Fairs await Maine freshmen after Cumberland finale

CUMBERLAND, ME – While the pari-mutuel harness racing meet was winding down over the weekend at the Cumberland Fairgrounds, owners and trainers of Maine Breeders Stakes colts and fillies were also thinking about the road ahead as the Pine Tree State Fair season gets underway.

On Friday (July 23) a lone division of 2-year-old pacing fillies went postward, held before the regular card, carrying a purse of $11,703 for the seven horse field.  The leading point earner in the division, Pickmepickme (Western Maverick), picked up her second Maine Breeders Stakes (MSBS) triumph for the Tardif Taskforce.

Driven to a 2:01.3 victory by Andy Harrington, the filly is owned, trained and was bred by Marc Tardif.

Last week’s divisional winner Janie was the pacesetter for driver Wally Watson, setting comfortable fractions of 29.2, 1:00 and a 1:30.1 third quarter.  However, Harrington tipped out of the two-hole at the head of the head of the stretch and won comfortably by 4-1/4 lengths.  Pickmepickme now has two wins and a second in the Maine-sired competition.

La Mambacita (Ron Cushing, Heidi Gibbs) finished second; Katelyn’s Angel (Walter Case Jr., Marc Tardif) was third.  Janie hung on to be fourth.

Saturday’s (July 23) non-wagering events featured two $11,000-plus MSBS races for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings.

Luke McGook (Rock N’ Roll World) now has four victories under his belt for Team Tardif, including three consecutive victories in Maine Breeders Stakes.  Saturday’s wire-to-wire romp for driver Kevin Switzer Jr. in 2:02 was the gelding’s widest margin of victory to date, cruising home by 5-3/4 lengths to grab his half of the $11,433 purse.  Luke McGook was bred by Erika Saucier and is now owned by Leighton Property.

Stable mate Rockaroundsam (Walter Case Jr.) finished second, giving trainer Marc Tardif a one-two punch in that division.  Two Towns Over (Heath Campbell, Valerie Grondin) was third.

The second $11,609 division of 2yo male pacers went to the other Tardif standout Twice The Ice (Deuce Seelster), who has also racked up three consecutive MSBS successes.  Driven by Walter Case Jr. the 2-year-old colt equaled his seasonal mark of 2:01.4, winning by three parts of a length after being parked to the quarter in 29.2.

Twice The Ice was cool under pressure for owner/trainer Marc Tardif, and was bred by Gary and Kristina Hall.  Mattucci (Heath Campbell, Valerie Grondin) finished second; Anithingforyoudear (Mike Stevenson, Marc Tardif) was third.

This week Maine Breeders Stakes moves to the Union (ME) Fair, with the 2-year-old trotters having raced on Sunday (July 24) and the 3-year-olds racing Tuesday through Thursday.

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to the Maine State website.

For complete Friday non-wagering race results, click here.

For complete Friday pari-mutuel race results, click here.

For complete Saturday non-wagering race results, click here.

For complete Saturday pari-mutuel race results, click here.

by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland