July 22, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Thomas Smith photo)
BANGOR, ME – Mrs Foxy Roxy returned to her winning ways Friday (July 21) at Bangor, capturing her second Maine Sires Stakes event of the month.
One $15,298 nine-horse division of 2-year-old pacing fillies went postward in an early non-wagering race. Driven by Nick Graffam, the daughter of Deuce Seelser rolled out smoothly to the front from the post two, taking an early command of the large group of freshman distaffs. Who’s Perfect (Drew Campbell-Valerie Grondin), who was last week’s victor, inherited the two-hole from the second tier post nine and followed intently into a 30.2 opening panel.
As the field hit the reduced tempo half mile marker in 1:03, Kevin Switzer Jr. driving Ghost Of You was the first to move first over for trainer Marc Tardif. At the 1:33.2 third panel she had gotten to the wheel of Mrs Foxy Roxy with Who’s Perfect up close in third on the pylons.
But as the field turned for home the two inner-most combatants had sped away from the rest of the field and battled eye-to-eye down to the wire, similar to last week where the winning margin was a nose.
Graffam continued to urge Mrs Foxy Roxy and kept her engaged to prevail by a neck over Who’s Perfect in 2:02.3, a new lifetime mark.
Trained by Mike Graffam for owners William McElvain Jr., Diane Dunn and Bradford Veilleux, it was her second win in three stakes events. Mrs Foxy Roxy was bred in Maine by Kristina and Gary Hall.
Ghost Of You finished third.
Maine Sire Stakes events resume on Saturday (July 22), where the freshmen colts return to Cumberland. Sunday’s (July 23) card enjoys the reappearance of all the trotters to historic Bass Park. For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com to learn about the new Mare Incentive program.
