July 31, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Maine-bred and sired 2-year-old pacers re-appeared at Cumberland on Sunday (July 30), where the aptly named Oakleypopsthedeuce acted accordingly to capture the first win of his fledgling career.

Scoring from post two driver ‘double-digit’ Dave Ingraham maintained his position with Oakleypopsthedeuce (8-1) and settled in behind 2-5 favorite Hesjustadelight (Ron Cushing-Heidi Gibbs) to hit the opening panel in a moderate 29.4.

With no movement, and the field in perfect alignment the freshmen pacers hit the half in a relaxed 1:01.2 with Wes’s Challenge (Walter Case Jr.-Marc Tardif) sitting third.  Down the backstretch for the final time Thru The Fire (Andy Harrington-Tardif) moved swiftly passing horses first over and was alongside Oakleypopsthedeuce as the field reached the third stanza in 1:31.

Rolling through the turn in the heat of battle Thru The Fire lost some momentum which gave Oakleypopsthedeuce just enough wiggle room to pop out of the two-hole and challenge for the lead.  Down the stretch the pair matched strides valiantly, but it was Oakleypopsthedeuce that prevailed by a quarter length, getting up in the final steps to break his maiden in 2:01.4.

Trained by Kelly Case for owner Tammy Sowers, the son of Deuce Seelster was bred by Irwin Kaplan.  Living up to his Gabe Prewitt-given nickname, Dave Ingraham with Oakleypopsthedeuce paid $19.00 to win the $15,123 Maine Sire Stake for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers. 

Hesjustadelight finished second; Wes’s Challenge was third.

Two $14,000-plus divisions of Maine Sire Stakes for freshmen fillies were scheduled for Saturday (July 30), however, one raced and one was postponed until Sunday (July 31).

Ghost Of You took the rescheduled $14,663 event, which was contested before Sunday’s regular program, in a maiden-breaking 2:02.1.  Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. for trainer Marc Tardif and owner-breeder Leighton Property, the 2-year-old daughter of Deuce Seelster made every call a winning won, scoring wire-to-wire to grab the first victory in her 6-start career.

Zoes Precious RN (Mike Cushing-Sherry Cushing) finished second; My Sweet Revenge (Case Jr.-Tardif) was third.

A day earlier Mrs Foxy Roxy picked up her fourth career victory, scoring in 2:05.2 in the $14,486 Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing fillies.  Also by the sire Deuce Seelster, the Mike Graffam-trained and Nick Graffam-driven distaff has assembled an impressive seasonal summary of four wins and a second in six starts. 

This was Mrs Foxy Roxy’s third Maine Sire Stakes victory for owners Bill McElvain Jr., Diane Dunn and Brad Veilleux and breeders Gary and Kristina Hall.  She paid $4.00 to win.  Who’s Perfect (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) finished second; Gowestyounggrace (Dave Ingraham-Fred Ward Jr.) was third.

The Maine Sire Stakes returns to Cumberland on Saturday (Aug. 5) with all divisions of the 2- and 3-year-old Pine Tree State-bred trotters going postward.  The following week the program transitions to the fair circuit with sire stakes racing at Topsham beginning August 7.  The third week in August brings the monsters of the midway up to Skowhegan for another full week of Maine harness racing.

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

July 29, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Stephanie Gray photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – My Saving Grace hasn’t had to endure much hardship in her short, but successful career as the freshman filly is a perfect three-for-three so far this season in Maine Sire Stakes competition.

Driven by Mark Athearn for trainer Gretchen Athearn, the young daughter of Shake It Off Lindy (a son of Crazed) hasn’t had to save anything for next week as she scampered off to victory lane by eight lengths in her $14,367 two-year-old filly trot for Pine Tree State-breds.

Under sunny skies the talented distaff stopped the timer in 2:06.3 to take a new lifetime mark over her home track Cumberland oval.  Owned by Margaret Thyng and bred by Leighton Property, My Saving Grace has saved up a nice nest egg of $23,487 so far this season. 

