August 31, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Holli Niles photo)
WINDSOR, ME – Freshmen pacing filly Whisper Of Luck has shown an abundance of skill during the Fair circuit of the Maine Sire Stakes, grabbing her second consecutive victory on Friday (Aug. 30) at the historic Windsor Fair.
Leaving from post four the Marc Tardif-trained daughter of Artistic Fella slipped down to the pylons and let front-runner Chasing Dudes (Nick Graffam) take command into a 31 second opening panel. Wagering favorite Glorilla (Ron Cushing) hesitantly marched first over from the start with Leanne Marie (Mike Cushing) sitting comfortably in the pocket.
As the field moved toward the 1:02.3 softer half-mile marker, Switzer pulled Whisper Of Luck second over, but as his cover started to stall around the third turn, they ducked back to the rail before heading down the backstretch the final time.
With the pacesetter Chasing Dudes enjoying all the tussling behind them, Audrey (Steve Wilson) pulled three-wide down the backside to circumvent Glorilla who was still hanging-on gamely past the 1:33.1 third stanza.
Full of pace, and with nowhere to go but to the extreme outside, Switzer charged Whisper Of Luck four-deep around the final turn in an effort to roll clear of the front-end battlers.
Down the short stretch Glorilla has gone the gritty, uncovered trip and was trying valiantly to catch Chasing Dudes under the shadow of the wire. However, Whisper Of Luck handily brushed past them all to steal the show and prevail by a head in 2:04.
Also owned and bred in Maine by conditioner Marc Tardif, it was the second straight win for the 2-year-old pacing filly, who increased her lifetime earnings to $29,777. She paid $6.60 to win.
Chasing Dudes hung on to be second; Glorilla finished third.
The Maine Sire Stakes continues with all four divisions of trotters on Saturday (Aug. 31), 3-year-old male pacers on Sunday (Sept. 1), and concludes on Labor Day Monday (Sept. 2) with the sophomore filly pacers.
For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com
August 28, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Holli Niles photos)
WINDSOR, ME – Marc Tardif’s Massive Speed has been a huge success in the 2-year-old male pacing ranks of the Maine Sire Stakes, winning every race that he ever entered. That swath of superiority continued on Tuesday (August 27) at the Windsor Fair when the colt picked up his sixth consecutive victory, and a new time badge, while going for the $19,662 enhanced purse.
Massive Speed was sent out to an early lead by driver Walter Case Jr. from his outermost sixth post position, setting a snappy 29 second opening panel. With This Dude’s Perfect (Heath Campbell) sitting in the two-hole, the rest of the field was stretched out single file down the backstretch.
With Case giving his colt a short breather into a 1:00.3 half, Massive Speed gained some separation from the field as stable mate Dawn Two Dark (Andy Harrington) blasted from fourth to second past the 1:30.1 third panel, giving the pacesetter another reason to keep rolling on.
Around the final turn, as the challenger nearly got to the leader’s wheel, the son of Dude’s The Man responded to Case’s urging with track announcer Mike Cushing declaring, “it’s another coast-to-coast win for Massive Speed.”
Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, Massive Speed took a new lifetime mark of 1:59.1, winning by 2-1/4 lengths.
Marc and Peggy Tardif noted that, “we always liked this colt; he was good from day one. He never did anything wrong.”
They continued, “Our crew says that he acts like an old man in a 2-year-old’s body. He is very professional.”
Bred by Laurie Harding, Massive Speed paid $2.40 to win as the heavy favorite.
Dawn Two Dark finished second; Race Me Celtic (Bill Childs) was third.
The other $19,661 division for freshmen pacing colts and geldings was held before the card as a non-wagering event. While the Tardif Taskforce had stacked the deck with four of the six entrants, it was trainer Valerie Grondin that came away with the victory.
Heath Campbell piloted the stable’s Keenan Star to his maiden-breaking victory in 2:00.3. A wire-to-wire rout from post five, it was just the second purse start for the 2-year-old son of Western Maverick. Valerie Grondin was also the breeder and has retained ownership of the fourth foal from Paxxie p,2,1:57f ($76,717). She is by Six Of Diamonds, a sub-1:50 son of Artsplace and from a Matt’s Scooter mare.
Campaigned by Grondin and Campbell during her racing career, Paxxie is already the dam of three whose average earnings exceed $100,000 in Paxxton p,1:56.4h, Bandolito Blaze p,2,1:57.3h and Mattucci p,4,1:56h. All three are full brothers to their newest Maine-bred sibling winner, Keenan Star.
Fred Ward’s Gracies Tough Guy (Dave Ingraham), who is a full brother to 3-year-old pacing filly star Gowestyounggrace, finished second; Ella V Dude (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.
The Maine Sire Stakes reconvenes at the Windsor Fair with the 2-year-old filly pacers on Friday (Aug. 30), continues with all four divisions of trotters on Saturday (Aug. 31), 3-year-old male pacers on Sunday (Sept. 1), and concludes on Labor Day Monday (Sept. 2) with the sophomore filly pacers.
For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com
August 27, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Holli Niles photos)
WINDSOR, ME – Fred Ward’s Gowestyounggrace continued her dominance of the 3-year-old pacing filly division of the Maine Sire Stakes, easily taking her $19,000-plus split on Monday (August 26) at the Windsor Fair.
Unbeaten in her last six starts, Gowestyoungrace scored a wire-to-wire victory in her $19,321 event for the sophomore distaffs with regular driver Dave Ingraham at the controls. Leaving from post four, the daughter of Western Maverick shot to the front in a 29.3 opening panel. From there she was able to get a quick breather into a 1:01.1 half.
While second choice Who’s Perfect (Aaron Hall) was tight in the pocket, Heath Campbell pulled Pembroke Red first over heading into the 1:31.1 third stanza. With that challenge diminishing Gowestyounggrace kicked into another gear and scooted home in 29 seconds to win in 2:00.1.
Owned and bred by Sharon and Fred Ward Jr., who also trains, it was the 12th lifetime win for their homebred stable star that now has $120,845 in career earnings. She paid $2.80 to win.
Who’s Perfect finished second; Animore Sass (Andy Harrington) was third.
In the other $19,322 division Bob Marston’s Mrs Foxy Roxy picked up her second win in a row in the Maine Sire Stakes.
Scoring from post six in rein to Walter Case Jr. the daughter of Deuce Seelster shot out to the lead in a swift 29.3 first-quarter. With the field stretched out Mrs Foxy Roxy set a softer 1:01.2 half with Emma Rozze (Heath Campbell) sitting comfortably in the garden spot.
Second choice Ghost Of You (Kevin Switzer Jr.) tipped off the cones at the 5/8’s marker and began his advance to the challenge the leader. The field hit the three-quarters in 1:31.3 and with the outer flow now at her wheel Mrs Foxy Roxy increased her tempo. With Emma Rozze locked in the box and Ghost Of You charging on the outside it was three horse battle down to the wire.
Making every call a winning one Mrs Foxy Roxy held on to win by a half-length in 2:01.1. Trained by Bob Marston for owners Bill McElvain Jr., Diane Dunn and Brad Veilleux, it was the filly’s seventh lifetime victory, pushing her career total to $76,827. She was bred by Kristina and Gary Hall and piad $5.20 to win.
Emma Rozze finished second; Ghost Of You was third.
The Maine Sire Stakes continues at the Windsor Fair with the 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers on Tuesday (August 27), followed by the freshmen filly pacers on Friday (Aug. 30) and all four divisions of trotters on Saturday (Aug. 31).
For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com
August 26, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Joe Shaw photos)
WINDSOR, ME – The 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers kicked off the Maine Sire Stakes at Windsor Fair on Sunday (August 25) with a pair of $19,000-plus divisions where an unbeaten horse and a maiden both grabbed victories.
The $19,691 opening round was presented as an early non-wagering event, with the undefeated Two Fold Cold and driver Kevin Switzer Jr. letting nobody stand in the way of their six-race win streak.
Scoring from post six, Switzer sent the Marc Tardif-trained son of Deuce Seelster right to the top in a moderate 30.1 opening panel. From that point it was smooth sailing for the unchallenged star as he paced through fractions of 1:01.4 and 1:31.3 before charging home in 27.4 to stop the Windsor Fair timer at 1:59.2.
Prevailing by two lengths, it was the seventh consecutive victory and 11th lifetime win for the Gary and Kristina Hall, Maine-bred powerhouse. His lifetime earnings are just below six figures at $97,341 for owner-trainer Marc Tardif.
Hesjustadelight (Ron Cushing) finished second; stable mate Wes’s Challenge (Walter Case Jr.) was third.
The second $19,916 division on the regular card saw Michelle Hardin’s Whats For Suppaah break his maiden following a hard fought front-end journey in his sixteenth lifetime start.
Driven throughout his career by Aaron Hall, Whats For Suppaah had been a bridesmaid in five earlier outings, but on Sunday the son of Deuce Seelster had every intention of being the first one seated at the dinner table.
When the wings folded Hall sent his charge out to the front from post six, which is not the gelding’s usual tactic. Nonetheless, the 4-1 third choice Whats For Suppaah fought hard to reach the point in a taxing 28.3 opening panel. Following a brief respite into a 59.1 half, the upset-minded pacesetter had 6-5 favorite Arts Flight (Andy Harrington) tight on his driver’s helmet and Justcallmebuck (9-5, Heath Campbell) first up and looking for a tussle.
Past the third stanza in 1:28.3 Whats For Suppaah maintained his length advantage over the challengers. Around the final turn Justcallmebuck had reached the leader’s saddlepad, but when the field turned for home the favorite Arts Flight had no place to go as Hall let out a notch and they grabbed the horse’s first lifetime win in 1:58.1 by a measured length and a quarter.
Owned and trained by Michelle Hardin, Whats For Suppaah paid $10.80 to win. He was bred by Christine Holt.
Arts Flight finished second; Justcallmebuck was third.
The Maine Sire Stakes continues at the Windsor Fair with the 3-year-old filly pacers on Monday (August 26), which is followed by the 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers on Tuesday (August 27).
For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com
August 24, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Stephane Gray photo)
WINDSOR, ME – Two $19,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old male pacers jump start the Windsor Fair program on Sunday (August 25) with the top two point earners pitted against one another in the opener.
The first $19,691 division kicks off the afternoon card at 12:45 pm with an early non-wagering event. Two Fold Cold (PP 4, Kevin Switzer Jr.) is undefeated this year in six seasonal starts and stands atop the standings with an impeccable 250 points. Hailing from the powerful Tardif stable, the son of Deuce Seelster is also the fastest of the bunch, as he paced to an effortless 1:55.2 score at Bangor last month.
Stable mate Wes’s Challenge (PP1, Walter Case Jr.) is hot on his heals with 237 points, and has 3 wins and 4 seconds in 10 outings. Both colts have earned in excess of $40,000 so far this year. Tardif also sends out Ella V Fella (PP2, Andy Harrington) who won an opening round in this glamour boys division.
In the other $19,916 division, which has been carded as race two on the 1:00 pm post time program, the Marc Tardif-trained Arts Flight leads the pack with Andy Harrington at the controls. Scoring from post two, and installed as the 5-2 early morning line favorite, the son of Artistic Fella has three wins on the season.
The 7-2 second choice is Justcallmebuck (PP 3, Heath Campbell) who also has three wins and is third in the point standings. The grey son of Deuce Seelster is trained by Gary Hall for his wife Kristina Hall. The third choice at 9-2 is Whats For Suppaah (PP 6, Aaron Hall) who is looking for his first score of the year.
The Maine Sire Stakes continues at the Windsor Fair with the 3-year-old filly pacers on Monday (August 26), which is followed by all the 2-year-old colt pacers Tuesday (August 27).
For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com
August 18, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Holli Niles photos)
SKOWHEGAN, ME – The Maine Sire Stakes closed out the week of racing at the historic Skowhegan State Fair on Saturday (Aug. 18) with four $19,000-plus divisions of 2- and 3-year-old trotters rolling down the lively midway before and during the afternoon pari-mutuel card.
Freshmen trotter Whatawonder extended his unbeaten streak and increased his career win total to six as the gelding continued to dominate his division, having never laid eyes on the back of a helmet.
Driven by Ken Watson for trainer Lisa Watson, the son of Whataworkout stepped out to the front where he likes to be, and made every call a winning one. Dashing away from the field to win by 9-1/2 lengths in 2:06.2, the time was a new lifetime best for the talented trotter.
Owned and bred by Barbara Lawson, Whatawonder made quick work of the $19,528 Maine-bred early non-wagering event for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings.
