While some punters discount horses starting from the far outside, even the dreaded eight-hole could not stop the undefeated Snowonthepines from conquering her fellow three-year-old Maine-bred pacing fillies on Sunday, July 12 at Bangor Raceway.

With regular driver Kevin Switzer Jr. back in the bike for the $22,490 lone division of the Maine Sire Stakes for sophomore side-stepping distaffs, the perfect daughter of Dudes The Man-Snow Cone A was sent off as the 1-9 heavy favourite from her outermost post position.

Switzer Jr. left swiftly from the rim and was met with some strategic resistance in the form of the diminutive Just Delightful (Ron Cushing), who stretched Snowonthepines into a :28.1 opening panel before the public choice cleared. With those two fillies nearly 10 lengths ahead of the rest of the pack, they reduced the tempo and hit the half in :58.2 with Dudelookslikeafily (Aaron Hall) sitting third and Andy Harrington tipping Race Me Ireland from fifth to start the outer flow.

The field tightened up dramatically while heading into a 1:28 third station with Snowonthepines on point and trying to duck her persistent pursuer Just Delightful. Around the turn and down the stretch, Cushing pulled Just Delightful from the pocket to engage the leader. However, with Switzer Jr. merely shaking the lines at the pacesetter, the fast filly proceeded to draw off and win easily by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:56.2, a new lifetime best. Dudelookslikeafily finished third.

After having won all nine of her races at two, Snowonthepines now has four wins this year for trainer Marc Tardif and owner/breeder Leighton Property of Waterboro, Maine. 

 She returned $2.20 to win, with no show wagering on this race at historic Bass Park.

Looking ahead, Bangor hosts all the three-year-old trotters on Wednesday, July 15, with all the two-year-old trotters making their pari-mutuel debut on Friday, July 17 at First Tracks Cumberland. Over the weekend, Cumberland presents the two-year-old pacing fillies on Saturday, July 18, with Bangor hosting the three-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Sunday, July 19.

(Maine Sire Stakes)