Two $22,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for three-year-old pacing fillies splashed through the off going on Sunday, June 23 at Bangor Raceway, both resulting in double-digit win tickets.
In the first $22,495 division for sophomore distaffs, the field had to contend with slippery conditions as well as each other. Behind the gate, the 1-9 favourite Gowestyounggrace (Dave Ingraham) briefly lost her footing and was forced to settle into fifth position as the field entered the first turn. Heath Campbell sent Whos Perfect right out for the lead in a :30.4 opening panel, which was swift given the lack of traction. My Sweet Revenge (Kevin Switzer Jr.) settled right in to draft along in second, with Summertime (Steve Wilson) gapping out in third.
Heading into the 1:02.3 decreased tempo half-mile marker, Ingraham pulled Gowestyounggrace to the outside and advanced from fourth to third. At the 1:32.3 swifter third panel, it was clear that the favourite had her work cut out for her as the leader, Whos Perfect, had put four lengths between them.
However, the loose pocket-sitting My Sweet Revenge was gearing up for her challenge, poised to pounce. As the field turned for home, Switzer found another gear and the race was on. Whos Perfect battled gamely down the stretch, but the :29.3 final quarter fashioned by My Sweet Revenge was too much to overcome, as she prevailed by three-quarters of length at the wire in 2:02.4. Gowestyounggrace rallied to be third.
Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, the daughter of Western Maverick picked up her third career victory from 14 starts and a new record, paying a handsome $24.60 to win. My Sweet Revenge (pictured above) was bred by Laurie Harding and Reginald Duguay.
The second $22,188 division was delayed slightly for track maintenance, but nonetheless provided for an exciting stretch drive and another close finish. When the starting car scurried out of the way, driver Drew Campbell scooted to the lead with Mrs Foxy Roxy and found himself on top by five until his brother Heath Campbell blasted past a challenger to grab the two-hole with Pembroke Red. They hit the opening quarter in :31.1 with the rest of the five-horse field stretched out.
With the pack tightening up dramatically past the 1:01.2 half, the first to pull to the outside was 3-5 favourite Ghost Of You (Switzer), with stablemate Push Your Luck (Walter Case Jr.) considering following the cover.
At the 1:32.4 third panel, Heath Campbell’s charge was breathing down his brother Drew Campbell’s neck. With a slingshot move off the turn, Pembroke Red was gaining momentum on the pacesetting Mrs Foxy Roxy, as Ghost Of You was three-wide and brushing down the center of the track.
With Drew Campbell and Mrs Fox Roxy on the inside and Heath Campbell and Pembroke Red in the middle, it was ‘mano a mano,’ brother against brother in a dog fight sprint down the stretch. Add in Swizter and Ghost Of You and the event developed into a thrilling three-horse race, right down to the finish.
The wire arrived just in time for Mrs Foxy Roxy, who won the family feud over Pembroke Red by a scant neck in 2:04.3. Ghost Of You finished third by a tight length.
Trained by James Dunn for owners William McElvain Jr., Diane Dunn and Bradford Veilleux, the daughter of Deuce Seelster grabbed her fifth career victory from 14 starts and a new seasonal mark while paying $16.60 to win. Mrs Foxy Roxy was bred by Kristina and Gary Hall.
Maine Sire Stakes resume on Friday, June 28 at First Tracks Cumberland with the return of the three-year-old trotters. The following day, the sophomore male pacers will take center stage at Cumberland. Post time for both days is 3:15 p.m. The aforementioned group of three-year-old pacing fillies will come back to Bangor on Sunday, June 30 with the first post at 3 p.m.
(With files from Maine Sire Stakes)