Two $14,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for three-year-old pacing fillies opened the festivities at Topsham Fair on Monday, Aug. 7, serving as the starter’s call for the annual Pine Tree State harness racing pari-mutuel fair circuit.
Always popular attractions across the midways of New England, Standardbred trotters and pacers have long enjoyed preferred status at the agricultural events that highlight the calendar during the summer and early-autumn months. The Topsham Fair has been a family tradition since 1854, and this year hosts four days of Maine Sire Stakes racing.
Katelyns Angel (pictured above) extended her winning streak to three as she took the fastest $14,684 division of the sophomore filly side-steppers for driver Kevin Switzer Jr. and conditioner Marc Tardif.
Scoring from post five, the daughter of Western Maverick was first-over past the half and strode home a winner in 2:00.4 by 1-1/4 lengths. The filly rewarded the fair faithful by paying $5.60 to win. Katelyns Angel is owned and was bred by Leightons Property.
Wagering favourite South St Dottie (Aaron Hall) cut the fractions and finished second while La Mambacita (Heath Campbell) was third.
In the early, $14,459 non-wagering division, Pickmepickme (Walter Case Jr.) had nine lengths on the field as she crossed the finish wire first; however, she was disqualified and placed third by the judges for a pylon infraction. Trainer Mike Cayoutte's homebred Alittlemorebliss (Dave Ingraham) was awarded the victory, timed in 2:03.4, with Ally Mac (Aaron Hall) placed second.
Racing resumes on Wednesday, Aug. 9 at Topsham with two $14,000-plus glamour boys divisions, which had been postponed from the previous day. Luke McGook will look to make it six-in-a-row as he puts his winning streak to the test in race four.
Racing continues with the remaining pacing divisions through Aug. 12. The third week in August brings the monsters of the midway up to Skowhegan for another full week of Maine harness racing at its finest.
(Maine Sire Stakes)