Just Foolin (Heath Campbell) finished second; Iron Mike (Mark Athearn) was third.
In the $19,483 sophomore male trotters split, Chipper Dale also continued his winning ways, picking up his fourth win in a row.
Steered by regular pilot Drew Campbell, the son of Shake It Off Lindy took a seat behind his brother Heath Campbell who was driving Pembroke Will. Both trotters hail from the Valerie Grondin stable and were heads apart entering the home stretch where Chipper Dale tipped to the outside and posted a 29.1 last quarter to prevail by 2-1/2 lengths in 2:02.4.
Owned and bred by Lynn-Marie Plouffe, it was Chipper Dale’s 11th lifetime victory which pushed his lifetime earnings to $123,163.
Pembroke Will finished second; Carrabassett (Mark Athearn) was third.
The 3-year-old trotting fillies completed the early card with $19,708 up for grabs.
Current divisional point leader Pembroke Breeze (Heath Campbell) was the first to leave and got stretched out heading into the opening panel. However, while setting the pace through the third quarter she jumped off stride which allowed My Saving Grace to inherit the lead and coast home an easy winner in 2:07.1.
Guided to a 3-1/2 length victory by Mark Athearn for trainer Gretchen Athearn and owner Margaret Thyng, the daughter of Shake It Off Lindy picked up her second win of the season after a string of five third-place finishes. She was bred in Maine by Leighton Property and is second in her divisional point standings.
Bernie’s Legacy (Dave Ingraham) finished second; Pembroke Breeze hung on for third.
The final $19,841 Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old trotting fillies was on the betting card and saw Barbella break her maiden and trot home a long-shot winner in 2:05.4.
With five of the seven entrants making breaks before, or after, the wings folded, the two fillies left trotting were Barbella and Bruce Ranger who grabbed the lead, and Little Shot and Ivan Davies who tracked her cover closely.
With the rest of the field scattered Ranger set perfectly rated fractions and sailed home a 2-length winner at 12-1.
Trained by Ken Anderson for owner Bob Zakian, the daughter of Whataworkout was bred by the late Mike Andrew. She paid $26.40 to win.
Little Shot finished second; Blizzard’s Fury (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.
On Friday (Aug. 16) another filly got a new time badge in the lone $19,496 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing fillies.
Whisper Of Luck had ample luck and sufficient skill to pull off a mild upset in her sixth career attempt.
Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. the daughter of Artistic Fella got shuffled to the back of the bus at the start with 4-5 favorite Nick Graffam and Chasing Dudes setting the fractions in the freshmen filly fracas. With Leanne Marie (Mike Cushing) first up and Glorilla (Ron Cushing) second over heading to the 1:02 half, Whisper Of Luck seemingly had nowhere to go.
However, as Glorilla gapped her cover around the 5/8’s turn, Switzer tipped his filly out to chase the live cover in a 1:31.4 half. Rolling three-wide around the final turn, the 4-1 third choice Whisper Of Luck had the speed and the momentum to track down the leaders and score by three parts of a length in 2:02.3.
Owned, bred and trained by Marc Tardif, it was the filly’s first lifetime win.
Glorilla finished a fast closing second; Chasing Dudes hung on to be third.
The Maine Sire Stakes takes a brief hiatus and returns for a long stand at the Windsor Fair beginning Sunday (Aug. 25) with the 3-year-old male pacers, followed on Monday (Aug. 26) by their sophomore filly counterparts. The 2-year-old colt pacers race on Tuesday (Aug. 27).
For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com
August 15, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Holli Niles photos)
SKOWHEGAN, ME – The Downeast faithful invaded the Skowhegan State Fair on Tuesday (Aug. 13) and Wednesday (Aug. 14) with four $19,000-plus divisions of 3-year-old pacers going postward under the lights in the Maine Sire Stakes.
Seeking and capturing her fifth consecutive stakes victory on Wednesday was Fred Ward Jr.’s Gowestyounggrace, who hasn’t seen another horse’s heels since the month of June.
Regular driver Dave Ingraham wasted no time getting to the top in their $19,922 division for sophomore distaffs. Setting comfortable fractions of 30.2, 101.1 and 1:32, the handy daughter of Western Maverick was seemingly on autopilot when she threw in a 28 final quarter to cruise home unabated in two-minutes flat.
