July 26, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Holli Niles photos)

BANGOR, ME – Kevin Switzer Jr. steered two of the Marc Tardif stable’s six 3-year-old male pacers to wire-to-wire victories in both $16,000-plus legs of the Maine Sire Stakes on Thursday (July 25) at the Bangor State Fair.

Switzer wasted little time as he sent Wes’s Challenge to the top in the 5-horse opener and cruised through comfortable fractions of 29.3 and 1:00.3 to the half.  From that point the reinsman rolled into a swifter 1:29.4 third panel en route to a 57.3 back half to win handily in 1:58.1 by 1-1/2 lengths.

It was the second seasonal win for the son of Deuce Seelster who has now won two Maine Sire Stakes events for trainer Marc Tardif and owner Leighton Property. Wes’s Challenge paid $3.20 to win, and was bred by Gary and Kristina Hall.

What’s For Suppaah (Aaron Hall-Michelle Hardin) finished second; Arts Flight (Andy Harrington-Tardif) was third.

In the second $16,461 division the odds-on favorite Two Fold Cold never had an anxious moment, as Switzer allowed the son of Deuce Seelster to set strong fractions of 28.3, 58.4, and 1:27.2 unfettered through the first three stations.

By the head of the stretch under some rain drops the public’s choice had put five lengths between himself and the rest of the field.  Under the wire with no urging necessary, the timer read 1:56.2 with the margin of victory being 4-1/2 lengths.

Owned and trained by Marc Tardif he paid just $2.20 to win.  Also, bred by Gary and Kristina Hall, it was a nursery double for the Hall’s.

It was the fourth victory of the season in as many starts for the lightly raced gelding.  It was also Two Fold Cold’s third Maine Sire Stakes win.

Hesjustadelight (Ron Cushing) finished second; Oakleypopsthedeuce (McGwire Sowers) was third.

The Maine Sire Stakes continues with 3-year-old filly pacers on Friday (July 26) at Cumberland, which is followed by all the 2- and 3-year-old trotters on Saturday (July 27).

For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  https://www.mainesirestakes.com

July 24, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Holli Niles photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Two $16,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old male pacers highlight the Bangor Fair card on Thursday (July 25) with several of the individual ‘glamour boys’ vying for the top spot in the point standings.

With five horses battling for the lead in the series, and only two colts having won more than a single event, it’s anyone’s guess who may emerge the leader after week five.

The toughest $16,416 division has been carded as race eight and features both two-time victors Two Fold Cold (5-2, Kevin Switzer Jr.) and Justcallmebuck (9-2, Heath Campbell).

Two Fold Cold hails from the powerful Tardif Taskforce and has won both of his stakes events this year.  The fastest of the bunch, he paced to an effortless 1:55.2 romp last week.  Scampering away by 4-1/2 lengths, he added a strong 28.4 last quarter as an exclamation point.

Justcallmebuck is trained by Gary Hall and is the homebred property of Kristina Hall.  He has two wins and two seconds in his four stakes outings, and is the current point leader.  Ironically, Gary and Kristina Hall also bred Two Fold Cold.

Tardif also sends out Ella V Fella (4-1, Andy Harrington) who won an opening round division.  Ron Cushing’s Hesjustadelight (7-2) is no slouch either, having finished 1-2-3 in all four of his Maine Sire Stakes outings.

In the other $16,191 division the Marc Tardif-trained Arts Flight leads the card at 21 with Andy Harrington at the controls.  A winner last week in 1:58.4, he should have things his own way with this bunch.

Wes’s Challenge (5-2) is another one of six total entrants from the Tardif Taskforce, and gets Kevin Switzer Jr. this week.  He was second to Two Fold Cold last week and paced in 1:56.1, the fastest race time of any of his peers in this Downeast dogfight.  The first division is the card’s opener, with post time at 5 pm at historic Bass Park.

The Maine Sire Stakes continues with 3-year-old filly pacers on Friday (July 26) at Cumberland, which is followed by all the 2- and 3-year-old trotters on Saturday (July 27).

For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  https://www.mainesirestakes.com

July 21, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – A single $16,171 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing fillies opened the card on Saturday (July 20) at Cumberland Raceway, with the Graffam’s Chasing Dudes leading the charge.

Discounted at 10-1 in lieu of previous winners, the daughter of Dude’s The Man led every call as driver Nick Graffam cruised through moderate fractions of 30.1, 1:02.4 and then a swifter 1:32.3 third panel.

Around the final turn Whisper Of Luck (Kevin Switzer Jr.-Marc Tardif) took aim at the leader and was first up and applying ample pressure.  While the pacesetter was able to gain some separation at the head of the stretch, the pursuer tracked her down and got to within a quarter length at the wire.

Chasing Dudes prevailed in 2:03.1, a new lifetime mark as well as her first career victory.  Trained and co-owned by Mike Graffam, she was bred and is also co-owned by leading conditioner Bob Marston.  The filly paid $22.60 to win.

Last week’s victor, Leanne Marie (Mike Cushing-Charlene Cushing) was third.

The Maine Sire Stakes resumes on Thursday (July 25) when the 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers return to Bangor for their annual ‘Fair’ stint.  This is immediately followed by the 3-year-old filly pacers on Friday (July 26) at Cumberland, with all the 2- and 3-year-old trotters on Saturday (July 27).

For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  https://www.mainesirestakes.com

July 18, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Holli Niles photos)

BANGOR, ME – Two $16,000-plus divisions of Maine Sire Stakes sparred for dollars as each of the freshmen male pacing victors played “catch me if you can.”

The first $16,162 division for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings was a repeat performance for Massive Speed as the son of Dude’s The Man picked up his second consecutive stakes victory for the Tardif Taskforce.

As the wings folded This Dudes Perfect (Heath Campbell) went right to the top with Ella V Dude (evin Switzer Jr.) matching strides in the first turn.  With the field moving down the backstretch toward the 29.4 opening panel, Switzer backed Ella V Dude into the pocket, which was the cue for 1-9 Massive Speed and Walter Case Jr. to leave from third position and blast to the front.

The heavy favorite led the field through a 1:01.4 half, prompting Switzer and Ella V Dude to leave their position and put in a first over challenge for the top.  The colts were all bunched up heading past the 1:32.1 third panel into the final turn with This Dudes Perfect in the two-hole and Dawn Two Dark (Andy Harrington) second over.

While it may have appeared that Massive Speed had his hands full at the head of the stretch, Case simply shook the lines at the colt and he responded with a burst of speed to put away any would-be spoilers. Drawing clear by 3-1/2 lengths to score in 2:02.1, he paid just $2.20 to win.  Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, he was bred in Maine by Laurie Harding.

Stable mate Dawn To Dark finished second; This Dudes Perfect was third.

The second and final $16,161 division was captured by Ridgecrest Dan in wire-to-wire fashion.  Leaving from post six, trainer-driver John Nason sent the Dude’s The Man colt right to the top where he set reasonable fractions of 30.4, 1:03, 1:32.4 before cruising home in 2:03 flat.

It was the first pari-mutuel win, and a new record, for the Jason Vafiades-bred colt, who is now owned by Bill ‘Yarmouth Lumber’ Phipps.  He paid $4.00 to win.  Named for Dan the harness man, the colt has two wins and two seconds in four lifetime outings.

Cheatin Fate (Andy Harrington) finished second; Just Aftermidnight (Garrett Mosher) was third.  Both were trained by Marc Tardif.

The Maine Sire Stakes ships south to Cumberland on Saturday (July 20) for the 2-year-old filly pacers. 

For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes and the updated point standings, go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com and follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation

July 15, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Holli Niles photos)

BANGOR, ME – Four $15,000-plus divisions of Maine Sire Stakes visited historic Bass Park in Bangor for a trotting extravaganza, with each division represented by the Downeast faithful.

The action began just before the regular card with a $15,758 non-betting race for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings.

Pembroke Will (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) took command as the son of Pembroke Slugger inherited pylon position due to the early miscue of Carrabassett (Mark Athern-Gretchen Athearn).  Pembroke Will cut sensible fractions of 30.1 and 1:02 with stable mate Chipper Dale (Drew Campbell) tracking along closely in second, with the trailer Carrbassett catching the field by the half.

As the troika approached the 1:33.1 third panel Carrbassett had jumped again while the Campbell brothers began their battle to the finish.  At the head of the stretch Chipper Dale had poked a head in front and continued to gain ground through lane and prevailed over Pembroke Will by half a length in 2:03.

Trained by Valerie Grondin for owner-breeder Lynn-Marie Plouffe, the son of Shake It Off Lindy picked up his second win of the season and eighth career victory.

Interestingly, all three of these gentlemen trotters had been tied in the points standings, having traded 1-2-3 finishes the last three weeks.

Fifteen minutes later, in the $15,983 sophomore filly trot, trainer Valerie Grondin was back in the winner’s circle with Pembroke Breeze.  Driver Heath Campbell sent that 3-year-old daughter of Pembroke Slugger out to the front and never looked back.  Setting evenly rated fractions of 30, 1:00.1 and 1:30 the trotting lass was seemingly on cruise control as she gained separation with every stanza.

