September 29, 2024, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Maine’s $300,000-plus 2-year-old finals witnessed two unbeaten youngsters remain as such, with a few surprises in the other divisions Saturday (Sept. 28) on the closing day of the 152^nd Cumberland Fair.

Champion colt Whatawonder cruised to an easy victory in his $75,753 Maine Sire Stakes final for freshmen male trotters.  Leaving from the outer most post position six, driver Ken Watson wasted no time to get his talented charge to the top.

Dropping a 29.4 opening panel, which was his fastest ever, the gelding proceeded to carry his four-length advantage through the remaining splits of 1:01.3 and 1:31.3.  Looking stronger with every stride, the son of Whataworkout strode home in 2:02.4, a new lifetime best and a track record.

Owned and bred by Barbara Lawson, it was Whatawonder’s tenth straight victory, paying $3.40.  He is trained by Lisa Watson.

Liberty’s Wildcard (Kevin Switzer Jr.) finished second; stable mate Katahdin Victor (Wally Watson) was third.

In the $76,023 Maine Sire Stakes final for 2-year-old male pacers, the heavy 2-5 favorite Massive Speed did not disappoint.

Thrusting out from behind the starting car driver Walter Case Jr. smartly let early speedster Race Me Celtic (Drew Campbell) assume command, albeit briefly.  A give-and-go release gave Massive Speed the top again just past the 27.4 swift opening panel.

At the 58.4 half-mile marker a cavalry charge of sidesteppers were stacked up three high as they passed the stands the second time, with Jax Attack (Aaron Hall) first over and Gracies Tough Guy (Dave Ingraham) applying pressure alongside three wide.

While Massive Speed was on top by three at the 1:28 third stanza, Race Me Celtic was gapping his cover in the pocket with Gracies Tough Guy now first over and looking to duck to the pylons.

As the field turned for home, Massive Speed had gained considerable separation on the rest of the field.  Only Gracies Tough Guy had stayed within two lengths of the son of Dude’s The Man, as Case held his whip high while crossing the wire and broke the divisional track record with the 1:58.2 triumph.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, it was the tenth consecutive victory for Massive Speed, who was bred in Maine by Laurie Harding.  He paid $2.80 to win.

Race Me Celtic finished third.

Little Shot took a big shot and prevailed in the $75,916 final for 2-year-old trotting fillies.  Driven by conditioner and co-owner Ivan Davies, the daughter of Noble Venture was sent right out for the lead from their pylon position at the start, and proceeded to make every call a winning one.

Tripping the timer in 2:04.1, Little Shot was the second choice on the board and paid $7.40 to win her second race of the season.  Also co-owned by Shirley Hutchins, she was bred by Dr. Douglass Hutchins and Paul Kinnear.

Barbella (Bruce Ranger) finished second; Race Me Bombshell (Drew Campbell) was third.

For the $75,821 Maine Sire Stakes final for freshman pacing fillies, it was Leanne Marie that crossed the wire first for driver Mike Cushing.  However, the judges determined that Leanne Marie interfered with Chasing Dudes (Nick Graffam) in mid-stretch, therefore the latter was declared the winner, with the former being placed second.

Chasing Dudes, a daughter of Dude’s The Man, is trained by Mike Graffam for owner-breeder Bob Marston and paid $7.80 to win.

Audry (Steve Wilson) finished third.

The day’s fastest race was the $10,000 Winners Over class, where Lifes A Puzzle triumphed for driver Kevin Switzer Jr. in 1:54.4.  Trained by Alison Hynes for owner Richard Humphrey, the 4-year-old son of Lazarus N is another successful graduate of the Gordon Corey Institute of Equine Erudition.

The day also witnessed a plethora of $10,000 pop up series finals which were well received by the large crowd of fans and bettors on hand for the final day of the fair.

The Sunday (Sept. 29) card has a special post time of 10:55 am for that final racing date.

After the fair, the track’s 19-day Winter Festival begins November 2 and follows a 2-day Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the month of November.  The month of December picks up Fridays for 3-day weekends of racing through December 22.  Our popular Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 21.

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

September 28, 2024, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Three $19,00-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotters and pacers went postward on Friday (September 27) at the Cumberland (Maine) Fair, with the usual suspects cementing their place in the divisional hierarchy.

