Luke Varnum guided his own Pembroke Ranger to a mild upset victory, winning the $4,400 Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) and defeating the horse’s former owner on Saturday, July 8 at Cumberland.
Known as the ‘Greatest Side Show’ in harness racing, this week’s event did not disappoint. Scott Farley, driving his own Dylans Future (7-1 odds), dashed out for an early lead with an eye-popping :27.3 opening panel.
As the field settled in for the ride and Farley tapped the brakes, Todd Whitney and Quick Fun N (2-5) sat comfortably in the garden spot, with Hurricane Bunny (35-1) and Brian Kelley II rushing up to get in third position, leaving Varnum in fourth.
Just past the three-eighths marker, David Crochere pulled Go All Night Joe (24-1) first-over from back in seventh. Sensing the urgency of the situation, Kelley II pulled Hurrikane Bunny from the three-hole and gave Crochere some tentative cover. They hit the half in a pedestrian :59.3, with the second quarter in a gentle 32 seconds.
As the field rounded the third turn, Hurrikane Bunny had called it an afternoon and was backing up through the field, forcing horses three-wide to avoid the slowdown. Varnum started to close the gap into the 1:29 third panel, while favoured Quick Fun N and Whitney pulled the pocket on Dylans Future and Farley, as their lead and momentum began to diminish.
Around the final turn, Pembroke Ranger and Varnum had set their sights on the wire and began to bear down on the new leaders, Quick Fun N and Whitney. Wheel to wheel, nose to nose, the pair battled down the length of the Cumberland homestretch.
Interestingly, Pembroke Ranger was purchased by the 69-year-old trainer/driver Varnum and his wife Patricia in 2021, from none other than Whitney.
Half-way down the lane, Varnum could be heard hollering, “Hey Todd, here comes your boy!”
They hit the wire in 1:59.3, which was the fastest winning time in two years for the six-year-old son of Western Maverick who won by a head and paid $15.80. Go All Night Joe finished third.
When asked after the race if Varnum had to get after his charge to get the job done, he replied, “I gave him a couple of taps. We won’t be paying any fines.”
The Maine Amateur Driving Club is always graciously sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of Windham and North Yarmouth, Maine.
The featured $6,000 conditioned pace was captured by former track record holder Rocksapatriot in 1:56.1. Driven by Dave Ingraham for trainer and partner Kelly Case and owner/breeder Stephen Farrell, the eight-year-old son of Rockincam picked up the 26th win of his career. He paid $5.20 to win. El Jacko N (Kevin Switzer Jr.) finished second and slight favourite Nineteenth Man A (Ron Cushing) was third.
Driver Mark Athearn and trainer Gretchen Athearn swept the two early non-wagering Maine Sire Stakes events for two-year-old trotters.
My Saving Grace, a frosh filly by Shake It Off Lindy, scored in the first $14,017 distaff trot, defeating Bernies Legacy (Ivan Davies) in 2:08.4 by three parts of a length. It was the second ‘official’ time behind the starting gate for the winner, owned by Margaret Thyng and bred by Leighton Property.
The $13,796 Maine-bred two-year-old colt trot was a walkover in 2:11.3 by a son of Boy Band named Carrabassett. It was the gelding’s third circuit in a professional setting. He is owned by Patrick Leavitt and was bred by the late Mike Andrew.
Racing resumes on Saturday, July 15 at Cumberland. First post is slated for 3:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through Aug. 5.
(With files from First Tracks Cumberland)