October 18, 2026, by Chris Tully for the Maine Sire Stakes

BANGOR, ME – On a brisk, but sunny autumn afternoon at Hollywood Casino Hotel and Raceway in Bangor, Maine, four respective $100,000-plus Maine Sire Stakes Finals on Saturday (Oct. 17) delivered some chalk and an upset in the annual culmination of Pine Tree State-bred 3-year-old trotters and pacers.

Of course, for harness racing aficionados the glamour boys division always brings the top talent to the forefront, and this year was no exception.  The 1-9 favorite in the $101,168 Maine Sire Stakes final for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings, Daytoremember (Heath Campbell) scored from post two and fought for the lead with the pylon protecting Silence Ofdarkness (Kevin Switzer Jr.) into a :29 opening panel.

Stuck on the rim and pushing forward was Deuces Red (Steve Wilson) who found himself first up at the :59.3 half, with Rebel’s Revenge (Aaron Hall) enjoying that second over cover.

With the field starting to stack up behind the fading outer flow, Campbell got a few lengths separation with Daytoremember past the 1:28.2 third panel.  Pocket sitting Silence Ofdarkness tried valiantly to keep up, but to no avail as the pacesetter strolled away a 5-3/4 length victor in 1:57.1.

Owned, trained and bred by Valerie Grondin, the son of Dude’s The Man returned $2.20 for his tenth win of the year and increased his seasonal bankroll to $132,168.

Nuh Uh (Andy Harrington) got up for third.

In the $101,168 Maine Sire Stakes final for 3-year-old filly pacers, the divisional leader Snowonthepines (1-5) took her usual seat at the front of the bus, however driver Kevin Switzer Jr. had to outsprint Just Delightful (2-1) and Ron Cushing who begrudgingly allowed the filly to clear into a :28 opening panel.  But as track announcer Mick Sweeney succinctly noted, “she took a little bit of starch out of that one.”

Settling down a bit the lass led the field in single file formation through a :59 half before any challengers came calling.  Graceofspades (Dave Ingraham) was the first to move, with Perfectly Lovely (Heath Campbell) picking up that cover as the pack moved tightly through the third turn.

With Snowonthepines on the engine into a swifter 1:28.3 third panel, and Cushing finding a seam for Just Delightful, the challenger extracted his charge from the pylons and set about reeling in the pacesetter around the final turn.

At the head of the stretch the fillies were eye to eye and wheel to wheel as the drivers prepared for battle.  By mid-stretch it appeared that Snowonthepines was giving all she had, and Just Delightful had a little more, scoring by two lengths in 1:58.3.

Trained by Heidi Cushing for driver and co-owner Ron Cushing with Steve Downey and Tony and Joe Romanelli, the daughter of Western Maverick increased her seasonal earnings to $111,830.  Bred by Lynn-Marie Plouffe, she returned $6.80 for her fifth win of the season. 

Second place finisher Snowonthepines finished her Maine Sire Stakes season with 11 wins in 13 starts and $118,731 on her card for trainer Marc Tardif and owner-breeder Leighton Property.

Graceofspades was third.

In the $101,011 final for 3-year-old filly trotters, it was classic tour of the facility by leading divisional star Hayden, who went off as the heavy 1-5 favorite.

Following several aggressive miscues at the start, the mile was somewhat pedestrian as Hayden and Hall led every step of the way with Coronation Moon (Ivan Davies) sitting in the pocket through opening splits of :30 and 1:01.

Past the 1:31.3 third panel Wally Watson sent Roseapple Ave past the pocket sitter to grab second and attempt to reel in the leader.

However, Hayden would not be caught as she coasted to victory in 2:02.2 by 2-1/4 lengths.

Trained and driven by Gary Hall to a total of eleven seasonal victories, the daughter of Cantab Fashion has earned $135,647 with just a pair of uncharacteristic miscues over the long season.  Owned and bred by Stephen Hall, she continued her four race winning streak, returning $2.60.

Roseapple Ave finished second; Our Last Quote (Steve Wilson) recovered from an early break to grab third. 

In the $100,608 Maine Sire Stakes final for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters, which was held as an early non-wagering event, it was divisional point leader Wilder N Idy (Mark Athearn) who behaved behind the gate, bided his time, and overtook Gus’s Workout (Heath Campbell), who made a break while on top at the half. 

