Two $15,900-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for two-year-old filly pacers opened the program at Cumberland Raceway on Saturday, July 19 for week two of the freshmen Pine Tree State-bred action.
In the $15,922 opener wagering favourite Snowonthepines (Kevin Switzer Jr., pictured above) stormed to the lead from post five, after being parked to the opening panel by Heymickeyyousofine (John Nason) in :31.
The field progressed in single file fashion until the softer 1:03.4 half mile marker where Shes A Firefly (Nick Graffam) brushed first over to improve position from sixth. The aggressor drew even with the pacesetter past the 1:34.3 third station, however, Shes A Firefly could not maintain her pace around the final turn, allowing Snowonthepines to pace away from the field and roll down the stretch.
Tripping the timer in 2:05 like breaking sticks, the daughter of Dudes The Man is trained by Marc Tardif and owned by her breeder Leighton Property. She paid $2.40 to win her second consecutive lifetime stakes victory by 2-1/2 lengths.
Heymickeyyousofine got up for second, Shes A Firefly hung on for third.
In the second $16,162 division Perfectly Lovely made every call a winning one, stepping out to the front and never looking back. Driven by Aaron Hall, the 3/5 favourite led the field through opening fractions of :30.2 and 1:03, relatively unfettered.
However, while approaching the 1:34.4 third panel, second choice McKenna Jeanne (Heath Campbell) blasted up to challenge for the lead. That effort was short-lived as the final turn caused an unsteady gait which allowed the pacesetter to power down the stretch and score by 1-1/2 lengths in 2:04.1, a new lifetime best.
Trained by Jimmy Nickerson for owner Joseph Trice, the daughter of Western Maverick was bred in Maine by Lynn-Marie Plouffe. She paid $3.20 to win.
Ekorus (Graffam) finished second; McKenna Jeanne was third.
In the $8,219 winners over class, Drew Campbell scored from post seven with Instant Replay (1:55.2, $4.20) in one of the fastest miles of the season. The five-year-old son of Lazarus N, trained by Kimberly Vafiades for owner Jason Vafiades, notched his first win of the year.
Ryan Berry took the $5,479 Maine Amateur Driving Club event with his own June Parker (1:58.1) and paid a whopping $36.20.
Kevin Switzer Jr. and Drew Campbell each enjoyed three wins on the program. McGwire Sowers leads all drivers with 47 victories during the Spring/Summer meet. With five cards remaining, Switzer is second with 37, Drew Campbell is third with 33. Autumn Sowers (34) and Benson Merrill (29) lead the trainer’s standings.
Racing resumes on Friday, July 25 with two $11,000-plus USD divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for two-year-old pacing colts and gelding, followed by full cards on Saturday, July 26 and a special added program on Sunday, July 27 with a 12 p.m. post time.
(with files from First Tracks Cumberland)