In the early $20,432 non-wagering race for sophomore male pacers, which was rescheduled due to Thursday’s cancelation, it was the indomitable Two Fold Cold who made his signature gate-to-wire supremacy known to all who bore witness.

Leaving from post four the son of Deuce Seelster continued his reign of terror on his classmates and rolled through 28.1 and 58.3 early fractions, before turning on the afterburners into a 1:27.2 third panel.  Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. had to keep the gelding on his toes as Gary Hall’s Justcallmebuck and Heath Campbell were breathing down his neck as they stormed down to the wire.  The precocious pacesetter held on to prevail by a quarter length in 1:57.3.

Ironically, Two Fold Cold was bred by Gary and Kristina Hall, but is now the property of conditioner Marc Tardif.  It was his tenth straight seasonal victory and remains undefeated this year.

Stable mate Art’s Flight (Andy Harrington) finished third.

Valerie Grondin grabbed a back-to-back victory aboard Chipper Dale, sitting a two-hole trip behind stable mate Pembroke Will (Heath Campbell) in the $19,483 Maine Sire Stakes 3-year-old colt and gelding trot.  The son of Shake It Off Lindy tripped the timer in 2:04.4, winning by 2-3/4 lengths. 

Owned and bred by Lynn-Marie Plouffe, it was the gelding’s eighth seasonal victory and third in a row.  He paid $2.20 to win as the heavy favorite.

Pembroke Will finished second; Carrabassett (Mark Athearn) was third.

Next up were the sophomore trotting distaffs vying for $19,708, with divisional leader Pembroke Breeze resuming her previous form for the triumph.

Driven by Heath Campbell for trainer Valerie Grondin, the filly made quick work of the field as she made every call a winning one, scoring in 2:05 by 1-3/4 lengths.  The daughter of Pembroke Slugger was riding a five-race win streak when she finished third in her last start in mid-August.  After some time off she has returned to her winning ways for owner breeder Bill Varnery, grabbing her sixth race of the season, paying $2.20.

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

The Maine Sire Stakes concludes at the Cumberland Fair the 2-year-old finals will be held on Saturday (Sept. 28).  Post time is 1:00 pm.

The Sunday (Sept. 29) card has a special post time of 10:55 am for that final racing date.

After the fair, the track’s 19-day Winter Festival begins November 2 and follows a 2-day Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the month of November.  The month of December picks up Fridays for 3-day weekends of racing through December 22.  Our popular Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 21.

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

September 27, 2024, by Chris Tully for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Once again, First Tracks Cumberland welcomes the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old Pine Tree State-bred harness horses on Saturday (Sept. 28), which is being held on the final day of the 152^nd Cumberland Fair.

The first final for 2-year-old pacing fillies, is probably the most completive on paper.  The current point leader Chasing Dudes (3-1, Nick Graffam) leaves from post seven, giving her combatants Whisper Of Luck (2-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) and Leanne Marie (5-2, Mike Cushing) a distinct advantage from post one and two respectively. 

Leanne Marie comes into the race off a win in the final leg of the series, and also the fastest record (2:01.3) which she took at Farmington on Sept. 17.  The homebred daughter of Artistic Fella is trained by Charlene ‘Sherry’ Cushing, who also co-owns with owners-breeders Pamela Smith and Jane Dipompo.

The freshmen filly trotters have Pandemic Princess as their point leader, who hails from the powerful Valerie Grondin Stable and gets the services of Heath Campbell.  Fresh off a win at Farmington, the daughter of Whataworkout was bred by Lynn-Marie Plouffe, who still maintains ownership.  She will score from post six and is listed at 5-2. 

The early morning line favorite in that division is Blizzard’s Fury (2-1, Switzer) who also hails from a powerful stable in the Tardif Taskforce.  Despite early-mile miscues, she regularly regains her composure and trots home with purpose to be 1-2-3 in nearly every start.

While the Maine-bred fillies seem to be evenly matched, the boys are led by a distinct standout in their divisional battles.

The sidestepping colt and gelding pacers have been chasing Massive Speed (6-5, Walter Case Jr.) all season long.  The son of Dude’s The Man brings an unblemished record of nine wins in nine starts to the contest, and leaves from post two.  He sports a mark of 1:58 at Bangor, is trained by Marc Tardif, owned by Leighton Property, and was bred in Maine by Laurie Harding.

Several of the race’s top contenders also hail from the Tardif Taskforce, as Marc and Peggy have five in this final.  Due to a favorable post position, Valerie Grondin’s Keenan Star (5-2, Heath Campbell) also has a punchers change at divisional glory.

Like his pacing counterpart, Whatawonder, has dominated his male trotting division. A son of Whataworkout, the Lisa Watson-trained wunderkind has a perfect 9-for-9 record. 

Ken Watson has driven the gelding perfectly all season for owner-breeder Barbara Watson, and is the even money favorite from post six.  While the talented high-stepper has never seen the back of a helmet, a few would-be spoilers are poised to pounce should any there be any unforeseen opportunities. 

Liberty’s Wildcard (9-5, Switzer) has seven second-place finishes behind the divisional leader, and has gotten to Whatawonder’s wheel on several occasions.  Stable mate Katahdin Victor (3-1, Wally Watson) also knows the top dog’s tricks and could be right there also.

The full card of harness racing action begins at 1 pm, with the four $75,000-plus Maine Sire Stakes events being carded as races two, four, six and eight on the 12 race program.

Including the Maine Stakes, First Tracks Cumberland has added several pop up series finals to the day’s festivities, bringing the total purses on the program to nearly $380,000.  The track is also holding its popular Cumberland Derby where fans can enter to win up to $500 by picking the correct race winner.

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

September 26, 2024, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Gowestyounggrace and Mrs Foxy Roxy both took their respective $19,921 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies on Wednesday (September 25) at the Cumberland (Maine) Fair.

It was the ninth straight victory and tenth on the season for Gowestyounggrace who has been unstoppable since late-June.  Owned and bred by Fred and Sharon Ward and trained by Fred Ward, the swift daughter of Western Maverick gave Emma Rozze and Heath Campbell a re-take into the 29 first panel.  It was the first time that the filly had seen the back of a helmet in months, so Ingraham wasted little time re-establishing command before the 1:00.2 half.

By the third stanza in 1:30.2, with the rest of the field following intently, it was only a matter of how fast he would let ‘Grace’ pace down to the wire.  Ultimately the final time was a reserved 1:59.4, winning by 1-3/4 lengths.  She paid $2.20 to win as the heavy favorite.

Who’s Perfect (Aaron Hall) finished second; Emma Rozze was third.

In the other division, Mrs Foxy Roxy and Walter Case Jr. led every step of the way, scoring in 2:00.3 by neck over a fast closing Pembroke Red and Heath Campbell. 

It was the third seasonal victory for the daughter of Deuce Seelster, who paid $11.60.  Trained by Bob Marston for Bill McElvaine Jr., Diane Dunn and Brad Veilleux, she was bred in Maine by Kristina and Gary Hall.

My Sweet Revenge (Kevin Switzer Jr.) finished third.

Before the Wedneday card the Maine Standardbred Breeders Association held a special on-air draw at First Tracks Cumberland, where Saturday’s (Sept. 28) four $75,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes finals for 2-year-olds were drawn.