Also bred and owned by Fred Ward Jr. and his wife Sharon, it was the sixth win of the season and 11th overall for the $111,185 lifetime earner. She paid $2.20 to win.
Pembroke Red (Heath Campbell) finished second; My Sweet Revenge (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.
In Wednesday’s second $19,696 3-year-old pacing filly division, 7-1 longshot Mrs Foxy Roxy went a big mile and scored a big upset over 1-5 favorite Who’s Perfect.
Walter Case Jr. left swiftly and set a demanding 28.3 opening panel, forcing Who’s Perfect (Heath Campbell) to expend considerable energy to take command past that swift first quarter. However, Case and Mrs Foxy Roxy tipped right back out past the 58.4 half and continued applying constant pressure to the favorite.
Through the 1:28.3 third panel track announcer Mike Sweeney proclaimed that the pair were ‘whiskers apart and matching strides.’ Down the lane Mrs Foxy Roxy continued to advance and prevailed by a measured length over Who’s Perfect in 1:58.1.
Trained by Bob Marston for owners Bill McElvain Jr., Diane Dunn and Brad Veilleux, the daughter of Deuce Seelster paid $16.00 to win her second Maine Sire Stake of the year. She was bred by Kristina and Gary Hall.
Animore Sass (Andy Harrington) finished third.
On Tuesday (Aug. 13) both Maine Sire Stakes divisions for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings were captured by trainer Marc Tardif.
The $19,691 early, non-wagering event was a wire to wire tour for Two Fold Cold who grabbed his sixth win in a row. Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. and tripping the ‘Skow-Town’ timer in 1:57, the son of Deuce Seelster won easily by 2-1/2 lengths for owner-trainer Marc Tardif. He was bred by Gary and Kristina Hall and has amassed $87,496 in lifetime earnings and remains undefeated this season.
Hesjustadelight (Aaron Hall) finished second; Thru The Fire (Case) was third.
In the second $19,916 sophomore pacing colt split Wes’s Challenge was up to the task as he rolled through the fractions effortlessly for driver Walter Case Jr. and took his division in 1:59.3.
Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property and breeders Gary and Kristina Hall, the son of Deuce Seelster has won his last two out of three starts. He paid $4.20 to win.
Justcallmebuck (Heath Campbell) finished second; Arts Flight (Harrington) was third.
As of Tuesday (Aug. 13) a $3,500 base purse increase was authorized for all divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes. This raised each event’s purse structure to $18,500, plus starting fees.
The Maine Sire Stakes continues into the weekend at the Skowhegan State Fair with the 2-year-old pacing fillies on Friday (Aug. 16) and all four divisions of 2- and 3-year-old trotters on Saturday (Aug. 17).
For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com
August 13, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Holli Niles photos)
SKOWHEGAN, ME – The Pine Tree State’s 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers opened up the Maine Sire Stakes at the Skowhegan State Fair on Monday (Aug. 12) with trainer Marc Tardif sweeping both $16,000-plus divisions of freshmen sidesteppers.
Held at 12:30 pm, before the regular card, the Tardif Taskforce came to Skowhegan loaded for bear as their stable entered a total of seven horses in the pair of non-wagering events.
The undefeated colt Massive Speed racked up win number five by taking the first $16,161 division in a wire-to-wire romp. Stopping the timer in 2:04.2, the son of Dude’s The Man has enjoyed a flawless season thus far for owner Leighton Property and trainer Marc Tardif.
Scoring from the outermost post six by 1-1/4 lengths while sprinting home in 28.4, he was driven by Walter Case Jr. and now has $32,334 in seasonal earnings. He was bred by Laurie Harding.
The Tardif’s Just Afternight (Kevin Switzer Jr.) finished second; Gracies Tough Guy (Dave Ingraham) was third.
Dawn Two Dark had two previous second place finishes when he went behind the gate in the $16,162 second division of the Maine Sire Stakes, and emerged a ‘maiden no more.’
Driver Andy Harrington came from off the pace in a first-over move to race uncovered through the final circuit. Gaining ground with every stride Dawn Two Dark was able to catch the pacesetter This Dudes Perfect (Heath Campbell) and nip him at the wire in 2:03.3, a new lifetime mark.
Owned and trained by Mark Tardif, the son of Deuce Seelster’s 28.3 final quarter was enough to get up in the final strides and prevail by a quarter length. Bred by Gary and Kristina Hall, the colt has now earned $15,110 in just three starts.
Marc Tardiff’s Ella V Dude (Switzer) finished third.
Moving ahead with the sophomore pacers on Tuesday (Aug. 13), representatives of the Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association Board of Directors, in agreement with the Maine State Harness Racing Commission, have authorized a $3,500 base purse increase for all divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes. This raises each event’s purse structure to $18,500, plus starting fees.
The Maine Sire Stakes continues throughout the week at the Skowhegan State Fair featuring two divisions of 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Tuesday (Aug. 13) under the lights with a 6:30 pm early race and the 7:00 pm opener. Wednesday (Aug. 14) hosts the 3-year-old pacing fillies. The Maine-bred action continues into the weekend at the Skowhegan State Fair August 16 and 17.
For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com
August 11, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Stephanie Gray photo)
TOPSHAM, ME – Maine’s 2- and 3-year-old trotters wrapped up the meet at Topsham Fair on Saturday (Aug. 10) to compete in four $16,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes, with trainer Valerie Grondin capturing three-quarters of the events.
Pandemic Princess ran off and hid from her competitors in the $16,341 Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old trotting fillies, dominating by seven lengths in 2:09.1 for driver Heath Campbell and trainer Grondin.
The daughter of Whataworkout never had an anxious moment as she added more distance between herself and her rivals with every stride in the final half. She paid $7.80 to win her second race of the season. Owned and bred by Lynne-Marie Plouffe, she has earned $20,163 in four lifetime starts.
Little Shot (Ivan Davies) finished second; Katahdin Mistress (Wally Watson) was third.
In the early non-betting races Whatawonder started off the action in the $16,028 freshmen male trot, extending his win streak to five for trainer Lisa Watson and driver Ken Watson. The son of Whataworkout made every call a winning one, holding off the late charge of stable mate Katahdin Victor (Wally Watson) to score by three parts of a length in 2:08.1.
Owned and bred by Barbara Lawson, the top horse in the 2-year-old trotting colt division has never seen the back of a helmet and has grossed $32,506, so far this year.
Liberty’s Wildcard (Walter Case Jr.) finished third.
Another divisional stand out is Pembroke Breeze in the 3-year-old trotting filly group. The daughter of Pembroke Slugger has also triumphed in five consecutive outings, and just eclipsed six figures in lifetime earnings by taking her split by 3-3/4 lengths in 2:09.1.
Driven by Heath Campbell to a wire-to-wire romp, she is trained by Valerie Grondin and has earned $105,316 in her career for owner-breeder Bill Varney.
Bernie’s Legacy (Dave Ingraham) finished second; My Saving Grace (Mark Athearn) was third.
In the third and final non-wagering race Chipper Dale and Drew Campbell led every step of the way in the 3-year-old colt and gelding trot, stopping the timer in 2:09.2. Prevailing by 2-1/4 lengths to capture his fourth win of the season, and third in a row, the son of Shake It Off Lindy is owned and was bred by Lynne-Marie Plouffe and is a half-brother to Pandemic Princess. Trained by Valerie Grondin, Chipper Dale has earned $113,422 lifetime.
Stable mate Pembroke Will (Heath Campbell) finished second; Carrabassett (Mark Athearn) was third.
The Maine Sire Stakes makes the move north to the Skowhegan State Fair on Monday (Aug. 12) with two divisions of 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings. The Maine-bred action continues throughout the week at the Skowhegan State Fair August 13-14 and 16-17.
For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com
August 8, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Stephanie Gray photos)
TOPSHAM, ME – The Pine Tree State’s 3-year-old pacers visited Topsham Fair in Topsham, Maine on Tuesday (Aug. 6) and Wednesday (Aug. 7) to compete in four $16,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes. When the dust settled over the historic oval, several of the series’ top performers continued their winning ways, with their closest competitors nipping at their respective heels during the afternoon harness racing.
In the opener on Tuesday the fan favorite Gowestyounggrace led her division gate to wire to take her $16,191 division for sophomore pacing fillies, dubbed the Jake Phipps Memorial.
