September 18, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Holli Niles photo)

FARMINGTON, ME – Leanne Marie made the Cushings’ trip to the Farmington Fair a memorable one as their 2-year-old pacing filly prevailed in a close finish on Tuesday (September 17) in the Maine Sire Stakes. 

Leaving from post three the daughter of Artistic Fella settled into third position for driver Mike Cushing, who can sometimes be heard calling the action instead of creating it.  Track announcer Mike Sweeney performed those duties as favorite Whisper Of Luck and Kevin Switzer Jr. took the field to the opening panel in 30.4.

Shortly thereafter Mike’s brother Ron Cushing rolled up to the point with Glorilla and led that group of freshmen distaffs to the half in 1:00.3, which was the cue for Mike to pull Leanne Marie from fourth to the outer flow and challenge the pacesetters.

At the three-quarter pole announcer Mike Sweeney stated that the brothers could be seen ‘duking it out and were mere whiskers apart as they matched strides’ at that 1:31 third panel.

Around the final turn Leanne Marie took command with Chasing Dudes and Aaron Hall poised to pounce on the outside as they turned for home.  Battling down to the wire the fillies were noses apart, with Leanne Marie winning by a neck in 2:01.3, a new lifetime best.

Trained and co-owned by Charlene ‘Sherry’ Cushing with partners Pamela Smith and Jane Dipompo, the threesome are also the breeders of record.  Paying $7.80 to win, it was Leanne Marie’s second lifetime victory.

Chasing Dudes finished second; Whisper Of Luck was third.

The single division of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing fillies carried a purse of $19,671.

The Maine Sire Stakes program is celebrating it’s 50^th year of competition, highlighting the Standardbred colts and fillies that have been bred, foaled and raised to race.  Not only has the series attracted thousands of fans over the years, but has been a centerpiece of the pari-mutuel county fair racing that has thrived in the New England region.  The Maine Sire Stakes program is vital to the economic development and farmland preservation of the area, having resulted in a total capital investment in breeding stock, equipment, buildings, etc. of over $9 million over a five year period.

The Maine Sire Stakes resumes at the Farmington Fair with harness racing Wednesday (Sept. 18) with two divisions of 3-year-old male pacers, and continues through Friday (Sept. 20). 

Looking ahead, four divisions of the Freshmen Finals will be held at the Cumberland Fair on Saturday (Sept. 28).

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

September 17, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Holli Niles photos)

FARMINGTON, ME – Maine’s top 3-year-old pacing filly, Gowestyounggrace, picked up her eighth consecutive victory on Monday (September 16) at Farmington when the 183^rd annual Farmington Fair welcomed the Maine Sire Stakes for a full week of harness racing. 

Leaving from pylon position, the only question that remained after the start was ‘how fast’ and by ‘how many’ the daughter of Western Maverick-Gracie Gracie would celebrate her triumph.

Regular pilot Dave Ingraham set comfortable first half fractions of 29.1 and 59 while well in command of the field of distaffs.  Past the 1:28.2 third panel it was clearly a race for second as the outer flow was stacked up behind Animore Sass (Andy Harrington) and a three deep My Sweet Revenge (Kevin Switzer Jr.).

Down the stretch Ingraham let out a notch and let the filly pace a 28.4 final quarter to score by 3 lengths in 1:57.1, which was a new lifetime mark and her 14^th lifetime win.

Owner-trainer-breeder Fred Ward Jr., along with his wife Sharon, have developed the leading point earner in their division, with her career bankroll now at $140,766.  She paid just $2.20 as the heavy favorite.

My Sweet Revenge finished second; Emma Rozze (Heath Campbell) was third.

The second division also featured a rail sitter, Who’s Perfect, who also led every step of the way for Aaron Hall in the bike for trainer Valerie Grondin. 

Winning in 1:59.4 by 2 lengths, it was that daughter of Western Maverick’s fourth seasonal victory.  She is owned and was bred in Maine by Lynn-Marie Plouffe, and carries $127,423 on her card.  Also the heavy favorite, she paid $2.20 to win.

Ghost Of You (Switzer) finished second; Summertime (Harrington) was third.

Both divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies carried a purse of $19,000-plus.

The Maine Sire Stakes program is celebrating it’s 50^th year of competition, highlighting the Standardbred colts and fillies that have been bred, foaled and raised to race.  Not only has the series attracted thousands of fans over the years, but has been a centerpiece of the pari-mutuel county fair racing that has thrived in the New England region.  The Maine Sire Stakes program is vital to the economic development and farmland preservation of the area, having resulted in a total capital investment in breeding stock, equipment, buildings, etc. of over $9 million over a five year period.

The Maine Sire Stakes resumes at the Farmington Fair with harness racing Tuesday (Sept. 17) with the 2-year-old pacing fillies, and continues through Friday (Sept. 20). 

