June 15, 2025 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Joe Shaw photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Owner-driver Ron Cushing and trainer Heidi Cushing combined for a clean sweep of both $11,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies on Saturday (June 14) at Cumberland Raceway.
The first division witnessed prohibitive favorite Lysiun (1-9, Ron Cushing) give a first quarter retake to Leanne Marie (3-1, Mike Cushing) into a :29.3 split. Following that reshuffle, the sophomore daughter of Dude’s The Man made every call a winning one as she led the field through a softer 1:01 half and then a 1:30.2 third panel while increasing her advantage to a couple of lengths.
Around the final turn Leanne Marie closed the gap and turned the final charge into a horse race, getting to within a half-length of Lysiun under the shadow of the wire. The latter held on to the lead and the victory, scoring in 2:00.3 for her second win in a row.
Lysium
Trained by Heidi Cushing, and owned by her driver, she was bred in Maine by Lynne-Marie Plouffe. She paid $2.20 to win, Wishin For Kisses (19-1, Walter Case Jr.) finished third in the opener.
In the second $11,000 sophomore filly pace Ron Cushing steered his own Glorilla (6-5) to a hard fought victory in race three.
When the wings folded top Cumberland reinsman McGwire Sowers urged Whisper Of Luck (8-5) out to an early lead, with Audry (5-1, Steve Wilson) protecting position in second leaving Glorilla hung out to dry on the outside.
With nowhere to go but forward Cushing pressed Glorilla to the front, finally clearing after a :30.2 opening panel. The tempo eased through the second turn amid a softer 1:01.3 half, which prompted Steve Wilson to pop Audry out of their three hole spot just before the 1:31.3 third stanza and challenge for the lead.
Glorilla
The pack raced in tight quarters around the final turn, and down the lane Audry pressed the pacesetter on the outside while Whisper Of Luck looked for racing room up along the pylons.
Glorilla held on to win by half a length in 2:02.3, equaling her lifetime best. She is trained by Heidi Cushing, while being owned and driven to victory by Ron Cushing, the 3-year-old daughter of Dude’s The Man paid $4.60 to win.
Whisper Of Luck finished second; Audry was third.
Looking ahead, Sunday’s (June 15) Bangor program has three $11,000-plus divisions for 3-year-old trotters. Two of which are raced before the regular card at 11:30 am, and the third in race three on the regular card with a first post of 12:10 pm.
For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their new website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com
June 12, 2025 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Joe Shaw photo)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Two fields of 3-year-old filly pacers highlight the first $23,000-plus round of Maine Sire Stakes action at Cumberland Raceway on Saturday (June 14), which marks the start of the 18-week season of New England’s premier harness racing showcase.
With up to ten legs for each division throughout the summer and autumn months, the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes has been promoting and providing a venue for Pine Tree State Standardbreds since the legislative establishment of the program in 1972.
While the series has evolved over the last fifty years…so has the speed and durability of the Maine-bred harness horse. While it is not uncommon to see horses by Maine sires competing throughout North America, New England drivers and trainers are also making a name for themselves on the National stage.
The first division shows Lysiun (Ron Cushing) as the 8-5 early morning line favorite based upon a swift 1:55.2 maiden-breaking romp at Plainridge a few weeks ago. The sophomore daughter of Dude’s The Man is trained by Heidi Cushing, owned by her driver and was bred in Maine by Lynne-Marie Plouffe.
The most seasoned lass of the bunch is Leanne Marie (5-2, Mike Cushing) who crossed the wire first in last season’s $75,821 Maine Sire Stakes final but was placed second for interference. The daughter of Artistic Fella amassed $48,596 in 10 starts while finishing the season with a 2-3-2 summary. She is trained by Charlene ‘Sherry’ Cushing, who co-owns with Pamela Smith and Jane DiPompo.
The powerful ‘Tardif Taskforce’ annually enters the Maine Sire Stakes loaded for bear, and once again this year is no exception. They have two fillies in the first division, and another pair in the second division. Marc Tardif is the breeder of record on three of four, and owns three as well.
While some of the Tardif entrants may need a few more starts under their belts to really shine, Whisper Of Luck (2-1, McGwire Sowers) appears to be ready for action and is the favorite in the second division. The daughter of Artistic Fella earned $38,203 last season and is poised to pick right up where she left off.
From pylon position Audry (3-1, Steve Wilson) is looking for her first victory for trainer Charlene Cushing. The daughter of Deuce Seelster earned $46,063 last year, despite never winning a heat.
In addition, the tough Dude’s The Man filly Glorilla (3-1, Ron Cushing) has had plenty of tighteners leading up to this event, and will be a threat from the middle of the pack.
Looking ahead, Sunday’s (June 15) Bangor program has three $11,000-plus divisions for 3-year-old trotters. Two of which are raced before the regular card at 11:30 am, and the third in race three on the regular card with a first post of 12:10 pm.
For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their new website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com
October 13, 2024, by Chris Tully for the Maine Sire Stakes (Joe Shaw photos)
BANGOR, ME – The Maine Sire Stakes celebrated their fiftieth anniversary with a $380,000-plus extravaganza for 3-year-old Pine Tree State-bred harness horses on Saturday (Oct. 12) at Hollywood Casino Hotel and Raceway in Bangor, Maine.
While the historical significance of the series was marked with the necessary fanfare at the iconic Bass Park, a quartet of divisional leaders also reinforced their individual places in the chronicles of New England Standardbred sport.
Marc Tardif’s Two Fold Cold made an uncharacteristic first-over grind to secure his victory in the $96,132 Maine Sire Stakes final for 3-year-old male pacers while extending his unblemished season to an even dozen victories.
Scoring from post six, regular driver Kevin Switzer Jr. took a seat instead of his usual point position with the son of Deuce Seelster. Stable mate Arts Flight (8-1, Andy Harrington) took the spread-out field to the opening panel in :28.2, with Justcallmebuck (16-1, Heath Campbell) in the pocket and the 4-5 favorite Two Fold Cold sitting fifth nearly 10 lengths back.
Tipping off the pegs at the 3/8’s marker, Switzer kept Two Fold Cold rolling past the :58.2 half and ranging up on the leaders into a 1:27.4 third panel. Whats For Suppaah (27-1, Aaron Hall) picked up the live cover and followed the aggressor through the final turn as track announcer Mike Sweeney exclaimed, “throw a blanket over this stakes field.”
Thundering down the stretch the two Tardif-trained challengers fought valiantly to the wire while whiskers apart. The judge’s photo finish determined that the favorite, Two Fold Cold prevailed over Arts Flight by a neck in 1:58.2.
Owned and trained by Marc Tardif and bred in Maine by Gary and Kristina Hall, it was the colt’s twelfth consecutive victory, which extended his perfect season. In his career of 21 starts, Two Fold Cold now has 16 wins and $185,046 in lifetime earnings. He paid $3.60 for the score.
Justcallmebuck finished third, who ironically, is trained by Gary Hall for owner-breeder Kristina Hall.
For the sidestepping sophomore distaff $96,143 Maine Sire Stakes Final, Gowestyounggrace also picked up her twelfth win of the season, albeit by overcoming some hardball racing action in the process.
At the start, the Fred Ward Jr.-trained divisional leader and 1-9 heavy favorite took the lead from post two, but had to contend with the hard-charging Emma Rozze (8-1, Heath Campbell) who blasted up to take command into a :28 opening panel.
Driver Dave Ingraham had Gowestyounggrace right back out at the 3/8’s marker and looking for a re-take. However Heath Campbell was not so eager to relinquish the point and hung the favorite out to dry past the :57.1 half and through the third turn.
Regaining the advantage before the 1:27.1 third stanza, Ingraham had the daughter of Western Maverick on her toes and fending off another bid by Who’s Perfect (8-1, Aaron Hall) as the field rounded the final bend.
Gaining separation with every stride the series standout secured the win, which was a back-to-back Maine Sire Stakes finals triumph. Gowestyounggrace now has year-end victories at both ages two and three.
Winning by 2-1/4 lengths, she paid $2.20 to win for owners-breeders Sharon Ward and Fred Ward Jr., and now has $208,645 in career earnings and 17 victories in 24 lifetime starts.
Emma Rozze finished second; Who’s Perfect was third.
