Maine pacers stand out at Topsham

TOPSHAM, ME – Four $14,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2- and 3-year-old pacers went postward at Topsham Fair on Wednesday (Aug. 9) and Thursday (Aug. 10), with the popular attraction acting as a centerpiece of the week-long agricultural fair.

Thursday’s harness racing card included two splits for freshmen pacing fillies, which saw some fresh faces finding their way to the winners circle.

The opening non-wagering event saw Dave Ingraham guide Gowestyounggrace to her first lifetime victory in the $14,662 Maine-bred 2-year-old filly pace, handing Mrs. Foxy Roxy (Heath Campbell-Mike Graffam) her first defeat in three starts.

Ingraham was happy to let Mrs Foxy Roxy and Campbell cut the early fractions of 31.2 and 1:04.1 around the tight turns of the Topsham Fair track.  Despite the soft half and an up-tempo 1:36 third panel, Ingraham was able to take the lead by the head of the stretch and prevail by 2-1/2 lengths.  Tripping the timer in 2:05.4, Gowestyounggrace took her first lifetime record and the lion’s share of the purse while breaking her maiden.

Owned by Sharon Ward with trainer Fred Ward Jr., the daughter of Western Maverick was also bred in Maine by the Wards.

For Mrs Foxy Roxy, it was the second time in five starts that she finished second in a Maine Sire Stake, having won the other three while still maintaining a healthy lead in the divisional point standings.

Push Your Luck (Andy Harrington-Marc Tardif) finished third.

In the second $14,486 2yo filly pace, Who’s Perfect had not a care in the world as she toured the Topsham circuit, capturing every call, and scoring in a new lifetime best 2:03.1.  Driven by Heath Campbell for trainer Valerie Grondin, the daughter of Western Maverick is owned by breeder Lynn-Marie Plouffe with co-owners Dick and Patty McKeen.  Now with two wins and two seconds in Maine Sire Stakes company, she has amassed $23,140 in seasonal earnings.  Who’s Perfect paid $5.60 to win

Animore Sass (Harrington-Tardif) finished second; Ghost Of You (Kevin Switzer Jr.-Tardif) was third.

Wednesday’s (Aug 9.) card was postponed from Tuesday due to rain, and brought the glamour boys out to the fair for their weekly romp.

Remaining undefeated this season is the talk of the town Luke McGook, who has heretofore an unblemished six-for-six record.  Scoring in 2:00 for regular pilot Kevin Switzer Jr. and trainer Marc Tardif, the 3-year-old son of Rock N’ Roll World added another $14,917 Maine Sire Stake to his growing résumé.

Two Towns Over (Aaron Hall-Valerie Grondin) cut the fractions of 29.2, 1:01 and 1:30.4 with Luke McGook right on his helmet.  However, when the field turned for home the horse with the funny name was all business as he tipped off the pylons and battled stride for stride with the pacesetter down to the wire to ultimately prevail by a scant quarter of a length.

Luke McGook was the heavy 1-9 favorite and paid $2.20 to win.  Owned by Leighton Property, he was bred in Maine by Erika Saucier.  His sophomore stable mate Rockaroundsam (Harrington-Tardif) was third.

In a training sweep of the glamour boys division, the well-stocked stable of Marc and Peggy Tardif sent out their own So Rock N’ Roll to overpower his foes.  Scoring in an identical 2:00 over the Topsham half-mile oval, the son of Western Maverick took his $15,142 sophomore colt and gelding pace in dominant fashion following a bold 28.4 quarter move from the back of the pack.

Driven by Walter Case Jr. for owner-breeder Leighton Property-Lesley Leighton, it was the third victory of the season the lifetime winner of $110,403.  Colt Bennett (Ingraham-David Crochere) finished second; Facemaskrequired (Switzer Jr.-Tardif) was third.

Racing continues with freshmen colt pacers on August 12 at Topsham.

Next week, the circuit transitions to Skowhegan for another full week of Maine harness racing at its finest, beginning Sunday (Aug. 13) and continuing through August 19.

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

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

For complete Thursday card one race results, click here: US Trotting results.

For complete Thursday card two race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes