August 14, 2026, by Chris Tully, for Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)

TOPSHAM, ME – Maine’s 2-year-old filly pacers made their annual visit to the Topsham Fair on Thursday (August 13) with freshmen pacing sensation No Small Wonder taking her fourth stakes win in a row.

A pair of $14,983 Maine Sire Stakes events went postward on the pleasant summer afternoon, with one dash before the card, and the second carded as the opener on the ten race program.

When the wings of the starting gate folded driver Kevin Switzer Jr. pointed the division leader, No Small Wonder, right out to the front from her pylon position with little fanfare.  They reached the opening panel in :30.3 with Siri (Heath Campbell) sitting a loose pocket with Bettor’s Treasure (McGwire Sowers) in third.

They passed the stands the first time with No Small Wonder leading the way and setting a 1:01.2 half-mile mark.  Around the five-eighths Feel The Fury (Andy Harrington) had caught the pack despite an earlier miscue and was gaining ground first over.  Switzer Jr. fired up his charge past the 1:31.4 third station and began to gain some separation from the rest of the field.

With no threats in sight No Small Wonder was given free reign to pace down to the wire on cruise control, tripping the timer in 2:00.4 to win by 3-3/4 lengths.

Trained by Kevin Switzer Sr. for owners KDK Standardbreds, Kathleen Mofield and Anthony Sivik Jr., it was the fourth consecutive victory for No Small Wonder.  Bred in Maine by Luke and Patricia Varnum, the daughter of State Treasurer is undefeated thus far in her inaugural season and has earned $31,022.

Siri finished second; Bettor’s Treasure was third.

In the second $14,983 division, which was on the pari-mutuel card, the public’s second choice, Showfaith Showdown (2-1, Nick Graffam) got out for an early lead from post three.  They reached the opening panel in :32 with Lillian G (9-2, Dakota Niles) in the pocket and Wine For The Lady (8-5, Aaron Hall) sitting third.

Just past the 1:04.3 midway point Kevin Switzer Jr. driving Bad Bunny T was able to flush the cover of Wine For The Lady as the field passed the paddock turn for the second time.  At the 1:35 third stanza Wine For The Lady had collared the pacesetting Showfaith Showdown and the two battled around the final turn and through the head of the Topsham Fair stretch.  Down to the wire it was a champagne toast for Wine For The Lady as she prevailed by 2-1/2 lengths in 2:04, a new lifetime best.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner-breeder Leighton Property, the daughter of State Treasurer now has two wins in four seasonal outings.  She returned $5.20 for the victory.

Lillian G hung on for third.

Looking ahead, the fair racing concludes at Topsham with the 2-year-old male pacers on Saturday (August 15).  The following week the harness racing action moves north to Skowhegan and kicks off on Tuesday (Aug. 18) with the 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers, followed on Wednesday (Aug. 19) by the sophomore distaff pacers.

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow them on Facebook @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  MaineSireStakes.com

August 13, 2026, by Chris Tully, for Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)

TOPSHAM, ME – The Pine Tree State’s sizeable group of 2- and 3-year-old trotters found their Topsham Fair stop on Wednesday (August 12) much to their liking.   Among the group of diagonally gaited Standardbreds is the current sophomore distaff leader, Hayden, who has won five of her six seasonal outings, as well as freshmen colt U Know I Know who is now a perfect four-for-four on his season.

All four $15,000 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes were held before the regular card at Topsham, starting with the 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings at 12 noon.

Driver Heath Campbell sent his charge Gus’s Workout out to the top with Wilder N Idy (Mark Athearn) dropping in the pocket as the pair left the other participants well behind in a :31.4 opening panel. 

There were no changes as Campbell set a 1:03.1 half, however, as the pacesetters passed the third station in 1:34.1 Athearn had tipped Wilder N Idy to the outside to challenge the leader.

By the head of the stretch the aggressor was just a half-length behind the point man.  Down the stretch they fought until the wire, where Wilder N Idy had gotten up in the final strides to prevail by a quarter length in 2:03 over Gus’s Workout.  

Trained by Gretchen Athearn for owner Patricia Leavitt, the son of To The Hilt picked up his fourth win of the season.  Bred by the late Mike Andrew, he now has 12 wins lifetime with $144,118 earned.

Trottinfortreasure (Aaron Hall) finished third.

In the second $14,681 early Maine Sire Stake for 2-year-old trotting fillies it was all Princess Caledonia (Gary Hall) who led every step of the way to win easily in 2:05 by 2-1/2 lengths.

Co-owned, trained and driven by Gary Hall, the daughter of To The Hilt picked up her third seasonal win.  Also owned by James Kelly Jr., Betsey Kelley and Kristina Hall, she was bred by Anita Anastosopoulos. 

Cape Cod Friday (Dave Ingraham) stayed close to the action and finished second; stable mate Mikella Belle was third.

In the third $15,136 division it was filly sensation Hayden who continued to show her classmates that she is the sharpest kid in school.

Trainer-driver Gary Hall found himself stretched out to the :31 opening panel by the inside- positioned Race Me Boomer and Andy Harrington.  The daughter of Cantab Fashion was parked to that taxing opening panel, but ultimately took command and sprinted away by a 2-3/4 length margin at the 1:01.1 midway point.  Our Last Quote (Mike Cushing) pulled out from third behind the pocket sitting Race Me Boomer as the field hit the more modest 1:32.2 third station. 

With a nice breather under her girth, Hayden trotted home by a measured length to score in 2:02.4 over the Topsham stone dust.

Owned and bred by Stephen Hall, it was the fifth seasonal victory for Hayden and her seventh lifetime, as she increased her bankroll to $85,471.

Race Me Boomer finished second; Our Last Quote was third.

The final Maine Sire Stake on the card was the $15,035 dash for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings, which was another wire-to-wire rout for the Watson’s U Know I Know.

Ken Watson steered the son of Whataworkout to his fourth consecutive record-lowering win in 2:05.1, prevailing by 3-1/4 lengths over Pembroke Zagursky (Heath Campbell).

Trained by Lisa Watson for owner-breeder Barbara Lawson, the unbeaten divisional star now has $30,244 on his card in just four seasonal outings.

Stable mate Race Me Bruno (Wally Watson) finished third.

Looking ahead, the fair racing continues at Topsham with the 2-year-old filly pacers on Thursday (August 13), and concludes with the 2-year-old male pacers on Saturday (Aug. 15).  The following week the harness racing action moves north to Skowhegan and kicks off on Tuesday (Aug. 18) with the 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers.

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow them on Facebook @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  MaineSireStakes.com

August 11, 2026 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photo)

TOPSHAM, ME – The Pine Tree State’s glamour boys division swung into Topsham Fair on Monday (Aug. 10) with the group’s top 3-year-old male pacers competing for bragging rights and purse money in a pair of $15,000-plus divisions before the pari-mutuel card.

In the first $15,209 early Maine Sire Stake race, driver Kevin Switzer Jr. was aboard Real Horrorshow and looking to avenge last week’s unusual second place finish. 

Switzer Jr. wasted little time moving his charge through :29.3 and 1:00.2 early splits, while maintaining the lead over the pocket sitting Nuh Uh (Andy Harrington).  Heading to the half and through the 1:30.1 third station Dude’s The Jet (Joey Mosher) was getting that good Maine air and had improved his position from fifth to second out on the rim.

However, down the lane Real Horrorshow kept his rivals at bay and ensured that he would capture the day, winning by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:58.4. 

It was the fourth win of the season for Real Horrorshow, and the 13^th of his career, boosting his lifetime earnings to $137,616.

Trained by the senior Kevin Switzer, who also co-owns with Kathleen Mofield and Anthony Sivik Jr., the son of Dude’s The Man was bred in Maine by Luke and Patricia Varnum.

Nuh Uh finished second; Ghost Ofdarkness (Aaron Hall) was third.

In the second $15,209 division for sophomore male pacers, another non-wagering event, the race belonged to Daytoremember, who last week provided the aforementioned Real Horrorshow his second loss of the season.

Today, the two divisional rivals drew into separate divisions and driver Heath Campbell certainly drove his son of Dude’s The Man like he was the best. Leaving swiftly to take command, the duo then proceeded to set speedy early fractions of :29.1 and 1:00 in the first half.

With Rebel’s Revenge (Aaron Hall) sitting in a tight pocket driver Joey Mosher tipped Ghost Of Winter to the outside from fourth to start the outer flow into a 1:29.4 third panel.

Campbell had his charge poised and fractions to his liking as he was able to hold off the late charge of Rebel’s Revenge by a half length in 1:58.4. 

Daytoremember is owned, trained and was bred by Valerie Grondin, and picked up his fourth consecutive win, and fifth of the season.  Daytoremember now leads Real Horrorshow by 25 points in the divisional standings.

Ghost Of Winter got up for third.

Looking ahead, Topsham hosts all of the Pine Tree State-bred 2- and 3-year-old trotters on Wednesday (Aug. 12), followed by the 2-year-old filly pacers on Thursday (Aug. 13).

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow them on Facebook @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  MaineSireStakes.com

August 10, 2026 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photo)

TOPSHAM, ME – A true sign of summer is when the Maine Sire Stakes and harness racing in general makes its annual swing into the Pine Tree State’s agricultural fair circuit.  Sunday (Aug. 9) the region’s 3-year-old filly pacers rolled into the historic Topsham Fair for a pair of $15,000-plus divisions of sidestepping action featuring the unbeaten phenom, Snowonthepines.

Carded as two early, non-wagering races, the two divisions garnered ample attention despite the lack of betting as fans arrived early to see the filly that has never seen the back of a helmet in fifteen career outings.  Regular driver Kevin Switzer Jr. handled the driving duties in her $15,209 split, with the daughter of Dude’s The Man scoring from post six for trainer Marc Tardif.

Switzer Jr. left swiftly from the outermost post position and was met with some opposition for the front by Just Delightful (Ron Cushing) who stung the unbeaten one into a :28.3 opening panel before clearing.

Those two horses had several lengths on the pack as they reduced the tempo and hit the half in :59.1 with Ekorus (Nick Graffam) sitting third.

More daylight separated the rest of the participants while heading into a 1:29.1 third station with Snowonthepines on top and trying pace away from her nemesis Just Delightful.  Around the turn and down the stretch Cushing pulled the pocket to engage the leader to no avail.  Switzer Jr. asked for more and got it as the pacesetter rolled down to the wire in 1:58.2, winning by 3-3/4 lengths. 

Snowonthepines won all nine of her races at two, and now has six wins this year for trainer Marc Tardif and owner-breeder Leighton Property, bankrolling $145,117. 

Race Me Ireland (Andy Harrington) finished third.

In the other $15,209 division for 3-year-old pacing fillies, Heymickeyyousofine enjoyed a gate-to-wire triumph for driver Heath Campbell, picking up her third lifetime victory.

Campbell hustled the filly to the top and protected his pylon position as they sprint through early fractions of :29.1 and 59.1.

The first to pull was She’s A Firefly (Nick Graffam) who tracked alongside Dudelookslikeafily (Aaron Hall) who sat a pocket trip. Past the 1:29 third panel Campbell let out a notch and the filly responded by drawing off by five lengths to score in 1:58.3, a new lifetime best.

Owned by Jason Vafiades and bred in Maine by Kimberly Vafiades Heymickeyyousofine is by Dude’s The Man.

Dudelookslikeafily finished second; She’s A Firefly was third.