Looking ahead, four divisions of the Freshmen Finals will be held at the Cumberland Fair on Saturday (Sept. 28).

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

September 16, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Joe Shaw photo)

BANGOR, ME – When the 183^rd annual Farmington Fair welcomes the Maine Sire Stakes for a full week of harness racing on Monday (September 16), the top 3-year-old pacing filly in the state, Gowestyounggrace, will be looking for her eighth consecutive victory.

Owner-trainer-breeder Fred Ward Jr., along with his with his wife Sharon, have put their heart and soul into Gowestyounggrace, a daughter of Western Maverick from their good mare Gracie Gracie.

Having amassed $73,912 in earnings this season, the filly has eight wins in 12 starts and a current win streak of seven.  She drew pylon position in the second race on Monday (Sept. 16) at Farmington.  Regular pilot Dave Ingraham remains in the sulky.

Her primary threat comes from Mrs Foxy Roxy (Walter Case Jr.) who has a pair of wins in her last three starts.

The second division also features a rail sitter, Who’s Perfect, who gets Aaron Hall in the bike for trainer Valerie Grondin.  Heath Campbell has returned from his benchmark-breaking trip to Truro Raceway in Nova Scotia where the veteran reinsman traveled back to his Maritime Canadian homeland to capture win number 5,700.  He will drive Pembroke Red from post five.

Both divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies carry a purse of $19,000-plus.

Situated in Franklin County (Maine), Farmington has a whopping 47 properties or districts listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

Also historic in its own right, the Maine Sire Stakes program is celebrating it’s 50^th year of competition, highlighting the Standardbred colts and fillies that have been bred, foaled and raised to race.  Not only has the series attracted thousands of fans over the years, but has been a centerpiece of the pari-mutuel county fair racing that has thrived in the New England region.  The Maine Sire Stakes program is vital to the economic development and farmland preservation of the area, having resulted in a total capital investment in breeding stock, equipment, buildings, etc. of over $9 million over a five year period.

The Maine Sire Stakes continues at the Farmington Fair with harness racing Tuesday (Sept. 17) through Friday (Sept. 20). 

Looking ahead, four divisions of the Freshmen Finals will be held at the Cumberland Fair on Saturday (Sept. 28).

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

September 12, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Holli Niles photos)

BANGOR, ME – A pair of $19,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings toured the historic Bass Park oval at Bangor Raceway on Wednesday (September 11) with the unbeaten Massive Speed remaining at the top of his class.

At the start, Walter Case Jr. driving the 1-9 favorite Massive Speed let 5-1 second choice Keenan Star (Heath Campbell) assume the point.  That leader’s position was short-lived, however, as Case was right out and re-taking command before the snappy 28.4 first quarter.

Just past the softer 59.3 half and into the third turn Dave Ingraham pulled Gracies Tough Guy first over and challenged for the lead while the field hit the third panel in 1:29.1.

Round the turn Ingraham continued to apply pressure with the 13-1 longshot Gracies Tough Guy and was within a length of the unblemished leader.  Through the stretch Case asked his seasonally perfect colt for more, to which he responded with a 29 second final quarter.  Prevailing by a measured length for the $19,662 purse, they stopped the timer in 1:58.1, which was just a tick off the seasonal mark the son of Dude’s The Man set in his triumph last week.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, it was the talented colt’s eighth consecutive win, which has extended his unbeaten streak.  Massive Spped was bred in Maine by Laurie Harding and paid just $2.20 to win and increased his career bankroll to $61,827.

Keenan Star finished third.

In the second $19,661 division, William Child’s Race Me Celtic strolled to an easy wire-to-wire victory in 1:58.4, which broke his maiden and provided the gelding with a new time badge.

Driven by Drew Campbell, the son of Western Maverick maintained a healthy advantage over the various comers and goers of the race, but drew off down the stretch to score by 6-1/4 lengths.

Owned, bred and trained by William Childs, the Race Me Celtic paid $4.00 to win and now has $19,688 earned in just five lifetime starts.

Dawn Two Dark (Andy Harrington) finished second; Cheatin Fate (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.

The Maine Sire Stakes transitions over to the Farmington Fair for harness racing Monday (Sept. 16) through Friday (Sept. 20) with the all of the remaining divisions of 2- and 3-year-old Maine-bred events. 

Looking ahead, four divisions of the Freshmen Finals will be held at the Cumberland Fair on Saturday (Sept. 28).

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

September 9, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Holli Niles photo)

BANGOR, ME – The lone $19,671 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing fillies went postward at Bangor Raceway on Sunday (September 8) with the top point earner adding to her lead.

When the wings folded driver Kevin Switzer Jr. sent the 1-5 favorite Whisper Of Luck right out to the lead, with 5-2 second choice Chasing Dudes (Nick Graffam) protecting position.  Mike Cushing swung Leanne Marie swiftly from her outermost post six and ducked into the three-hole as the field moved down the backstretch toward the 30.4 opening quarter.

