Action in the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes moved south Sunday afternoon, as Scarborough Downs hosted a total of four races for two and three-year-old pacing colts and geldings.

In the first $6,021 division for three-year-old pacing colts, Sammy Neutron (Jason Bartlett) took the lead leaving the starting gate and cruised to a nine and a half-length victory over a pair of Owen Davies trained sophomores. O O Beach (Owen Davies) finished second, while Dragon’s Descent (Wallace Watson) was third. The 1:58.1 mile lowered Sammy Neutron’s lifetime mark by more than two full seconds. The son of Neutralize is owned by Arlene Shawn and Alice Bonenfant of Augusta, Maine, and is trained by Dick Bartlett. 

In the second division Pembroke Cushy (Heath Campbell,) who was the champion among these colts in 2004, led gate to wire as the heavy favorite en route to a 2:00.2 victory. Ira’s Data Com (Brian Nelson) and Fridaynight (Mike Cushing) set second and third respectively throughout the mile, and remained that way under the wire. Another son of Neutralize, Pembroke Cushy is owned by Bill Varney of Bangor, Maine and trained by Valerie Grondin.

A Varney product also visited the winner’s circle in one of the first two-year-old legs of the MSBS season. Pembroke Touch, again driven by Heath Campbell, went a tough first over trip to win a $4,709 event for freshman colts and geldings. Dealmeindiamonds (John Nason) made up a lot of ground to rally for second, while front running Landmark Terrific (Irv Mauran) was third in the 2:05.mile.  

The other division for two-year-old colts went to Rollin’ West (Mike Graffam) Hutch A Near (John Nason) was second, while Eric The Enemy (Mike Cushing) overcame a pair of breaks to gain third money. Rollin’ West is owned by Bill Arnold of Sabbatus, Maine, Timothy and Craig Arnold of Richmond, and Graffam, who also does the training. 

Maine’s feature event of the week for fillies and mares was also part of the Sunday card at Scarborough. Aunt Emma (Jason Bartlett,) who paced the fastest mile of the Maine season last week at Bangor, was impressive again while upsetting heavily favored Twin B Candy (Shawn Gray.) Eighth Wonder (Wallace Watson) was third in the 1:57.4 mile.  Bruce Bridgham of New Gloucester owns Aunt Emma, while Fred Ward of Brunswick trains the mare. The win was Jason Bartlett’s fourth of the afternoon, the second time on the weekend he recorded four wins in one card. 

Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes action continues Wednesday night at Scarborough Downs with the first legs of the season for two year old trotters.