Maine-sired sophomore trotters got their day in the spotlight on Wednesday, Sept. 27 at Cumberland Fair, with the diagonally-gaited set giving fans and bettors some thrilling finishes to cheer about.
The Tardif Taskforce sent Outlawofthevalley (pictured above) into the $14,941 Maine Sire Stakes for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings, with the underdog finally getting some bragging rights over his nemesis and wagering favourite Wabanaki.
Although it is a friendly rivalry, it has been a season-long battle between two of the best male sophomore trotters in the Pine Tree State, with Wabanaki holding a three-win lead over Outlawofthevalley. However, the latter reduced that margin to two as his regular pilot Kevin Switzer Jr. sent the son of Pembroke Slugger right out to the lead from post four, dashing to a :29.2 opening panel.
Following a 1:00.4 half-mile breather, Outlawofthevalley was prompted to a 1:29.4 third stanza and put five lengths between himself and his pursuers, with Wabanaki (Ivan Davies) leading the rest of the pack.
At the head of the stretch, Davies had Wabanaki with two spans of the pacesetter and continued to gain ground. The wire came just in time for Outlawofthevalley, who prevailed by a nose in 2:00, a new lifetime best. Pembroke Traveler (Heath Campbell) finished third.
Owned and bred by Leighton Property, the Pembroke Slugger gelding earned his fourth seasonal victory from 11 starts and paid his backers $9.60 for the win.
In the $14,952 three-year-old filly trot, Ivan Davies had his star distaff Wild Ending in gear and on point and sent her out to a wire-to-wire romp in 2:02.3, winning by five open lengths. Shesalilbitmouthy (Mike Cushing) finished second and Melanias Best (John Nason) was third.
Owned by Anita ‘Bunny’ Anastosopoulos-Andrew, and bred by the late Mike Andrew, Wild Ending earned her seventh win of the season from 10 starts. She paid $2.20 to win as the heavy favourite.
‘Double Digit’ Dave Ingraham scored three times on the afternoon program; however, none of those victories entered the double-digit category.
Harness racing at Cumberland Fair continues at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 29 with a special 11 a.m. finale slated for Sunday, Oct. 1. Maine Sire Stakes returns with the three-year-old pacers on Friday. The highlight of the week will be all four $50,000-plus divisional Maine Sire Stakes freshman finals on Saturday, Sept. 30, with three of the divisions on the talent-packed 13-race card, and one early non-bettor at 1:10 p.m.
(With files from First Tracks Cumberland)