Saturday’s (June 17) Cumberland card features two $14,684 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for three-year-old pacing fillies, and leading the way is freshman filly pacing champion Pickmepickme from the powerful Marc Tardif stable.
With eight wins in 10 starts and earnings of $89,265, the daughter of Western Maverick was a dominant force among the frosh sidesteppers last season for owner and breeder Tardif. Never worse than third in her entire career, she amassed an impressive 34-length combined margin of victory in her last seven romps.
Named after a youngster named Lauren who frequented the Tardif stable, at age five she always wanted to be picked up by Marc Tardif. As soon as she saw Tardif she would exclaim, ‘pick me, pick me.’ Suffering from some serious medical issues, and somewhat smaller in size due to the condition, she loved to be picked up and carried around to visit with all the horses in the barn.
As she grew older her summers were highlighted by visits to the Tardif stable where she always had a pony, some rabbits, and any other critters that she could fuss over. Over time, everyone around the close-knit Maine harness racing community would take turns looking after Lauren while the Tardif Taskforce was busy racing. She would visit the judge’s booth, the photo stand, hang out on the apron, anywhere that she could see the horses and be with horse people.
“She is the granddaughter of some of our close friends,” noted Peggy and Marc Tardif. “All she ever wants is to be at the barn with the horses, so we always welcome her any chance we get.”
With her condition improved, the filly with the name that she created, Pickmepickme gives Lauren another reason to smile.
The Maine Sire Stakes events are programmed as races one and nine on the regular program. In the ninth race, the Tardif Taskforce sends out both Pickmepickme (Andy Harrington, 4-5), who scores from pylon position and Katelyns Angel (Kevin Switzer Jr., 9-5) from post four.
The first division in the opener lists the early morning line favourite as La Mambacita at 7-5. Driven by Heath Campbell and trained by Valerie Grondin, the daughter of Western Maverick comes off of a 1:56.3 second place finish at Plainridge on June 6. She was bred by Lynn-Marie Plouffe and is owned by Scott McKenzie.
There are also two entries from the Mike Graffam stable, with the second choice being South St Dottie at 2-1 from post three. Driven by Nick Graffam, the daughter of Western Maverick earned $43,376 last season with a victory at Windsor Fair. They also send out Ally Mac (6-1, PP5) who will get the services of Kevin Switzer Jr. who is just three wins away from 3,000 career victories.
First post is 3:15 p.m. at Cumberland Raceway.
Two divisions of ‘Learn and Earn’ baby races will be held before Friday’s card starting at 1:15 p.m. The races go for $200 each and give the youngsters a chance to get behind the gate before their freshmen Maine Sire Stakes divisions start in earnest in early July.
(Maine Sire Stakes)