Trainer Valerie Grondin swept both trotting divisions of the 3-year-old Maine Sire Stakes finals, with the Campbell brothers each grabbing their own piece of the familial pie.
Heath Campbell secured a wire-to-wire conquest while driving Pembroke Breeze in her $95,708 filly trot division, scoring in 2:03 by 6-3/4 lengths. Owned and bred by Bill Varney, she paid $2.20 to win for trainer Grondin. The daughter of Pembroke Slugger grabbed her eighth seasonal victory and boosted her career bankroll to $175,209. It was also her second Maine finals victory, having also captured the race at age 2.
It was a bittersweet victory for all of the connections as the filly’s prominent owner-breeder William L. Varney had died in his sleep the day prior. Well known through his ‘Pembroke’ farm moniker, Varney has owned and bred hundreds of racehorses, many of which have made an indelible mark on harness racing in Maine, and across the country, over the last several decades. Varney was 83.
Bernie’s Legacy (Dave Ingraham) finished second; My Saving Grace (Mark Athearn) was third.
The $95,583 trotting colt and gelding Maine Sire Stakes final went to Chipper Dale and driver Drew Campbell. Drawing off by 8-1/4 lengths, they tripped the timer in 2:02.3 in the non-wagering, early race.
Trained by Valerie Grondin for owner-breeder Lynn-Marie Plouffe, the son of Shake It Off Lindy secured his tenth win of the season, amassing $214,498 in career earnings.
The Maine Sire Stakes Finals, now fifty years in the making, represent a culmination of years of hard work and dedication on 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 11, 2024, by Chris Tully for the Maine Sire Stakes (Joe Shaw photos)
BANGOR, ME – Hollywood Casino Hotel and Raceway at historic Bass Park welcomes the $380,000-plus Maine Sire Stakes Finals with four 3-year-old Pine Tree State-bred events on Saturday (Oct. 12) in Bangor, Maine.
Looking to put an exclamation point on an already perfect season is Marc Tardif’s Two Fold Cold (5-2) in the $96,132 Maine Sire Stakes final for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings. The son of Deuce Seelster has 11 wins in as many starts this year, and retains the services of regular pilot Kevin Switzer Jr. from post six.
However, the early morning-line favorite is Hesjustadelight (2-1) from post three. Ron Cushing drives the gray son of Western Maverick for trainer Heidi Cushing who won his last start at Fryeburg and is peaking at the right time.
The third choice from pylon position is Arts Flight (7-2) with Andy Harrington at the controls. Also owned and trained by Marc Tardif, the son of Artistic Fella could get a big piece of this one with a good trip.
Another Maine-bred star is Gowestyounggrace (8-5) who has been the principal dominant force in her division of sophomore distaffs. Scoring from post two in the $96,143 final, the homebred daughter of Western Maverick has 10 straight victories to her credit for owner-trainer-breeder Fred Ward Jr. Veteran reinsman Dave Ingraham will continue to drive the talented lass.
Rounding out the top contenders is Valerie Grondin’s Who’s Perfect (7-2), who has been 1-2-3 in her last seven starts and will be driven by Aaron Hall. Stable mate Emma Rozze (4-1) retains driver Heath Campbell who steered her to a decisive 6-1/2 length score last week at Fryeburg.
The diagonally gaited filly set features another Grondin pupil in Pembroke Breeze. The 3-year-old daughter of Pembroke Slugger is listed as the 4-5 favorite in the $95,708 Maine Sire Stakes final. Driver Heath Campbell has guided her to seven wins in nine seasonal outings for owner-breeder Bill Varney.
Team Athearn’s My Saving Grace (3-1) will also look to grab the lion’s share of the lofty prize, as the daughter of Shake It Off Lindy put down a string of three straight wins over August and September.
The state-bred action begins thirty minutes before the regular 2:00 pm post time with an early non-betting event, which is the $95,583 Maine Sire Stakes Final for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings. Four males go postward, with the current point leader Chipper Dale (Drew Campbell) leading the charge. With nine wins in 12 seasonal starts for trainer Valerie Grondin, the son of Shake It Off Lindy is the proud homebred property of Lynn-Marie Plouffe.
