Owners enjoying Maine racing experience – Harnesslink

CUMBERLAND, ME – When Sixby Hanover (Pet Rock) first stepped foot on the Cumberland harness racing monitor on Might 7, a number of of his house owners was standing on the skin fence on the iconic Southern Maine Fairgrounds.  One other co-owner was at Churchill Downs, cheering for one in every of his different horses, Mo Donegal, within the Kentucky Derby.  Whereas neither horse crossed the end line first that day, the 20-person group that owns Sixby Hanover is simply as pleased with their four-footed property as if he had been within the ‘Run for the Roses.’

It solely took one other couple of begins for that syndicate to search out their means into the Cumberland winner’s circle.

“Thanks for that win immediately,” wrote co-owner Steve Morgan to caretaker Bethany Graffam.  “We particularly preferred when [driver] Nick [Graffam] pointed to us on the rail as he crossed the end line.”

John Morgan, a 39-year-old social research instructor and harness racing fan, who manages the partnership agreed.  “We couldn’t have discovered higher companions for this challenge.  The Graffams function an open and accessible steady that has been of their household for generations.”

SIXBY HANOVER REPLAY

Mike Graffam is the present patriarch of a harness racing household that dates again many generations.  Some say 9, to be actual.  Others like Joe Morris, the Senior Vice President of Racing for Caesars Leisure famous, “The Norton Farm is the oldest constantly operated, single family-owned farm within the state of Maine.”

Morgan first approached Graffam again in January of 2019 to try to develop a partnership that realized a calculated stability to “unfold the chance however present significant possession.”  He remembers, “It was a ardour challenge, with largely household and pals.  That was pals of pals as we elevated to a most of twenty people who every personal 5 p.c.”

“We additionally needed to assist and assist promote Standardbred possession within the state of Maine.”  Morgan continued, “and we at all times have adequate prudent reserve to accommodate a three-month layoff, if obligatory.”

Morgan’s father Steven introduced him to the races at Scarborough whereas rising up, which continued into his grownup life.  Whereas Morgan works on the Westbrook Excessive Faculty, his different ardour in membership soccer.  His expertise with ‘non-American’ Soccer led him to strive harness racing, or what he calls, “the one open sport in the USA.”

“Each different main sport has vital monetary or regulatory limitations to entry.  Harness racing is nice as a result of nearly anybody can take part on a wide range of ranges,” Morgan realized.  And the Ivory Pine Syndicate was born.

“We seemed for a number of years and eventually purchased this horse from an OnGait itemizing.  We researched, pedigrees, sire traces and different efficiency traits, however needed to keep inside our established price range,” famous Morgan.

Bought in late April, ‘Sixby’ made his first begin for his new connections on Derby Day.  Two week later, eighteen folks crammed the winners circle for Sixby Hanover’s first Pine Tree State victory.  A half-brother to six in 1:54 or sooner, together with Safensound Hanover p,4,1:51.1f ($276,052) and Shinobu Hanover p,1:52f ($203,725), he has 13 lifetime victories to his credit score, and $62,504 in earnings.

As soon as a fixture on the Ohio Honest Circuit, the now-4-year-old son of Pet Rock (STILL the all-time quickest Standardbred on the Delaware County Honest) received an Ohio Honest Stake final yr on the dwelling of The Little Brown Jug, with a catch-drive by Tim Tetrick.

The Ivory Pine Syndicate enjoys participation by all kinds of individuals from completely different backgrounds of their group, a few of whom didn’t know each other till the horse’s first begin.

“We’ve got monetary advisors, scholastic lecturers, faculty professors, retirees and a bloodstock agent who come to the monitor each probability they get, and love to go to the farm and feed ‘Sixby’ carrots,” Morgan acknowledged.  “We’re a passionate group.”

They’re additionally supportive of the horse’s supporting forged, the Graffam clan.  “We admire all that you just do,” wrote Steve Morgan following their first win.  “A dream got here true immediately.”

Sixby Hanover scores from publish seven in Saturday’s (June 4) fourth race.  The ten-race program additionally encompasses a ‘Sneak Peek’ stakes preview for 3yo male Maine-bred pacers, in addition to a division of the Maine Novice Driving Membership.

Friday’s (June 3) card has 11 races on this system.

Submit time for the Spring/Summer time meet is 4 p.m. on each Fridays and Saturdays, with the prolonged pari-mutuel assembly racing every weekend by way of July 23.

The ultimate race on each Friday and Saturday options our 20 cent Hello-5 (Pentafecta), with a low takeout of 16%.

Extra info may be discovered on our web site and on our Fb web page: First Tracks Cumberland.

by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland