Week 39
(12/21/09 - 12/27/09) by Staff
Hot Hands - Steven Nason
Up n coming youngster had two wins over the weekend, 27
wins for the year, and is following in the footsteps of his father and
grandfather.
Hot Hooves - LOADED
Wire to wire win in the feature in 1:57.3 for trainer
Mike Hitchcock and owners Joe & Mike Gallicchio.
Hot Barn - Richard Robertson, Jr.
Two winners on Sunday over a track rated 9 seconds off,
including CARDIOGRAM who came from the eight hole to win in 2:15.2, mmmm,
maybe the track was off by 15 seconds?
Week 38
(12/14/09 - 12/20/09) by Staff
Hot Hands - Robert Dinning
Doubleheader wins on Friday and Sunday, and a hat trick
on Saturday gives Dinning seven wins on the week, topping the charts.
Hot Hooves - BETTER BY DESIGN
Grabs the trot feature of the week in a fast 2:00.2
on a cold day for trainer Bobby Gray and owners Ned Urbanski & Bryan
Naftalis.
Hot Barn - Todd DuBois
Todd gets 2 wins, a second and 2 third from six starters,
a .537 UTRS for the week.
Week 37
(12/07/09 - 12/13/09) by Guest Columnist Steven Wilson
Hot Hands - Gary Mosher
Mosher seems to like the cold weather, winning eight on
the weekend, five coming from Sunday's card.
Hot Hooves - BALI MYSTIC
Captures her fourth win in a row and proves she can
do it from sitting at the back or sitting close to the front.
Hot Barn - Richard Robertson, Jr.
The trotting man wins both feature trots over the weekend
plus a couple of seconds and a third.
Week 36
(11/30/09 - 12/06/09) by Staff
Hot Hands - John Beckwith
With all eyes on Campbell and Fitch as they try to reach
their milestones, John quietly captured 4 wins, 2 seconds and 2 thirds for
a 413 UDRS for the weekend.
Hot Hooves - MYSTICAL DELIGHT
Recent addition to the Bickmore / Gee stable, grabs
his second win in a row on Saturday, and in the process paced the fastest
mile ever in Maine during the month of December with his trip around the
Southern Maine oval in 1:56.2.
Hot Barn - Jon Chenard
From six starters from the Scarborough based stable,
three of them visited the winners circle and another garnered a second.
Week 35
(11/23/09 - 11/29/09) by Staff
Hot Hands - Drew Campbell
Thirteen victories over the weekend, three seconds and
six thirds for a UDRS of .505, it's hard not to chose him. Next weekend he
gets his 2,500th career victory, unless this jinxes him!
Hot Hooves - FOUR STARZ DRAGON
Second win in a row for the four year old mare, the
10th victory on the season.
Hot Barn - David Henderson, Sr.
Undefeated with his two entries for the weekend including
the 10th seasonal victory for DEALIN' STRAIGHT.
Week 34
(11/16/09 - 11/22/09) by Guest Columnist David Sawyer
Hot Hands - Leigh Fitch
Five wins on Friday, closing on 7,500 career wins, him
and Cher go to the winners circle and turn back time.
Hot Hooves - COHENUCOPIA
What can you say for a horse that has beaten the
$3,000 claimers all the way to the winners over and back again, give me a
barn full.
Hot Barn - Stacey Lord
Fitch and Lord combination set three for three on the
weekend as hard work and dedication pays off.
Week 33
(11/09/09 - 11/15/09) by Guest Columnist Michael Hitchcock
Hot Hands - Drew Campbell
Wins seven on Sunday's card. Hot Hands on the track, but
lately, not such hot hands with the ladies.
Hot Hooves - COMMITMENT
Wins two this past week, #'s 9 and 10 on the season,
before retirement. Enjoy the green grass.
Hot Barn - Philip "Bo" Sowers
All this guy can do is win races, jamming, jamming,
jamming, I think he may be getting a little too big for his britches.
Week 32
(11/09/09 - 11/15/09) by Guest Columnist Steve Mahar
Hot Hands - Robert Dinning
Eight winners over the weekend, four seconds and two
thirds.
Hot Hooves - RODEO DU RUISSEAU & RED BULLET
Both 1:56 and change miles for the Ben, Bill & Will
Stable, trained and driven by Shawn Gray.
Hot Barn - Randy Bickmore
Nine winners over the weekend, seven of which are owned
by Kevin Gee. I hear they were pretty active at the Harrisburg Sale.
Week 31
(10/26/09 - 11/1/09) by Guest Columnist Drew Campbell
Hot Hands - Kevin Switzer, Sr.
Had a great week, winning eight over the weekend and
putting on a driving clinic on Sunday with five!! He went by me all day
like I was nailed to the rail with no claw hammer....good job cuzzz...
Hot Hooves - WORK OUT
Raced three times in a week (10/25, 10/27 & 11/1)
winning all three!! 2:01.0, 1:58.0 and 1:59.2, all last quarters better
than :30.0, very impressive week. I don't think Chicky has done that
before?
Hot Barn - Steve Vafiades
Had 20 starts over the week, winning at both tracks, and
winning both top classes in Scarborough with TOWN FOOL and AMERICAN
VILLAGE. Total of 8 wins for the week. He's having the year of his life
with 99 wins and over $240,000 in purses this year with a UDR of .435!!!
Wow, in the running for MHHA trainer of the year!
Week 30
(10/19/09 - 10/25/09) by Staff
Hot Hands - Wallace Watson
Three wins on Friday at Scarborough this week, Wally is
having a good year, highlighted by his success driving CURRENT CHIP to a
win in the Stakes final.
Hot Hooves - PREYINGONDAYLITE
Five in a row for the 9 year old mare owned by Ryan
Berry and trained by Allison MacDonald. Competing in $3,000 filly & mares
claimers, she's either cut the mile or came from a hole with the fastest
in 1:59.0 at Farmington and Oxford to a 1:59.4 at Cumberland.
Hot Barn - Allie Hiscock
Two wins this week with BIRD'S EYE VIEW N and Stakes
Champion THE SALEM WITCH.
Week 29
(10/12/09 - 10/18/09) by Guest Columnist Mike Sweeney
Hot Hands - Leigh Fitch
The Fox capped off an outstanding week (4-wins, 6-2nds
and 4-3rds) with a stunning return to stakes prominence this weekend
establishing a new track record aboard Bad Boy Billy, runner-up stakes
placings with both Glory Hallelujah and Isn’t She Lovely while grabbing
the show-dough for Elegant Eve. The crafty veteran continues to showcase
the ability that has earned him 7474 lifetime wins – He’s driving as good
as anyone on the circuit right now.
Hot Hooves - BAD BOY BILLY & CURRENT CHIP
So many outstanding candidates makes this the hardest
category to judge but after careful review of the photo-finish print the
contest has been officially declared a dead-heat.
Current Chip capped
off a perfect freshman campaign on Saturday with incredible flash and
finesse. Each subsequent performance has been more impressive than the
prior as she’s marched on toward the championship. She seems so confident
on the raceway, carrying herself with the bearing of an aged veteran
campaigner and her potential remains solidly unexplored – How good is this
filly? Only time will tell but it will surely be fun to watch her along
the way.
Bad Boy Billy followed up his undefeated freshman championship
season by convincingly claiming the sophomore title on Sunday etching his
name onto the wall of honor at Scarborough Downs as the latest track
record holder in the progress. His 2:00 victory on Saturday shaved 4/5th’s
of a second off the previous benchmark established by his former
stable-mate Up Tempo. While Up Tempo set the gold standard on a warm
August afternoon, Bad Boy Billy’s salvo was all the more impressive
considering Sunday’s chilly temperatures and blustery conditions. A
memorable mile indeed.
Hot Barn - Michael Graffam
Tough call here as both Valerie Grondin and Donny
Richards enjoyed phenomenal success during Championship Weekend but
Graffam’s dominance in both the two-year-old filly and three-year-old colt
pacing divisions was virtually unprecedented. The Graffam Gang roared into
the finals and did not disappoint – We’re pretty sure that Loring Norton
is smiling down approvingly.
Week 28
(10/5/09 - 10/11/09) by Guest Columnist Heidi Rohr
Hot Hands - Kevin Switzer, Jr.
Got his picture taken 9 times at Fryeburg, including the
Mountain Skipper Invitational with ESCAPEFROMALCATRAZ.
