The Pine Tree State's next crop of harness horses made their pari-mutuel debut at Bangor Raceway on Sunday, July 5 with two divisions of Maine Sire Stakes for two-year-old pacing fillies.
While stallion Dudes The Man has enjoyed robust success as of late, it appears that he will have some company atop the progeny leaderboard as foals from the first Maine crop of State Treasurer swept both divisions at historic Bass Park.
The son of Real Desire had already produced the winners of more than $7.1 million during his six-year stint in Ontario, including Stockade Seelster p,3,1:48.4s ($1,621,878). With the move to Maine in 2023, this group by State Treasurer p,6,1:47 ($2,072,450) is coming of age and started his stateside swing with real patriotic Independence weekend fireworks.
In the first $21,154 division, it was No Small Wonder who wowed the early crowd and leaped out to a 10-length advantage by the :30.1 opening panel. Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. was able to reel in the fast filly, who is trained and co-owned by the senior Kevin Switzer. Through middle splits in 1:01.4 and 1:32.1, the daughter of State Treasurer appeared to be very comfortable on the front end as she led every step of the way. The first foal out of I Am Wonder Women p,2,1:56.1f ($70,693) coasted home in 2:02.3 and prevailed by 2-3/4 lengths in her debut.
Switzer co-owns with Kathleen Mofield of Bedford, Massachusetts and Anthony Sivik Jr. of Orono, Maine.
There were no mutuels on this early non-wagering event. Siri (Heath Campbell) finished second while Feel The Fury (Aaron Hall) was third after recovering from a miscue -- both of these fillies were also sired by State Treasurer.
In the second $21,404 Maine Sire Stakes for two-year-old pacing fillies, Bettors Treasure gave her Goshen (Orange County, New York) connections a victory on Hall of Fame Day. When the wings folded, the daughter of State Treasurer blasted out for an early lead from post five for driver McGwire Sowers and after a :32.4 opening panel had five lengths on the field by the 1:04.3 midway marker. Past the 1:34.4 third panel, the loose pocket-sitting Showfaith Showdown (Nick Graffam) had gotten closer to the pacesetter and was within 1-1/2 lengths at the head of the stretch. But down the lane, Bettors Treasure found another gear and used a :29.3 last quarter to score by 2-1/2 lengths in 2:04.2.
Trained and co-owned by David Dziengiel with John and Thelma Kiernan of Gardiner, New York and Anthony Lake of Millington, New Jersey, the filly is stabled at Goshen Historic Track. Bettors Treasure had previously qualified at Monticello Raceway with her conditioner in the bike on two occasions, showing consistent miles around 2:02. She is the second foal of racing age out of the Bettors Delight mare Bettor Buns p,3,1:55.2h ($71,001).
Showfaith Showdown finished second and Mad Moxxi (John Nason) was third in the second non-wagering race.
After his stakes victory, Switzer Jr. drove four more winners on the 13-race betting card at Bangor on Sunday afternoon to bring his daily total to five.
Looking ahead, Bangor hosts the Maine Sire Stakes three-year-old colt pacers on Wednesday, July 8, with the two-year-old colt pacers making their pari-mutuel debut on Friday, July 10 at First Tracks Cumberland.
(With files from Maine Sire Stakes; photo of No Small Wonder winning on July 5)