The Farmington, Maine Agricultural Fair is in full swing and harness racing is the center of attraction at the historic 181st annual event. Situated in Franklin County (Maine), Farmington has a whopping 47 properties or districts listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.
Live harness racing action was contested at Farmington on Sunday (Sept. 18) and Monday (Sept. 19), with several divisions of the Maine Breeders Stakes competing under sunny skies with the festive scenery of the fair midway in the background.
Several of Maine’s finest from the three-year-old pacing colt ‘Glamour Boys’ division registered historic miles of their own.
Ugotaearnyrstripes (pictured above) took a new lifetime of 1:58 mark winning his $17,834 division of the Maine Breeders Stakes (MSBS) at the iconic Farmington oval. Driven by Dave Ingraham for trainer Steve LaCasse and owner/breeder Ed Blash, the son of Deuce Seelser grabbed the lead from post four and never looked back. He now has $93,316 in lifetime earnings with three wins this year. Daughtry (Ron Cushing) finished second and CBF Squirt Gun (Heath Campbell) was third.
The second $17,833 division of the MSBS went to Deal With It Roman, who had been a dominant force in the division early in the season and came back with determination to score in 1:59.3. Driven by Walter Case Jr. for owner/trainer/breeder Marc Tardif, the son of Western Maverick now has five wins this year. His lifetime earnings have reached $113,750. Bandolito Blaze (Heath Campbell) finished second and Ranaldi (Cushing) was third.
Earlier on Sunday’s non-wagering card, the $17,884 MSBS for two-year-old trotting fillies was captured by Shesalilbitmouthy. Driven by Mark Athearn for trainer Gretchen Athearn and owner Bill Phipps, the daughter of Victor Blue Chip completed the circuit in 2:07. Wild Ending (Ivan Davies) finished second and Another Adventure (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.
Favourite Pembroke Traveler won the $18,389 MSBS for freshman male trotters, Sunday’s lone wagering event. Driven by Heath Campbell for trainer Valerie Grondin, the son of Pembroke Slugger picked up his second victory of the season for owner/breeder Bill Varney. He paid $5.80 to win, scoring in 2:05.3. Outlawofthevalley (Switzer Jr.) finished second from the second tier post seven. Wabanaki (Davies) cut the mile, but made a costly break at the head of the stretch and hung on for third.
Monday (Sept. 19) welcomed two $17,000-plus Maine Breeders Stakes (MSBS) divisions for two-year-old pacing fillies. The early non-wagering event was captured by division star Pickmepickme, who picked up her sixth win in a row. Driven by Andy Harrington for the Tardif Taskforce, the handy daughter of Western Maverick was also bred and is owned by Marc Tardif. Completing the mile in 2:03.2, her next stop will be the rich final at Cumberland on Oct. 1. La Mambacita (Heath Campbell) finished second while Justcallmemimi (Aaron Hall) was third.
On the betting card, Katelyns Angel grabbed the other $17,989 MSBS division for frosh filly pacers in 2:04.4. Scoring from post five, the daughter of Western Maverick and her driver Kevin Switzer Jr. found themselves taking in some of the fresh Maine air as the pair were parked every step of the way to win by a three parts of a length over South St Dottie (Dave Ingraham). Bred by Lesley Leighton, Katelyns Angel is trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property. She paid $3.40 to win. Janie (Mark Athearn) finished third.
The Maine-bred fair racing continues Tuesday (Sept. 20) at the Franklin County oval, with two $18,000-plus MSBS divisions for two-year-old colt pacers. There is an early post of 1:30 p.m. for the first non-wagering event.
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.
(With files from Maine Breeders Stakes)