For the first time this season, the Maine Sire Stakes two-year-old male pacers ventured away from Cumberland Raceway and found themselves under the bright lights of Bangor Raceway’s fair meet on Wednesday, Aug. 5.

In the first $21,096 division, The Gucci Man turned in a typical wire-to-wire circuit in rein to Kevin Switzer Jr., resulting in the undefeated colt’s third consecutive victory.

Setting moderate early fractions of :31.1 and 1:02.3, the son of Dudes The Man-Gucci was able to gain separation on his rivals after a 1:32.1 third panel and win by 4-1/2 lengths in 2:01.1, under the twilight of the early evening program.

Owned, trained and bred by Marc Tardif, the 1-9 heavy favourite returned $2.20 with place and show wagering suspended for the event. Painters Treasure (Andy Harrington) finished second and Duderrific (Heath Campbell) was third.

In the second $21,342 division, it was another wire-to-wire triumph for Top Notch Treasure, who completed the mile in 2:01, the fastest of the evening’s divisions.

Driver Mike Stevenson worked to get the front with the 6-5 second choice and then set strategic fractions of :29.1 and 1:02.1 to the half with Rustysonlytreasure (Aaron Hall) sitting in the pocket, followed by 1-2 favourite Harriman (Nick Graffam), who regained his composure following a rough-gaited spell into the first turn. Harriman was tipped back out first-over heading to the half and ducked back into the loose pocket left open by Rustysonlytreasure.

Heading into the 1:32.1 third panel, Hall pulled the right line on Rustysonlytreasure to engage the leader, only to be relegated back to third around the final turn. Stevenson popped Top Notch Treasure's earplugs at the head of the stretch and the son of State Treasurer-Pembroke Perfect responded with a :28.4 final quarter, keeping a squirrely gaited Harriman at bay by a measured half length. Rustysonlytreasure was third.

Trained by Christopher Dubois for owner Steven Moskowitz Racing of Saratoga Springs, New York, Top Notch Treasure earned his third consecutive triumph in as many starts. He paid $4.40 to win.

In the third and final $21,344 division, Dudeisadelight picked up his maiden victory, scoring in 2:01.4 in wire-to-wire fashion.

Co-owner and driver Ron Cushing sent the son of Dudes The Man-Shesjustadelight N right to the front and never looked back as they sailed through well-rated fractions of :30.4 and 1:01.4. 

Past the half, Justcallmebuddy (Aaron Hall) applied pressure first-over and through the 1:32.1 three-quarters, but was ultimately thwarted as Cushing let his charge roll down the stretch to a 2-1/4-length triumph. 

Following a pair of third-place finishes in his first two starts, the favoured Heidi Cushing trainee returned $2.80 to his backers. Justcallmebuddy finished second but was placed third for a pylon violation at the half. South St Justin (Nick Graffam) inherited the runner-up honours.

Stephen Downey of Quispamsis, N.B. and Anthony and Joseph Romanelli of Flushing, New York also share ownership of the winner.

In other racing action, pacing mare Suge surged down Victory Lane at the Bangor State Fair on Wednesday, earning her first win since joining the Michelle Lefebvre stable and delivering the first win as an owner for Lefebvre’s 17-year-old son, Landon Biggar. Driven by Nick Graffam, Suge won his $6,338 assignment in 1:58.1.

“Suge. I don’t know much about her name but my dad [Chris Lefebvre] bought her with me. It’s my second horse I’ve owned and my first win,” explained an exuberant Biggar. “I’m 17 so I think I’m just starting in the business but I work pretty closely with Suge. I wake up in the morning, jog and train her, and really just put in all the labour. There’s a lot of labour involved in racing a horse.

“I started work for my dad about four years ago and it’s a really big milestone for me today and I gotta say thank you to both mom and dad for the opportunity right now.”

Looking ahead, Maine’s popular fair season rolls into the Topsham Fair with Maine Sire Stakes three-year-old filly pacers in action on Monday, the sophomore male pacers on Tuesday and all the two and three-year-old trotters on Thursday.

(With files from Maine Sire Stakes & Bangor State Fair; photo of Top Notch Treasure winning on Aug. 5)