Hot Hooves - MALEK HANOVER
Winner of two VERY impressive miles, 1:58.4 in the slop
and the week's fastest mile of 1:57.1..both by open lengths. Also,
congrats go to the connections of CURRENT CLOSER, who set a track record
in the mud!
Hot Barn - Valerie Grondin
Sorry to repeat again, BUT 4 wins and 3 seconds with 7
starters is tough to beat!! What an amazing year this outfit is having!!!
Congrats!
Week 27
(10/5/09 - 10/11/09) by Guest Columnist Kevin Switzer,
Jr.
Hot Hands - Heath Campbell
Wins 14 races for the week including 3 sire stakes
victories.
Hot Hooves - ESCAPEFROMALCATRAZ
Broke the 15-year old track record set by NURK.
Hot Barn - Valerie Grondin
Behind every good driver, there's a good trainer, and in
this case, behind every good man in a good woman.
Week 26
(9/20/09 - 9/26/09) by Guest Columnist Charlene Cushing
Hot Hands - Gary Mosher
It's like he never left Farmington, he knows this track
very well, but he has nothing to prove with over $21 million earned and
over 5000 wins.
Hot Hooves - OFF KEEL
Back on form with a 1:56.4 win, the beautiful gray is
back.
Hot Barn - Joey Mosher
Just about undefeated as trainer this week only getting
beat once with a 2nd.
Week 25
(9/14/09 - 9/19/09) by Guest Columnist Shawn Gray
Hot Hands - Gary Mosher
"Roosevelt" Gary comes out of the deep freeze, driving
with ice water in his veins.
Hot Hooves - DREAM WELL
$50,000 Yonkers invader claims bragging rights at the Big
"O", masterfully driven by Drew Campbell.
Hot Barn - Valerie Grondin
Eight wins for the week including three track records at
Oxford Fair.
Week 24
(9/08/09 - 9/13/09) by Guest Columnist Heath Campbell
Hot Hands - Drew Campbell
Eleven wins on the week with a four-bagger on Thursday
and three wins on both Friday and Saturday, easily winning the Scarborough
Summer Meet driving title.
Hot Hooves - FOUR STARZ TRUMP
Wins the winners over trot at Scarborough over some tough
competition in 1:59.2
Hot Barn - Randy Bickmore
Eight wins from sixteen starts, had two winners a day
during Scarborough's final summer meet weekend. Takes the trainer's title
at Scarborough and is tied for second in the statewide race.
Week 23
(8/30/09 - 9/07/09) by Staff
Hot Hands - Jason Bartlett
Ten wins during his two day visit to his hometown Windsor
Fair track, three wins on the first Sunday visit, and a remarkable seven
wins on his second Sunday visit. including one of his favorites, MORTY in
1:58.2
Hot Hooves - NEUTRAL COURT
Toured the Windsor oval in 1:55.0, a state record for
three year old pacers. Runner Up to MR NICE GUY winning the Windsor
Invitational in 1:55.0 and getting revenge on RODEO DU RUISSEAU who got
the win in the Hight at Skowhegan.
Hot Barn - Philip "Bo" Sowers
Eight wins at the Windsor Fair, capturing the training
title including LETS TANGO LAVROS in 1:56.3 and BACK SPIN in 1:56.4
Week 22
(8/23/09 - 8/29/09) by Staff
Hot Hands - >Michael Graffam
Three wins from seven starts, Mike is sporting a .430
UDRS for the year with 16 wins, 15 of those in the Maine Sire Stakes,
where he sits second in the driving standings.
Hot Hooves - CURRENT CHIP
Two year old trotting fillies captured her fourth win in
her undefeated Sire Stakes Season so far.
Hot Barn - Bernard Charlton
Three winners at the Union Fair, including feature race
winner FOUR STARZZZZ JAWS.
Week 21
(8/16/09 - 8/22/09) by Staff
Hot Hands - Shawn Gray
A good week for some drivers (Rob Dinning - 11 wins;
Heath Campbell - 11, Kevin Switzer - 10) but Mr. Gray is outperforming
them all, this week with 15 wins cruising to the Skowhegan State Fair
driving title and he now tops the statewide race with 170 wins for the
year.
Hot Hooves - PEMBROKE SPICE
The new all age track record holder at Skowhegan State
Fair, she trotted the mile in 1:58.2 getting a neck in front of trotting
juggernaut KEROGEN.
Hot Barn - Ivan Davies
Four winners from five starters out of the barn including
stakes performers WILLIN DYLAN and A CAPPELLA BELLA.
Week
20
(8/09/09 - 8/15/09) by Staff
Hot Hands - Shane Taggart
Liked the Topsham soil as he recorded six wins at the
Fair oval, tied for first in the standings, seven wins on the week.
Hot Hooves - ANOTHER LINDY
The classy trotter became the fastest 14 year old trotter
in the State of Maine as he cruised to a win at Scarborough in 1:59.0. He
also holds the record as the fastest 13 year old at Windsor in 2:00.2 and
as a 12 year old trotter at Windsor in 1:59.3.
Hot Barn - Joey Mosher
Three wins and a second and a third from six starts,
including grabbing his 1,000th driving wins at Topsham Fair.
Week 19
(8/03/09 - 8/08/09) by
Hot Hands - Drew Campbell
Tops the list with wins (9), earnings ($29,175) and USRS
(.556) for the week, highlighted by winning the Northern Maine Fair
Invitational with TOWN FOOL in 1:58.3
Hot Hooves - TRIPLE THREE
This five year old trotting mare captured her seventh win
of the season at the Northern Maine Fair setting a new track record for
aged mares on the storied oval in 2:01.0, a seasonal mark for her on a
half mile track.
Hot Barn - Michael Hitchcock
Third week in a row that the Hitchcock brothers have led
the trainer standings for the week, this week with seven wins, 17 wins for
the last three weeks.
Week 18
(7/27/09 - 8/02/09) by Staff
Hot Hands - Kevin Switzer, Jr.
Grabs top honors this week with six winners, two seconds,
two thirds and a USRS of .389
Hot Hooves - FRISKYMOVER
FRISKYMOVER was sitting last at the half ans swooped the
field to win the $10,000 final of the Hank Fenno Memorial Late Closer at
Scarborough Downs with Jason MacDougall in the bike.
Hot Barn - Shawn Nye
Three winners from six starters during the slow week
after Bangor. Shawn has 31 wins for the season and sitting eighth
statewide in the trainer standings.
Week 17
(7/20/09 - 7/26/09) by Staff
Hot Hands - Kevin Switzer
Highest UDRS this week with eight wins, five seconds and
four thirds from 23 starts and $28K+ in earnings.
Hot Hooves - ON A TEAR
A gate to wire performance in 1:53.0 in the Paul Bunyan
Invitational with Jason Bartlett returning to Maine for the first time
this year. It was the third fastest race ever in the state of Maine and the
second fastest at Bangor Raceway. It was also a state track record for
aged stallions.
Hot Barn - Donald Richards
Four wins and a second from eight starts including sire
stakes winners CURRENT CLOSER, CURRENT CA CHING, CURRENT CHIP and CURRENT
IMAGE.
Week 16
(7/13/09 - 7/19/09) by Staff
Hot Hands - Heath Campbell
Eight wins and eight seconds for the week with $26,800+
in earnings tops all drivers this week.
Hot Hooves - PEMBROKE WHITTNEY
Third sire stakes victory in a row, all sub-two minutes
miles, this week besting pre-season favorite NO PEEKING.
Hot Barn - Frederick Ward, Jr.
Three winners from five starts including GRACIE GRACIE
who set a new all-age state record for mares in 1:55.0 at Scarborough.
Week 15
(7/06/09 - 7/12/09) by Staff
Hot Hands - Jason MacDougall
Three wins and three seconds from ten drives on the week
for a UDRS of .467.
Hot Hooves - SHADY SABRINA
Classy mare takes the featured fillies & mares event in
Scarborough in a track record equalling 1:55.2 for trainer/driver Kevin
Switzer.
Hot Barn - Joseph Nelson
Four winners and a third from six starts including
Midsummer Classic winner ON A TEAR in 1:54.0 at Scarborough for the
fastest mile of the season.
Week 14
(6/29/09 - 7/05/09) by Staff
Hot Hands - Kevin Switzer, Jr.
A driving triple Tuesday at Bangor, ends week with six
winners and a UDRS of .420.
Hot Hooves - DANSAN TED
Stakes season has started and the first surprise is
DANSAN TED, who took the first division of the three year old colt and
gelding paces in 1:59.2 with Kevin Switzer driving for Dansan Farm.
Hot Barn - Gordon Corey
Stakes Season has started and Gordon Corey proves why he
is one of the best trainers of stakes performers with two stakes winners
(BAD BOY BILLY, ISN'T SHE LOVELY) and three learn and earn wins for two
year olds.
Week 13
(6/23/09 - 6/28/09) by Staff
Hot Hands - Paul Battis
The veteran driver, who has 3,400 career driving wins,
has limited his driving in recent years, but is still a force to be
receded with on the track, as he proved this week as he scored two wins
with FOREIGN AUTHORITY and LAZER ZONE.
Hot Hooves - RODEO DU RUISSEAU
Takes the winners over pace at Scarborough in 1:54.4 for
the fastest mile yet this season after going thru the claiming wars at
$15,000.
Hot Barn - Stacey Lord
Scores four wins from five starters including DUE DAMAGE
at Scarborough in 1:56.4.
Week 12
(6/15/09 - 6/22/09) by Staff
Hot Hands - Shawn Gray
Two weeks in a row! Fourteen wins, eight seconds and a
third for a .537 UDRS tops all drivers for the week.
Hot Hooves - GRACIE GRACIE
Takes the winners over for fillies and mares at
Scarborough for the second week in a row after grabbing a late closer
final at Bangor, she's won six of last seven starts.
Hot Barn - Richard Robertson, Jr.
Four winners and a show from five starts starts this
week. An .867 UTRS!!!
Week 11
(6/08/09 - 6/14/09) by Staff
Hot Hands - Shawn Gray
Eleven wins and eight seconds tops all for the week.
Shawn is second on the wins list statewide and is in a tough race for
bragging rights at Bangor with Heath Campbell and Kevin Switzer, Jr.
Hot Hooves - LEGAL TROUBLE N
Grabs his seventh win of the season along the Maine
Circuit for trainer Allison MacDonald and owner Ryan Berry.
Hot Barn - Steven Vafiades
Four winners and two show finishes from eight starts this
week. The Vafiades Stable has been consistent all season and currently
sits third statewide with 26 wins and on top of the Bangor Training
Standings.
Week 10
(6/01/09 - 6/07/09) by Staff
Hot Hands - Valerie Grondin
Val's return to the sulky was very successful as she had
two winners from three starts, setting a new lifetime mark for ADMIRAL
PEMBROKE in 1:58.0 and a seasonal mark for PEMBROKE WHITE OUT in 1:58.4.
Hot Hooves - SANDTANA SCORE N
The eleven year old from the Shawn Nye Stable captures
the final of the F&M 3000 claimer Late Closer at Bangor, She has had four
wins and a second in six starts this season.
Hot Barn - Stanley Whittemore
Stan gets two wins from three starts this week with
winners CALLA LILLY GAL and PASSTHEGREYPOUPAN. Stan has been on a roll
from returning from his winter stint in Florida with seven starts in Maine
with four wins, two seconds and a third.
Week 9
(5/25/09 - 5/31/09) by Staff
Hot Hands - Gary Mosher
Had a good day on Friday at Bangor winning five of eight
drives on the nine dash card. For the week he was 15-6-1-3 for a .504
UDRS.
Hot Hooves - ARMBRO ANTHONY
Captures his fourth consecutive win, his last two were in
the Dirigo Claiming Series at Scarborough, which makes him one of the
favorites for the $10,000 final on Belmont Saturday.
Hot Barn - Shawn Gray
Six starters from the barn yield five winners and a
third, four of those winners came in the first four races at Bangor
Raceway on Sunday
Week 8
(5/18/09 - 5/24/09) by Marc Reynolds
Hot Hands - Jason MacDougall
With a driving double Thursday at Scarborough Downs,
Jason had 4 wins on the week, three seconds and a third for a .333 UDRS
for the week placing him in the top ten for total wins statewide for the
season.
