Another round of the Maine Sire Stakes for three-year-old pacing fillies dashed around the swift Skowhegan oval on Tuesday, Aug. 12 under the moon-lit twilight with Glorilla and Leanne Marie taking top honours in their respective divisions.
In the first $23,873 early, non-wagering split for sophomore fillies, the speedy Chasing Dudes (Andrew Harrington) was sent out to an early pylon-protecting lead into a :29.3 opening panel. Without much fanfare, Wishin For Kisses (Chris Long) sat a tight pocket trip with Thinkin Bout Life (Kevin Switzer Jr.) rolling along in third past an uneventful 1:01.1 half-way marker.
Heading into the 1:31 third station, Aaron Hall tipped Glorilla from sixth and started their ascent to challenge the leaders from a six-length deficit at the back of the six-pack. By the head of the stretch, Glorilla had assumed third place and cut her trailing gap to a length and a half. Sprinting home and prevailing by three parts of a length, the daughter of Dudes The Man-Unknown Artist scored in 2:01.4, a new lifetime best. Chasing Dudes finished second and Thinkin Bout Life was third.
Glorilla is also trained by Hall for owner Ron Cushing of Waterville, Maine. The winner of four races and $76,542 in 16 lifetime starts was bred by Kevin Sywyk.
In the second $23,563 division, which was held on the regular program, divisional leader Leanne Marie displayed the kind of speed and agility that has elevated her to a pinnacle among her peers.
Leaving from the outside post five in rein to Mike Cushing, the daughter of Artistic Fella-Zoe Blue Chip wasted little time assuming command, and from that point she led comfortably through early fractions of :30 and 59.4. Through the early parts of the mile, Whisper Of Luck (Andrew Harrington) took refuge in the garden spot, while Dudes Pretty Chick (Heath Campbell) tracked along in third.
Leanne Marie, the 3-5 favourite, continued to set the tempo as she blew through the third panel in 1:29.1 and cruised home easily in 1:58.1, winning by 1-1/2 lengths. Dudes Pretty Chick rallied for second over Whisper Of Luck.
Leanne Marie is trained by Charlene Cushing, who also owns and bred the filly with Pamela Smith of Weld, Maine and Jane Dipompo of Jay, Maine. The win was Leanne Marie's sixth in 17 career starts, lifting her earnings to $114,217. She has been a model of consistency this year, with four wins and three seconds in her seven sophomore starts.
Leanne Marie returned $3.40 for the victory.
The Maine Sire Stakes continues on the fair circuit in Skowhegan with the glamour boy division on Thursday, Aug. 14, followed by all of the two and three-year old trotters on Friday, Aug. 15. The week concludes with the two-year-old filly pacers on Saturday, Aug. 16.
(With files from Maine Sire Stakes; photo of Leanne Marie winning on Aug. 12)