A handful of early risers made their maiden voyages to Bangor Raceway on Sunday, July 6 for the opening week of the Maine Sire Stakes for two-year-old trotters.

Held before the regular card, the lone $15,045 division for Maine-bred two-year-old trotting fillies was captured by Pembroke Lady in wire-to-wire fashion.

Driven by Heath Campbell, the daughter of Pembroke Slugger got every call as she rounded the circuit through early fractions of :32.1 and 1:05.  Through that first half John Nason was following closely with I Think I Can. Nobella, in rein to Wally Watson, tracked along in third.

As the field passed the third station in 1:37.1, the Valerie Grondin-trained Pembroke Lady (pictured above) was well in command, and then found herself all alone as I Think I Can changed her mind went off stride.  Trotting down the stretch Nobella inherited second as the pacesetter tripped the timer in 2:08 to take a maiden-breaking new record by 8-1/4 lengths.

Owned by Brenda Varney and bred by the late Bill Varney, Pembroke Lady is now perfect in her one-start career.

The $10,866 colt division was a walkover for Wilder N Ivy, a two-year-old son of To The Hilt.

Driven by Mark Athearn for trainer Gretchen Athearn and owner Patrick Leavitt, the colt set fractions of :32.2, 1:06.2, and 1:38.1 before cruising home to take a new record of 2:09.2, last quarter in :31.1.

To The Hilt was bred by the late Mike Andrew.

Bangor's Sunday Card Bookended By 14-Year-Olds

A pair of accomplished 14-year-old pacers apparently snuck sips from the Fountain of Youth on Sunday, luxuriating in the temperate summer climes of Bangor Raceway, while flashing the form, desire, and athleticism that have been their hallmarks throughout their memorable careers.

Archetto Hanover ($7.80) took full advantage of a strategic drop in class as driver Drew Campbell picked up the lines from trainer Marianna Monaco for their race one appointment.

Forced to grab leather as Bet On Joe (Kevin Switzer, Jr.) vaulted to the lead, Campbell steadied his charge fourth along the pegs as Switzer was allowed to glide to the half in an unchallenged 1:00.1.

Sensing the extreme dearth of pace, Campbell steered Archetto Hanover into a bold first-over assault as the lead combatants matched strides through an accelerated :57 back-half. Racing in lockstep through the stretch and with mere millimeters between them at the wire, the judges deemed Archetto Hanover the victor by the official margin of a nose as the 14-year-old son of Bettors Delight secured nis 42nd win from 399 career appearances.

Owned and trained by Marianna Monaco, Archetto Hanover elevated his career bankroll to $579,468 with Sunday’s score; an effort timed in a seasonal best 1:57.2.

Yet another veteran campaigner stepped to the forefront in the Sunday finale as the 14-year-old Pillage And Burn ($4.40) scorched the oval in a well-rated 1:59.1 romp, cruising to the wire in-hand to driver Shawn Thayer, while securing the 45th win of his career.

Owned and trained by Douglas Beckwith, the son of Cams Card Shark now boasts $198,249 in lifetime earnings.

Looking ahead, the program at Bangor on Wednesday, July 9 features two $12,162 USD Maine Sire Stakes divisions for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings, carded as races three and five, with first post time for the card at 3 p.m.

(with files from Maine Sires Stakes and Bangor)