While the first half witnessed no movement heading into the softer 1:03.3 second stanza, Leanne Marie and Audry (Steve Wilson) charged down the backstretch to challenge the leaders on the outside.

By the time the field hit the 1:34.1 third panel, Leanne Marie was just a head behind the pacesetting favorite Whisper Of Luck.  Around the turn the first-over aggressor had a half-length advantage over the leader, with the pocket-sitting Chasing Dudes poised to pounce three-wide on the outside.

Three horses battled down the center of the racetrack, with the slingshot momentum of Chasing Dudes seizing the day with a surging 29.1 final quarter.  Prevailing by three parts of a length, the Mike Graffam-trained daughter of Dude’s The Man tripped the timer in 2:03.3. 

Owned and bred by Bob Marston, it was the filly’s third win of the season, increasing her career earnings to $38,116.  She paid $7.20 to win.

Leanne Marie finished second; Whisper Of Luck was third.

The Maine Sire Stakes returns to Bangor on Wednesday (Sept. 11) for the 2-year-old male pacers.  The following week the series transitions over to the Farmington Fair for harness racing Monday (Sept. 16) through Friday (Sept. 20) with the all of the remaining divisions of 2- and 3-year-old Maine-bred events. 

Four divisions of the Freshmen Finals will be held at the Cumberland Fair on Saturday (Sept. 28).

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

September 8, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Holli Niles photos)

BANGOR, ME – A quartet of $19,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2- and 3-year-old trotters invaded Bangor Raceway at Historic Bass Park on Saturday (September 7) where streaking freshman high-stepper Whatawonder took his eighth consecutive victory.

While his opponents are getting closer and closer to the talented son of Whataworkout, the added competition didn’t stop the Lisa Watson-trained gelding from copping another wire-to-wire score in his $19,528 2-year-old male trot.

Leaving from pylon position, regular pilot Ken Watson sent Whatawonder right to the top where he raced through unhurried fractions of 32.2 and 1:04.3 through the opening half.  Stepping on the accelerator into a 1:34.2 (29.4) third panel, the pacesetter had Liberty’s Wildcard (Kevin Switzer Jr.) right on his helmet and stable mate Katahdin Victor (Wally Watson) first over and challenging for the lead.

At the head of the stretch the trotting wonder kicked into high gear and hurried home in 29.1 while matching strides with Liberty’s Wildcard to prevail by a scant three parts of a length.  Tripping the timer in 2:03.3, it was a new lifetime mark for the Barbara Lawson owned and bred Whatawonder.

Stable mate Katahdin Victor finished third in the non-wagering event.

In the $19,543 early 3-year-old filly trot My Saving Grace nabbed her third win in a row, cruising home by nine lengths in 2:04.2, a new lifetime mark.

Driven by Mark Athearn for trainer Gretchen Athearn, the daughter of Shake It Off Lindy is owned by Margaret Thyng.  She was bred in Maine by Leighton Property.

Twisted Venture (Mike Cushing) finished second; Bernie’s Legacy (Dave Ingraham) was third.

Sophomore trotting gelding Chipper Dale returned to his winning ways as he grabbed his $19,172 division, dropping a full two seconds off of his time badge in the process.

Driven by Drew Campbell for trainer Valerie Grondin, the son of Shake It Off Lindy smoked the field past the half and rolled down to the wire in 2:00.1 in front by 9-1/2 lengths.  Chipper Dale is owned and was bred by Lynn-Marie Plouffe, and picked up his sixth seasonal victory and a new lifetime mark.

Stable mate Pembroke Will (Heath Campbell) finished second; Carrabassett (Mark Athearn) was third.

In the only event on the pari-mutuel card, eight 2-year-old trotting fillies vied for $20,016 in purse money.  Third choice Barbella (Bruce Ranger) was sent out for the early lead into a snappy 30.1 opening panel, with 6-1 longshot Little Shot (Ivan Davies) protecting his two-hole position into the first turn.  With the rest of the field scattered by breakers those two continued on past a swift 1:00.2 half and a 1:31.1 third panel.

With Barbella doing all of the heavy lifting, Little Shot pushed past the pacesetter in the homestretch to prevail by a length in 2:03.

A maiden no more, Little Shot is co-owned (with Shirley Hutchins), trained and was driven by Ivan Davies.  Bred by Dr. Douglass Hutchins and Paul Kinnear, the daughter of Noble Venture made her seventh career start a memorable one, paying $15.40 to win.

Favorite Blizzard’s Fury (Switzer) finished third.

