The Pine Tree State’s hopefuls were back in full force on Friday, July 24 at Cumberland Raceway for three $21,589 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings.
The first $21,589 division was another gate-to-wire romp by The Gucci Man and Kevin Switzer Jr.
Establishing calculated early fractions of :30.1 and 1:01, the son of Dudes The Man-Gucci played catch me if you can with the rest of the field. When The Gucci Man hit the 1:30.4 third panel, he was on top by four and looking for more. All alone, the duo rolled on to a 9-1/2 length victory in 1:59.4, the fastest division of the afternoon. Justcallmebuddy (Aaron Hall) finished second; Duderrific (Dave Ingraham) rebounded for third.
Owned, trained and bred by Marc Tardif, the 1-9 heavy favourite returned $2.20 while posting a :29 final quarter in his second straight score.
In the second $21,589 division of the Maine Sire Stakes it was the first lifetime victory for Harriman, who established a new 2:01.2 time badge in the process.
Driver Nick Graffam came from off the pace to catch the pacesetting Rustysonlytreasure (Aaron Hall) in mid-stretch to score by 1-1/4 lengths. Destiny Is All (McGwire Sowers) was third.
Bred, trained and co-owned by Mike Graffam with partner Aaron Merriman (yes, THAT Aaron Merriman), the son of State Treasurer-Save My Tootsie returned $2.40.
In the third and final $15,328 division of the Maine Sire Stakes it was a second-straight wire-to-wire win for Top Notch Treasure who hung on to win by three parts of a length for driver Mike Stevenson in 2:00, a new lifetime best. Painters Treasure was second, just less than a length back for driver Andy Harrington, with Dudeisadelight (Ron Cushing) in for third.
Trained by Christopher Dubois for owner Steven Moskowitz Racing, Top Notch Treasure (State Treasurer-Pembroke Perfect) is a half-brother to This Dudes Perfect p,4,1:56.3h ($122,038). He was bred in Maine by Lynn-Marie Plouffe and returned $2.40.
Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. led all drivers with five wins on the 13-race program.
Racing resumes on Saturday, July 25 with a pair of $15,000-plus USD non-wagering events for three-year-old filly pacers in the Maine Sire Stakes, featuring the undefeated Snowonthepines, starting at 11:45 a.m. The action continues with another 13-race pari-mutuel card.
Saturday's bettors will also be able watch and wager on the entire card from The Meadows, featuring the 60th renewal of the Delvin Miller Adios Stakes. First post on that card from Washington, Pa. will be 11:30 a.m.
(with files from First Tracks Cumberland; photo of The Gucci Man in a previous win)