Five divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for two and three-year-old trotters were contested on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at Farmington Fair, with many of the usual suspects reminding fans that they are at, or near, the top of their class.
In the $24,272 Maine Sire Stakes for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings, which was the only division that was held on the wagering card, Libertys Wildcard showed why he is the one to watch in next month’s Maine Sire Stakes final.
Sitting patiently in the pocket until the half, driver Kevin Switzer Jr. let Libertys Wildcard roll first-over and cruise home the rest of the way in 2:04.1. He paid $3.20 to win as the bettors' choice. Early leader Whatawonder (Ken Watson) finished second, 1-3/4 lengths behind the winner, and Just Foolin (Heath Campbell) followed in third.
Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, Libertys Wildcard is now nine-for-10 this year after a going winless in 10 races as a rookie, with lifetime earnings just shy of $150,000. The Noble Venture-Race Me Liberty gelding was bred by Jerry Stratton Jr.
In the $23,574 sophomore trotting filly division, Barbella maintained her relative dominance taking her fifth straight victory for driver Bruce Ranger and trainer Ken Anderson. She won by 1-3/4 lengths in 2:05.1 over Little Shot (Ivan Davies) and Race Me Bombshell (William Childs) in the non-wagering event. Owned by Robert Zakian, the daughter of Whataworkout-Knella Bella was bred by the late Mike Andrew.
The other $23,000+ divisions held before the regular card at Farmington were won by two-year-old fillies Pembroke Lady (Heath Campbell) in 2:04.4 for trainer Valerie Grondin and Our Last Quote (Steve Wilson) in 2:10.1 for Charlene Cushing; two-year-old gelding Wilder N Idy (Mark Athearn) in 2:04.1 for Gretchen Athearn; and three-year-old filly Twisted Fate in 2:04.2 for trainer/driver Mike Cushing.
(With files from Maine Sire Stakes)