All the usual suspects in the Maine Sire Stakes trotting divisions invaded historic Bangor Raceway on Wednesday, Sept. 9, but when the dust settled, two win streaks came to an end.
In the first $23,903 division for two-year-old trotting colts on the Bangor betting card, the Valerie Grondin-trained Pembroke Zagursky, who had been chasing the undefeated U Know I Know all summer long, scored his first win while putting an end to his rival's streak.
Driver Heath Campbell sent Pembroke Zagursky right out to the front ahead of the 1-5 heavy favourite U Know I Know (Ken Watson). They hit the first panel in :30.3 with the favourite in a loose pocket, an unfamiliar spot for the division’s leading high-stepper who had won all six of his previous outings.
Come On Charlie (Mark Athearn) was tipped first-up from fourth into a 1:03.4 half-mile marker and found himself right alongside U Know I Know, who gapped in third place as they hit the third station in a swifter 1:34.4.
Around that long, far turn, U Know I Know found a seam and slipped out in front of a stalling Come On Charlie and engaged the pacesetter for the stretch drive. However, there was no catching Pembroke Zagursky as the trotter sped off while the formerly unbeaten U Know I Know drifted out while giving chase and was defeated by a quarter-length.
Pembroke Zagursky split the beam in 2:05.3 and returned $7 to win as the 5-2 second choice. High Fashion Owyn (Nick Graffam) rounded out the top three more than three lengths behind.
A colt by Pembroke Slugger out of Pembroke Mistress, the first-time winner is locally owned by Brenda Varney. He had hit the board in his last five races facing U Know I Know in Maine stakes action.
A few races later in the $24,599 division for three-year-old trotting fillies, Hayden put her five-race winning streak on the line from post six, but was quickly thwarted at the start by the well-positioned Our Last Quote and Mike Cushing, who sent his charge to the top while protecting the pylons.
After a speedy start, 1-5 favourite Hayden (Gary Hall) found herself shuffled back to third into the :30 opening panel as I Think I Can (John Nason) had ducked into the pocket during the opening foray.
As the field hit the half in 1:01.3, Hayden was flushed out of her third position to be first-over. That filly stuck her nose out and then advanced into a 1:31.1 third panel to look Our Last Quote right in the eye. But Hayden jumped off stride which allowed the pacesetter to continue unfettered to the wire in 2:02.1, a new lifetime best, by 2-1/4 lengths. Race Me Boomer (Andy Harrington) came on for second and I Think I Can was third.
Trained by Charlene Cushing for owners/breeders Nelson DiPompo Jr. of Jay, Maine and Mike Graham of Weld, Maine, the daughter of Cantab Fashion-Quote Of The Week picked up her first seasonal victory in 10 starts following nine top three finishes. She returned $8.20 to win as the 3-1 second choice on the tote board.
As part of the early, non-wagering card, two-year-old trotting filly Princess Caledonia got redemption for her previous week’s defeat by winning easily in her $21,168 Maine Sire Stakes event for trainer/driver Gary Hall. The daughter of To The Hilt-Wild Pine Princess got away on top and never looked back, scoring by 1-1/2 lengths in 2:07. Cape Cod Friday (Dave Ingraham) finished second while Mikella Bella (Heath Campbell) completed the field a distant third.
Princess Caledonia now has five wins this season with a pair of miscues in her only two defeats. Gary Hall shares ownership of the filly with partners James Kelly Jr. and Betsey Kelley of Millinocket, Maine and Kristina Hall of Newport, Maine.
In the non-wagering $23,622 Maine Sire Stakes for three-year-old trotting colts, Guss Workout and driver Heath Campbell enjoyed another front-end circuit for a second consecutive score. They won by a measured length in 2:01.2 over Wilder N Idy (Mark Athearn), with Trottingfortreasure (Kevin Switzer Jr.) back in third.
Valerie Grondin trains the Whataworkout-Bibbidi Boo gelding, who is now four-for-nine this year, for owner/breeder Lynn-Marie Plouffe of Saco, Maine.
The Maine Sire Stakes will continue at Bangor with the two-year-old male pacers featured on Saturday, Sept. 12 and their female counterparts on Sunday, Sept. 13. Then it’s back to the glamour boys, who make their return to historic Bass Park on Wednesday, Sept. 16.
(With files from Maine Sire Stakes)