Heavy favourite Gowestyounggrace used a first-over trip to overpower her rivals while equalling the track record at First Tracks Cumberland for three-year-old pacing fillies on Friday, July 12.
In the first of two $22,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes on Friday, driver Dave Ingraham was content to let the early speed advance to the front and let his star pacer come from off the pace. The first to leave was Mrs Foxy Roxy (28-1, Nick Graffam), who protected pylon position through the first turn, with My Sweet Revenge (4-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) ranging up on the outside to take command by the :29 opening panel.
Moving into the :59.1 half, Ingraham tipped Gowestyounggrace to the outside to challenge the pacesetting My Sweet Revenge. The pace quickened as they battled down the backstretch. The aggressor poked a nose in front of the defender, with the pair pacing a :28.1 third quarter in 1:27.2 and gaining separation from the rest of the field.
As they turned for home, Gowestyounggrace showed her grit and determination as she rolled smoothly down to the wire in 1:57.2 to win by 1-1/4 lengths, equalling the track record and taking a new lifetime mark. Owned, trained and bred by Fred Ward Jr. and Sharon Ward, the daughter of Western Maverick-Gracie Gracie picked up her second win in a row, paying just $2.20 as the 1-9 favourite.
My Sweet Revenge hung on for second and Pembroke Red (Heath Campbell) was third.
In the second $22,495 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for side-stepping sophomore distaffs, another heavy favourite prevailed in wire-to-wire fashion.
Heath Campbell never left the pylons with Whos Perfect as the daughter of Western Maverick set comfortable fractions of :28.3, :59.3 and 1:29.1 through the first three stanzas. By the head of the stretch, the Valerie Grondin-trained filly had scampered away from the field and was on top by three. Under the wire, the margin increased to seven lengths as Campbell was on cruise control to score in 1:58.3. She paid $2.20 to win.
Bred by Lynn-Marie Plouffe, who now co-owns with Dick and Patty McKeen, Whos Perfect earned her second win in a row.
Animore Sass (Andy Harrington) finished second and Zoes Precious (Steve Wilson) RN was third.
The $8,219 featured overnight race, a conditioned trot, was captured by Little Macabee in 2:00 for trainer Chad Tompkins and owner Maryann Tompkins. The 10-year-old son of Chapter Seven had been knocking on the door for the last month having finished second in his last three starts. He paid $7.40 to win.
Twelve different drivers won races on the Friday card and trainer Bob Marston enjoyed a double.
Looking ahead to Saturday, Cumberland welcomes the two-year-old pacing fillies for their second round of Maine Sires Stakes action. The field is led by Glorilla (4-5, Ron Cushing), who turned some heads with her swift and decisive opening round triumph in 2:02.3 last week at Bangor.
Also on Saturday’s 11-race program of full fields including the featured overnight $8,219 top pace, Lifes A Puzzle (9-5, Richard Humphrey) is looking for a softer landing spot after slugging it out with faster foes at Plainridge. Instant Replay (7-2, Walter Case Jr.) is back and scores from the inner most post following a fortnight respite.
In addition, the $6,849 division of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) goes as race five on Saturday. The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham.
(First Tracks Cumberland)