Coupled with last week’s romp at Bangor, the frosh filly has a combined margin of victory of 14-3/4 lengths.  My Saving Grace paid $3.00 to win.  Pembroke Breeze (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) finished second; Twisted Venture (Mike Cushing-Sherry Cushing) was third.

For the sophomore trotting fillies, it was a case of location, location, location. 

In the $14,952 Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old diagonally-gaited distaffs, heavy favorite She’salilbitmouthy ducked, pulled three-wide, and then ducked again before the field reached the pedestrian half in 1:02.3, following a 30.4 opening panel.

At the start, Another Adventure (Kevin Switzer Jr.-Marc Tardif) had taken command initially, but begrudgingly yielded to Melania’s Best (John Nason) who was intent on taking no prisoners.  After getting stung to the quarter, and then parking the favorite, Nason found himself leading the way with an empty tank in that filly’s first seasonal purse start.

First up was Wild Ending (Ivan Davies) with She’salilbitmouthy and Hall in a tight pocket third.  At the decisive 1:33.2 third panel Wild Ending took the lead over Melania’s Best, who had called it an afternoon.  Another Adventure had taken chase and was now beside the favorite, locking her behind the tiring former pacesetter.

As the field rounded the final turn it was a race for second as Wild Ending had put all the wild antics behind her.  Another Adventure was too busy looking around to mount a serious stretch drive, but hung on to be second.  B R Glory (Wally Watson-Lisa Watson) swooped them all to be a fast closing third.

Trained and driven by Ivan Davies, Wild Ending picked up her second lifetime victory for owner Anita Anastosopoulis.  The daughter of Boy Band was bred in Maine by the late Michael Andrew.  She paid 4.80 to win.

In the first division for 3-year-old filly pacers Katelyn’s Angel grabbed her second wire-to-wire victory, winning the $14,684 Maine Sire Stake in a lifetime mark equaling 1:58.2.  Driven to a 10-1/4 length romp by Kevin Switzer Jr. for trainer Marc Tardif, the daughter of Western Maverick is owned and was bred the Leightons.  She paid $4.00 to win.  Slight favorite La Mambacita (Campbell-Grondin) finished second; Ally Mac (Nick Graffam-Mike Graffam) was third.

The second division was also an unimpeded rout by South St Dottie in a well-rated 2:00.2.  Driven by Nick Graffam for trainer/father Mike Graffam, was on easy street after the favored Pickmepickme (Andy Harrington-Marc Tardif) made a costly break while giving chase in the final turn.

The Jan Donaway owned and bred daughter of Western Maverick is heretofore undefeated in five seasonal Maine Sire Stakes events.  South St Dottie paid $4.80 to win.  Pickmepickme got back pacing and finished second; stable mate Justcallmemimi (Bruce Ranger-Graffam) was third.

Saturday’s (July 29) Cumberland card has two divisions of freshman pacing fillies, with the freshmen pacing colts going on Sunday (July 30).  All the divisions are on the betting program.  First post is 3:15 pm.

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

July 27, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Thomas Smith photos)

BANGOR, ME – Marc Tardif’s 3-year-old pacing gelding Luke McGook grabbed another victory at Bangor on Wednesday (July 26), giving the seasonal star an unblemished record of five-for-five in the glamour boys division of the Maine Sire Stakes.

Leaving from pylon position and driven by regular pilot Kevin Switzer Jr., the son of Rock N’ Roll World left little doubt who would be in command at the 29.2 opening panel of the $15,142 event.  With the world at his back the Leighton Property-owned horse with the funny name rolled through the middle half of 1:00.2 and 1:29.3 while maintaining a respectable, but not overly boisterous, single-length lead on Colt Bennett (Bruce Ranger-David Crochere). 

First up at the half and through the third panel was stable mate Someones Hero (Dave Ingraham-Tardif).  Sensing some hesitation Walter Case Jr. moved So Rock N’ Roll (Tardif) three wide down the backside to swoop his tiring colleague.

With the fracas behind him, Luke McGook pranced home in 1:58.3, with nary an anxious moment to score by 1-1/4 lengths.  Colt Bennett finished second with So Rock N’ Roll getting up to be third in the first of three non-wagering events. 

Luke McGook was bred in Maine by Erica Saucier, and now has $178,574 in lifetime earnings, with 13 career victories.

The second $14,146 Maine Sire Stakes event, a 2-year-old colt trot, was captured by Chipper Dale in 2:12 by a 1-3/4 length margin with trainer-driver Valerie Grondin at the controls.  Chipper Dale is by the sire Shake It Off Lindy and is owned and was bred by Lynn-Marie Plouffe.  Pembroke Will (Heath Campbell-Grondin) finished second after cutting the fractions; Carrabassatt (Mark Athearn-Gretchen Athearn) was third.

The final non-bettor was captured by Two Towns Over who grabbed the other $15,367 sophomore colt pace division in a seasonal best 1:58.1.

Driven by Aaron Hall for owner-trainer Valerie Grondin, the son of Deuce Seelster made every call a winning one, wiring the field and scoring by 3-3/4 lengths.  Stable mate Mattucci (Walter Case Jr.-Grondin) finished second; Rockaroundsam (Andy Harrington-Tardif) was third.  Two Towns Over was bred by Andrew Bustard.

Outlawofthevalley provided a mild upset in defeating wagering favorite and previous point leader Wabanaki (Ivan Davies, 1-5) in the $15,166 Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings.

Scoring from the Euro-rail position, driver Kevin Switzer Jr. let Stealin Money (Nick Graffam, 20-1) leave sharply and cross over.  However, the dust barely had time to settle as Switzer Jr. was back out and rolled on to re-take command in a 29.4 opening panel.

Stealin Money sat a tight pocket with Wabanaki not content in third and choosing to pull first over into the 1:01.4 half-mile marker.  The pair battled on the front end through a 1:31.4 third stanza, where track announcer Mike Sweeney noted that Wabanaki ‘refused to go away.’

Down the stretch it appeared that the lathered-up Outlawofthevalley had his hands full, but the wire arrived and the pacesetter was able to maintain a half-length lead over the favorite to score in 2:02.2.  Outlawofthevalley is a son of Pembroke Slugger, is owned and was bred by Leighton Property, and paid $9.80 to win for trainer Marc Tardif.

Stealin Money hung on to be third.

Trainers Valerie Grondin and Marc Tardif swept the four divisions of Maine Sire Stakes events, each taking two races on the day’s program.

It’s a three-day weekend for participants in the Maine Sire Stakes at Cumberland.  Friday (July 28) hosts 2- and 3-year-old trotting fillies and 3-year-old pacing fillies.  Saturday (July 29) has two divisions of freshman pacing fillies, with the freshmen pacing colts going on Sunday (July 30).  All the divisions are on the betting program. 

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

July 22, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Thomas Smith photo)

BANGOR, ME – Mrs Foxy Roxy returned to her winning ways Friday (July 21) at Bangor, capturing her second Maine Sires Stakes event of the month.

One $15,298 nine-horse division of 2-year-old pacing fillies went postward in an early non-wagering race.  Driven by Nick Graffam, the daughter of Deuce Seelser rolled out smoothly to the front from the post two, taking an early command of the large group of freshman distaffs.  Who’s Perfect (Drew Campbell-Valerie Grondin), who was last week’s victor, inherited the two-hole from the second tier post nine and followed intently into a 30.2 opening panel.

As the field hit the reduced tempo half mile marker in 1:03, Kevin Switzer Jr. driving Ghost Of You was the first to move first over for trainer Marc Tardif.  At the 1:33.2 third panel she had gotten to the wheel of Mrs Foxy Roxy with Who’s Perfect up close in third on the pylons.

But as the field turned for home the two inner-most combatants had sped away from the rest of the field and battled eye-to-eye down to the wire, similar to last week where the winning margin was a nose.