Scoring by 4-1/2 lengths in 2:02.2, , Wilder N Idy is a son of To The Hilt and now has eight wins in 13 starts for trainer Gretchen Athearn and completed his stakes season with $129,579 in earnings. 

Owned by Patsy Leavitt and bred by the late Mike Andrew, he now has 16 wins and $235,641 in his career.

Trottinfortreasure (Switzer Jr.) finished second; Gus’s Workout was third.

The Maine Sire Stakes finals represent the culmination of years of hard work and dedication of behalf of dozens of industry stakeholders, including, but not limited to the owners, breeders, trainers, drivers and caretakers of these equine athletes.

Not only do these horses represent a significant individual and collective investment in harness racing and agriculture in the state of Maine, but the peripheral revenue generated by the truck and trailer sales and maintenance, fuel suppliers, feed companies, hay producers, tack shops, blacksmiths, farm owners, and racetracks that give them a place to compete, generously exceeds seven figures annually.

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

October 16, 2026, by Chris Tully for the Maine Sire Stakes

BANGOR, ME – Hollywood Casino Hotel and Raceway in Bangor, Maine hosts the $400,000-plus Maine Sire Stakes Finals on Saturday (Oct. 17) with four 3-year-old Pine Tree State-bred events.

One of the highlights of the rich card will be the $101,168 Maine Sire Stakes final for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings, otherwise known as the glamour boys division.

With leading point earner Real Horrorshow not entered, the morning line favorite’s badge has been placed securely on Daytoremember (3-2, Heath Campbell) from post two.

The homebred property of trainer Valerie Grondin, the son of Dude’s The Man has established himself as the horse to beat with nine wins on the season with $81,584 earned.  With Bangor considered his “home track” and sporting a 1:56.3 record over the historic Bass Park oval, Daytoremember is looking to make this Saturday his day to remember in race nine.

Of course, trainer Marc Tardif is heavily invested in the program as well and sends six entrants into this divisional final, including second choice Rebel’s Revenge (7-2, Aaron Hall), as well as Silence Ofdarkness (4-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) and Ghost Of Winter (7-1, Joey Mosher).

Race seven hosts the $101,168 Maine Sire Stakes final for 3-year-old filly pacers, with the previously undefeated distaff Snowonthepines looking for redemption.

Scoring from post four with Switzer Jr. in the bike, the winner of 20 of 21 races has been pegged as the 7-5 favorite.  Her only lifetime loss was by a nose in her last start at Fryeburg, at the hands of Graceofspades, who drew post five with Dave Ingraham. 

Snowonthepines has earned $93,439 this season and is a daughter of Dude’s The Man that is owned and was bred by Leighton Property.  Likely to be the horse to watch, and perhaps catch, as the front-end favoring lass will assuredly be forwardly placed for trainer Marc Tardif.

The second choice in that division is Ron Cushing’s Just Delightful who won her last start and scores from post two.

Race five is the $101,011 final for 3-year-old filly trotters with leading divisional star Hayden the heavy favorite at 3-5 on the morning line.  Trained and driven by Gary Hall to ten seasonal victories, the daughter of Cantab Fashion has earned $85,142 with just a pair of uncharacteristic miscues over the long season.  Owned and bred by Stephen Hall, she brings a three race winning streak into the lucrative final.

The second choice at 6-1 is Our Last Quote from the Sherry Cushing stable, who has a pair of wins in her last four starts.  Steve Wilson gets the call.

The $100,608 Maine Sire Stakes final for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters is slated for 2:45 pm, as a non-wagering event shall be held before the regular betting card, which pits the two top horses in the division against one another for one final battle.

Wilder N Idy (Mark Athearn) leads the point standings by just 20 points over Gus’s Workout (Heath Campbell), with the pair trading punches over the summer and fall season.

A son of To The Hilt, Wilder N Idy has seven wins in 12 outings for trainer Gretchen Athearn and boasts $74,245 in seasonal earnings.  Bred by the late Mike Andrew, the gelding sometimes goes off stride behind the gate, and did so in his last start at Fryeburg.  He scores from pylon position, and will need to be on his best behavior for this main event.

In the other corner is Gus’s Workout, a son of Whataworkout that has five wins and six seconds in his dozen seasonal starts, earning $71,471.  Trained by Valerie Grondin for owner-breeder Lynn-Marie Plouffe, he brings form and consistency into this bout.  With three wins in his last five starts, he is handy enough to control the tempo, and surefooted enough to get the job done.

The Maine Sire Stakes finals represent the culmination of years of hard work and dedication of behalf of dozens of industry stakeholders, including, but not limited to the owners, breeders, trainers, drivers and caretakers of these equine athletes.

Not only do these horses represent a significant individual and collective investment in harness racing and agriculture in the state of Maine, but the peripheral revenue generated by the truck and trailer sales and maintenance, fuel suppliers, feed companies, hay producers, tack shops, blacksmiths, farm owners, and racetracks that give them a place to compete, generously exceeds seven figures annually.

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

October 10, 2026, by Chris Tully, for Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photo)

FRYEBURG, ME – The final leg of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotters went postward at the famous Fryeburg Fair on Friday (October 9) with two $16,000-plus divisions of the high stepping action. 

The only $17,711 pari-mutuel race for sophomore trotters was captured by divisional star Hayden who protected her position at the top of her class with another wire-to-wire romp with trainer-driver Gary Hall in the sulky.

Scoring from the outermost post seven the daughter of Cantab Fashion made every call a winning one to secure the victory by 3-3/4 lengths in 2:03.1.  A winner of ten races this season she has earned $131,596 lifetime for owner-breeder Stephen Hall.

Hayden returned $3.00 as the 1-2 favorite.  Roseapple Ave (Wally Watson) finished second; I Think I Can (John Nason) was third.

In an early, $16,783 non-wagering event for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters, it was Gus’s Workout who led every step of the way to score in 2:01.2.

Driven by Heath Campbell for trainer Valerie Grondin and owner-breeder Lynn-Marie Plouffe, the son of Whataworkout grabbed his fifth win of the season, increasing his career total to $123,823.

Trottinfortreasure (Ron Cushing) finished second; Wilder N Idy (Mark Athearn) was third.

The series concludes with the $320,000-plus Sophomore Finals, which take place at Bangor Raceway on the following Saturday (Oct. 17).

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

October 9, 2026 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photo)

FRYEBURG, ME – Maine’s previously unbeaten 3-year-old pacing filly Snowonthepines finally tasted defeat on Thursday (October 8), at the Fryeburg Fair, falling from grace by a whisker to Graceofspades.

It happened on an otherwise normal fair racing day in the first $17,209 division for sophomore distaff pacers, held before the regular card. 

Snowonthepines, with her 20 race win streak on the line, was sent to the top in the traditional manner by regular pilot Kevin Switzer Jr.  Posting moderate early fractions of :30 and 1:01.4, the daughter of Dude’s The Man had Ekorus (Joey Mosher) in the pocket behind her with Graceofspades and Dave Ingraham sitting in third.

Moving into the 1:33 third panel Ingraham sent the daughter of Western Maverick first over and had sprinted up right alongside the pacesetter, and as the pair turned for home they were eye to eye, and wheel to wheel.

The battle ensued down the length of the stretch with Graceofspaces posting a faster :28.1 final quarter to prevail by a nose in 2:01.2 over Snowonthepines.

Bred, owned and trained by Fred Ward Jr. and Sharon Ward, it was the filly’s first lifetime victory, and a new lifetime best time badge.  A full sister to former Maine champion Gowestyounggrace p,1:52f ($285,734), it was her 24^th lifetime start, where she has been second or third 13 times.

Ekorus finished third.

In the second $17,209 non-betting division it was a wire-to-wire romp by Just Delightful who won by 8-3/4 lengths in 1:58.2.

Driven and co-owned by Ron Cushing for trainer Heidi Cushing and partners S. Downey and A. & J. Romanelli, the daughter of Western Maverick grabbed her fourth win of the season.  She was bred in Maine by Lynn-Marie Plouffe.

Dudelookslikeafily (Aaron Hall) finished second; Perfectly Lovely (Switzer Jr.) was third.

Looking ahead, the Maine Sire Stakes concludes at Fryeburg with the 3-year-old trotters on Friday (Oct. 9).  The series culminates with the $320,000-plus Sophomore Finals, which take place at Bangor Raceway on the following Saturday (Oct. 17).

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

October 8, 2026, by Chris Tully, for Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)

FRYEBURG, ME – Two $17,000-plus divisions of 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings in the Maine Sire Stakes soared through the Fryeburg Fair Blue Ribbon Classic on Wednesday (October 8) in their final prep races before the lucrative Pine Tree State-bred finals a few weeks away. 

The battle for supremacy amongst the “Glamour Boys” has continued between Daytoremember and freshmen champion Real Horrorshow, w­­­ho recently took the point lead.  ­­Once again, they drew into separate divisions, thus each colt was able to equally advance their own agenda.

In the first $17,209 division for sophomore male pacers, a non-wagering event, Daytoremember rolled unfettered to the top and led the sidesteppers through an opening station of :29.3, with a more modest 1:01.1 half.  With no challenges in sight, Silence Ofdarkness (Kevin Switzer Jr.) remained in the pocket.

Past the half, the first to tip was Itsjustmoney (Andy Harrington) who advanced from fifth to third by the time the field hit the third panel in 1:31.3.  Nonetheless, they couldn’t catch Campbell and Daytoremember as the pair gained separation through the final turn and scooted down the lane to win by three lengths in 2:00.3.

The son of Dude’s The Man is owned, trained and was bred by Valerie Grondin, and picked up his ninth seasonal victory with $132,274 earned lifetime.  Daytoremember skipped the last leg at the Cumberland Fair in lieu of the Massachusetts Breeders Stakes, and thus moved into second place in the point standings.

Silence Ofdarkness sat a pocket trip to retain second; Ghost Of Winter (Joey Mosher) finished third.

In the second $17,434 division it was another standard wire-to-wire frolic by Real Horrorshow and driver Kevin Switzer Jr.  Leaving swiftly to grab the lead, the son of Dude’s The Man set opening fractions of :30.2 and a tempo reducing 1:02.2.  Past the half, Dude’s The Jet (Joey Mosher) pulled the right line from fourth and moved first over with Deuces Red (Steve Wilson) tipping three wide down the backside into a 1:32 third panel.

Switzer Jr. still had Real Horrorshow on point with Rebel’s Revenge (Aaron Hall) retaining his pocket position through the final turn and down the stretch.  With the pocket sitter advancing, the wire arrived just in time and the pacesetter prevailed by three parts of a length in 2:01.

Capturing his ninth win of the season, and 18th of his career, Real Horrorshow, increased his lifetime earnings to $186,204 and is now the leading point earner in his division.  Trained by the senior Kevin Switzer, who also co-owns with Kathleen Mofield and Anthony Sivik Jr., he was bred in Maine by Luke and Patricia Varnum.

Nuh Uh (Andy Harrington) finished third.

Looking ahead, the Maine Sire Stakes continues at Fryeburg with the 3-year-old filly pacers on Thursday (Oct. 8), followed by the 3-year-old trotters on Friday (Oct. 9).  The series culminates with the $320,000-plus Sophomore Finals, which take place at Bangor Raceway on the following Saturday (Oct. 17).

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

October 5, 2026, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland

(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Due to a bumper crop of 2024 foals in the Pine Tree State, the Maine Sire Stakes was pleased to host a $25,000 consolation for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Sunday (October 4) at the Cumberland Fair, the final day of racing at the iconic Downeast oval.

The field of seven went postward as race four on the 11-race card, with Poocham Luck (7-5) and Dave Ingraham grabbing the early lead, with Rustysonlytreasure (3-5) and Aaron Hall parked out from post seven and forced to trudge onward four-wide down the backside the first time into a :29.3 opening panel.

Rustysonlytreasure fought hoof and nail while parked with Poocham Luck along the cones through the second turn and into a :59.3 half with neither combatant giving an inch.

Down the backstretch the final time Rustysonlytreasure lost some ground on the pacesetter after his grueling trip past the third station in 1:30, leaving Poocham Luck well in command and pointing toward the finish.

Dave Ingraham had his charge on his toes while withstanding any would-be spoilers, scoring by four lengths in 2:01.3.

Trained by Mike Graffam for owner-breeder G. Russell Austin, the son of State Treasurer picked up his second and most prestigious win of the year, returning $4.80.

Mike Graffam also trained second place finisher Hollywood Chester (Joey Mosher) and South St Justin (Nick Graffam) who got up for the show dough.

Drivers Andy Harrington and Aaron Hall both picked up three wins on the final card of the Fair meet.  Harrington led the Cumberland Fair with a total of 17 trips to the winners circle, with Hall nipping at his heels with 16 scores.  Sara Harrington led all conditioners with 10 victories. 

Now that the Cumberland Fair has concluded, New England horsemen will look forward to the track’s 15-day Winter Festival which begins November 8.  The year-end meet primarily follows a three-day Friday-Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the season, until December 13.  Our annual Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 12.

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

October 4, 2026, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland

(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – There were plenty of fans on hand to witness the 2026 edition of the $320,000-plus Maine Sire Stakes Freshmen Finals on Saturday (October 3) at the Cumberland Fair with some likely favorites prevailing, along with an upset, which made for a great day of New England harness racing.

In the first $80,760 final for 2-year-old colts and geldings the battle was on again off again between Pembroke Zagursky (Heath Campbell) and U Know I Know (Ken Watson).  Before and after the start every horse except the pacesetting favorite Pembroke Zagursky broke stride at one point or another in the race. 

Heath Campbell protected his pylon position but Ken Watson wanted the top and drove his trotter right off his feet heading toward the blistering :28.4 opening panel in a failed attempt to take command.

Watson ultimately ducked U Know I Know into the pocket with the tempo reduced to 1:01.1 at the half. Half in, half out heading into the 1:32 third station, Watson finally committed to the outer flow while going around the final turn.  Back two lengths at the head of the stretch U Know I Know had one last valiant effort to catch Pembroke Zagursky, but to no avail as the pacesetter prevailed by three parts of a length in 2:02.3.

Trained by Valerie Grondin for owner Brenda Varney, the son of Pembroke Slugger picked up his third, and most important win of the year.  Bred by the late Bill Varney, he returned $2.80.

Come On Charlie (Mark Athearn) finished third.

In the third race, which was the $80,456 final for 2-year-old trotting fillies, it was all Princess Caledonia and trainer-driver-co-owner Gary Hall who made every call a winning one, winning in 2:04.1 by 2-1/2 lengths.  Also owned by James Kelley Jr., Betsey Kelley and Kristina Hall, the daughter of To The Hilt returned $2.80. 

She was bred by Anita ‘Bunny’ Anastosopoulos.  Stable mate Mikella Bella (Heath Campbell) finished second; Cape Cod Friday (Dave Ingraham) was third. 

The fifth race $81,016 final for 2-year-old pacing fillies, was led by the Pine Tree State-bred star No Small Wonder, who heretofore sported an unblemished record going into this event.

Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr., wearing the blue and yellow colors of the recently deceased Alex MacDonald, the filly phenom and heavy 1-9 favorite left swiftly from post five and took the lead in the usual fashion.

The daughter of State Treasurer continued to pace unfettered through opening panels of :28.3 and :59.4 with Showfaith Showdown (Nick Graffam) sitting in the garden seat.  However, heading to the half driver Aaron Hall moved Feel The Fury first over and was advancing swiftly toward the lead.

The 16-1 longshot Feel The Fury blasted down the backside the final time to look No Small Wonder right in the eye at the 1:28.3 third station.  Those two fillies battled toe to toe around the final turn, leaving the rest of the field in their wake by five open lengths.

Somewhere during that final quarter of a mile No Small Wonder broke her check rein, which was dangling in the breeze but did not deter the filly from fighting back against her aggressor.  The pair fought with equal tenacity down the stretch with Feel The Fury making one last momentous lunge to the wire to prevail by a neck and defeat the previously undefeated filly by a neck in a track record equaling 1:59.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner-breeder Mr. Lesley Leighton, the daughter of State Treasurer had just one prior victory, but had been knocking on the door all season.  She returned a whopping $35.20 to win the MaryEllen Stevenson Memorial.  The winners circle was jammed packed with horse people and friends of local driver-trainer Mike Stevenson who lost his beloved wife last month.

