A lone $22,152 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for two-year-old pacing fillies opened the card on Wednesday, July 3 at Bangor Raceway, with Ron Cushing’s Glorilla dominating her fellow troop members.
Sent off as the 3-5 favourite off a 2:00.3 qualifying mile at Tioga Downs, the slick-gaited filly wasted little time blasting out to the front and setting a :30.4 opening panel while leaving the rest of the field stretched out behind her.
On top by 5-1/2 lengths at the 1:02.1 well-rated half, the daughter of Dudes The Man had Chasing Dudes (Nick Graffam) giving chase with Thinkin Bout Life (Walter Case Jr.) back 11 lengths in third.
Glorilla remained well in command at the 1:32.2 third panel, on top by four lengths. With the backfield tightening up a bit and with no change in the pecking order, Leanne Marie (Mike Cushing) made a move first-over down the backstretch to improve her position.
On cruise control at the wire, Glorilla showed that she is indeed the band leader as she dominated by a comfortable 3-3/4-length margin in 2:02.3. Chasing Dudes finished second and Leanne Marie got up to be third.
Making a successful career debut, Glorilla paid $3.20 to win.
She is owned, trained and driven by Cushing and was bred by Kevin Sywyk.
The Maine Sire Stakes resumes on Friday, July 5 when the two-year-old colt and gelding pacers take center stage at First Tracks Cumberland and will be immediately followed by all the two-year-old trotters on Saturday, July 6.
(With files from Maine Sire Stakes)