August 14, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Stephanie Gray photos)
SKOWHEGAN, ME – A quartet of $14,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for trotters opened the 205th year of the Skowhegan State Fair, with several of the divisional leaders cushioning their point totals at the historic venue. Claiming the title of the Nation’s Oldest Consecutively running Agricultural Fair, Skowhegan has been operating annually since 1818.
Situated in the heart of Maine’s Kennebec Valley, their website notes, “the Skowhegan State Fair has run without interruption, through the great depression, two world wars, and many smaller, though significant battles, and now a tough national pandemic.”
Of course, harness racing has been a part of that storied past since the inception. Therefore, it is only fitting that the Maine-bred colts and fillies opened the fair on Sunday (Aug. 13) with the afternoon card presented to throngs of fair-goers and racing fans alike.
The 3-year-old colts and geldings tussled for $14,941 in the featured non-wagering event, held immediately after the fourth race on the regular program. As the wings folded Nick Graffam hustled Stealin Money out to the lead, putting trainer-driver Ivan Davies and Wabaki on the offense, and on the outside.
Parked to the opening panel in a spry 30.1, the son of Boy Band was just a quarter length back as the monsters of the midway rounded the long, far turn. Davies ducked in for a spell but was right out back and moving past the 1:01.4 half-mile marker. Applying constant pressure on Graffam and Stealin Money, Davies and Wabanaki were relentless in their pursuit of the lead, which was fought for and won by the time the teamsters hit the 1:32 third panel.
At the head of the stretch it was all over but the shouting as Davies had a hand drive to the wire in 2:01.2, scoring by 2-1/2 lengths over the fast closing Outlawofthevalley (Kevin Switzer Jr.-Marc Tardif).
Wabanaki’s final quarter of 29.2 was also his swiftest closing kick as a 3-year-old.
Surely, owner Anita Anastosopolous must be overjoyed with Wabanaki’s bankroll, which has hit $87,860. Both Wabanaki and Wild Ending are products of the late-Mike Andrew’s pedigree prowess and his stallion Boy Band.
Pembroke Traveler (Campbell-Grondin) finished third.
Maine’s 3-year-old trotting fillies battled for $14,727 after the 2nd betting race on the regular card. It was anything but a wild ending as the Boy Band filly Wild Ending was much the best and captured her third win in a row while engaged with her like-minded peers.
Trainer-driver Ivan Davies wasted little time hustling Wild Ending to the front, where the pair enjoyed unfettered access to every Mike Sweeney-ah call and ended the afternoon a winner by 2-3/4 lengths in 2:05.4. Her 29.4 last quarter was the fastest closing time of her sophomore season, showing that she had plenty left in the tank. Her career kitty has grown to $49,573 for owner Anita Anastosopolous.
Melania’s Best (John Nason) was a well-rated second; Katahdin Kris (Gary Hall) finished third.
With his pair of powerhouse sophomore trotters this season, the trainer-driver of stablemate Wabaki may become known as ‘King’ Ivan Davies.
The first $14,367 early, non-wagering event for 2-year-old trotting fillies was captured by My Saving Grace, who redeemed her only loss of the season at Cumberland last Saturday with a resounding triumph at her first fair.
Driven by Mark Athearn for trainer Gretchen Athearn and owner Margaret Thyng, the daughter of Shake It Off Lindy made every call a winning one and scored by two lengths in 2:08.1.
Pembroke Breeze (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin), the only filly to show the winner her heels, followed along politely in second. Bernie’s Legacy (Ivan Davies) was third. My Saving Grace was bred in Maine by Leighton Property and has increased her seasonal bankroll to $34,261 with four wins in six outings.
Next up before the card was the $14,146 male freshmen trot, which was a walk in the park for Chipper Dale who remains undefeated in four starts for trainer-driver Valerie Grondin. Tripping the timer in a lifetime best-equaling 2:08.4, the altered son of Shake It Off Lindy is owned and was bred by Lynne-Marie Plouffe. His seasonal take is $34,542. It was just two lengths back to stablemate Pembroke Will (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) who finished second; Carrabassatt (Athearn) was third.
Conditioner Valerie Grondin has well over 2,000 training victories, and over $10-million in purses earned, but is approaching a milestone with 497 lifetime driving victories at press time.
Maine Sire Stakes racing resumes at Skowhegan on Tuesday (Aug. 15). The 2-year-old filly pacers rock and roll on Friday (Aug. 18) and wrap up with the male freshmen pacers on Saturday (Aug. 19).
For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow their Facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com
