Case gets hat trick at Farmington Fair

Farmington, Maine – Harness racing driver Walter Case, Jr held the hot hand on a chilly afternoon as the legendary driver paraded three winners in front of the historic stands at Farmington Fair on Friday (September 2).

Included in Case’s tally was the fastest split of the weeklong fairground meeting as he piloted Dakota Jackson’s pacer, Deseronto (Whosurboy), to an insistent first over score timed in 1:56.4, despite being dismissed at 9-1 odds by the betting public.

The win places Jackson in a tie with Marc Tardiff atop the Farmington leading trainers’ board with one day of competition left. Jackson will be afforded one chance to break the tie and claim the title as he sends out Cold Decked with driver Ron Cushing, assigned, as the 5-2 favorite, in Saturday’s eight race.

Case’s other Friday afternoon winners included Dr D’s Jodine (Dr McDreamy) who visited the winner’s circle for the fourth consecutive time for owner/trainer Stanley Bubier III, and Captain Google (Captaintreacherous), who made his first state-of-Maine start a winning one for new trainer, David Saywer.

In other Farmington news, the 14-year-old fireplug, Bettors Fire N (Bettor’s Delight) continues his steady march toward retirement, and certainly intent on going out on his own terms. The career winner of $1,039,539 spun his third consecutive triumphant epic on Friday, securing his 69th career winners circle appearance in the process, with regular pilot Ron Cushing in his customary seat.

Notably, when many 14-year-old veterans end their careers reliving past glories in lower conditioned or claiming events, Bettors Fire N continues to torment New England’s upper-class foes in this, his final campaign, thus far bankrolling $43,790 this year while boasting a 14-year-old mark of 1:53.3 taken earlier this season at Plainridge Park.

Bettors Fire N is trained by Heidi Gibbs for co-owners, Kevin Sywyk, Ron Cushing, and Frank Rinaldi.

The Farmington Fair concludes its 2022 meeting with a ten-race program on Saturday (September 24) with post time slated for 2:00 p.m. (EDT). The card will feature the $12,00 renewal of the Farmington Fair Invitational and a special trackside ceremony honoring the memory of native son and Hall of Fame member, Ted Wing, who passed away at age 74, earlier this month.

For complete race results, click here.

by Mike Sweeney, for the Farmington Fair