Maine Sires Stakes program underway for two year olds

The two-year-old segment of the Maine Sire Stakes program made its first appearance of the 2015 harness racing season when the freshman trotters invaded Scarborough Downs on Sunday (7-19) with one division of fillies and one division of colts lending their luster to the eleven race program.

Hes A Castoff proved much the best in the $12,008 colt split as driver Mark Athearn sent his charge smartly to the lead and never to look back, extending out to a leisurely 5-1/4 length margin at the wire while taking a brand new lifetime mark of 2:05.3.

The son of Current Cast – Celebrity Woman extended his career streak of perfection to two in a row for co-owners Thomas Dillon and Walter Hight and legendary state of Maine Hall of Fame trainer, Don Richards.

Pembroke Bada Bing (Heath Campbell) stalked from the pocket to secure the runner-up spot while Dusty Venture (Ivan Davies) followed the leaders twice around the oval for the show dough.

The mutuel entry of GonnaKissMeOrNot (Noble Venture-Wild Pine Princess) and Just A Little Evil ((Noble Venture-Crying Photo) overcame posts seven and eight respectively to secure the top two placings in the $11,850 filly division.

GonnaKissMeOrNot and driver Ron Cushing relentlessly attacked the pace-setting StartActnLikeALady (Gary Hall) through a contentious second half, before clearing by 3-lengths to the wire, and stopping the clock in a maiden breaking 2:08.3.

The filly is owned in partnership by Kevin Sywyk, Lynne-Marie Plouffe and Ron Cushing and trained by Heidi Gibbs.

Just A little Evil (Heath Campbell) rallied for second while StartActnLikeALady recovered from a break in the final turn to secure third.

Maine Sire Stakes action returns to Scarborough Downs next weekend with the two-year-old filly pacing divisions being showcased on Saturday (7/25) and the freshmen colts taking center stage on Sunday (7/26).

Live racing is proudly featured at Scarborough Downs on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 4:30 p.m. (EDT). The Sunday matinee gets underway at 1:30.

For more information, visit www.ScarboroughDowns.com or our Facebook page.

Michael Sweeney