Wildcard, Barbella extend winning streaks in Maine Sire Stakes

FARMINGTON, ME – Five $17,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2- and 3-year old trotters were contested on Wednesday (Sept. 17), with many of the usual suspects reminding harness racing fans that they are at, or near, the top of their class.

In the $17,476 Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings, which was the only division that was held on the wagering card, it was Liberty’s Wildcard (Noble Venture) that showed why he is the one to watch in next month’s rich Maine Sires Stakes final.

Sitting patiently in the pocket until the half, driver Kevin Switzer Jr. let the son of Noble Venture roll first over and cruise home the rest of the way in 2:04.1.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, it was Liberty’s Wildcard ninth win in ten seasonal starts and brought him to $109,231 in lifetime earnings.  He paid $3.20 to win and was bred by Jerry Stratton Jr.

Whatawonder (Ken Watson) finished second; Just Foolin (Heath Campbell) was third.

In the $16,973 sophomore filly trot Barbella maintained her relative dominance taking her fifth straight score for driver Bruce Ranger and trainer Ken Anderson.  The daughter of Whataworkout won by 1-3/4 lengths in 2:05.1.

Owned by Robert Zakian, she was bred by the late Mike Andrew.  Little Shot (Ivan Davies) finished second; Race Me Bombshell (William Childs) was third in the non-wagering event.

Four additional divisions of Pine Tree State-bred trotters were held before the regular card at Farmington, with the winners as follows:

$16,754 Two-year-old filly Trot, Pembroke Lady, 2:04.4, Heath Campbell, Valerie Grondin;

$16,754 Two-year-old filly Trot, Our Last Quote, 2:10.1, Steve Wilson, Charlene Cushing;

$16,891 Two-year-old colt and gelding Trot, Wilder N Idy, Mark Athearn, Gretchen Athearn;

$16,974 Three-year-old filly Trot, Twisted Fate, Mike Cushing trained and drove.

The Maine Sire Stakes concludes with the 2-year-old filly pacers on ‘Jug Day’ Thursday (Sept. 18), and then transitions over to the Cumberland Fair next week.

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  https://www.mainesirestakes.com

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes