When the famous Fryeburg Fair welcomed Maine’s three-year-old pacing fillies on Wednesday, Oct. 2, the fans were treated to another dynamic performance by divisional standout Gowestyounggrace, who soared to her 10th consecutive victory.
Expertly handled this season by veteran reinsman Dave Ingraham, the daughter of Western Maverick-Gracie Gracie left from post three and made every call a winning one. Posting moderate fractions of :30, 1:01 and 1:31, the top filly coasted home in 1:59.2, winning by 2-3/4 lengths.
Owner, trainer and breeder Fred Ward Jr., along with his wife Sharon, have managed Gowestyounggrace with care. With their eyes focused ahead, toward the lucrative sophomore finals at Bangor on Oct. 12, getting to this point has also been prosperous. The homebred filly has earned nearyl $200,000 with 16 lifetime wins from 23 starts.
While she will assuredly be the heavy betting favourite in her divisional final, this $26,616 Maine Sire Stakes was a non-wagering event.
Pembroke Red (Heath Campbell) finished second and My Sweet Revenge (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.
In the second equally-prized division, Emma Rozze also took a wire-to-wire tour of the iconic Fryebug oval, known by many as the ‘Delaware, Ohio of Maine’ for its big crowds and passionate fan base.
The daughter of Artistic Fella-Pembroke Violet led every step of the way for Heath Campbell in the bike. Emma Rozze won in 1:58.4 by 6-1/2 lengths for trainer Valerie Grondin, who bred and co-owns with William Underhill. The filly earned her first win in seven starts.
Ghost Of You (Switzer) finished second and Animore Sass (Harrington) was third.
The Maine Sire Stakes resumes at the Fryeburg Fair with three-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Friday, Oct. 4, and the sophomore trotters on Saturday, Oct. 5. Looking ahead, four divisions of the three-year-old Maine Sire Stakes finals will be held at the Bangor Raceway on Saturday, Oct. 12.
(With files from Maine Sire Stakes)