At the wire Pembroke Breeze was on top by six and scored in a lifetime best of 2:00.1, taking two and a fifth seconds off of her previous mark.  Owned and bred by Bill Varney, it was her third win in a row.  She paid just $2.20 as the 1-9 favorite, and has now thrust herself well atop the divisional point standings.

Twisted Venture (Mike Cushing-Charlene Cushing) finished second; My Saving Grace (Mark Athearn-Gretchen Athearn) was third.

While Team Grondin swept the 3-year-old divisions, Team Watson dominated the freshmen sets.

Whatawonder proved he was no fluke as he performed his second wire-to-wire romp in as many weeks, taking the $16,378 Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old male trotters.

Dashing away from the car like a hoppled pacer, driver Ken Watson had Whatawonder on top by four before the first turn.  From that point on the son of Whataworkout needed no additional instructions as he led the field unabated and cruised home in 2:06.4, improving his win record from the week before.

Trained by Lisa Watson for owner-breeder Barbara Lawson, he paid $4.60 to win.

Liberty’s Wildcard (Walter Case Jr.-Marc Tardif) finished second; Katahdin Victor (Wally Watson-Lisa Watson) was third.

The final $16,166 Maine Sire Stakes for freshman distaff trotters was another episode of the Watson power hour as they sent Katahdin Mistress out for her first big victory of the season.

As the gate sprung several breakers caused a reshuffling of the deck which allowed Kenny Watson to put Lady Lake Marty on the front end.  Heading into a 33 second opening panel, Wally Watson shot like a rocket down the backstretch with Katahdin Mistress to wrest command from his brother.  The daughter of Victor Blue Chip was sent down the road from that point and proceeded to making every call a winning one as she hit the timer in 2:08.1, a new lifetime mark.

Owned and bred by James Kelley Jr. and Betsey Kelley, she is trained by Lisa Watson and paid $7.80 to win.

Little Shot (Ivan Davies) finished second; Lady Lake Marty was third.

The Maine Sire Stakes continues this week at Bangor with two $16,000-plus divisions for 2-year-old male pacers on Wednesday (July 17), and then ships south to Cumberland on Saturday (July 20) for the 2-year-old filly pacers. 

For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes and the updated point standings, go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com and follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation

The latest point standings can be found at the link below … which will be updated weekly.

Point Standings

July 14, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Mike and Sherry Cushing’s Leanne Marie provided one of the most thrilling races of the day when she won the lone $16,071 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing fillies on Saturday (July 13) at Cumberland Raceway.

When the wings of the gate folded last week’s victor and 1-9 favorite Glorilla (Ron Cushing) was sent scampering out for the lead like her tail was on fire.  Her authority was short lived as the filly went off stride in the apex of the first turn, which allowed Whisper Of Luck (Kevin Switzer Jr.) to assume command.

With an anxious Glorilla back on stride the duo ducked into third moving toward a 31.1 opening panel.  Their pylon play was short lived, however, as Ron Cushing pulled Glorilla right back out and was parked through the second turn.  At the 1:03 half Glorilla had taken point while his brother Mike Cushing driving Leanne Marie had followed that cover and was now first over.

The Cushing brothers fought tooth and nail through the 1:32.1 third panel with the 10-1 Leanne Marie poking a head in front.  Whisper Of Luck was second over around the final turn and also looking to reel in the favorite.

Down the stretch a pack of five fillies had all engaged in battle, with Leanne Marie prevailing by a neck over the fast closing Whisper Of Luck in 2:03.1.  The daughter of Artistic Fella is trained by Charlene (Sherry) Cushing who also co-owns with Pamela Smith and Jane Depompo.  The aforementioned trio are also the breeders, with the filly paying $22.40 to win her first career race and take a lifetime mark.

Sherry Cushing also trains the third place finisher Audry, who was driven by Steve Wilson.  Glorilla finished fourth.

In other action the featured overnight $6,000 top pace was captured by Bet On Joe in 1:55.4.  Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. for trainer Bob Marston, the 9-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight came from off the pace to win his fifth race of the season and second in a row at Cumberland.  Owned by Sharon Goding, he paid $7.40 to win.  Favorite Lifes A Puzzle (Richard Humphrey) finished second; Ranaldi (Garrett Mosher) was third.

Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) series point leader Hunter Lofthus added more points to his seemingly insurmountable lead as he grabbed another $5,000 division of the ‘greatest sideshow in harness racing.’  The talented reinsman steered his own Forrest Blu to a wire-to-wire romp in 1:59.1, paying just $2.20 to win. The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

Both Kevin Switzer Jr. and Drew Campbell picked up a pair of victories on the card.  Kevin Switzer leads all drivers at Cumberland this season with 56 victories.  Rounding out the top five are Walter Case Jr. (38), Drew Campbell (30), Bruce Ranger (28) and Dan Deslandes (25).  The leading trainer is Bob Marston with 23 wins, followed by Jeff Deslandes (22) and Marc Tardif (20).

Racing resumes Friday (July 19) as the First Tracks Cumberland meet continues racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend through August 3. 

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

July 13, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Heavy favorite Gowestyoungrace used a first over trip to overpower her rivals while equaling the track record at First Tracks Cumberland for 3-year-old pacing fillies.

In the first of two $16,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes on Friday (July 12) driver Dave Ingraham was content to let the early speed advance to the front and let his star pacer come from off the pace.  The first to leave was Mrs Foxy Roxy (28-1, Nick Graffam) who protected pylon position through the first turn, with My Sweet Revenge (4-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) ranging up on the outside to take command by the 29 second opening panel.

Moving into the 59.1 half Ingraham tipped Gowestyounggrace to the outside to challenge the pacesetting My Sweet Revenge.  The pace quickened as they battled down the backstretch.  The aggressor poked a nose in front of the defender, with the pair pacing a 28.1 third quarter in 1:27.2 and gaining separation from the rest of the field.

As they turned for home Gowestyounggrace showed her grit and determination as she rolled smoothly down to the wire in 1:57.2 to win by 1-1/4 lengths, equaling the track record and taking a new lifetime mark.  Owned, trained and bred by Fred Ward Jr. and Sharon Ward, the daughter of Western Maverick-Gracie Gracie picked up her second win in a row, paying just $2.20 as the 1-9 favorite.

My Sweet Revenge hung on for second; Pembroke Red (Heath Campbell) was third.

In the second $16,421 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for sidestepping sophomore distaffs, another heavy favorite prevailed in wire-to-wire fashion.

Heath Campbell never left the pylons with Who’s Perfect as the daughter of Western Maverick set comfortable fractions of 28.3, 59.3 and 1:29.1 through the first three stanzas.  By the head of the stretch the Valerie Grondin-trained filly had scampered away from the field and was on top by three.  Under the wire the margin increased to seven lengths as Campbell was on cruise control to score in 1:58.3, she paid $2.20 to win.

Bred by Lynn-Marie Plouffe, who now co-owns with Dick and Patty McKeen, it was Who’s Perfect’s second win in a row.

Animore Sass (Andy Harrington) finished second; Zoes Precious (Steve Wilson) RN was third.

The $6,000 featured overnight race, a conditioned trot, was captured by Little Macabee in 2:00 for trainer Chad Tompkins and owner Maryann Tompkins.  The 10-year-old son of Chapter Seven had been knocking on the door for the last month having finished second in his last three starts.  He paid $7.40 to win.

Twelve different drivers won races on the Friday (July 12) card, however trainer Bob Marston enjoyed a training double.

Looking ahead to Saturday (July 13), Cumberland welcomes the 2-year-old pacing fillies for their second round of Maine Sires Stakes action.  The field is led by Glorilla (4-5, Ron Cushing) who turned some heads with her swift and decisive opening round triumph in 2:02.3 last week at Bangor. 

Also on Saturday’s 11-race program of full fields includes the featured overnight $6,000 top pace, with Lifes A Puzzle (9-5, Richard Humphrey) looking for a softer landing spot after slugging it out with faster foes at Plainridge.  Instant Replay (7-2, Walter Case Jr.) is back and scores from the inner most post following a fortnight respite.

July 11, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Holli Niles photo)

BANGOR, ME – Marc Tardif’s Two Fold Cold took the overland route to win his division of the Maine Sire Stakes, breaking the track record on Wednesday (July 10) at historic Bass Park in the process.

In fact, with Andy Harrington driving for trainer Marc Tardif, the pair swept both $16,000-plus divisions of the Pine Tree state-bred stakes for 3-year-old male pacers at Bangor.

In the first $16,291 event, Two Fold Colt got away third from his pylon position.  Hesjustadelight (7-2, Ron Cushing) and Wes’s Challenge (9-2, Walter Case Jr.) went out for the early lead, with those two matching strides into the first turn resulting in a swift 28.3 opening panel.  With Cushing’s Hesjustadelight on point, Harrington moved Two Fold Cold first over to challenge the pacesetter into a softer 58.4 half. 

