August 30, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Stephanie Gray photos)
WINDSOR, ME – ‘All good things must come to an end.”
English poet Geoffrey Chaucer is credited with the original use of this idiom in the 1300’s, which is commonly used as a proverb to remind us that nothing great will last forever. This aptly describes the 2023 winning streak of Marc Tardif’s Luke McGook, which was snapped at seven in Tuesday’s (August 29) $14,692 Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings at Windsor Fair.
Held before the regular program, the five pacers lined up behind the starting gate with this season’s ‘chosen one,’ Luke McGook, scoring from pylon position. When the wings folded regular pilot Kevin Switzer Jr. scooted out for control of the tempo, and enjoyed setting relatively soft opening fractions of 30.1 and 1:02.1.
But Maine County Fair racing is not for the faint of heart as the drivers are always on the move in the tight turns and rapid rhythm of half-mile track harness racing. Walter Case Jr. had started his ascent for the lead instantly, as he was first over from the ‘get-go’ with stable mate Anithingforyoudear. Matucci (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) sat comfortably in the two-hole, with Colt Bennett (Dave Ingraham-David Crochere) moving second over with Casey’s cover at the half.
Around the five-eighths paddock turn Switzer felt the pressure mounting, yet kept the pack bunched up behind him. Anithingforyoudear was now within a half-length of the leader at the 1:32.3 (30.2) third panel, where Luke McGook was finally given the cue to increase the cadence.
Around the final turn ‘Double-Digit’ Dave Ingraham smelled blood in the water and swooped Colt Bennett three-wide around the thundering herd. Gaining ground with every stride, while unleashing an uncompromising 28.3 final quarter, the prey became the predator and got up by a nose to win in 2:01.3
Trained by David Crochere for owner Nancy Longobardi, it was the third seasonal victory for the son of Rock N’ Roll World. Having finished second to Luke McGook on five previous occasions, the win put Colt Bennett’s 2023 earnings to $46,483. He was bred by Stephen K. O’Toole.
The Leighton Property-owned, Marc Tardif-trained Luke McGook has nothing to be ashamed of in being beaten by a nose. He is still the leading money-winning horse in the Maine Sire Stakes program this season, as well as having the most victories. Certainly the Tardif Taskforce will have Luke McGook back in harness and ready to redeem himself when the glamour boys meet again at Bangor on Sept. 6.
Anithingforyoudear finished third.
The second $14,917 glamour boys division was raced on the Windsor Fair pari-mutuel card and observed So Rock N’ Roll take one for Team Tardif and score in 1:57.2, just a tick off of his career best.
When the wings folded three horses made a mad-dash for the top with Two Points (Ingraham-Eric Bickmore) on the inside, Rockaroundsam (Switzer Jr.-Tardif) in the middle, and Two Towns Over (Aaron Hall-Valerie Grondin) forced three wide through the first turn.
Hall, recognizing a speed duel in the making, opted to duck into third, with Ingraham ultimately allowing Switzer Jr. to take command before the 29 second first quarter. Leaving from the outermost post six, driver Walter Case Jr. was content to take the overland route and let some of the early tussling expire as So Rock N’ Roll took a trailing position in the outer flow, hoping to flush some cover.
Almost like he planned it that way, Casey followed Hall and Two Towns Over when that duo pulled the right line around the three-eighths pole. As the field approached the half in 59, the pack was tightening around the leader, Rockaroundsam. While reaching the third panel in a swift 1:27.4 (28.4), Two Towns Over had collared the pacesetter and poked a nose in front by the head of the stretch.
But, as those two were busy battling on the front end, Walter Case Jr. thrust So Rock N’ Roll three-wide around the final turn and fed him racetrack. Matching and then surpassing the front-end skirmishers, So Rock N’ Roll emerged as the fresh and fastidious victor by 1-1/4 lengths. The wagering favorite used a 29.2 final quarter to find that elusive Windsor Fair winners circle.
Trained by Marc Tardif for breeder-owner Lesley Leighton/Property, the son of Western Maverick paid $4.20 to win his fourth race of the year, boosting his seasonal kitty to $43,475.
Two Towns Over finished second; Rockaroundsam was third.
Drivers Aaron Hall and Kevin Switzer Jr. each enjoyed three wins apiece on the afternoon Windsor Fair program. In the opener, Aaron Hall driving Ira Cheif nipped pacesetter Zampara and driver Valerie Grondin at the wire, denying the latter of her 499th career victory. The Grondin 500-win watch continues.
Maine’s freshman pacers return to start the four-day weekend with the fillies enjoying two $14,000-plus divisions on Friday (Sept. 1). Distaffs go with an early post time of 2:15 pm, and the 2-year-old colts and gelding race the following day, Saturday (Sept. 2). All the Maine-bred trotters return on Sunday (Sept. 3) with the aforementioned sophomore filly pacers closing out the meet on Labor Day Monday (Sept. 4). For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow their Facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation
