Scarborough, Maine – July 23, 2017 …The deployment of similar strategies often create similar results, but seldom do we witness those strategies result in the tables being turned on the same two harness racing drivers, in such quick succession, as we did at Scarborough Downs on Sunday (7/23). Heath Campbell and Mark Athearn though, found themselves both the beneficiary but then quickly the victim, during a rousing game of 'anything you can do, I can do better' as the two-year-old divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes program revisited the seaside oval.
Pembroke Dancer sped to a brand new lifetime mark of 2:06.2 in the first of two filly divisions, extending her win streak out to two in a row. Driver Heath Campbell took full advantage of the inside post position to secure the early lead, lulling the field to sleep by reaching the half in 1:04.1.
The daughter of CR Power Glide-Spring Laughter girded for battle entering the third turn as Wild Bandita (M. Athearn) recognizing the lack of tempo, pulled the pocket well before the 5/8th pole. Twice they challenged the pacesetters and twice they rolled off stride, as Pembroke Dancer held firm to her advantage out on the point.
Pembroke Dancer, trained by Valerie Grondin for owner William Varney, earned the largest share of the $9977 purse.
Lilly Longwood (D. Ingraham) finished second for the 3rd time in 6 career starts while American Flambé (M. Cushing) secured the show.
Mark Athearn turned the tables on Heath Campbell in the $10,272 colt division as the luck of the draw enabled him to take full advantage of the rail to steer He'salilbitnoble to the early lead. Campbell, driving Pembroke Boss Man, was forced to engage the pacesetter with a first over strategy and just as Athearn rolled off stride in the filly division, Campbell's charge made a series of missteps as the tempo picked up, with He'salilbitnoble ultimately coasting to a brand new mark of 2:03.1.
The son of Noble Venture-Litany Hanover is trained by Gretchen Athearn for owner William Phipps.
Myreh's God Son (R. Cushing) rallied for the runner-up placing while Cinamatic Venture (G. Mosher) finished third.
June Carter Cast responded quite favorably to her new driver assignment on Sunday as Wallace Watson's appearance in the seat helped the daughter of Current Cast-Celebrity Image regain her steady stride after back-to-back starts which featured breaks of stride.
The Don Richards trainee easily gained the early lead over the compact grouping after a race day scratch reduced the field to four starters, and the filly was never seriously threatened from that point forth, coasting to the win timed in 2:10.3 while claiming the lion's share of the $9801 purse offering.
June Carter Cast is owned by Thomas Dylan and Walter Hight.
Katahdin Rose (S. Mac Kenzie) hit the board for the first time in her career by finishing second. Dualpatwitchywoman (M. Athearn) recovered from an early misstep to grab the show dough.
Maine Sire Stakes action returns to Scarborough Downs on Thursday (7/27) afternoon as the three-year-old colt pacing division takes center stage.
Scarborough Downs is pleased to present twilight harness racing cards on a Thursday through 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