Massive Speed handily took his third Maine Sire Stakes for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Wednesday, July 9 at Bangor Raceway, securing a new 1:57.4 lifetime mark in the process.

In his $16,435 division, Massive Speed, last season’s Maine two-year-old pacing champion and winner of all 10 of his starts in the state, added another notch to his win total for trainer Marc Tardif.

Saddled with post seven, driver Bruce Ranger was forced to let the swift son of Dudes The Man out of Machmeter pace pass the early leavers and grind his way to the lead in a snappy :28.2 opening panel. As the 1-9 favourite led the single-file field through a softer panel to the half in :58, the first movement came from one of his stablemates, Cheatin Fate (Kevin Switzer Jr.), who mounted his challenge from fifth into the outer flow. Despite no credible threats to his authority, Massive Speed hit the third station in 1:27.2 and began to extend his separation on the rest of the pack, with Keenan Star (Heath Campbell) giving chase in the pocket. Down the lane, the star pacer was hand-driven by Ranger to a 2-3/4-length victory in 1:57.4. Keenan Star finished second and Cheatin Fate was third.

Bred by Laurie Harding and owned by Leighton Property of Waterboro, Maine, Massive Speed is now 13-for-16 lifetime with earnings topping the $200,000 mark. He paid $2.20 to win.

In the other $16,435 division for Maine’s three-year-old male pacers, Drew Campbell sent Race Me Celtic down the road for a lifetime best score in 1:58. Leaving from post five, the elder Campbell pushed the son of Western Maverick-Race Me Android to the top and never looked back, winning by 1-1/4 lengths. Race favourite Ridgecrest Dan (John Nason) finished second and Dawn Two Dark (Switzer Jr.) was third.

Owned, trained and bred by William Childs, Race Me Celtic earned his first win of the season in three Sire Stakes starts and is now two-for-10 lifetime with just over $55,000 in earnings. He paid $12 for the victory.

Looking ahead, Cumberland Raceway will hosts the Maine Sire Stakes seasonal bow for two-year-old pacing fillies on Friday, July 11. The following day brings back the sophomore pacing distaffs to Cumberland.

(With files from Maine Sire Stakes)