Scarborough Downs hosted its inaugural Super Sire Stakes weekend, with the 3-year-old finals taking place on Sunday for purses in excess of $310,000. On Saturday, it was the 2-year-old divisional championships where $210,000 in stakes purses were on the line.

Kanalla Bella, driven by Ivan Davies, got Sunday’s action underway. The filly was never seriously challenged throughout the mile en route to a 5 A?1?4-length victory in the $77,582 3-year-old filly trotting final, timed in 2:03-2/5th.

“Ivan is an expert at balancing a trotter out and has kept this filly in fine form throughout the season,” said winning owner, Michael Andrew of Gorham following the filly’s seventh consecutive win.

Andrew quickly made a second appearance in the Scarborough Downs winner’s circle following the $77,582 3-year-old colt final as Up Tempo, also his, marched to a 13th career victory in 17 starts to add the 3-year-old championship trophy to the 2-year-old crown that he claimed the year prior. Trainer/driver Gordon Corey handled the lines.

“He’s perhaps the best Maine-bred trotter that I’ve ever seen,” said guest announcer and veteran harness observer Lloyd Johnson. “Even as a late blooming 2-year-old his ability was evident.”

SD Boomerang controlled all the action throughout the $77,715 filly pacing final as driver Stephen Mahar guided the horse to a 2 A?3?4-length victory.

In the $77,743 3-year-old colt pacing division, Maineiac Matt with inside position insisted on the early lead putting stable-mate Terry’s Star Dragon quickly in the pocket as they speed to the quarter-marker in a sizzling 27.3 seconds.

Two-by-two the stable mates duked it out as they began to slowly inch away from the field. By the time they appeared from behind the infield tote board, mere whiskers separated the pair as they raced in lockstep down the stretch.

When the dust had cleared, Terry’s Star Dragon was first to the wire in 1:57-4/5th to secure his 18th lifetime win in 21 career starts.

“I lost the stakes final with his mother, My Radiant Star, by a pencil mark to a great Maine-bred named Gypsy,” said winning owner Robert Tourangeau of Scarborough. “And I always hoped that if we were ever in a tight final again that I could come out on the other side of that pencil mark. Terry made all those hopes into reality today – it’s a very emotional victory.”

On Saturday, Pembroke Annie was winner of the 2-year-old filly trotting division, posting a 9 1?2-length victory.

The 2-year-old colt trotting crown was captured by Bad Boy Billy (driven by Corey), who concluded an undefeated freshman season. He’s another of Andrew’s horses.

No Peeking overcame post position eight to claim victory in the $52,659 filly pacing final as driver Drew Campbell willed his horse past the pace-setting Isn’t She Lovely with less than a length separating the two at the wire.

Neutral Court capped off the stakes championship action on Saturday, overcoming an early miscue to seal a 3/4-length victory in the 2-year-old colt pacing division.

The New England Sulky Championships – the final stake of the 2008 season – will be contested on Saturday at Scarborough Downs. First post time is slated for 12:30 p.m.

Mike Sweeney, publicity director at Scarborough Downs, provided the information contained in this report.

Copy the Story Link