September 26, 2024, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Gowestyounggrace and Mrs Foxy Roxy both took their respective $19,921 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies on Wednesday (September 25) at the Cumberland (Maine) Fair.

It was the ninth straight victory and tenth on the season for Gowestyounggrace who has been unstoppable since late-June.  Owned and bred by Fred and Sharon Ward and trained by Fred Ward, the swift daughter of Western Maverick gave Emma Rozze and Heath Campbell a re-take into the 29 first panel.  It was the first time that the filly had seen the back of a helmet in months, so Ingraham wasted little time re-establishing command before the 1:00.2 half.

By the third stanza in 1:30.2, with the rest of the field following intently, it was only a matter of how fast he would let ‘Grace’ pace down to the wire.  Ultimately the final time was a reserved 1:59.4, winning by 1-3/4 lengths.  She paid $2.20 to win as the heavy favorite.

Who’s Perfect (Aaron Hall) finished second; Emma Rozze was third.

In the other division, Mrs Foxy Roxy and Walter Case Jr. led every step of the way, scoring in 2:00.3 by neck over a fast closing Pembroke Red and Heath Campbell. 

It was the third seasonal victory for the daughter of Deuce Seelster, who paid $11.60.  Trained by Bob Marston for Bill McElvaine Jr., Diane Dunn and Brad Veilleux, she was bred in Maine by Kristina and Gary Hall.

My Sweet Revenge (Kevin Switzer Jr.) finished third.

Before the Wedneday card the Maine Standardbred Breeders Association held a special on-air draw at First Tracks Cumberland, where Saturday’s (Sept. 28) four $75,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes finals for 2-year-olds were drawn.

CUMBERLAND RACEWAY

Saturday, September 28, 2024, First Post 1:00 PM

Second Race

MAINE SIRE STAKES FINAL 2 Year Old Filly Pacers  

Purse: $75,821     Class: ME SS FIN*     Gait: Pace         Dis: 1 Mile    

HN    Horse              Driver              Trainer            

1   WHISPER OF LUCK    Ke Switzer Jr       Ma Tardif          

2   LEANNE MARIE       Mi Cushing          Ch Cushing           

3   RUFF DUDE’S JENA   Da Ingraham         Ke Case              

4   AUDRY              St Wilson           Ch Cushing           

5   THINKIN BOUT LIFE  Wa Case Jr          Ma Tardif            

6   GLORILLA           Ro Cushing          He Cushing           

7   CHASING DUDES      Ni Graffam          Mi Graffam           

Fourth Race

MAINE SIRE STAKES FINAL 2 Year Old Filly Trotters  

Purse: $75,916     Class: ME SS FIN*     Gait: Trot         Dis: 1 Mile    

PP  Horse              Driver              Trainer            

1   LITTLE  SHOT       Iv Davies           Iv Davies          

2   KATAHDIN MISTRESS  Wa Watson           Li Watson          

3   BLIZZARD’S FURY    Ke Switzer Jr       Ma Tardif          

4   RACE ME BOMBSHELL                      Wi Childs          

5   BELABELLE          Er Bickmore         Er Bickmore        

6   PANDEMIC PRINCESS  He Campbell         Va Grondin         

7   BARBELLA           Br Ranger           Ke Andersen        

8   LADY LAKE MARTY    Ke Watson           Li Watson          

Sixth Race

MAINE SIRE STAKES FINAL 2 Year Old Colt & Gelding Pacers  

Purse: $76,023     Class: ME SS FIN*     Gait: Pace         Dis: 1 Mile    

PP  Horse              Driver              Trainer            

1   CHEATIN FATE       Ke Switzer Jr       Ma Tardif          

2   MASSIVE SPEED      Wa Case Jr          Ma Tardif          

3   RACE ME CELTIC     Wi Campbell         Wi Childs          

4   KEENAN STAR        He Campbell         Va Grondin         

5   ELLA V DUDE        Br Ranger           Ma Tardif          

6   DAWN TWO DARK      An Harrington       Ma Tardif          

7   GRACIES TOUGH GUY  Da Ingraham         Fr Ward Jr         

8   JAX ATTACK         Aa Hall             Ma Tardif          

Eighth Race

MAINE SIRE STAKES FINAL 2 Year Old Colt & Gelding Trotters  

Purse: $75,753     Class: ME SS FIN*     Gait: Trot         Dis: 1 Mile    

PP  Horse              Driver              Trainer            

1   JUST FOOLIN        He Campbell         Da Crochere        

2   IRON MIKE          Ma Athearn          Gr Athearn         

3   ENCHANTED PRINCE   An Harrington       Ki Ireland         

4   LIBERTY’S WILDCARD Ke Switzer Jr       Ma Tardif          

5   KATAHDIN VICTOR    Wa Watson           Li Watson          

6   WHATAWONDER        Ke Watson           Li Watson          

The Maine Sire Stakes continues, along with a full cards of harness racing action, at the Cumberland Fair with the 3-year-old male pacers on Thursday (Sept. 26), with the 3-year-old trotters completing the sophomore divisions on Friday (Sept. 27).  The 2-year-old finals will be held on Saturday (Sept. 28).  Post time is 1:00 pm each day.

The Sunday (Sept. 29) card has a special post time of 10:55 am for that final racing date.

After the fair, the track’s 19-day Winter Festival begins November 2 and follows a 2-day Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the month of November.  The month of December picks up Fridays for 3-day weekends of racing through December 22.  Our popular Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 21.

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/