The Maine Sire Stakes Finals represent a 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 6, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Joe Shaw photos)
FRYEBURG, ME – Trainer Valerie Grondin swept the Maine Sire Stakes for sophomore trotters at the Fryeburg Fair on Saturday (October 5) as the popular and well-attended meet comes to a close.
The first division for 3-year-old trotting fillies was captured by divisional leader Pembroke Breeze, who took command early and never looked back. The daughter of Pembroke Slugger cruised through moderate fractions to score by 3-1/4 lengths in 2:03.2. Driven by Heath Campbell for trainer Valerie Grondin, it was the talented filly’s seventh win in nine starts for owner and breed Bill Varney.
The early non-wagering race carried a purse of $19,708. Bernie’s Legacy (Dave Ingraham) finished second; My Saving Grace (Mark Athearn) was third.
The boys were up next for a three-horse race with a similar purse, where driver Drew Campbell got the drive back aboard Chipper Dale, who also made every call a winning one. Sprinting away from the field to win by 5-1/2 lengths in 2:03.3, the son of Shake It Off Lindy is trained by Valerie Grondin for owner-breeder Lynn-Marie Plouffe.
Carrabasset (Mark Athearn) finished second; Pembroke Will (Heath Campbell) was third.
The previous afternoon (Oct. 4) witnessed Two Fold Cold (Kevin Switzer Jr.) grab his 11th straight win of his career, holding off the late charge of Whats For Suppaah (Aaron Hall) to win by a neck in a pedestrian 2:01.
He is owned and trained by Marc Tardif, and was bred in Maine by Gary and Kristina Hall.
That division of 3-year-old pacing colts and gelding went for a purse of $19,691, as did the other split captured by Hesjustadelight by a head in 1:58.4.
Driven by co-owner Ron Cushing for trainer Heidi Cushing and partners Lynn-Marie Plouffe (breeder) and Anthony & Joseph Romanelli, the son of Western Maverick picked up his third victory of the year.
Just Call Me Buck (Heath Campbell) finished a close second; Arts Flight (Andy Harrington) was third by a neck.
The final seasonal races for all of these Pine Tree State-bred Standardbreds are four divisions of the 3-year-old Maine Sire Stakes Finals, which will be held at Bangor Raceway on Saturday (Oct. 12).
For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our Facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com
October 3, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Joe Shaw photos)
FRYEBURG, ME – When the famous Fryeburg Fair welcomed Maine’s 3-year-old pacing fillies on Wednesday (October 2), the fans were treated to another dynamic performance by divisional standout Gowestyounggrace, who soared to her tenth consecutive victory.
Expertly handled this season by veteran reinsman Dave Ingraham, the daughter of Western Maverick-Gracie Gracie left from post three and made every call a winning one. Posting moderate fractions of :30, 1:01 and 1:31, the top filly coasted home in 1:59.2, winning by 2-3/4 lengths.
Owner-trainer-breeder Fred Ward Jr., along with his wife Sharon, have managed the filly with care. With their eyes focused ahead, toward the lucrative sophomore finals at Bangor on Oct. 12, getting to this point has also been prosperous. The homebred distaff has earned $160,574 with 16 lifetime wins.
While she will assuredly be the heavy betting favorite in her divisional final, this recent victory in the $19,696 Maine Sire Stake event was a non-wagering event.
Pembroke Red (Heath Campbell) finished second; My Sweet Revenge (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.
The second equally-prized division witnessed, Emma Rozze also take a wire-to-wire tour of the iconic Fryebug oval, known by many as the ‘Delaware (Ohio) of Maine’ for its big crowds and passionate fan base.
The daughter of Artistic Fella-Pembroke Violet, led every step of the way for Heath Campbell in the bike for trainer Valerie Grondin.
Winning in 1:58.4 by 6-1/2 lengths she is owned and was bred in Maine by Valerie Grondin and now includes William Underhill as co-owner. It was the filly’s first lifetime win, giving her a sub two-minute time badge.
Ghost Of You (Switzer) finished second; Animore Sass (Harrington) was third.
The Maine Sire Stakes resumes at the Fryeburg Fair with 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Friday (Oct. 4), and the sophomore trotters on Saturday (Oct. 5).
