July 6, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Thomas Smith photo)

BANGOR, ME – Trainer Mike Graffam’s Mrs Foxy Roxy strutted her stuff down the Bangor runway on Wednesday (July 5) to capture the season’s first 2-year-old Maine Sire Stakes, the $15,123 freshman filly pace.

Driven by Nick Graffam, the daughter of Deuce Seelster never had an anxious moment as the freshman distaff took immediate command from post three and led the field into a brisk 30.4 opening panel.

My Sweet Revenge (Walter Case Jr.-Marc Tardif) sat in the two-hole, with Who’s Perfect (Dave Ingraham-Valerie Grondin) the first to move to the outside into a 1:03.4 half-mile time.

Following Graffam’s perfectly rated middle half with Mrs Foxy Roxy, Heath Campbell moved Pembroke Red second over through a 1:35 third panel.  As the tempo increased the field stacked up in the leader’s wake as Graffam gained considerable separation around the final turn.

Mrs Foxy Roxy cruised to victory unabated in 2:04.3, a new lifetime best.  The four fillies in chase mode were stretched out in unison across the wire and racing for second.

Owned by William McElvain Jr, Diane Dunn and Bradford Veilleux, it was the black filly’s second score of the year, but first pari-mutuel victory.  She paid $5.40 to win by 3-1/2 lengths.  7-5 favorite My Sweet Revenge was second, Ghost Of You (Kevin Switzer Jr.-Marc Tardif) was third.

The male freshman sidesteppers invade Bangor on Friday (July 7) for a $14,598 Maine-sired 2-year-old colt and gelding pace.

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 1, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes

CUMBERLAND, ME – The Tardif Taskforce swept the glamour boy divisions at Cumberland Saturday (July 1), winning both $15,209 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers.

In the first division, which was contested at 2 pm before the regular card, Kevin Switzer Jr. sent Luke McGook right to the front from post four and controlled the tempo into opening panels of 29.2 and 1:00.4.  At the half Bruce Ranger driving Colt Bennett took a shot at the leader and had come first over through the 1:30.2 third quarter and grabbed the lead.

Seemingly home free, Ranger wasn’t counting on Switzer Jr. and Luke McGook digging in for one final rally to re-take a half-length lead and the victory in 1:59.4.  Owned by Leighton Property and trained by Marc Tardif, the sophomore son of Rock N’ Roll World picked up the eleventh win of his career.  He was bred by Erika Saucier.

Mattucci (Aaron Hall/Valerie Grondin) finished third.

In the second $15,209 division the Tardif Taskforce was back at it again, with four of the seven entrants in the Maine-bred sophomore pace.

Twice The Ice (Andy Harrington) started from pylon position but had to negotiate a re-take as stable mate Anythingforyoudear (Switzer Jr.) had grabbed the early lead.  With the first quarter in 29 flat, Harrington finally took command and settled down into a 59.2 half.

With a quickening of the tempo, Twice The Ice was well in command at the 1:28.1 third panel and began to draw off under mild urging to score by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:58, a new lifetime best as well as a track record for 3-year-old pacing colts.  Owned and trained by Marc Tardif, the son of Deuce Seelster picked up his first win of the season.  He was bred by Gary and Kristina Hall.

So Rock N’ Roll (Walter Case Jr./Marc Tardif) finished second; Two Towns Over (Aaron Hall/Valerie Grondin) was third.

The Maine Sire Stakes visits Bangor on Sunday (July 2) for two $14,684 divisions for 3-year-old pacing fillies, first post is 12:15 pm.

Looking ahead, the Maine Sire Stakes originally scheduled for Union Fair have been moved to Bangor (July 26) and Cumberland (July 28).

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