Three $23,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings finished up their regular racing season on Friday, Sept. 25 at the Farmington Fair, securing their positions for the upcoming freshman finals on Oct. 3.
The swiftest Pine Tree State-bred event was slated as race three on the regular card at Farmington, with the favourite being thwarted by an up-and-coming youngster.
When the gate wings sprung driver Kevin Switzer Jr. sent One Last Deal right to the top in a :29.2 opening panel. Aaron Hall had Rustysonlytreasure in the pocket through the 1:00.3 half, with no threatening outer flow advancing into the 1:30.3 third panel set by the 3-5 favourite. At the head of the stretch driver Dave Ingraham had Duderrific looking the pacesetter right in the eye, and went right on by. The son of Dudes The Man-Count To Three went on to win in a lifetime best 1:59, prevailing by 1-1/4 lengths. One Last Deal finished second; Rustysonlytreasure was third.
Trained by Joe Nelson for owner-breeder M and L of Delaware, Duderrific scored his second seasonal victory and now boasts five top-three finishes in eight starts with $39,439 in earnings. He returned $6.60.
In the early, non-wagering event it was the taste of sweet redemption for The Gucci Man (pictured) who had suffered his only career defeat in his last outing.
In typical Switzer Jr. style, The Gucci Man was sent to the front and never looked back. The pacer made every call a winning one, in dominating fashion. Scoring by 3-1/2 lengths in 1:59.3, the son of Dudes The Man-Gucci now has seven wins in eight seasonal starts and $84,405 in purses. Agent James Bond (Ron Cushing) finished second; Poocham Luck (Ingraham) was third.
Owned, trained and bred by Marc Tardif of Waterboro, Me., The Gucci Man is the leading point earner in his division.
In the third division of freshman male pacers it was the 1-5 favourite Justcallmebuddy converting off a perfect pocket trip to score in 2:01. The son of Deuce Seelster-Justcallmerosie, driven by Aaron Hall for trainer Marc Tardif, prevailed by a length over pacesetter Painters Treasure (Andy Harrington) with Destiny Is All (McGwire Sowers) next best.
Owned by Leighton Property and Victoria Leighton of Waterboro, Justcallmebuddy notched his third victory of the season to accompany his $55,331 in earnings. He returned $2.40.
Looking ahead, the Maine Sire Stakes transitions to the Cumberland Fair with the three-year-old colt and gelding pacers racing Tuesday, Sept. 29. The action continues with their female counterparts on Wednesday, Sept. 30 and the three-year-old trotters on Friday, Oct. 2. The lucrative freshman finals are slated for Saturday, Oct. 3.
(with files from Maine Sire Stakes)