Down the backside the 1-2 favorite Two Fold Cold was still parked as the pair battled through a 1:26.3 (27.4) third panel.  Finally clearing by the top of the long, far turn Harrington hit the afterburners and the son of Deuce Seelster responded with a strong closing kick to draw away from the field and score by 4-1/2 lengths in a benchmark smashing 1:55.2.

The mile was the fastest ever paced by a 3-year-old gelding pacer at Bangor, which eclipsed the standard set by Gordon Corey’s Call Me Maverick in 2021.

Owned and trained by Marc Tardif, Two Fold Cold was bred by Gary and Kristina Hall, paying $3.00 to win.

Wes’s Challenge got up for second; Hesjustadelight was third.

In the second $16,191 division of the Maine Sire Stakes Team Tardif was at it again, with Arts Flight and Harrington scoring a stakes race double on the late afternoon card.

1-5 favorite Justcallmebuck (Heath Campbell-Gary Hall) ‘pushed the starting gate out of the way’ exclaimed track announcer Mick Sweeney, as they rolled into a 30.2 first quarter with Arts Flight (2-1, Harrington) in tow.

The pacesetting favorite had things his own way into a modest 1:00.4 half, but then pushed a little faster through the 1:30 third stanza with Art’s Flight sticking to him like glue.

Harrington pulled the pocket with the son of Artistic Fella at the top of the far turn, and despite swinging wide off the turn the colt sped home in 28.2 to upset the heavy favorite in 1:58.4 by three parts of a length.

Owned and trained by Marc Tardif, and bred by Lynne-Marie Plouffe, he paid $6.40 to win.

Justcallmebuck finished second; CBF Windy Fella (Dave Ingraham-David Crochere) was third.

The Maine Sire Stakes reconvenes this week at Cumberland with two $15,000 divisions of the 3-year-old filly pacers on Friday (July 12), and continues at Cumberland the following day (Saturday, July 13) with a single $15,000 division for 2-year-old filly pacers. 

The next day, all divisions of trotters return to historic Bass Park on Sunday (July 14).

For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  https://www.mainesirestakes.com

July 8, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Holli Niles photos)

BANGOR, ME – Two $15,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotters led the holiday weekend charge on Sunday (July 7) at Bangor, with driver Heath Campbell and trainer Valerie Grondin sweeping both events.

In the first $15,578 stakes race, which was a non-wagering event held before the regular card, the three male high-steppers were eager to get things started.  As the pylon-positioned Pembroke Will (Heath Campbell) protected his inside status, stable mate Chipper Dale (Drew Campbell) jumped off stride before the starting gate had sprung.  This allowed Carrabassett (Mark Athearn) to grab the two-hole and track behind the pacesetter into a 30.3 opening panel.

Heading through the 1:03.3 modest half-mile marker Chipper Dale had recovered from his early miscue and regained contact with the field.  Carrabasset maintained his pocket trip until the 1:35 third panel where he made a move to the outside.

Charging down the stretch Pembroke Will could feel the walls closing in around him, yet maintained his composure, and his will power, to hold off the late charge of stable mate Chipper Dale and a tiring Carrabassat.

Scoring by a head in 2:04.4, it was Pembroke Will’s first seasonal victory which also resulted in a new lifetime mark.  Driven by Heath Campbell for trainer Valerie Grondin and owner-breeder Bill Varney, the son of Pembroke Slugger upped his lifetime earnings to $79,176.

Stable mate Chipper Dale threw in a 29.2 last quarter to be second; Carrabassett was third.

The second $15,983 Maine Sire Stakes of the afternoon opened the regular betting card for the distaff 3-year-old trotters.

At the start Pembroke Breeze (Heath Campbell) held on to her position on the pegs at the start and rolled through a 31.1 opening panel with My Saving Grace (Mark Athearn) sticking close in second and Twisted Venture (Mike Cushing) cruising along in third.  At the 1:02.3 half the order had not varied, however, Cushing had pulled his filly to the outside to challenge.  By the 1:32.2 third panel Twisted Venture had advanced to second position, albeit uncovered on the outside, while the leader Pembroke Breeze was allowed to trot unfettered.

As the field turned for home the pacesetter had gained separation on the field and the daughter of Pembroke Slugger drew off to win by 3-1/2 lengths in 2:02.2.  Once again driver Heath Campbell and trainer Valerie Grondin displayed their collective prowess in the Maine Sire Stakes and took home another trophy for owner-breeder Bill Varney.  Pembroke Breeze paid $2.20 to win and take a new career record.

Twisted Venture finished second; My Saving Grace was third.

The Maine Sire Stakes resumes on Wednesday (July 10) when the 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers return to historic Bass Park.

For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  https://www.mainesirestakes.com