July 4, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Holli Niles photo)

BANGOR, ME – A lone $16,171 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing fillies opened the card on Wednesday (July 3) at Bangor, with Ron Cushing’s Glorilla dominating her fellow troop members.

Sent off as the 3-5 favorite off a 2:00.3 qualifying mile at Tioga Downs, the slick-gaited distaff wasted little time blasting out to the front and setting a 30.4 opening panel while leaving the rest of the field stretched out behind her.

On top by 5-1/2 at the 1:02.1 well-rated half, the daughter of Dude’s The Man had Chasing Dudes (Nick Graffam-Mike Graffam) giving chase with Thinkin Bout Life (Walter Case Jr.-Marc Tardif) back 11 lengths in third.

On top by four, Glorilla and Ron Cushing remained well in command at the 1:32.2 third panel. With the backfield tightening up a bit and with no change in the pecking order, Leanne Marie (Mike Cushing-Charlene Cushing) made a move first over down the backstretch to improve her position.

On cruise control at the wire, Glorilla showed that she is indeed the band leader as she dominated by a comfortable 3-3/4 length margin in 2:02.3.  Owned, trained and driven by Ron Cushing, she paid $3.20 to win, and was bred by Kevin Sywyk.

Chasing Dudes finished second; Leanne Marie got up to be third.

The Maine Sire Stakes resumes on Friday (July 5) when the 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers take center stage at First Tracks Cumberland, which is immediately followed by all the 2-year-old trotters on Saturday (July 6).

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