July 29, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Stephanie Gray photo)
CUMBERLAND, ME – My Saving Grace hasn’t had to endure much hardship in her short, but successful career as the freshman filly is a perfect three-for-three so far this season in Maine Sire Stakes competition.
Driven by Mark Athearn for trainer Gretchen Athearn, the young daughter of Shake It Off Lindy (a son of Crazed) hasn’t had to save anything for next week as she scampered off to victory lane by eight lengths in her $14,367 two-year-old filly trot for Pine Tree State-breds.
Under sunny skies the talented distaff stopped the timer in 2:06.3 to take a new lifetime mark over her home track Cumberland oval. Owned by Margaret Thyng and bred by Leighton Property, My Saving Grace has saved up a nice nest egg of $23,487 so far this season.
Coupled with last week’s romp at Bangor, the frosh filly has a combined margin of victory of 14-3/4 lengths. My Saving Grace paid $3.00 to win. Pembroke Breeze (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) finished second; Twisted Venture (Mike Cushing-Sherry Cushing) was third.
For the sophomore trotting fillies, it was a case of location, location, location.
In the $14,952 Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old diagonally-gaited distaffs, heavy favorite She’salilbitmouthy ducked, pulled three-wide, and then ducked again before the field reached the pedestrian half in 1:02.3, following a 30.4 opening panel.
At the start, Another Adventure (Kevin Switzer Jr.-Marc Tardif) had taken command initially, but begrudgingly yielded to Melania’s Best (John Nason) who was intent on taking no prisoners. After getting stung to the quarter, and then parking the favorite, Nason found himself leading the way with an empty tank in that filly’s first seasonal purse start.
First up was Wild Ending (Ivan Davies) with She’salilbitmouthy and Hall in a tight pocket third. At the decisive 1:33.2 third panel Wild Ending took the lead over Melania’s Best, who had called it an afternoon. Another Adventure had taken chase and was now beside the favorite, locking her behind the tiring former pacesetter.
As the field rounded the final turn it was a race for second as Wild Ending had put all the wild antics behind her. Another Adventure was too busy looking around to mount a serious stretch drive, but hung on to be second. B R Glory (Wally Watson-Lisa Watson) swooped them all to be a fast closing third.
Trained and driven by Ivan Davies, Wild Ending picked up her second lifetime victory for owner Anita Anastosopoulis. The daughter of Boy Band was bred in Maine by the late Michael Andrew. She paid 4.80 to win.
In the first division for 3-year-old filly pacers Katelyn’s Angel grabbed her second wire-to-wire victory, winning the $14,684 Maine Sire Stake in a lifetime mark equaling 1:58.2. Driven to a 10-1/4 length romp by Kevin Switzer Jr. for trainer Marc Tardif, the daughter of Western Maverick is owned and was bred the Leightons. She paid $4.00 to win. Slight favorite La Mambacita (Campbell-Grondin) finished second; Ally Mac (Nick Graffam-Mike Graffam) was third.
The second division was also an unimpeded rout by South St Dottie in a well-rated 2:00.2. Driven by Nick Graffam for trainer/father Mike Graffam, was on easy street after the favored Pickmepickme (Andy Harrington-Marc Tardif) made a costly break while giving chase in the final turn.
The Jan Donaway owned and bred daughter of Western Maverick is heretofore undefeated in five seasonal Maine Sire Stakes events. South St Dottie paid $4.80 to win. Pickmepickme got back pacing and finished second; stable mate Justcallmemimi (Bruce Ranger-Graffam) was third.
Saturday’s (July 29) Cumberland card has two divisions of freshman pacing fillies, with the freshmen pacing colts going on Sunday (July 30). All the divisions are on the betting program. First post is 3:15 pm.
For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com to learn about the new Mare Incentive program.