Hot Hooves - KEROGEN
A track record performance at Bangor Raceway in 1:57.3,
tying the fastest trot race mile in the history of the State of Maine,
1/10 of a second of the all time fastest mile from Greyhound of 1:57½
Hot Barn - Gretchen Athearn
Seven starters from the Cumberland based stable resulted
in three wins, a second and three thirds for a UTRS of .651. Winners
included YOURAGAMBLER'SSON in a new lifetime mark of 1:57.1, DREAM NO MORE
and I'M SINFULL
Week 7
(5/11/09 - 5/17/09) by Marc Reynolds
Hot Hands - Drew Campbell
Once again Drew finds his way into this weekly honor.
Drew notched 13 winners on the week including two four baggers at
Scarborough on both Friday and Sunday. Drew continues to be on a tear
hitting the board on 26 out of 35 drives on the week. Drew is
consistently finding his way to the winner's circle making him a premier
driver on the Maine racing circuit.
Hot Hooves - FREEDOMS CALL
This 5 year old paced turned in an extremely impressive
victory at Bangor in the Winners Over class romping to a nine length
victory in 1:56.3. This recent purchase for owner Mike Pease has paid
instant dividends as Freedoms Call has been first or second in all four
starts since racing out of the Mike Hitchcock Stable. Driver Kevin
Switzer did the driving duties. It should also be noted that this pacer
had some recent success for his new connections at Yonkers Raceway in New
York with a win and a second place finish by a nose - driven by Mainer
Jason Bartlett in both starts.
Hot Barn - Robert Dinning
We have seen Rob's name often in the "Hot Hands" column
as a driver - but now he gets the nod here. Dinning had an awesome week
with seven trained starters resulting in five winners and a third place
finisher. Dinning trained pacer American Gigolo highlighted the week with
a solid 1:57.1 victory with a blazing 28.4 last quarter. Congrats on an
excellent week!
Week 6
(5/04/09 - 5/10/09) by Marc Reynolds
Hot Hands - Heath Campbell
In an action packed week with six cards of racing
including four race dates at Scarborough and two at Bangor - driver Heath
Campbell notched seven winners and had a stellar week. Check out these
numbers! Heath had 22 drives on the week recording 7 winners, 6 second
place finishes and 3 thirds. That's 16 of 22 attempts in the Top 3.
Congrats on a sizzling week!
Hot Hooves - IDEAL CONDITIONS
This solid pacer is no stranger in this column as he was
nominated here back in July of 2008. Ideal Conditions was hard to ignore
once again after winning the loaded top Winners Over class at Scarborough
in a zippy time of 1:55.4. This seven year old pacer won by a convincing
four and a quarter lengths over arch rival Mr. Nice Guy. Driver Heath
Campbell guided this classy gelding to victory for owner Scott Dillon and
trainer Joe "Temple Toby" Nelson.
Hot Barn - Valerie Grondin
Trainer Valerie Grondin has picked up right where she
left off last summer. Grondin's statistics are truly eye-popping as she
recorded a remarkable training UDRS % of .446 in 2008 with 372 starters
including 106 winners. Valerie is well over .400 again this year and
had 5 horses go the gate on the week resulting in 3 winners and 2 second
place finishers. Need I say anymore? Congrats!
Week 5
(4/27/09 - 5/03/09) by Marc Reynolds
Hot Hands - Kevin Switzer, Sr.
The leading dash winning driver's on the week were the
Campbell brothers. Heath Campbell had 7 wins on the week - followed
closely by Drew Campbell with 6 wins. Yet, my choice for the weekly award
goes to Kevin Switzer Sr. who notched 5 winners on the week in limited
drives. Switzer closed out the week by winning Scarborough's last race on
Sunday with 30-1 longshot Sweet Preston. Kudos on a great week!
Hot Hooves - VELOCITY HALL
World class trotter Velocity Hall continued his
success in Maine recording his second consecutive sub two minute victory.
Velocity Hall won in dominant fashion going wire to wire in 1:59 flat in
the Winner's over class at Scarborough this week. Velocity Hall is owned
by Dillon and Hight of Maine and is trained and driven by Don Richards.
Congrats!
