September 5, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Holli Niles photos)
BANGOR, ME – Freshmen male pacers returned to Bangor Raceway on Wednesday (September 4) for a pair of $19,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes, with the undefeated Massive Speed continuing to dominate the division.
Regular pilot Walter Case Jr. sent Massive Speed, the 1-9 favorite, directly to the front from post two in the $19,662 first split, with second choice Keenan’s Star (Heath Campbell) sticking closely in the pocket. With the field in two distinct segments separated by 14 lengths, the people’s choice set a snappy 28.4 opening panel. This was followed by a much more relaxed 1:00.1 half, with little movement from the ‘three-and-three’ followers.
While Case quickened the tempo with Massive Speed into a 1:29.3 third stanza, the pocket-sitting Keenan’s Star was poised to challenge and tipped out around the final turn to make the otherwise uneventful circuit into a horse race.
With the would-be assault underway, Case chirped to his charge and gave the swift son of Dude’s The Man a hand drive down to the wire to win by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:58, a new lifetime best.
Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, it was the seventh consecutive victory for the here-to-fore unbeaten colt. His lifetime earnings are now $51,996, and he paid $2.20 to win. He was bred in Maine by Laurie Harding.
Keenan’s Star finished second; stable mate Cheatin Fate (Andy Harrington) was third.
In the second $19,661 division Heath Campbell sent 10-1 longshot This Dude’s Perfect right to the top with Gracies Tough Guy (Dave Ingraham) yielding to that early speed. Before the field hit the 29.1 quarter-mile mark 1-2 favorite Dawn Two Dark (Andy Harrington) was out and rolling first over from the back of the pack, and assumed the point at the 3/8’s pole.
As the new leader set his sights on the 59 second half, the challengers were poised to pounce from off the pace. The first to charge toward the front was Gracies Tough Guy, with Race Me Celtic (Drew Campbell) second over and giving chase.
With the pocket sitting This Dude’s Perfect gapping his cover, Gracies Tough Guy rolled up to engage the pacesetter through a 1:28.2 third panel, with Race Me Celtic surging three wide around the final turn. Gracies Tough Guy maintained his momentum into the home stretch and gained an advantage over Dawn Two Dark and prevailed down to the wire in 1:58.2.
Trained by Fred Ward Jr. who also owns and bred with his wife Sharon Ward, the son of Western Maverick took a lifetime mark while scoring impressively by 1-1/4 lengths over a fast closing Race Me Celtic. Gracies Tough Guy is the 2-year-old full brother to sophomore pacing filly standout Gowestyounggrace, and now has his first lifetime victory from seven career starts, paying $9.20 for the score.
Dawn To Dark hung on for third.
The Maine Sire Stakes continues at Bangor on Saturday (Sept. 7) for all four divisions of
trotters and back on Sunday (Sept. 8) with the 2-year-old filly pacers.
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