Looking ahead, four divisions of the 3-year-old Maine Sire Stakes Finals will be held at the Bangor Raceway on Saturday (Oct. 12).
For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our Facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com
September 29, 2024, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – Maine’s $300,000-plus 2-year-old finals witnessed two unbeaten youngsters remain as such, with a few surprises in the other divisions Saturday (Sept. 28) on the closing day of the 152nd Cumberland Fair.
Champion colt Whatawonder cruised to an easy victory in his $75,753 Maine Sire Stakes final for freshmen male trotters. Leaving from the outer most post position six, driver Ken Watson wasted no time to get his talented charge to the top.
Dropping a 29.4 opening panel, which was his fastest ever, the gelding proceeded to carry his four-length advantage through the remaining splits of 1:01.3 and 1:31.3. Looking stronger with every stride, the son of Whataworkout strode home in 2:02.4, a new lifetime best and a track record.
Owned and bred by Barbara Lawson, it was Whatawonder’s tenth straight victory, paying $3.40. He is trained by Lisa Watson.
Liberty’s Wildcard (Kevin Switzer Jr.) finished second; stable mate Katahdin Victor (Wally Watson) was third.
In the $76,023 Maine Sire Stakes final for 2-year-old male pacers, the heavy 2-5 favorite Massive Speed did not disappoint.
Thrusting out from behind the starting car driver Walter Case Jr. smartly let early speedster Race Me Celtic (Drew Campbell) assume command, albeit briefly. A give-and-go release gave Massive Speed the top again just past the 27.4 swift opening panel.
At the 58.4 half-mile marker a cavalry charge of sidesteppers were stacked up three high as they passed the stands the second time, with Jax Attack (Aaron Hall) first over and Gracies Tough Guy (Dave Ingraham) applying pressure alongside three wide.
While Massive Speed was on top by three at the 1:28 third stanza, Race Me Celtic was gapping his cover in the pocket with Gracies Tough Guy now first over and looking to duck to the pylons.
As the field turned for home, Massive Speed had gained considerable separation on the rest of the field. Only Gracies Tough Guy had stayed within two lengths of the son of Dude’s The Man, as Case held his whip high while crossing the wire and broke the divisional track record with the 1:58.2 triumph.
Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, it was the tenth consecutive victory for Massive Speed, who was bred in Maine by Laurie Harding. He paid $2.80 to win.
Race Me Celtic finished third.
Little Shot took a big shot and prevailed in the $75,916 final for 2-year-old trotting fillies. Driven by conditioner and co-owner Ivan Davies, the daughter of Noble Venture was sent right out for the lead from their pylon position at the start, and proceeded to make every call a winning one.
Tripping the timer in 2:04.1, Little Shot was the second choice on the board and paid $7.40 to win her second race of the season. Also co-owned by Shirley Hutchins, she was bred by Dr. Douglass Hutchins and Paul Kinnear.
Barbella (Bruce Ranger) finished second; Race Me Bombshell (Drew Campbell) was third.
For the $75,821 Maine Sire Stakes final for freshman pacing fillies, it was Leanne Marie that crossed the wire first for driver Mike Cushing. However, the judges determined that Leanne Marie interfered with Chasing Dudes (Nick Graffam) in mid-stretch, therefore the latter was declared the winner, with the former being placed second.
Chasing Dudes, a daughter of Dude’s The Man, is trained by Mike Graffam for owner-breeder Bob Marston and paid $7.80 to win.
Audry (Steve Wilson) finished third.
The day’s fastest race was the $10,000 Winners Over class, where Lifes A Puzzle triumphed for driver Kevin Switzer Jr. in 1:54.4. Trained by Alison Hynes for owner Richard Humphrey, the 4-year-old son of Lazarus N is another successful graduate of the Gordon Corey Institute of Equine Erudition.
The day also witnessed a plethora of $10,000 pop up series finals which were well received by the large crowd of fans and bettors on hand for the final day of the fair.
The Sunday (Sept. 29) card has a special post time of 10:55 am for that final racing date.
After the fair, the track’s 19-day Winter Festival begins November 2 and follows a 2-day Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the month of November. The month of December picks up Fridays for 3-day weekends of racing through December 22. Our popular Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 21.
For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/