CUMBERLAND RACEWAY

Saturday, September 28, 2024, First Post 1:00 PM

Second Race

MAINE SIRE STAKES FINAL 2 Year Old Filly Pacers  

Purse: $75,821     Class: ME SS FIN*     Gait: Pace         Dis: 1 Mile    

HN    Horse              Driver              Trainer            

1   WHISPER OF LUCK    Ke Switzer Jr       Ma Tardif          

2   LEANNE MARIE       Mi Cushing          Ch Cushing           

3   RUFF DUDE’S JENA   Da Ingraham         Ke Case              

4   AUDRY              St Wilson           Ch Cushing           

5   THINKIN BOUT LIFE  Wa Case Jr          Ma Tardif            

6   GLORILLA           Ro Cushing          He Cushing           

7   CHASING DUDES      Ni Graffam          Mi Graffam           

Fourth Race

MAINE SIRE STAKES FINAL 2 Year Old Filly Trotters  

Purse: $75,916     Class: ME SS FIN*     Gait: Trot         Dis: 1 Mile    

PP  Horse              Driver              Trainer            

1   LITTLE  SHOT       Iv Davies           Iv Davies          

2   KATAHDIN MISTRESS  Wa Watson           Li Watson          

3   BLIZZARD’S FURY    Ke Switzer Jr       Ma Tardif          

4   RACE ME BOMBSHELL                      Wi Childs          

5   BELABELLE          Er Bickmore         Er Bickmore        

6   PANDEMIC PRINCESS  He Campbell         Va Grondin         

7   BARBELLA           Br Ranger           Ke Andersen        

8   LADY LAKE MARTY    Ke Watson           Li Watson          

Sixth Race

MAINE SIRE STAKES FINAL 2 Year Old Colt & Gelding Pacers  

Purse: $76,023     Class: ME SS FIN*     Gait: Pace         Dis: 1 Mile    

PP  Horse              Driver              Trainer            

1   CHEATIN FATE       Ke Switzer Jr       Ma Tardif          

2   MASSIVE SPEED      Wa Case Jr          Ma Tardif          

3   RACE ME CELTIC     Wi Campbell         Wi Childs          

4   KEENAN STAR        He Campbell         Va Grondin         

5   ELLA V DUDE        Br Ranger           Ma Tardif          

6   DAWN TWO DARK      An Harrington       Ma Tardif          

7   GRACIES TOUGH GUY  Da Ingraham         Fr Ward Jr         

8   JAX ATTACK         Aa Hall             Ma Tardif          

Eighth Race

MAINE SIRE STAKES FINAL 2 Year Old Colt & Gelding Trotters  

Purse: $75,753     Class: ME SS FIN*     Gait: Trot         Dis: 1 Mile    

PP  Horse              Driver              Trainer            

1   JUST FOOLIN        He Campbell         Da Crochere        

2   IRON MIKE          Ma Athearn          Gr Athearn         

3   ENCHANTED PRINCE   An Harrington       Ki Ireland         

4   LIBERTY’S WILDCARD Ke Switzer Jr       Ma Tardif          

5   KATAHDIN VICTOR    Wa Watson           Li Watson          

6   WHATAWONDER        Ke Watson           Li Watson          

The Maine Sire Stakes continues, along with a full cards of harness racing action, at the Cumberland Fair with the 3-year-old male pacers on Thursday (Sept. 26), with the 3-year-old trotters completing the sophomore divisions on Friday (Sept. 27).  The 2-year-old finals will be held on Saturday (Sept. 28).  Post time is 1:00 pm each day.

The Sunday (Sept. 29) card has a special post time of 10:55 am for that final racing date.

After the fair, the track’s 19-day Winter Festival begins November 2 and follows a 2-day Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the month of November.  The month of December picks up Fridays for 3-day weekends of racing through December 22.  Our popular Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies are slated for Dec. 21.

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

September 21, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Hollianne Niles photos)

FARMINGTON, ME – While winning races is nothing new for veteran conditioner Valerie Grondin, driving the 3-year-old male trotter Chipper Dale to victory on Friday (September 20) at the Farmington Fair is also familiar territory.

Grondin, who has amassed 2,256 victories and over $11 million in purse earnings as a trainer decided to get back in the bike and pick up where she left off last season.  The Maine native had been riding a five-race win streak with the son of Shake It Off Lindy-Bibbidi Boo when the colt was two, just one year ago.

In fact, Grondin picked up her benchmark 500^th career driving victory at the 2023 Windsor Fair with Chipper Dale.  The pair ended up finishing second at Farmington the following week. 

Earlier this season, trainer Grondin decided to hand the lines over to veteran reinsman Drew Campbell. The Maritime-native is the brother of Grondin’s partner Heath Campbell, and seems to get along well with the gelding, having won six of nine races with him this year.

But that all changed this year at Farmington where Grondin stated, “Drew is lucky that I let him drive Chip!”

She added with a chuckle, “He hasn’t ruined him, yet!”

So, with Winston ‘Drew’ Campbell racing at Plainridge Park on Friday, Grondin was pleased to get back behind the Lynn-Marie Plouffe-owned and bred winner of $145,412 in purse earnings.

Leaving from post three, Grondin was content to let Chipper Dale follow stable mate Pembroke Will (Heath Campbell) through the first two panels (31.4, 1:03) in the non-wagering event.  She pulled first over going to the third stanza in 1:34 and proceeded to draw off from the field to win by five lengths in 2:03.3.

