Despite an early miscue Outlawofthevalley overcame his inaugural round jitters to grab the lone $14,491 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for three-year-old male trotters on Friday (June 23) at Cumberland Raceway.
Sent in as 7-5 favourite in the opener, driver Kevin Switzer Jr. had to help steady the gait of the sophomore gelding by Pembroke Slugger as the pair were three lengths off the gate when the starter called ‘go.’ Once the field hit the first turn, Switzer Jr. hit the accelerator and moved past the other three participants in a quick brush of speed to reach the quarter-mile marker first in :30.3.
As the field approached the half, Outlawofthevalley was showing the way with Stealin Money (Nick Graffam) right there second. A gap of nearly six lengths separated the leaders from Eustis (Mike Stevenson) and Pembroke Traveler (Heath Campbell), who were third and fourth respectively at the 1:02 half.
The pace quickened going toward the 1:32.1 third stanza, with Pembroke Traveler finally tipping to the outside as time was running out to make a closing bid. With both of the aft-placed trotters gaining ground, the wire found Outlawofthevalley still on top, with Stealin Money second and Pembroke Traveler getting up for third.
It was a new lifetime mark of 2:03.1 for Outlawofthevalley, who picked up his fourth career victory for owner-breeder Leighton Property and trainer Marc Tardif. He paid $4.80 to win.
Friday’s early non-wagering race featured the first purse start for three Maine-bred sophomore filly trotters, competing for a purse of $14,277. Winning from pylon position in a wire-to-wire tour was Shesalilbitmouthy in 2:08. The daughter of Victor Blue Chip was driven by Aaron Hall for trainer Mike Cushing, and is owned by Bill ‘Yarmouth Lumber’ Phipps. Second by three parts of a length was Another Adventure (Kevin Switzer Jr.).
The Graffam Stable swept all of the ‘Learn and Earn’ baby races on the early card, giving driver Nick Graffam and trainer/father Mike Graffam three victories with three different freshmen pacers: Crimson Pine, a colt by So Surreal in 2:05.3; Mrs Foxy Roxy, a filly by Deuce Seelster in 2:07.1; and The Marvinator, a colt by Mysharona Bluechip in 2:08.4. Each race carried a nominal $200 purse.
With a total of 15 ‘purse’ races being held on Friday, the winningest driver of the afternoon was Nick Graffam who captured three early races plus one overnight. He was followed by Kevin Switzer Jr. who had a hat trick, and then with Aaron Hall, Bruce Ranger, Mike Stevenson who each grabbed a pair.
Saturday’s (June 24) program carries 11 races, and features the triumphant return of the Maine Amateur Driving Club in the opener. As always, this series is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of Windham and North Yarmouth, Maine. In addition, the $5,500 top trot in Race 10 carries the match up of Plainridge invader Vesuvio Bi (Walter Case Jr.) against home-town stalwart Broadway Giant (Bruce Ranger).
There is a $929.48 carryover in the Pentafecta, with betting options including a 50 cent trifecta in every race, as well as the regular assortment of attractive exotic wagers with low 16% takeouts sprinkled throughout the card.
Live harness racing continues at Cumberland throughout the Spring and early Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend. First post is slated for 3:15 p.m. (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 5.
(Cumberland)