The sixth race concluded the Maine Sire Stakes events with the $81,110 final for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings, and, of course The Gucci Man who was the 3-5 favorite having had has just one defeat in eight seasonal outings.  Switzer Jr. drove the son of Dude’s The Man to another pillar to post romp from post six, stopping the timer in 1:58.1, which was a new track record.

Owned, trained and bred by Marc Tardif, he returned $3.20

Top Notch Treasure (Bruce Ranger) finished second; Painter’s Treasure (Andy Harrington) was third.

Our treasured outrider Sherry Cushing took the Harnessing Hope $5,500 All Women Drivers Breast Cancer Awareness Invitational with her own Gazitarena in 2:00.1.  Co-owned with her step-daughter Jessica Clouser, they returned $5.40 in the wire-to-wire circuit. 

Driver Aaron Hall enjoyed three wins on the afternoon program and now sits within one win of Andy Harrington who leads with 14 wins at the Fair.

Racing concludes at the Cumberland Fairgrounds on Sunday (Oct. 4) with a 12:30 post time. 

After the fair, the track’s 15-day Winter Festival begins November 8 and then primarily follows a three-day Friday-Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the season, until December 13.  Our annual Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 12.

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

October 3, 2026, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland

(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Two $16,000-plus divisions of Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotters went postward on Friday (October 2) at the Cumberland Fair, with the sophomore leaders continuing their dominance in their respective classes.

In the first $16,783 non-betting division for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings it was Wilder N Idy who sat a perfect pocket trip to prevail over pacesetter Gus’s Workout (Heath Campbell) in 2:01. Driven by Mark Athearn to a quarter length victory, the son of To The Hilt is trained by Gretchen Athearn for owner Patricia Leavitt. 

Picking up his seventh win of the season, he leads the point standings leading up to the finals on Oct. 17 at Bangor Raceway.  He was bred by the late Mike Andrew, and now has $178,294 in lifetime earnings.

Trottinfortreasure (Aaron Hall) was third.

In the second $17,711 event, which was held before the regular card, it was the fantastic filly Hayden who got roughed up in the opening sequence to come from behind and score by three parts of a length in 2:01.2.

Trained and driven by Gary Hall for owner-breeder Stephen Hall, the daughter of Cantab Fashion acquired her ninth seasonal victory and has remained the leading point earner throughout the year.  Her career bankroll exceeds $122,000.

Our Last Quote (Steve Wilson) cut the fractions and finished second; Race Me Boomer (Andy Harrington) was third.

Driver Andy Harrington enjoyed another leading day, taking three wins on the regular program while topping all drivers at the Cumberland Fair with 14 trips to the winners circle.  His Friday (Oct. 2) scores included the $6,200 feature with Arts Flight (1:55.4, $3.40) for trainer-wife Sara Harrington.

Racing resumes at the Cumberland Fairgrounds on Saturday (Oct. 3) with the $320,000 Maine Sire Stakes Freshman Finals.  The final day of fair racing at Cumberland will be Sunday (Oct. 4) and features a $25,000 Maine Sire Stakes consolation for freshmen male pacers.  Post time is 12:30 for both weekend dates. 

After the fair, the track’s 15-day Winter Festival begins November 8 and then primarily follows a three-day Friday-Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the season, until December 13.  Our annual Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 12.

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

October 2, 2026, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland

(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – The fields have been drawn and the connections await the $320,000-plus Maine Sire Stakes Freshmen Finals on Saturday (October 3) at the Cumberland Fair with all four divisions vying for over $80,000 in purse money.

In the first $80,760 final for 2-year-old colts and geldings the battle is between Pembroke Zagursky (Heath Campbell) and U Know I Know (Ken Watson.  The former has bested the latter in his last two starts, breaking his previously unblemished record.

The third race is the $80,456 final for 2-year-old trotting fillies with Princess Caledonia (Gary Hall) the likely favorite.  Hall also has Mikella Bella entered, with Heath Campbell getting the driving duties.

The fifth race is the $81,016 final for 2-year-old pacing fillies, led by the Pine Tree State-bred star No Small Wonder.  The daughter of State Treasurer is unbeaten with eight wins this year.  She scores from post five and retains the services of Kevin Switzer Jr.

