Massive Speed showed that he is the big man on campus this season in the Maine Sire Stakes three-year-old male pacing division, picking up his fifth in a row on Friday, Aug. 1 at Cumberland Raceway.
Winning the first $16,352 division of the glamour boys group in lifetime-best equalling 1:57.4, the Marc Tardif trainee has not seen the back of helmet since last season when he anointed himself the ‘Maine’ Monster of the Midway with a perfect 10-for-10 in the freshman follies.
Driven from pillar to post by Bruce Ranger for owner Leighton Property, the gelded son of Dudes The Man-Machmeter has earned $41,267 this year, to bring his lifetime bankroll to $224,356. He was bred in Maine by Laurie Harding. Massive Speed won in hand by 4-3/4 lengths and paid $2.40 as the 1-5 favourite. Race Me Celtic (Drew Campbell) finished second and Ridgecrest Dan (John Nason) was third.
In the second division, 9-2 third choice Keenan Star and driver Heath Campbell rolled out to an early lead, clearing just after the :28.3 opening panel. Easing the tempo a bit, the son of Western Maverick and Paxxie led the pack through a softer :59.2 midway point. Public choice No Guts No Glory (McGwire Sowers) got away last and had made up significant ground and headed the pacesetter into the 1:29 third panel. While the aggressor showed some guts with his first-over move, he failed to reap the glory as Keenan Star fought back and drew away with a length victory in 1:59.2. Im Not Maverick (Mike Stevenson) finished second and Just Aftermidnight (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.
Owned, trained and bred by Valerie Grondin, Keenan Star picked up his first win of the year in five Sire Stakes starts and the homebred colt earned a new speed badge for his efforts. He paid $11 to win.
Racing resumes on the final day of the summer meet on Saturday, Aug. 2, which includes a full card simulcast of Hambletonian Day from The Meadowlands, as well as two divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for two-year-old male pacers. Doors open at 12 noon, but first live post is still 3:15 p.m.
The featured race of the day is the annual Pine Tree Invitational Pace, which is carded as race nine. Leading the charge in this group is Tenzing Bromac N (Ron Cushing), who was just third in the Beckwith Memorial at Plainridge Park With 20 wins down under, the eight-year-old son of Bettors Delight and Tallulah Bromac is making his first start on a half-mile track. Former Maine Sire Stakes star Two Fold Cold (Dave Ingraham) is the second choice after he finished second in that same Beckwith Memorial.
(With files from Maine Sire Stakes)