August 26, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Joe Shaw photos)
WINDSOR, ME – The 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers kicked off the Maine Sire Stakes at Windsor Fair on Sunday (August 25) with a pair of $19,000-plus divisions where an unbeaten horse and a maiden both grabbed victories.
The $19,691 opening round was presented as an early non-wagering event, with the undefeated Two Fold Cold and driver Kevin Switzer Jr. letting nobody stand in the way of their six-race win streak.
Scoring from post six, Switzer sent the Marc Tardif-trained son of Deuce Seelster right to the top in a moderate 30.1 opening panel. From that point it was smooth sailing for the unchallenged star as he paced through fractions of 1:01.4 and 1:31.3 before charging home in 27.4 to stop the Windsor Fair timer at 1:59.2.
Prevailing by two lengths, it was the seventh consecutive victory and 11th lifetime win for the Gary and Kristina Hall, Maine-bred powerhouse. His lifetime earnings are just below six figures at $97,341 for owner-trainer Marc Tardif.
Hesjustadelight (Ron Cushing) finished second; stable mate Wes’s Challenge (Walter Case Jr.) was third.
The second $19,916 division on the regular card saw Michelle Hardin’s Whats For Suppaah break his maiden following a hard fought front-end journey in his sixteenth lifetime start.
Driven throughout his career by Aaron Hall, Whats For Suppaah had been a bridesmaid in five earlier outings, but on Sunday the son of Deuce Seelster had every intention of being the first one seated at the dinner table.
When the wings folded Hall sent his charge out to the front from post six, which is not the gelding’s usual tactic. Nonetheless, the 4-1 third choice Whats For Suppaah fought hard to reach the point in a taxing 28.3 opening panel. Following a brief respite into a 59.1 half, the upset-minded pacesetter had 6-5 favorite Arts Flight (Andy Harrington) tight on his driver’s helmet and Justcallmebuck (9-5, Heath Campbell) first up and looking for a tussle.
Past the third stanza in 1:28.3 Whats For Suppaah maintained his length advantage over the challengers. Around the final turn Justcallmebuck had reached the leader’s saddlepad, but when the field turned for home the favorite Arts Flight had no place to go as Hall let out a notch and they grabbed the horse’s first lifetime win in 1:58.1 by a measured length and a quarter.
Owned and trained by Michelle Hardin, Whats For Suppaah paid $10.80 to win. He was bred by Christine Holt.
Arts Flight finished second; Justcallmebuck was third.
The Maine Sire Stakes continues at the Windsor Fair with the 3-year-old filly pacers on Monday (August 26), which is followed by the 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers on Tuesday (August 27).
For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com