Graffam continued to urge Mrs Foxy Roxy and kept her engaged to prevail by a neck over Who’s Perfect in 2:02.3, a new lifetime mark.

Trained by Mike Graffam for owners William McElvain Jr., Diane Dunn and Bradford Veilleux, it was her second win in three stakes events.  Mrs Foxy Roxy was bred in Maine by Kristina and Gary Hall.

Ghost Of You finished third.

Maine Sire Stakes events resume on Saturday (July 22), where the freshmen colts return to Cumberland.  Sunday’s (July 23) card enjoys the reappearance of all the trotters 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 to learn about the new Mare Incentive program.

July 17, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Thomas Smith photos)

BANGOR, ME – A quartet of $14,000-plus divisions of Maine Sire Stakes for 2- and 3-year-old trotters put in their respective miles on Sunday (July 16) afternoon at Bangor, over a rain-soaked surface.  Last year’s champion freshmen trotter, Wabanaki returned to his winning ways, taking the featured $14,941 sophomore colt trot.

Sent off as the 2-5 favorite in the opener, trainer-driver Ivan Davies had the son of Boy Band in high gear going into the first turn and posting a 29.4 opening quarter, despite the slow going.  Sitting in a loose pocket was Outlawofthevalley (Kevin Switzer Jr.-Marc Tardiff) with Pembroke Traveler (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) third and moving first over just past the 1:01.2 softer second panel.

Down the backstretch the final time Campbell had Pembroke Traveler all revved up and managed to poke a head in front of Wabanaki into the 1:31.2 third stanza.  However, Wabanaki came back and dug in for the final quartile and rolled on like a good horse to win in 2:02 by two lengths.

Owned by Anita Anastosopoulos, the Ivan Davies trained and driven colt picked up the fifth win of his career, and second of the season.  Bred by Mike Andrew, Wabanaki increased his lifetime earnings to $72,586.  He paid $2.80 to win, and leads his peers in the point standings.

Outlawofthevalley finished second; Eustis (Mike Stevenson-Gordon Corey) was third.

Historic Bass Park hosted three non-wagering races, which preceded the regular card.  The first to fire were the 2-year-old filly trotters, vying for a purse of $14,367.

Leaving little room for interpretation, My Saving Grace was sent out directly to the lead from post 4, and proceeded to show the way for the other trotting babies.  With the judges giving a 2-second allowance for the sloppy track, the daughter of Shake It Off Lindy cruised casually through a soft opening half of 1:09.1, with driver Mark Athearn urging the distaff to scamper home in 2:12 by 6-3/4 lengths. 

Trained by Gretchen Athearn for owner Margaret Thyng, it was the second consecutive stakes victory for the Leighton Property-bred filly.  Pembroke Breeze (Campbell-Grondin) finished second; Bernie’s Legacy (Ivan Davies) was third.

Next up was the $14,502 sophomore filly trotters, which witnessed another gate-to-wire romp by She’salilbitmouthy.

Driver Aaron Hall had the daughter of Victory Blue Chip out and rolling from their starting pylon position, and made every call a winning one.  Tripping the timer in 2:04, the Mona Dodd-owned distaff picked up her third front-end stakes victory of the season.  With lifetime earnings of $117,340, the Michael Cushing-trained lass has roared her way to the top of her class this season.  She was bred by Stephen Hall.

Wild Ending (Ivan Davies) finished second by a tight length; Another Adventure (Switzer Jr.-Tardiff) was third, but unhurried.

The final $13,971 freshmen colt trot Maine Sire Stakes event went to Chipper Dale, who broke his maiden in his first-time purse start.  Driven by Heath Campbell for trainer Valerie Grondin, they were content to follow pacesetter Carrabassett (Mark Athearn-Gretchen Athearn) through all the divisions.  When the pair got to the head of the stretch they were heads apart.  With Carrabassett jumping off stride, Chipper Dale went on to win by 6-1/2 lengths in 2:08.4.

A son of Shake It Off Lindy, Chipper Dale is owned and was bred by Lynn-Marie Plouffe.