Looking ahead, with Maine’s pari-mutuel tracks on summer hiatus, Topsham hosts the 3-year-old male pacers on Monday (Aug. 10).  Then, all of the Pine Tree State-bred 2- and 3-year-old trotters invade the Topsham Fair on Wednesday (Aug. 12), followed by the 2-year-old filly pacers on Thursday (Aug. 13).

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow them on Facebook @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  MaineSireStakes.com

August 6, 2026, by Chris Tully, for Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)

BANGOR, ME – For the first time this season the Pine Tree State-bred 2-year-old male pacers ventured away from Cumberland and found themselves under the bright lights of Bangor Raceway’s Fair meet on Wednesday (August 5) for three $15,000 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes. 

The first $14,978 division saw a typical wire-to-wire circuit by The Gucci Man and Kevin Switzer Jr., resulting in the colt’s third consecutive victory.

Setting moderate early fractions of :31.1 and 1:02.3, the son of Dude’s The Man was able to gain separation after a 1:32.1 third panel and win by 4-1/2 lengths in 2:01.1, under the twilight of the early evening program.

Owned, trained and bred by Marc Tardif, the 1-9 heavy favorite returned $2.20 while posting a :29.0 final quarter.  With place and show wagering suspended for the event, Painter’s Treasure (6-1, Andy Harrington, finished second; Duderrific (Heath Campbell) was third.

In the second $15,153 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings, it was another wire-to-wire triumph for Top Notch Treasure who completed the circuit in 2:01, the fastest of the evening’s divisions.

Driver Mike Stevenson worked to get the front with the 6-5 second choice and then set strategic fractions of :29.1, and 1:02.1 to the half with Rustysonlytreasure (Aaron Hall) sitting in the pocket, followed by 1-2 favorite Harriman (Nick Graffam) who regained his composure following a rough gaited spell into the first turn.

Harriman was tipped back out first over heading to the half and ducked back into the loose pocket left open by Rustysonlytreasure.  Heading into the 1:32.1 third panel, Hall pulled the right line on Rustysonlytreasure to engage the leader, only to be relegated back to third around the final turn. 

Stevenson popped the earplugs at the head of the stretch and the son of State Treasurer responded with a :28.4 final quarter, keeping a squirrely gaited Harriman at bay by a measured half length.

Trained by Christopher Dubois for owner Steven Moskowitz Racing, he was bred in Maine by Lynn-Marie Plouffe and returned $4.40 for his third consecutive triumph.

Rustysonlytreasure was third.

In the third and final $15,154 division Dudeisadelight picked up his maiden victory, scoring in 2:01.4, in wire-to-wire fashion.

Co-owner and driver Ron Cushing sent the son of Dude’s The Man right to the front and never looked back as they sailed through well-rated fractions of :30.4 and 1:01.4.  Past the half Justcallmebuddy (Aaron Hall) applied pressure first over and through the 1:32.1 third panel, but was ultimately thwarted as Cushing let the pacer roll down the stretch to a 2:01.4 score.

Trained by Heidi Cushing for owners Ron Cushing, S. Downey, A. & J Romanelli, he returned $2.80.  Bred by Lynn-Marie Plouffe, he picked up his first lifetime win and a new record.

South St Justin (Nick Graffam) was placed second; Justcallmebuddy finished second, but was placed third for a pylon violation at the half.

Looking ahead, Maine’s popular Fair season rolls into the Topsham Fair with 3-year-old filly pacers on Monday (Aug. 9), the sophomore male pacers on Tuesday (Aug. 10), and all the 2- and 3- year-old trotters on Thursday (Aug. 12).

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow them on Facebook @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  MaineSireStakes.com

August 3, 2026, by Chris Tully, for Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – On the final day of the Cumberland meet the Pine Tree State’s entire group of 2- and 3-year-old trotters helped close out the season on Sunday (August 2) at the iconic Southern Maine oval, with many of the series’ familiar faces increasing their leads in the point standings.   Among the group of sophomore distaff trotters is the current Belle of the Ball, Hayden, who has won four of her five seasonal outings.

One of four $14,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes on the track’s finale program, the 3-year-old filly trot was carded as race nine, and once again, Hayden was made the prohibitive public choice at 1-9.

Trainer-driver Gary Hall left swiftly from post two with the daughter of Cantab Fashion and set a moderate :30.1 opening panel, with Our Last Quote (Mike Cushing) grabbing the pocket trip behind the favorite.  Before the nicely rated 1:02.1 half John Nason pulled I Think I Can from third to challenge for the lead and push the tempo.

And increase the tempo she did, as the field entered the backstretch for the final time Hayden started to gain some separation as her gait hastened toward the 1:32.2 third panel.  With I Think I Can stalling on the rim Race Me Boomer and Andy Harrington shot up the pegs to improve their position.

Well in hand, Hayden drew off by 4-1/2 lengths to score in 2:02.1.

Owned and bred by Stephen Hall, it was the fourth seasonal victory for Hayden.  She returned $2.20 for the sixth win of her career, increasing her lifetime earnings to $77,903.

Our Last Quote was second; Race Me Boomer finished third in the $15,486 event.

Earlier on the card the $15,210 Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old trotting colts witnessed the Watson’s U Know I Know continue to dominate the division with another wire-to-wire triumph.

Ken Watson drove the son of Whataworkout to another record-lowering win in 2:05.3, prevailing by 1-1/4 lengths over Pembroke Zagursky (Heath Campbell).

Trained by Lisa Watson for owner-breeder Barbara Lawson, he returned $3.20 for his third win in a row.  Stable mate Race Me Bruno (Wally Watson) finished third.

Earlier in the day, before the pari-mutuel card, Gus’s Workout took his $14,783 division for 3-year-old male trotters. 

Last week’s victor, Wilder N Idy (Mark Athearn), jumped before the start giving driver Heath Campbell an easy lift to the front with Gus’s Workout.  The son of Whataworkout set fractions of :30.1 and 1:00.4 while maintaining a two-to-three length advantage.  By the third panel in 1:30.1 Wilder N Idy had caught up with the field and was parked second behind the pacesetter a few measures.

Down the lane Gus’s Workout had plenty of trot and was able to keep any threats at bay, drawing off by 4-1/4 lengths en route to a new 2:00 lifetime mark.

Trained by Valerie Groundin, he is owned and was bred by Lynn-Marie Plouffe.

Trottinfortreasure (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.

In the second $14,681 early Maine Sire Stake for 2-year-old trotting fillies it was another one-two punch by the Gary Hall stable where Princess Caledonia (Gary Hall) evened the score with last week’s victor Mikella Bella (Heath Campbell) to get the win in 2:04.4.

Co-owned, trained and driven by Gary Hall, the daughter of To The Hilt picked up her second seasonal win by five lengths.  Also owned by James Kelly Jr., Betsey Kelley and Kristina Hall, she was bred by Anita Anastosopoulos. 

Cape Cod Friday (Dave Ingraham) was third.

Looking ahead, as the early pari-mutuel season comes to an end, the Maine Sire Stakes action continues at the Bangor Fair with the 2-year-old colt pacers on Wednesday (Aug. 5).  Then, the big top and the midway are the new normal as Maine’s popular Fair season gets into full swing at Topsham with 3-year-old filly pacers on Monday (Aug. 9) and the sophomore male pacers on Tuesday (Aug. 10).

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow them on Facebook @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  MaineSireStakes.com

August 2, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – During the penultimate program for the Spring-Summer meet at First Tracks Cumberland on Saturday (August 1) the story grew for No Small Wonder as the precocious filly took her third consecutive Maine Sire Stakes event for 2-year-old pacing fillies.

When the sixth race went postward, a $15,616 leg for freshmen distaff sidesteppers, the first to leave was second choice Wine For The Lady (7-2, Aaron Hall) who had a brief tussle for the top with Bettor’s Treasure (8-1, McGwire Sowers) as they sprinted toward a :29.1 opening panel.  As soon as Hall cleared with his charge, Kevin Switzer Jr. had the 1-5 favorite No Small Wonder out and blasted up from third to challenge for the lead.

From that point it was all over but the shouting as no one could get to the heavy favorite.  The first to pull was Lillian G (Dakota Niles) from fifth, forcing the hand of Bettor’s Treasure who rolled first over heading into a 1:00.1 half.

Well in-hand, No Small Wonder showed no signs of distress as she toyed with her opponents as they stacked up down the backstretch with Lillian G tipping three wide to engage Bettor’s Treasure and the pocket sitting Wine For The Lady as they reached the third station in 1:29.4.

With the outer flow stalling Andy Harrington skimmed the cones and put Feel The Fury into play through the final turn and used that momentum to slingshot off the bend and out to the center of the track to take third as they began the stretch drive.

Switzer Jr. finally let his filly loose as they stormed down the lane with the aggressors approaching.  Withstanding the challenge, the daughter of State Treasurer scored by 1-1/4 lengths in 2:00.1, which was the third time in as many outings that the filly has lowered her race record.

Trained by Kevin Switzer Sr. for owners KDK Standardbreds, Kathleen Mofield and Anthony Sivik Jr., it was the third consecutive victory for No Small Wonder.  Bred in Maine by Luke and Patricia Varnum, she returned $2.60.

Wine For The Lady finished second; Feel The Fury was third.

In the $5,200 featured overnight NW3500 Trot, Switzer Jr. came right back to score with Remember Titans in 1:58.3.  Owned and trained by Zach Vickerson, he returned $3.00.

Nick Graffam led all drivers on the program with four trips to the winners circle.

First post is 12:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, for the meet’s final program on Sunday (August 2). Following this weekend, racing resumes at the Cumberland Fair for an eight day meet during late September.  The Winter Festival at First Tracks Cumberland starts on November 8 for a fifteen-day meet through December 13.

A complete calendar and additional information can be viewed by visiting our website:

Racing Info

July 31, 2026 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes

(Joe Shaw photos)

BANGOR, ME – Maine’s glamour boys division rolled back into the Queen City on Thursday (July 30) for the Fair meet at Bangor Raceway.  A baker’s dozen of 3-year-old colt pacers competed in two $15,000-plus divisions for purse money and bragging rights as the early pari-mutuel term comes to an end and Maine’s fun and exciting fair season gets underway.

In the first $15,434 division Joey Mosher hustled Ghost Of Winter out to an early lead and repelled Deuce’s Red (5-2, Mike Stevenson) who popped the deuce briefly, then recanted into a :29 opening panel.

With the rest of the field strung out by ten lengths, those two continued to scamper off and reached the half in :57.3.  Itsjustmoney (1-2, Kevin Switzer Jr.) was far back in third, but gaining ground as the pacers made their way to the third station in 1:27.

Deuces Red pulled the pocket again, but was thwarted once again by a headstrong Ghost Of Winter who held sway through the final turn and into the long Bangor homestretch.

With ample high-lining and plenty of hootin’ and hollerin’ Joey Mosher kept Ghost Of Winter on task and prevailed by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:58.1, establishing a new lifetime mark.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, the son of Deuce Seelster picked up his third lifetime victory.  Bred in Maine by Kristina Hall, he returned $13.40 to win.

Deuces Red finished second; Itsjustmoney was third.

In the second $15,659 division for sophomore male pacers it was a battle of the favorites at Real Horrorshow (1-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) was looking for his fourth consecutive victory.

With a flurry of early speed under the historic Bass Park lights Rebel’s Revenge (3-1, Aaron Hall) was the first out on top, but was soon engaged by a hard-charging Daytoremember (7-5, Heath Campbell) as the field rounded the first turn.  Luke warm favorite Real Horrorshow got away third.

Heading to the opening panel the early leavers battled stride for stride, leaving the rest of the field in a ten length wake, they hit that station in a torrid :27.3 with Daytoremember ultimately taking command.

With the field now packed back together approaching the midway marker Real Horrorshow was the first to pull and pressing on through that :59 half.  Rebel’s Revenge was sitting comfortably in third and Dude’s The Jet (Joey Mosher) was moving second over.

Down the backstretch the final time Real Horrorshow was not giving up, having lost a little ground while parked around the third turn.  They reached the third stanza in 1:27.2 with Daytoremember in command and being pressed on the outside by the public choice.

As they battled down the homestretch in an epic performance it was all Daytoremember as the son of Dude’s The Man conquered his foes in 1:56.3, a new lifetime best.

Owned, bred and trained by Valerie Grondin it was his sixth victory and fourth of the season.  Winning by three parts of a length over Real Horrorshow, they returned $4.80.

Rebel’s Revenge hung on for third.

Looking ahead, First Tracks Cumberland hosts the 2-year-old filly pacers on Saturday (August 1), with the 2- and 3-year-old trotters on Sunday (August 2.  Maine Sire Stakes action concludes at the Bangor Fair with the 2-year-old colt pacers on Wednesday (Aug. 5).

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow them on Facebook @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  MaineSireStakes.com

July 27, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Maine’s entire group of 2- and 3-year-old trotters invaded Cumberland Raceway on Sunday (July 26), with all eyes upon co-track record holder Hayden as the filly attempted to avenge her defeat in her most recent outing.

One of four $14,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes on the afternoon program, the sophomore filly trot was carded as race seven and it was evident that the 1-2 public choice was back to her previous form.  Trainer-driver Gary Hall left swiftly from the outermost post six with the daughter of Cantab Fashion and set a swift :29.3 opening panel, leaving three lengths back to the pocket sitting Pembroke Lady (Heath Campbell).

Hayden was then checked back to a more reasonable 1:01.1 midway marker, prompting John Nason to come first over with I Think I Can.  Through the 1:31.3 third panel the pacesetting distaff had allowed the aggressors to get within a half-length of her command.  However, things changed dramatically around the final turn as Hall gave the filly her head and she scampered off to win by 7-3/4 lengths, leaving the rest of the field in her wake with a mile in 2:01.3.

Owned and bred by Stephen Hall, it was the third seasonal victory for Hayden, which was just two fifths of a second off of her previous track record performance.  She returned $3.00 for the fifth win of her career, increasing her lifetime earnings to $70,160.

Our Last Quote (Mike Cushing) rallied for second; I Think I Can was third in the $15,486 event.

The other $15,035 Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old trotting colts was a pari-mutuel dash with the Watson’s U Know I Know emerging as that division’s talent by virtue of his second consecutive victory.

Ken Watson drove the son of Whataworkout to another wire-to-wire romp in 2:06.2, scoring by five open lengths.  Leaving from post two U Know I Know had 12 lengths on the field at the :31.4 opening panel, and after a 1:04 breather, 3-5 favorite Come On Charlie (Mark Athearn) had caught the colt past the 1:35.2 third station.

Nonetheless, as soon as the leader heard hoof beats nearby he responded with a :31 closing kick to grab a new time badge.

Trained by Lisa Watson for owner-breeder Barbara Lawson, he returned $4.00 for his back-to-back triumph.

Pembroke Zagursky (Heath Campbell) was a fast closing second; Come On Charlie was third.

Earlier in the day, before the pari-mutuel card, Wilder N Idy also recaptured some of his previous glory in the $14,783 division for 3-year-old male trotters. 

Following a miscue in his last start, the son of To The Hilt returned to his home turf to try to improve his fortunes for Team Athearn.  Despite a bobble at the start, and spotting the pacesetting Gus’s Workout (Heath Campbell) six lengths, driver Mark Athearn managed to regain the gelding’s composure to get up in the final strides to prevail by three parts of a length in 2:01.

Trained by Gretchen Athearn for owner Patricia Leavitt, it was Wilder N Idy’s third seasonal victory.  Bred by the late Mike Andrew, his lifetime earnings are now $132,919 with 11 career victories under his belt.

Trottinfortreasure (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.

In the second $14,681 early Maine Sire Stake for 2-year-old trotting fillies it was a stable mate battle right down to the wire as Mikella Bella overtook the pacesetting Princess Caledonia (Gary Hall) after the filly went off-stride in mid-stretch.

Driven by Heath Campbell for trainer and co-owner Gary Hall, the daughter of To The Hilt won picked up her first win by a length in 2:09.4.  Also owned by James Kelly Jr., Betsey Kelley and Kristina Hall, she was bred by Anita Anastosopoulos. 

Cape Cod Friday (Dave Ingraham) was third.

Kevin Switzer Jr. led all drivers on the Sunday card with four trips to the winners circle, raising his stats on the seasonal leaderboard to 93 wins.  Nick Graffam sits second with 70, and Aaron Hall is third with 59.  Gary Hall, Marc Tardif and Lisa Watson each enjoyed a pair of training wins on the program.  Michelle Lefebvre leads all conditioners over the Spring-Summer meet with 54 wins, while Bob Marston is second with 43 heading into the final weekend of the campaign.

Racing resumes on Saturday (August 1) for the final weekend of the Spring-Summer meet at First Tracks Cumberland. 

First post is 12:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2. 

A complete calendar and additional information can be viewed by visiting our website:

Racing Info

July 26, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – While the industry’s attention may have been on the 60^th Delvin Miller Adios on Saturday (July 25), Cumberland Raceway hosted their own showcase for sophomore pacers as two $15,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies featured the current, undefeated divisional star Snowonthepines.

The first $15,209 division, an early non-betting race, was another down the road performance for the daughter of Dude’s The Man who has never seen the back of a helmet.  Scoring from pylon position regular pilot Kevin Switzer Jr. sent the fast filly right out to the front, right where she likes it, and proceeded to set moderate opening fractions of :30 and 1:02.1.

Just Delightful (Ron Cushing) sat a comfortable pocket trip, and as the field went toward the 1:31.1 third panel Joey Mosher tipped Heymickeyyousofine from fifth to improve his position.  However, there was no catching Snowonthepines as she threw down a :28.2 final quarter to put the finishing touches on a 1:59.3 score, winning by a measured 1-1/2 lengths.

Owned and bred by Leighton Property, and trained by Marc Tardif, it was the fifth win of the season.  While maintaining her unblemished record, and obtaining her 14^th lifetime triumph, she increased her career earnings to $137,513.

Just Delightful finished second; She’s A Firefly (Nick Graffam) was third.

In the second $15,209 Maine Sire Stakes for sophomore pacing distaffs it was all Dudelookslikeafily who put the field in her rearview mirror from post one, and never looked back.

Aaron Hall handled the driving duties for this member of the Tardif Taskforce, setting opening splits of :29.1 and 1:01 before any outer flow had developed.  With Ekorus (Nick Graffam) sitting a tight pocket, Andy Harrington moved Race Me Ireland from third to engage the pacesetter as the field hit the third station in 1:30.4.

Down the lane the daughter of Dude’s The Man hit the afterburners and drew off by 4-1/2 lengths to win in 2:00.  Trained by Marc Tardif for owners Leighton Property and Victoria Leighton, it was her third seasonal victory.  Bred in Maine by Stephanie Gray, her lifetime earnings got a boost to $43,316.

Ekorus finished second; Race Me Ireland was third.

On the regular, pari-mutuel program drivers Nick Graffam and Kevin Switzer Jr. traded punches through the first eight races, with each taking four.  Graffam came back to win two more to lead all drivers with six wins on the 13-race program.

Racing resumes on Sunday (July 26) with four $15,000-plus non-wagering events for 3-year-old filly pacers in the Maine Sire Stakes, featuring The action continues with another 13-race pari-mutuel card.

First post is 12:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2. 

A complete calendar and additional information can be viewed by visiting our website:

Racing Info