The sixth race completes the Maine Sire Stakes events with the $81,110 final for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings, and features The Gucci Man who has just one defeat in eight seasonal outings.  Switzer Jr. will drive the son of Dude’s The Man for trainer Marc Tardif.

The Saturday (Oct. 3) card also carries a $15,000 Winners Over Trot, as well as the Harness Hope $5,500 All Women Drivers Breast Cancer Awareness Invitational.  Our beloved outrider Sherry Cushing will trade her saddle for a harness and compete in the benefit event, along with six other local, female teamsters.

Looking back to Thursday (Oct. 1) Heath Campbell drove Valyrian Steel to victory in the $6,400 featured conditioned trot in 2:01.2.  Trained by Kate Gerow for owner Chad Tompkins, the 7-year-old son of Chapter Seven was parked to the opening panel and led the rest of the way, returning $3.80.

Driver Andy Harrington enjoyed four wins on the afternoon program and now leads all drivers at the Cumberland Fair with 11 trips to the winners circle.

Racing resumes at the Cumberland Fairgrounds on Friday (Oct. 2) with full cards scheduled for the remaining racing dates through Sunday (Oct. 4), with 12:30 post times throughout the week. 

Always a highlight of the ‘Always in September’ Fair, the Maine Sire Stakes continues at Cumberland with all the 3-year-old trotters competing in the sophomore divisions on Friday (Oct. 2). 

After the fair, the track’s 15-day Winter Festival begins November 8 and then primarily follows a three-day Friday-Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the season, until December 13.  Our annual Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 12.

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

October 1, 2026, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland

(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – The unstoppable filly phenom Snowonthepines added a twentieth notch to her belt on Wednesday (September 30) at the Cumberland Fair during the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old filly pacers. 

In her $17,209 event, which was held before the card, the champion filly had only air and opportunity in front of her as her regular pilot Kevin Switzer Jr. sent the daughter of Dude’s The Man on a front-end tour of the facility.

Passing the early stations in :30.2 and 1:02.2 with Ekorus (Joey Mosher) sitting in the pocket, Snowonthepines continued her air of superiority as no horses entered the outer flow to challenge for the lead.

After passing the third panel in 1:32 it was clear that the filly had things her own way and was on her way to another easy score, prevailing by 2-1/2 lengths in a modest 2:02.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner-breeder Leighton Property, it was the sophomore filly’s 11^th seasonal victory and 20^th lifetime, increasing her career bankroll to $188,137.

Ekorus finished second; Perfectly Lovely (Aaron Hall) was third.

In the second $16,984 division it was Dudelookslikeafily who got a perfect two-hole trip to best pacesetter Race Me Ireland (Andy Harrington) to score by a head in 2:01.3 and pick up her fourth seasonal win.

Driven by Aaron Hall for trainer Marc Tardif and owners Leighton Property and Victory Leighton, she was bred in Maine by Stephanie Gray.

Graceofspades (Dave Ingraham) finished third.

On the regular card the $5,800 feature was captured by Cool Man Dude in 1:59.1 with Aaron Hall returning $2.20 as the 1-9 favorite.  Andy Harrington won the $5,000 Senior Citizen’s Pace with his own 14-year-old Grand Galop Semalu in 2:03.2, which paid $4.40.  Harrington picked up two wins on the card, as did Hall and Joey Mosher.

Racing resumes at the Cumberland Fairgrounds on Thursday (Oct. 1) with full cards scheduled for the remaining racing dates through Sunday (Oct. 4), with 12:30 post times throughout the week. 

Always a highlight of the ‘Always in September’ Fair, the Maine Sire Stakes continues at Cumberland with all the 3-year-old trotters completing the sophomore divisions on Friday (Oct. 2). 

Once again, Cumberland will host the $320,000-plus Maine Sire Stakes 2-year-old finals on Saturday, October 3, with freshman filly pacer No Small Wonder entering the seasonal finale with an unblemished, eight-win record. 

After the fair, the track’s 15-day Winter Festival begins November 8 and then primarily follows a three-day Friday-Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the season, until December 13.  Our annual Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 12.

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