Maine Sires Stakes events resume on Friday (July 21) with the 2-year-old pacing fillies racing at Bangor.  The following day, Saturday (July 22), the freshmen colts return to Cumberland.  Sunday’s (July 23) card sees the return of all the trotters once again 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 to learn about the new Mare Incentive program.

July 15, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Thomas Smith photos)

BANGOR, ME – Four $14,000-plus divisions of Maine Sire Stakes for 2- and 3-year-old pacing fillies went postward on Friday (July 14) afternoon, with three of the distaffs taking new lifetime records over the hot and fast Bass Park surface.

Hollywood Casino at Bangor played host to three early non-wagering races at 11 am, with the fourth and final split carded as race one on the betting program.

The sophomore fillies were the first to hit the track, with Katelyn’s Angel a bridesmaid no more.  Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. for trainer Marc Tardif, the daughter of Western Maverick had finished second in all three of her previous stakes outings.  All that changed Friday when Switzer Jr. sent the Leighton Property-owned and bred lass out to the front row where she remained for the duration of the flight.

It was a perfectly rated ‘training mile’ for last year’s five-time winner.  Following an opening panel of 29.1, Switzer Jr. hit the half in 1:00 flat.  At the three-quarter pole she was on top four and looking for more in 1:29.2.  Tripping the timer in a career best 1:58.2, Katelyn’s Angel won by 8-1/2 lengths and never had an anxious moment in the $14,684 event. 

Justcallmemimi (Bruce Ranger-Mike Graffam) finished second; Bailey’s Rock Star (Sherry Cushing) was third.

In the second $14,684 Maine-bred 3-year-old filly pace, South St Dottie continued her winning ways, picking up her fourth consecutive victory in stakes company with regular pilot Nick Graffam at the controls. 

Sitting a perfect pocket trip behind pacesetter La Mambacita (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin), the daughter of Western Maverick found an extra gear and scooted home in 30 seconds to secure her place atop the divisional leader board.

Trained by Mike Graffam for owner-breeder Jan Donaway, it was her fifth lifetime victory, winning by 3 lengths in 1:59.  La Mambacita finished second; Janie (Aaron Hall) was third.

Next, the babies took center stage in the first $14,486 2-year-old filly pace, where My Sweet Revenge is a maiden no more.  Making her fourth lifetime start for trainer Marc Tardif, the daughter of Western Maverick got a new mark and an education in a little over two minutes.

Scoring from post five, Walter Case Jr. scooted out for the lead with My Sweet Revenge to hit the opening panel in a snappy 30.2, but walked to the half in 1:03.2. 

Sensing the tempo shift driver Heath Campbell pulled Pembroke Red to the outside to challenge for the lead.  When the would-be spoiler poked a head in front at the 1:33.3 third stanza, that was all My Sweet Revenge needed to gain some confidence and dig in for the remaining two furlongs.

The pair fought gallantly to the wire, but it was My Sweet Revenge that prevailed by half a length in 2:03.2.  Owned by Leighton Property and bred by Laurie Harding and Reginald Duguay, it was her first lifetime victory. 

Pembroke Red finished second; Ghost Of You (Kevin Switzer Jr.-Marc Tardif) was third.

The final $14,486 Maine Sire Stake of the day was on the regular card and witnessed second-time starter Who’s Perfect get her first race record.

Driven by Heath Campbell for trainer Valerie Grondin, the daughter of Western Maverick followed last week’s winner and 1-5 favorite Mrs Foxy Roxy (Nick Graffam-Mike Graffam) around the two-loop circuit.

Campbell kept Who’s Perfect tight on Graffam’s helmet throughout heavy lifting.  When the pair got into the final turn Mrs Foxy Roxy started swishing her tail, which was Campbell’s cue to tip out and challenge the pacesetter to a stretch duel.  They fought head to head, wheel to wheel and nose to nose down to the wire, but it was Who’s Perfect who got up in the final strides to win by a nose in 2:04, putting in a 28.4 final quarter exclamation point.