The Maine Sire Stakes continues Sunday (September 8) with 2-year-old filly pacers and then returns to Bangor on Wednesday (Sept. 11) for the 2-year-old male pacers.  The following week the series transitions over to the Farmington Fair for harness racing Monday (Sept. 16) through Friday (Sept. 20) with the all of the remaining divisions of 2- and 3-year-old Maine-bred events. 

Four divisions of the Freshmen Finals will be held at Cumberland on Saturday (Sept. 28).

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

2-year-old Maine Sire Stakes FINALS – Sat., September 28 at First Tracks Cumberland

September 5, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Holli Niles photos)

BANGOR, ME – Freshmen male pacers returned to Bangor Raceway on Wednesday (September 4) for a pair of $19,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes, with the undefeated Massive Speed continuing to dominate the division.

Regular pilot Walter Case Jr. sent Massive Speed, the 1-9 favorite, directly to the front from post two in the $19,662 first split, with second choice Keenan’s Star (Heath Campbell) sticking closely in the pocket.  With the field in two distinct segments separated by 14 lengths, the people’s choice set a snappy 28.4 opening panel.  This was followed by a much more relaxed 1:00.1 half, with little movement from the ‘three-and-three’ followers.

While Case quickened the tempo with Massive Speed into a 1:29.3 third stanza, the pocket-sitting Keenan’s Star was poised to challenge and tipped out around the final turn to make the otherwise uneventful circuit into a horse race.  

With the would-be assault underway, Case chirped to his charge and gave the swift son of Dude’s The Man a hand drive down to the wire to win by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:58, a new lifetime best.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, it was the seventh consecutive victory for the here-to-fore unbeaten colt.  His lifetime earnings are now $51,996, and he paid $2.20 to win.  He was bred in Maine by Laurie Harding.

Keenan’s Star finished second; stable mate Cheatin Fate (Andy Harrington) was third.

In the second $19,661 division Heath Campbell sent 10-1 longshot This Dude’s Perfect right to the top with Gracies Tough Guy (Dave Ingraham) yielding to that early speed.  Before the field hit the 29.1 quarter-mile mark 1-2 favorite Dawn Two Dark (Andy Harrington) was out and rolling first over from the back of the pack, and assumed the point at the 3/8’s pole.

As the new leader set his sights on the 59 second half, the challengers were poised to pounce from off the pace.  The first to charge toward the front was Gracies Tough Guy, with Race Me Celtic (Drew Campbell) second over and giving chase.

With the pocket sitting This Dude’s Perfect gapping his cover, Gracies Tough Guy rolled up to engage the pacesetter through a 1:28.2 third panel, with Race Me Celtic surging three wide around the final turn.  Gracies Tough Guy maintained his momentum into the home stretch and gained an advantage over Dawn Two Dark and prevailed down to the wire in 1:58.2.

Trained by Fred Ward Jr. who also owns and bred with his wife Sharon Ward, the son of Western Maverick took a lifetime mark while scoring impressively by 1-1/4 lengths over a fast closing Race Me Celtic.  Gracies Tough Guy is the 2-year-old full brother to sophomore pacing filly standout Gowestyounggrace, and now has his first lifetime victory from seven career starts, paying $9.20 for the score.

Dawn To Dark hung on for third.

The Maine Sire Stakes continues at Bangor on Saturday (Sept. 7) for all four divisions of 

trotters and back on Sunday (Sept. 8) with the 2-year-old filly pacers.

For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our facebook page 

@MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: 

https://www.mainesirestakes.com

September 4, 2024 – from Olive Branch Farm

WINGATE, N.C. — Former Maine pacing sire Sweet Dragon, 33, was laid to rest on Monday (Sept. 2) from the infirmities of old age at Olive Branch Farm in North Carolina.

A former leading Maine pacing sire Sweet Dragon p,2,1:54.4 ($232,392) was a multiple sub-1:53 sire and sired the winners of over $4.69 million in the Pine Tree State.

A half-brother to Hall of Fame broodmare Sweet Future, he was a son of Breeders Crown winner Dragon’s Lair, and was the first foal from the Nero mare Sweet Dahrlin p,3,1:55.4 ($169,163).

Olive Branch Farm owner-operator Chris Coyle stated, “He was special horse that I helped raise during my years at Walnridge Farm in New Jersey.  I got to watch him finish 2nd in the 1993 Woodrow Wilson with Jim Doherty driving for trainer Polie Mallar and owner Dr. Binette. He went on to be a leading Maine pacing sire for many years under the management of Lynn-Marie Plouffe at her Dupuis Farm in Saco.”

In 2012 he was adopted by Chris Coyle, his breeder Seth Rosenfeld, and trainer Polie Mallar and got to live a long, happy life at Olive Branch as a baby sitter to many yearling colts. 

Coyle added, “We adopted him from the Standardbred Retirement Foundation of NJ, an organization that does a wonderful job placing horses in good homes lead by Judy Bokman.”