Track record set at Topsham Fair

Topsham, Maine … The 170th edition of the Topsham Fair wound down in grand fashion on Saturday (August 10) as an overflow harness racing crowd packed the historic grandstands to pay witness to an epic accomplishment as So Rock N’ Roll (Western Maverick-So So Sweet) blazed to a new track record in the annual $10,000 Topsham Fair Open.

Breaking third from the gate, driver Bruce Ranger was content to draft at the pylons behind legitimate early fractions set by JK Objection (Heath Campbell) who took the field smartly to the quarter in :28.4 before taking a slight breather to the half in :58.

Sensing the slight deceleration, Ranger tipped his charge just prior to the half, seeking engagement in first-over fashion, and steadily making headway as the tempo incrementally quickened.

Battling through a :28.3 third panel to reach the 3/4-mile marker in 1:26.3, So Rock N’ Roll came along-side JK Objection, finally making contact a mere 3/4-length off the pacesetter. The tandem then matched strides into yet another :28.3 frame as they entered the final turn separated by scant whiskers, but as the they exited the bend the outcome became evident with So Rock N’ Roll gaining a full two-length lead at the top of the stretch.

In a test against time, Ranger allowed So Rock N Roll his head as the glided in front of the cheering fans, reaching the wire 4-1/2 lengths the best while the tele-timer proclaimed a new track record for four-year-old geldings in 1:55.1, supplanting the previous standard of 1:55.2 set by Alex Having Fun and driver Drew Campbell in the 2021 edition of the same race.

Owned and bred by Leighton Property, and trained by Benson Merrill, the four-year-old Maine-bred adds the Topsham record to the same divisional standard earned at Bangor Raceway in his July victory in the $25,000 Fred Nichols Memorial. The win was his 11th of the season and pushed his career bankroll to $304,291. He paid $2.60 to win.

“We knew he was a good horse off his record as a stakes horse when he transferred to our barn after his stakes had concluded last year” Merrill remarked, “So we had high expectations for him as he matured into a four-year-old. We really didn’t know he would become this sort of pacer though and obviously we’re delighted with the results.”

“The track record at Bangor showed that he had legit speed and 1:55.1 at Topsham is a pretty impressive mile, so we’ll hope for an invitation to the Hight Memorial at Skowhegan next week I know there will be tough horses in that one but if he draws okay, he’s already shown he belongs.”

Pandemic Princess ran off and hid from her competitors in the $16,341 Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old trotting fillies, dominating by seven lengths in 2:09.1 for driver Heath Campbell and trainer Grondin.

The daughter of Whataworkout never had an anxious moment as she added more distance between herself and her rivals with every stride in the final half.  She paid $7.80 to win her second race of the season.  Owned and bred by Lynne-Marie Plouffe, she has earned $20,163 in four lifetime starts.

Little Shot (Ivan Davies) finished second; Katahdin Mistress (Wally Watson) was third.

In the early non-betting races Whatawonder started off the action in the $16,028 freshmen male trot, extending his win streak to five for trainer Lisa Watson and driver Ken Watson.  The son of Whataworkout made every call a winning one, holding off the late charge of stable mate Katahdin Victor (Wally Watson) to score by three parts of a length in 2:08.1.

Owned and bred by Barbara Lawson, the top horse in the 2-year-old trotting colt division has never seen the back of a helmet and has grossed $32,506, so far this year. Liberty’s Wildcard (Walter Case Jr.) finished third.

Another divisional stand out is Pembroke Breeze in the 3-year-old trotting filly group.  The daughter of Pembroke Slugger has also triumphed in five consecutive outings, and just eclipsed six figures in lifetime earnings by taking her split by 3-3/4 lengths in 2:09.1.

Driven by Heath Campbell to a wire-to-wire romp, she is trained by Valerie Grondin and has earned $105,316 in her career for owner-breeder Bill Varney.

Bernie’s Legacy (Dave Ingraham) finished second; My Saving Grace (Mark Athearn) was third.

In the third and final non-wagering race Chipper Dale and Drew Campbell led every step of the way in the 3-year-old colt and gelding trot, stopping the timer in 2:09.2.  Prevailing by 2-1/4 lengths to capture his fourth win of the season, and third in a row, the son of Shake It Off Lindy is owned and was bred by Lynne-Marie Plouffe and is a half-brother to Pandemic Princess.  Trained by Valerie Grondin, Chipper Dale has earned $113,422 lifetime.

Stable mate Pembroke Will (Heath Campbell) finished second; Carrabassett (Mark Athearn) was third.

In other Topsham news, Merrill’s win with So Rock N’ Roll was one of three on the program for his outfit and elevated him into a tie with Valerie Grondin, who also harnesses three winners on Saturday, for leading trainer honors at the meet with five wins each.

Andy Harrington won the Topsham Fair drivers’ championship with eight scores over the course of the five day meeting, one more than runner-up, David Ingraham.

Maine’s fairground circuit now switches venues as the Skowhegan State Fair opens their weeklong harness racing meet starting on Sunday (August 11) with post time scheduled for 1:00 p.m. (EDT).

Skowhegan’s simulcast will be available for viewing and wagering on most national ADWs and brick and mortar locations through an agreement with Great Pine Racing.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results

by Mike Sweeney and Chris Tully