Scoring from pylon position, driver Dave Ingraham sent the daughter of Western Maverick out to the top to protect his strategic inside location and set an opening quarter of 31.1. Gowestyounggrace, the 3-5 favorite led the field in single file post-position order through an unchanged half in 1:02.1 with Pembroke Red (Heath Campbell) tight to her driver’s helmet.
Those two gained some separation from the field past the 1:33 expertly rated third panel, with Pembroke Red tipping out in the lane to take a shot at the pacesetter. With a 29.2 final quarter, Gowestyounggrace tripped the Topsham timer in 2:02.2, holding off the late closer by 1-1/4 lengths.
Trained by Fred Ward Jr., who also co-owns and bred with his wife Sharon Ward, it was the fourth win in a row for Gowestyounggrace. She paid $3.40 to win the tenth race of her career pushing her lifetime bankroll to $101,209.
Pembroke Red finished second; Ghost Of You (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.
In the second $16,416 division for 3-year-old filly pacers, the 2-5 favorite Who’s Perfect did what was expected of her by the betting public as well.
Driver Heath Campbell sent the daughter of Western Maverick out into the opening scramble, allowing Walter Case Jr. and the swift Mrs Foxy Roxy to take command by the eighth pole in the sharp first turn.
Before the 30 second opening quarter Campbell was out and re-taking the lead with Who’s Perfect, where the pair settled into a more modest 1:01.3 half-mile tempo. My Sweet Revenge (Switzer) moved first over into the 1:32.2 third panel which caused a further hastening of the racing rhythm.
Announcer Mike Sweeney exclaimed, “throw a blanket over the field’” as the pacers turned for home. Who’s Perfect was working hard to hold off the late charge of My Sweet Revenge with Mrs Foxy Roxy still glued to the pacesetter’s helmet.
At the wire Campbell and Who’s Perfect got the call, winning in 2:02.3 by half of a length. Trained by Valerie Grondin for owner-breeder Lynn-Marie Plouffe with co-owners Dick and Patty McKeen, it was her third win of the season, paying $2.80.
My Sweet Revenge finished second; Mrs Foxy Roxy was third.
On Wednesday (Aug. 7) it was the boys turn on the Topsham stage for two divisions of Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings, with the several members of the Tardif Taskforce starring in the show.
In the first $16,191 division What’s For Suppaah (2-1) and driver Aaron Hall protected their inside starting position with 6-5 favorite Justcallmebuck (Heath Campbell) retaining his two-hole spot. Arts Flight (2-1, Andy Harrington) ducked in third, but tipped out down the backstretch to take command into a 29.4 opening panel.
No movement occurred through a 1:00.3 half and 1:30.4 third stanza as Arts Flight showed the way relatively unfettered. At the head of the stretch Whats For Suppaah pulled alongside the leader and made it a horse race down through the lane. The pair hit the wire together with Arts Flight prevailing by three parts of a length in 2:00.
Owned and trained by Marc Tardif, the son of Artistic Fella was bred in Maine by Lynn-Marie Plouffe. It was the colt’s third win of the season and he paid $6.60 on a two-dollar win ticket.
Wagering favorite Justcallmebuck finished third in the Scott Brewer Memorial.
Six male pacers entered the $16,416 second division, with all eyes fixed upon the seasonally unbeaten Two Fold Cold, the 2-5 favorite from post three.
When the gate sprung stable mate Wes’s Challenge (5-1, Case) scurried out for the lead in the short first turn. Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. pushed Two Fold Cold up to the point before the 29.2 opening panel, and it was all smooth sailing from there.
While things were quiet leading into the 1:01 half, Hesjustadelight (Ron Cushing) pulled first over heading into a 1:30.2 third panel with his eyes on the prize. However, Switzer and Two Fold Cold would have none of it as the challenge was met with more speed as those two paced away from the field in hand to score in 1:59.4 by 2-3/4 lengths.
Owned and trained by Marc Tardiff the son of Deuce Seelster was bred by Gary and Kristina Hall and is undefeated in five starts this year. It was the gelding’s ninth lifetime victory, which paid $2.80 to win.
Wes’s Challenge finished second; Hesjustadelight was third in the Fred Sr. and Marlene Ward Memorial.
The Maine Sire Stakes continues at Topsham with all four divisions of 2- and 3-year-old trotters racing on Saturday (Aug. 10). The Maine-bred action continues the following week at the Skowhegan Fair August 12-17.
For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com