Owned by Lynn-Marie Plouffe, Dick McKeen and Patty McKeen, she was also bred by Lynn-Marie Plouffe and paid $11.80 to win.  Zoes Precious RN (Mike Cushing-Sherry Cushing) finished third.

During the upcoming weekend, the 2-year-old pacing colts visit Cumberland on Saturday (July 15), with all the divisions of trotters racing at Bangor on Sunday (July 16) in four additional Maine Sire Stakes events.

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

July 13, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes

AUGUSTA, ME – The Officers and Directors of the Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association (MSBOA) are pleased to announce a new mare incentive program which will provide up to $30,000 of payments in lieu of stud fees for mares bred to a Maine stallion during the 2023 breeding season.

Mares and owners new to the program and/or the state will be given preference over current resident mares, with a total of 15 registered broodmares that are bred to a Maine stallion being eligible to the program.

“We are excited to support bringing new Standardbred mares into the state of Maine,” noted MSBOA director Rhoda Underhill.  “This program helps in many ways as it will increase the size of our foal population, as well as benefit the stallion owners with increased bookings.”

The additional resultant foals should also help increase and strengthen the level of participation in Maine Sire Stakes events for years to come. 

For more information, and to download the applicable forms, go to:

Forms | Fees

In other news, the Pine Tree State-bred glamour boys were at it again, tearing up the racing strip at Bangor on Wednesday (July 12) in two $15,142 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings.

Continuing his domination, Luke McGook coasted to his fourth consecutive victory in the first early, non-wagering race.

Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr., the sophomore son of Rock N’ Roll World sat a perfect pocket trip behind pacesetter Colt Bennett (Bruce Ranger-David Crochere) to tip out in the stretch and draw off by 3-3/4 lengths in 1:58.1.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, it was his twelfth lifetime victory.  Luke McGook was bred in Maine by Erika Saucier.  Colt Bennett finished second; Two Points (Drew Campbell-Eric Bickmore) was third.

In the second $15,142 event, So Rock N’ Roll grabbed his second stakes victory of the season, scoring in the identical 1:58.1 time as his stable mate.

Driven by Walter Case Jr. for trainer Marc Tardif, the son of Western Maverick won from off the pace for owner-breeder Leighton Property.

Matucci (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) cut the mile while Wicked Scorchah (Drew Campbell-David Crochere) had a two-hole journey into a 28.1 opening panel.  However, at the 59.2 half the latter jumped off stride giving So Rock N’ Roll and Case Jr. clear access to that garden spot after being first over. 

The victor made his move at the head of the stretch to win by 1-1/4 lengths over Mattucci.  Facemaskrequired (Mike Stevenson-Marc Tardif) finished third.

Maine-bred 2- and 3-year-old pacing fillies return to historic Bass Park on Friday (July 14).  Over the weekend, the 2-year-old pacing colts visit Cumberland on Saturday (July 15), with all divisions of trotters racing at Bangor on Sunday (July 16) for more Maine Sire Stakes events.

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

July 10, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Thomas Smith photo).

BANGOR, ME – Two guys named ‘Mike’ departed Bangor as winners when their 3-year-old trotters scored in their respective divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes on Sunday’s (July 9) early card.

Trainer Mike Cushing’s filly She’salilbitmouthy grabbed her second victory of the stakes season, winning the $14,502 sophomore filly trot in a new lifetime best 2:02.4.

Driven by Aaron Hall, the daughter of Victor Blue Chip left from pylon position and never looked back as she cruised through opening fractions of 31.1 and 1:00.3.  With a comfortable two-length lead on the trailing horses, Hall was content to hit the third panel in 1:31.1 before opening up by four lengths to sail home a winner for owner Mona Dodd.  She’salilbitmouthy was bred in Maine by Stephen Hall.

It was the filly’s third seasonal start and second win where she lowered her mark by over three seconds, and now has 10 wins lifetime.  Wild Ending (Ivan Davies) finished second; Another Adventure (Kevin Switzer Jr.-Marc Tardif) was third.

