On Sunday’s (Aug. 27) opening day of the historic Windsor Fair, a quartet of $14,000-plus divisions of Maine Sire Stakes for trotters set the stage for a full week of New England harness racing action.
Contested before the regular card, the Pine Tree State’s diagonally-gaited group invaded the backstretch in hopes of taking home their ‘fair share’ of the robust funding provided by the Maine Standardbred Breeders Program. Of course, there were some fulfilled expectations, along with some mild upsets, all of which makes for great horse racing.
In the opener, Wild Ending intended to take her fourth Maine-sired event in a row, while leaving from the outermost post six in the $14,850 three-year-old filly trot. However, Marc Tardif’s Another Adventure had other ideas.
Having the advantage of the innermost post position, driver Kevin Switzer Jr. put the daughter of Noble Venture on top, where she made every call a winning one through early fractions of :30.1, 1:01.4 and 1:33.3. Ivan Davies had sentimental favourite Wild Ending giving chase throughout the mile, but it was ultimately Another Adventure who prevailed by half a length in 2:05. Melanias Best (Steve Nason) finished third.
It was the first win of the season and a new lifetime mark for the Tardif-trained, Leighton Property-owned filly, who shows an ultra-consistent three seconds and three thirds in eight seasonal starts. Another Adventure was bred in Maine by East Pond Stable.
The $15,166 three-year-old colt and gelding trot was up next and, as predicted, it was Wabanaki who was entering the race as the sentimental favourite. Looking for his second win a row, the Ivan Davies-trained, Anita Anastosopoulos-owned son of Boy Band was also scoring from the outermost post position.
Undeterred, Davies sent the Mike Andrew-bred gelding right to the front in a snappy :29.4 opening panel and was on top by three. While getting a breather at the 1:01 half-mile marker, Outlawofthevalley (Switzer Jr.) stuck close to Davie’s helmet, as the rest of the field gave fruitless chase. Once past the 1:31.4 third panel, it was a downhill coast for the pacesetting pair as they drew off by two lengths to score in 2:01.4. Pembroke Traveler (Heath Campbell) finished third.
Wabanaki increased his lifetime earnings to $95,443 in his fourth win of the season.
During the ensuing freshman events, trainer Valerie Grondin swept both races and got once step closer to her 500th career driving victory.
Driving Chipper Dale (pictured above) in the $14,146 two-year-old colt trot, driver-trainer Grondin sat a comfortable two-hole trip behind stablemate Pembroke Will (Heath Campbell). Tipping out around the final turn, the dominant duo scored in 2:09 by 1-1/4 lengths. Pembroke Will finished second and Carrabassett (Mark Athearn) was third.
It was the fifth win in a row for the son of Shake It Off Lindy, who his owned and was bred by Lynn-Marie Plouffe. Grondin now sits at 498 driving wins lifetime.
Heath Campbell drove Pembroke Breeze to 3-1/2-length victory in the $14,367 two-year-old filly trot, giving his partner, trainer Valerie Grondin, a win in both the baby races.
Scoring in 2:06.4, the daughter of Pembroke Slugger never had an anxious moment as she was in command every step of the way for owner/breeder Bill Varney. My Saving Grace (Athearn) finished second and Twisted Venture (Mike Cushing) was third.
(With files from Maine Sire Stakes)