness racing opportunity, along the national sire stakes circuit. The common theme in pocketing the lion's share of those rich stakes purses though, was the pocket journey, a strategy that executed flawlessly in all three stakes splits.
Let's Get It All remained perfect in sire stakes action this season as he backed up last week's Bangor Raceway score with an identically timed 2:01.3 effort at the Downs, in the first of two colt divisions. Driving for trainer Heidi Gibbs, Ron Cushing sat a patient pocket trip behind King Cast (M. Athearn) before pulling at the head of the stretch, then measuring the 3/4-length margin of victory at the wire.
The Noble Venture-Bimmelibim gelding is owned by the consortium of Lucia Les, Kenneth Clairmont and Ron Cushing and claimed the lion's share of the $10,003 purse offering.
King Cast held for runner-up honors while Prydwen (I. Davies) finished third.
The benefits of the pocket journey continued to hold sway in the second $10,003 colt division as Fox Cast and driver Wallace Watson stalked Pembroke Morgan (H. Campbell) twice around the oval before just nosing out the rabbit at the wire.
Trained by Maine State Hall of Fame member Donald Richards for Thomas Dillon and Walter Hight, stalwart owners along the Pine Tree Circuit, the son of Current Cast-Celebrity Image strode to a new lifetime Mark of 2:02.4.
Pembroke Morgan settled for second while Bruizn (K. Ireland) was third.
Fuzzy Sweater unraveled the best laid plans of the competition in the $10,322 filly division, as the Eddie Davis, Jr piloted state-bred parlayed a perfect pocket strategy en route to establishing a maiden speed standard of 2:05. The daughter of Noble Venture-Fuzzy Slippers tracked the front-running Noble One (I. Davies) throughout the mile before getting the nod at the wire by the slender margin of a head.
Fuzzy Sweater is trained by Brian Lamb for owner Di Stefano & Son Stable.
Noble One claimed bridesmaid honors while Quote This (M. Cushing) finished third.
Maine Sire stakes action returns to the Downs on Saturday (6/8) as the three-year-old colt pacers take their turn in the limelight.
Scarborough Downs is pleased to present twilight harness racing cards on a Thursday and Saturday schedule at 4:30 PM (EDT) with the Sunday matinee heading to post at 1:30 PM.
For more information, visit www.ScarboroughDowns.com or visit our Facebook page.
By Michael Sweeney for Scarborough Downs