Freshman trotting phenom Whatawonder has continued his wondrous run of dominance, taking his seventh consecutive victory on Saturday, Aug. 31 at Maine’s Windsor Fair.
In his $26,430 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings, the son of Whataworkout did what he always does, take the top and never look back. Driven in his wire-to-wire romp by Ken Watson, the talented gelding maintained a formidable lead throughout the mile and trotted home on top by four lengths in 2:03.4, a new lifetime best.
Trained by Lisa Watson for owner/breeder Barbara Lawson, Whatawonder earned his sixth straight Maine stakes victory. His lifetime earnings through seven career starts has now reached $71,275.
Libertys Wildcard (Kevin Switzer Jr.) finished second and the winner's stablemate, Katahdin Victory (Wally Watson), was third in the first of three non-wagering events held before the regular card at Windsor.
A purse of $26,328 was on the line when four sophomore trotting fillies went postward in their division of the Maine Sire Stakes. With points leader Pembroke Breeze taking the week off, it was smooth sailing for My Saving Grace and Team Athearn as they enjoyed a coast-to-coast voyage around the Windsor oval.
Driver Mark Athearn and My Saving Grace had 3-1/2 lengths on the field when they tripped the timer in 2:06.2. Bernies Legacy (Dave Ingraham) finished second and Twisted Venture (Mike Cushing) was third.
Trained by Gretchen Athearn for owner Margaret Thyng, the daughter of Shake It Off Lindy picked up her third seasonal victory from eight starts. She was bred in Maine by Leighton Property and now has $108,331 in career earnings.
A little shuffling of the deck occurred in the $26,328 three-year-old colt and gelding trot as the Valerie Grondin-trained Pembroke Will prevailed from off the pace to grab his second win of the season in eight outings.
Pacesetting Carrabassett (Mark Athearn) appeared to have things his own way while setting comfortable fractions of :31, 1:03.1 and 1:34.1 while maintaining a two-length margin. However, the leader was engulfed by Team Grondin entrants at the head of the stretch as Chipper Dale and Drew Campbell, who were looking for their fifth straight win, looked Carrabassatt right in the eye. But, it was Heath Campbell and Pembroke Will that had the extra brush at the end to overtake both combatants and grab the victory in 2:05 by half a length. Carrabassett finished second and Chipper Dale was third.
Owned and bred by Bill Varney, the son of Pembroke Slugger increased his lifetime earnings to $122,336.
The sole Maine Sire Stakes wagering event on the Saturday afternoon Windsor card had seven two-year-old trotting fillies vying for the $26,812 purse.
Little Shot (Ivan Davies) was put on the point while 6-5 favourite Barbella (Bruce Ranger) protected the two-hole as Blizzards Fury (Switzer) charged out from post six but jumped it off in the turn. Heading into the :31.4 opening panel, Blizzards Fury was back trotting and moving up first-over from sixth and trying to play catch up.
By the 1:03.4 half-mile marker, Blizzards Fury was rolling swiftly and already alongside the pocket-sitting Barbella. As the field moved down the backstretch the final time, Switzer and Blizzards Fury had gained a half-length advantage over the pacesetting Little Shot into a 1:36.1 third stanza.
Around the turn, Blizzards Fury had taken command and increased the tempo as Lady Lake Marty (Ken Watson) made a furious bid to catch the new leader. The wire arrived just in time as Blizzards Fury held on to win by a quarter of a length in 2:07.1. Barbella finished third.
Trained by Marc Tardif for owner/breeder Leighton Property, the daughter of Whataworkout earned her second win in six starts, pushing her earnings to $31,606. She paid $19 to win.
The Maine Sire Stakes continues the three-year-old male pacers on Sunday and concludes at Windsor Fair on Labour Day Monday with the sophomore filly pacers. The Maine-bred program returns to Bangor on Wednesday for the two-year-old male pacers.
(With files from Maine Sire Stakes)