Hot Barn - Randy Bickmore
Trainer Randy Bickmore had some very impressive
statistics to close out the 2008 racing season in Maine. Bickmore trained
nearly 100 winners (97) on the season and compiled a very solid .353
training UDRS. Bickmore is again on a similar pace in 2009 and recorded 3
winners and 4 second place finishers on the week. Congrats!
Week 4
(4/20/09 - 4/26/09) by Marc Reynolds
Hot Hands - Robert Dinning
Dinning had five winners on the week including three in a
row to finish out Sunday's Scarborough card. Dinning ended the 2008
season with a solid 224 wins and is off to& a swift start for the 2009
season as well. Congrats!
Hot Hooves - KEYSTONE NATALIE
5 year old pacing mare Keystone Natalie returned to her
impressive ways winning the fillies and mares winners over class in an eye
catching performance timed in 1:57.4. This mare is owned by Richard
Knight of Westbrook and trained by Randy Bickmore. Rob Dinning did the
driving services. Congrats to the connections!
Hot Barn - Joseph Nelson
Four Joseph Nelson trained starters faired very well on
the week with two winners and two second place finishes. Nelson is off to
a torrid pace here in 2009. Winners on the week included Northmedo
Rombauer and classy pacing veteran Southview Sabre. Congrats!
Week 3
(4/13/09 - 4/19/09) by Marc Reynolds
Hot Hands - Drew Campbell
It didn't take long for Drew to make his way back into
this column. Drew notched seven wins on the week including five on
Sunday's Scarborough card to pick up right where he left off with a very
successful winter and 2008 campaign.
Hot Hooves - AU ARTIST
It looks as though this 5 year old Real Artist mare has
taken a liking to the Scarborough oval romping to victory in back to back
weeks - this time in 1:58.3. Au Artist is trained and driven by Shawn
Gray and owned by the Ben, Bill and Will Stable. Congrats to connections!
Hot Barn - Bernard Charlton
Again - lots of barns with a sizzling week - but the nod
this time goes to Bernard "Chicky" Charlton. "Chicky" sent three pacers
to the gate resulting in two winners and a third place finish. Winner's
over pacing mare - Yankee Anthem made it to the winner's circle for
Charlton in her spring debut at Scarborough. Congrats!
Week 2
(4/06/09 - 4/12/09) by Marc Reynolds
Hot Hands - John Beckwith
John Beckwith started off the spring with four wins at
Scarborough on the week. Beckwith teamed winner's included Jenny's
Jammies, Dua Don N, Keystone Dallas and Gracie Gracie. Congrats John on a
solid week!
Hot Hooves - MR NICE GUY
This 4 year old son of Western Ideal cruised to victory
in his first state of Maine effort in 1:57.3. This pacer appears to be a
force to be reckoned with on the New England circuit. Congrats to owner
Lew Hayden, trainer Wendy Ireland and driver Kim Ireland. Chances are
that we will hear much more about this pacer as year progresses.
Hot Barn - Shawn Gray
There were lots of stables off to blazing starts upon
return from winter racing. None more so though than Shawn Gray. Check
out these training statistics for Gray on the week - 7 starters with 3
winners and 4 second place finishes. Enough said! Congrats on a stellar
week!
Week 1
(1/01/09 - 1/10/09) by Marc Reynolds
Hot Hands - Shawn Gray
The state's top two driver's in dashes won in 2008 - Drew
Campbell and Shawn Gray have started the new year right where they left
off. Drew and Shawn notched a combined 21 wins out of three racing
dates. The nod for the weekly award goes to Shawn Gray for his stellar
week with eleven victories. Gray amassed over 250 wins on the 2008 season
and is off to a swift start for 2009. Congrats are in order!
Hot Hooves - PAR ONE
This classy 13 year old trotter romped to a seven length
victory in a speedy 2:02 flat over the Scarborough oval. It was the
trotter's 40th lifetime victory. Congrats to owner and trainer Jon
Chenard and reinsman Shawn Gray. Par One has now exceeded $458,000 in
earnings over his remarkable racing career.
Hot Barn - Jon Chenard
Not only did Par One make it the winner's circle for
trainer Chenard - but pacing mare Pansy did as well to make for an
excellent week. Jon Chenard had four starters that resulted in 2 winners,
a second place finish and a fourth. Congrats on a fine week of continued
solid performances!
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