Dramatic stretch drives highlight Maine Sire Stakes divisions

FRYEBURG, ME – The Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings went postward on Thursday (Oct. 2) at the famous Fryeburg Fair, with two divisions of the glamour harness racing boys wowing fans in a preview of next week’s sophomore finals.

In the first $16,987 division, which was held before the regular card, This Dude’s Perfect (Heath Campbell) held sway over the field at the start and led the pack through evenly rated splits of :29.3 and 1:00.1 to the half.

Dawn Two Dark (Andy Harrington) was not content with the pocket so he pulled while headed to the 1:29.1 third panel and was on top by half a length at the head of the stretch.  Stalking and watching the action from off the pace was Ridgecrest Dan and John Nason who swooped both former leaders to prevail under the shadow of the wire by three parts of a length in 1:58.4.

Also trained by John Nason, the son of Dude’s The Man is owned by Bill ‘Yarmouth Lumber’ Phipps and picked up his fourth win of the season.  He was bred in Maine by Jason Vafiades and improved his seasonal bankroll to $51,078.

Dawn Two Dark finished second; I’m Not Maverick got up for third.

In the second $17,212 division it was another come from behind effort by Gracies Tough Guy, who caught the pacesetter Cheatin Fate (Andy Harrington) by a nose at the wire in 1:59.

Driven by Dave Ingraham for trainer Fred Ward Jr. and owner Sharon Ward, the homebred son of Western Maverick is a full brother to former Maine filly pacing star Gowestyounggrace.

Returning $7.60, it was the first seasonal win for Gracies Tough Guy.

Race Me Celtic (Bill Childs) was third.

The Maine Sire Stakes continues at Fryeburg with more agricultural fair racing with both divisions of 3-year-old trotters on Friday (Oct. 3).  The $340,000-plus Sophomore Finals of the Maine Sire Stakes take place on Saturday (Oct. 11) at Bangor Raceway.

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