September 26, 2024, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Gowestyounggrace and Mrs Foxy Roxy both took their respective $19,921 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies on Wednesday (September 25) at the Cumberland (Maine) Fair.
It was the ninth straight victory and tenth on the season for Gowestyounggrace who has been unstoppable since late-June. Owned and bred by Fred and Sharon Ward and trained by Fred Ward, the swift daughter of Western Maverick gave Emma Rozze and Heath Campbell a re-take into the 29 first panel. It was the first time that the filly had seen the back of a helmet in months, so Ingraham wasted little time re-establishing command before the 1:00.2 half.
By the third stanza in 1:30.2, with the rest of the field following intently, it was only a matter of how fast he would let ‘Grace’ pace down to the wire. Ultimately the final time was a reserved 1:59.4, winning by 1-3/4 lengths. She paid $2.20 to win as the heavy favorite.
Who’s Perfect (Aaron Hall) finished second; Emma Rozze was third.
In the other division, Mrs Foxy Roxy and Walter Case Jr. led every step of the way, scoring in 2:00.3 by neck over a fast closing Pembroke Red and Heath Campbell.
It was the third seasonal victory for the daughter of Deuce Seelster, who paid $11.60. Trained by Bob Marston for Bill McElvaine Jr., Diane Dunn and Brad Veilleux, she was bred in Maine by Kristina and Gary Hall.
My Sweet Revenge (Kevin Switzer Jr.) finished third.
Before the Wedneday card the Maine Standardbred Breeders Association held a special on-air draw at First Tracks Cumberland, where Saturday’s (Sept. 28) four $75,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes finals for 2-year-olds were drawn.
CUMBERLAND RACEWAY
Saturday, September 28, 2024, First Post 1:00 PM
Second Race
MAINE SIRE STAKES FINAL 2 Year Old Filly Pacers
Purse: $75,821 Class: ME SS FIN* Gait: Pace Dis: 1 Mile
HN Horse Driver Trainer
1 WHISPER OF LUCK Ke Switzer Jr Ma Tardif
2 LEANNE MARIE Mi Cushing Ch Cushing
3 RUFF DUDE’S JENA Da Ingraham Ke Case
4 AUDRY St Wilson Ch Cushing
5 THINKIN BOUT LIFE Wa Case Jr Ma Tardif
6 GLORILLA Ro Cushing He Cushing
7 CHASING DUDES Ni Graffam Mi Graffam
Fourth Race
MAINE SIRE STAKES FINAL 2 Year Old Filly Trotters
Purse: $75,916 Class: ME SS FIN* Gait: Trot Dis: 1 Mile
PP Horse Driver Trainer
1 LITTLE SHOT Iv Davies Iv Davies
2 KATAHDIN MISTRESS Wa Watson Li Watson
3 BLIZZARD’S FURY Ke Switzer Jr Ma Tardif
4 RACE ME BOMBSHELL Wi Childs
5 BELABELLE Er Bickmore Er Bickmore
6 PANDEMIC PRINCESS He Campbell Va Grondin
7 BARBELLA Br Ranger Ke Andersen
8 LADY LAKE MARTY Ke Watson Li Watson
Sixth Race
MAINE SIRE STAKES FINAL 2 Year Old Colt & Gelding Pacers
Purse: $76,023 Class: ME SS FIN* Gait: Pace Dis: 1 Mile
PP Horse Driver Trainer
1 CHEATIN FATE Ke Switzer Jr Ma Tardif
2 MASSIVE SPEED Wa Case Jr Ma Tardif
3 RACE ME CELTIC Wi Campbell Wi Childs
4 KEENAN STAR He Campbell Va Grondin
5 ELLA V DUDE Br Ranger Ma Tardif
6 DAWN TWO DARK An Harrington Ma Tardif
7 GRACIES TOUGH GUY Da Ingraham Fr Ward Jr
8 JAX ATTACK Aa Hall Ma Tardif
Eighth Race
MAINE SIRE STAKES FINAL 2 Year Old Colt & Gelding Trotters
Purse: $75,753 Class: ME SS FIN* Gait: Trot Dis: 1 Mile
PP Horse Driver Trainer
1 JUST FOOLIN He Campbell Da Crochere
2 IRON MIKE Ma Athearn Gr Athearn
3 ENCHANTED PRINCE An Harrington Ki Ireland
4 LIBERTY’S WILDCARD Ke Switzer Jr Ma Tardif
5 KATAHDIN VICTOR Wa Watson Li Watson
6 WHATAWONDER Ke Watson Li Watson
The Maine Sire Stakes continues, along with a full cards of harness racing action, at the Cumberland Fair with the 3-year-old male pacers on Thursday (Sept. 26), with the 3-year-old trotters completing the sophomore divisions on Friday (Sept. 27). The 2-year-old finals will be held on Saturday (Sept. 28). Post time is 1:00 pm each day.
The Sunday (Sept. 29) card has a special post time of 10:55 am for that final racing date.
After the fair, the track’s 19-day Winter Festival begins November 2 and follows a 2-day Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the month of November. The month of December picks up Fridays for 3-day weekends of racing through December 22. Our popular Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 21.
For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/
