Three-year-olds spotlighted at Union Fair

CUMBERLAND, ME – Three-year-old harness racing pacers continued their trek around the Union (ME) Fair oval on Wednesday (July 27) and Thursday (July 28) as the Maine Breeders Stakes (MSBS) concluded their four days of harness racing action at the historic agricultural showcase.

Unbeaten sophomore pacing filly Pembroke Legacy (Baron Biltmore) continued to build up her own inheritance as the filly has been unstoppable in her five legs of the Maine-sired series.

On Thursday in the $11,461 first division while scoring from post four, driver Heath Campbell sent Pembroke Legacy right to the front and never looked back.  Cruising through well-rated fractions, the fast filly opened up an additional seven lengths in the stretch to win in 2:00.3 by 9-3/4 lengths.

Trained by Valerie Grondin, “Legacy” is owned and was bred by Bill Varney, paying $2.20 to win as the heavy favorite.  Wicked Kissa (Andy Harrington / Marc Tardif) finished second; Mach Royal (Gary Mosher / Scott Pooler) was third.

In the second $11,461 MSBS division for 3-year-old pacing fillies, fans witnessed another wire-to-wire rout by Wolverina (Cheyenne Hollywood), who posted her third victory in as many starts.

Driven by Aaron Hall for trainer Mike Graffam, the filly won by 5-3/4 lengths in 1:59.2.  The clocking equaled her seasonal best on the half-mile circuits of Maine.  Wolverina was bred by Mike Graffam who retained ownership with Bill Arnold.  She paid $3.00 to win.

Sweet Baby G (Walter Case Jr. / Fred Ward Jr.) finished second; CBF Fin (Dave Ingraham / David Crochere) was third.

On Wednesday (July 27), Daughtry (Western Maverick) belted out his own tune of triumph, winning his $11,477 Maine Breeders Stake for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings at Union Fair.

Driven by his owner Ron Cushing, and trained by Heidi Gibbs, the sophomore colt has never missed a check in four previous MSBS events, winning his first event of the season in 2:01.4.  Daughtry was bred by Kevin Sywyk.

Ugotaearnyrstripes (Dave Ingraham / Stephen LaCasse) finished second; Use Yah Blinkah (Heath Campbell / Valerie Grondin) was third.

In the second $11,702 MSBS division for 3-year-old male pacers, Bandolito Blaze (Western Maverick) enjoyed a perfect pocket trip to get his first stakes win of the year in 2:00.1.

Driven by Heath Campbell and trained by Valerie Grondin, the colt was also bred by Grondin, who shares ownership with Rhoda Underhill.  Bandolito Blaze paid $7.40 to win.

Ranaldi (Ron Cushing / Heidi Gibbs) cut the mile and hung on for second; Stormin Maverick (Andy Harrington / Marc Tardif) was third.

The Maine Breeders Stakes continues at the historic Bass Park in Bangor, with the 3-year-old pacers racing Wednesday (August 3) and then the series transitions over to Topsham for five days of racing beginning Sunday (Aug. 7) and continuing through Saturday (Aug. 13).

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

For full race results, click here.

by Chris Tully, for the Maine Breeders Stakes