The 2012 edition of the Maine Sire Stakes program launched its summer-long season on Saturday (6/23) as the 3-year-old colt pacing division rocketed to the raceway at Scarborough Downs. Three divisions went to the post, contested for purses in excess of $11,700 and the buzz around the Downs all week long centered around the possibility of track records being rewritten by the speedy sophomore set. The buzz would prove warranted.

Pembroke Dewey and driver Heath Campbell were dissed in the early going of the first Stakes split, leaving the starting gate from post 7 while being denied a seat at the rail throughout the entire opening half. Despite the extended overland journey, the 3-year-old son of Baron Biltmore held plenty in reserve to sprint past the pacesetting Paris Knight (Kevin Switzer, Jr.) to secure the victory timed in a lifetime equaling time of 1:57.1. Paris Knight held for the place with Macho McGraw (Kevin Switzer) securing the show spot. Pembroke Dewey is owned by William Varney of Bangor, Maine and trained by Valerie Grondin.

Fast Ben posted a major upset in the 2nd Stakes division contested on Saturday as driver Gary Mosher held back off the pace in the early going only to sneak up the inside during a contested stretch battle to sprint to a tantalizingly narrow margin of victory. Owned by The Ben Bill & Will Stable of Carmel, Maine, the son of Fast Company toured the oval in a tepid 1:59.1 to establish a brand new pacing mark. Mac's Pride (Shawn Thayer) was second with Western Luke (Ruel Goodblood, Jr.) third.

The track record for 3-year-old geldings was equaled in the third Stakes heat of the day as Fuzzylegsandall shaved nearly 4 seconds off his previous best effort, stopping the tele-timer in a sterling 1:56.1 and matching the benchmark established by S J's Character (Ivan Davies) in 2008. Steered in pillar-to-post fashion by driver Mark Athearn, the impressive sophomore son of Western Cyclone scored his 4th win from just 5 seasonal starts for co-owners Duel Pats Farm and Gretchen Athearn.

Stakes racing resumes at Scarborough Downs on Sunday afternoon as the three-year-old filly pacing division takes center stage with three heats highlighting the 12 race program. Post time Sunday is slated for 1:05 PM (EDT).

In other news: World champion Cactus Creek (Thayer) scored his 35th career victory on Saturday, winning the $6,000 Free-For-All in 1:54.2, his fastest victory in over two seasons.