Aside from an uncharacteristic miscue behind the starting gate at Union Fair, top three-year-old Maine-bred trotting colt Katahdin Mark has only seen the heels of one horse this season.
With six wins and two seconds in nine starts, Gary Hall’s robust son of Noble Venture has only been beaten by one horse, Mark Tardif’s Warriorofthevalley. One of those rare defeats came in their last start at Winsdor Fair, where Hall sat a two-hole trip behind his nemesis and got to within a half of a length at the finish. The pair will meet once again in the six-horse opener at Bangor in an $18,489 Maine Breeders Stake (MSBS) for sophomore trotting males on Saturday (Sept. 17).
Warriorofthevalley will be driven by Andy Harrington, drew pylon position and has been listed on the morning line at 9-5. Trainer-driver Gary Hall will score from post 2 with Katahdin Mark, who is listed as the 6-5 favourite for the 12:15 p.m. (EDT) first post at historic Bass Park.
Taking his name from Mount Katahdin (kə-TAH-din), the highest mountain in the state of Maine (5,269 feet), the term was first given to the landmark by the Penobscot Native Americans. The native people named the high peak Katahdin, which means "Great Mountain", which they believed to be the home of the storm god Pamola and thus an area to be avoided
Of course, many of Katahdin Mark’s competitors would like to avoid him as well, as the colt has been a dominant force in the division, amassing $53,482 in seasonal earnings. Owned and bred by James and Betsey Kelley, the colt has 11 wins and is just $4,333 shy of breaking $100,000 in career cash.
However, Warriorofthevalley is no slouch either, having earned $93,845 lifetime with seven victories. Owned and bred by Leighton Properties, the son of Pembroke Slugger has been 1-2-3 in his last eight outings. This race could be a dress rehearsal for the rich MSBS final one month from now.
The MSBS for three-year-old trotting fillies race before the regular card at high noon, with seven combatants vying for a purse of $18,736.
Leading the pack is six-time winner this season Maplewood Slugger, who scores from post 5 with Andy Harrington at the controls. Trained by John Nason, the daughter of Pembroke Slugger is owned and was bred by Maxine Hadlock. With $50,626 earned this year, she is the filly to beat in this contest.
Leaving from post 4, the chestnut filly Pembroke Honcho is the second-winningest trotter of the group, having picked up two victories at Topsham and Skowhegan for trainer Valerie Grondin and driver Aaron Hall. Owned and bred by Bill Varney, the daughter of Pembroke Slugger has $30,396 in seasonal securities.
Maplewood Slugger’s stable mate Show No Tears rounds out the top three, having quietly earned $26,279 for owners Carolyn Corso and Diane Perkins. The daughter of CR Power Glide was bred by Lynne-Marie Plouffe.
The following day the Down East faithful head to Farmington for four days of fair racing at the Franklin County oval for 2 p.m. post times.
After Farmington, harness racing returns to the Cumberland Fairgrounds from Sept. 28 through Oct. 2 for eight days of pari-mutuel action. The 150th annual Cumberland Fair and First Tracks host the Maine Breeders Stakes two-year-old finals on Saturday, Oct. 1.
The final stop on the Pine Tree State fair circuit is historic Fryeburg, Oct 6-8. The Maine-sired sophomore finale returns to Bangor for all of the three-year-old MSBS divisional finals on Oct. 15.
(MSBS)