The $14,941 sophomore colt trot was up next, which was settled in the final strides by trainer Mike Graffam’s Stealin Money.

When the wings folded Outlawofthevalley (Switzer Jr.-Tardif) was the first to leave from post four, followed by Stealin Money (Nick Graffam-Mike Graffam) who got away second, with Pembroke Traveler (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) settling into third.

Switzer Jr. gathered up Outlawofthevalley after a 29.1 opening panel and reduced the tempo into a 1:00.4 half.  Last week’s victor Wabanaki (Ivan Davies) cruised solo in the outer flow throughout the opening panels but had a miscue following the 1:30.2 third quarter.

At the head of the stretch the leader Outlawofthevalley stepped off stride which allowed Stealin Money to inherit the lead for the Graffam clan, and score by a head over a fast-closing Pembroke Traveler in 2:02.  Wabanaki held on to be third.

It was the first seasonal victory for Graffam’s homebred colt by Pembroke Slugger, who lowered his mark by nearly ten seconds in the process.  Now co-owned by Mike Graffam with Jacquie Graffam and Joan Harmon, it was just the second lifetime victory for the up-and-comer.

The Maine-bred sidesteppers finish out the week, with the 3-year-old pacing colts invading Bangor on Wednesday (July 12) for two $15,142 divisions of seven horse fields.  First post is early at 2 pm where Luke McGook, the point leader in the glamour boys division, seeks his fourth consecutive victory.  Then, the 2- and 3-year-old pacing fillies are up next on Friday (July 14) at historic Bass Park. 

The following day the 2-year-old pacing colts visit Cumberland on Saturday (July 15) for more Maine Sire Stakes events.

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

By Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Stephanie Gray photos)

Driver Mark Athearn and trainer Gretchen Athearn swept the two early non-wagering Maine Sire Stakes events for 2-year-old trotters. 

My Saving Grace, a frosh filly by Shake It Off Lindy scored in the first $14,017 distaff trot, defeating Bernies Legacy (Ivan Davies) in 2:08.4 by three parts of a length.  Owned by Margaret Thyng and bred by Leighton Property, it was the second ‘official’ time behind the starting gate for both participants.  

The $13,796 Maine-bred 2-year-old colt trot was a walkover in 2:11.3 by a son of Boy Band named Carrabassett.  Owned by Patrick Leavitt and bred by the late Mike Andrew, it was the gelding’s third circuit in a professional setting.

July 7, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes

BANGOR, ME – Hesjustadelight made his first lifetime stakes race a memorable one, cruising to victory in the $14,598 Maine-sired 2-year-old colt and gelding pace at Bangor on Friday (July 7).

Co-owned and driven by Ron Cushing, the son of Western Maverick scored from post position four in the early non-wagering event, and when the wings closed he remained in fourth past a 29.2 opening panel.

Thru The Fire (Andrew Harrington) was one of three entrants from the Marc Tardif stable, and from pylon position that son of Western Maverick cut the fractions.  With no movement through a 1:00.2 breather, and with Oakleypopsthedeuce (David Ingraham-Anthony Urbanowicz) remaining in the two-hole, Cushing popped Hesjustadelight first over into a 1:31 third panel.

By the head of the stretch Cushing had cleared the top and was able to cruise to a 1-3/4 length victory in 2:02.1 with his whip tucked over his shoulder.

Trained by Heidi Gibbs and owned by the partnership of Cushing, Lynn-Marie Plouffe, Anthony and Joseph Romanelli, he was also bred in Maine by Lynn-Marie Plouffe.

Oakleypopsthedeuce rallied for second money; Wes’s Challenge (Walter Case Jr.-Marc Tardif) finished third.

The freshman trotters visit Cumberland on Saturday (July 8) for two Maine Sire Stakes worth a combined $27,800-plus in purses.  The early action starts before the regular card at 2:00 pm.  3-year-old trotters enjoy two $13,500 divisions at Bangor on Sunday (July 9) with an early 11:45 am post time.

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