“I was very happy to drive him [at Farmington].  Chip is very handy and needs a light hand,” Grondin noted.  “He loves his job.”

The score gave sophomore trotter Chipper Dale career win number 13, and for Grondin it was driving win number 501.  She is now 1-1 and batting 1.000 for the season.

In that event Pembroke Will finished second, and Carrabassett (Mark Athearn) was third.

Trainer Valerie Grondin and owner-breeder Lynn-Marie Plouffe got another victory on the day’s program as Chipper Dale’s 2-year-old half-sister Pandemic Princess got back to her winning ways.

The daughter of Whataworkout raced parked-out for the last half-mile to score in 2:07 for driver Heath Campbell.

Blizzard’s Fury (Kevin Switzer Jr.) cut fractions of 32, and 1:04.2 to half, prompting Campbell to come first over and challenge for the lead.  By the 1:36.2 third panel ‘Princess’ was poised to pounce and charged home in 30 seconds to win by a length over the pacesetter.  She paid $9.20 to win for the third time in her young career.  Grondin returned to the winner’s circle with tears of joy to celebrate the victory.

Barbella (Walter Case Jr.) finished third.

The distaff sophomore trotting class witnessed Bernie’s Legacy scoring a pocket trip triumph for driver Dave Ingraham in 2:08, while breaking her maiden and giving her a new lifetime mark. It was the filly’s first win in 17 lifetime starts, as she had been first or second in ten previous outings.

Trained by David Crochere for owner Teri Toubeau, the 3-year-old daughter of Shake It Off Lindy was also bred by Lynn-Marie Plouffe, which was her third Maine Sire Stakes breeder win of the afternoon.

Pacesetter My Saving Grace (Mark Athearn) finished second, Twisted Venture (Mike Cushing) was third in that non-bettor.

To no one’s surprise, freshman trotting sensation Whatawonder continued his reign of terror, securing his tenth straight victory and bringing an unblemished record into the 2-year-old finals next week at Cumberland.

Driven by Ken Watson for trainer Lisa Watson and owner-breeder Barbara Lawson, the son of Whataworkout rolled to a wire-to-wire, length and a quarter victory in 2:04.1.  He paid $2.80 to win, and now has $71,573 on his card.

Liberty’s Wildcard (Switzer) finished second; Katahdin Victor (Wally Watson) was third.

The four trotting events of the Maine Sire Stakes each carried $19,000-plus in purses.

The Maine-bred action resumes at the Cumberland Fair with 3-year-old sire stakes racing starting on Wednesday (Sept. 25) and culminating with the Freshmen Finals 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 20, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Hollianne Niles photos)

FARMINGTON, ME – Massive Speed got his ninth career victory at the Farmington Fair on Thursday (September 19) in the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old male pacers, which was also his ninth consecutive score. 

The unblemished record of Marc Tardif’s Massive Speed added another notch to his belt on Jug Day.  The Dude’s The Man colt made every call a winning one as driver Walter Case Jr. rolled right to the top and never looked back.  The top colt in his division won his non-wagering event by a length and quarter in 2:00.1, with a final quarter in 28.1.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, Massive Spped was bred in Maine by Laurie Harding and increased his career bankroll to $71,658.

Gracies Tough Guy (David Ingraham) finished second; Cheatin Fate (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.

In the other division Valerie Grondin’s homebred Keenan Star grabbed his second lifetime victory in just his fifth seasonal outing.  Driven by Heath Campbell, the son of Western Maverick looped the Farmington oval and left all would-be challengers in his wake.  Winning in 2:01 by a measured length, he is also owned and was bred by Valerie Grondin.

Jax Attack (Aaron Hall) finished second; Race Me Celtic (Bill Childs) was third.

The pair of non-wagering events of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings carried $19,000-plus purses.

The Maine Sire Stakes concludes at the Farmington Fair with harness racing Friday (Sept. 20) carrying all divisions of the Maine-bred trotters. 

The next stop will be the Cumberland Fair with Sire Stakes racing starting on Wednesday (Sept. 25) and culminating with the Freshmen Finals 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 19, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Holli Niles photo)

FARMINGTON, ME – Marc Tardif’s heart may have skipped a beat when his here-to-fore undefeated pacer Two Fold Cold made an uncharacteristic miscue in the first turn at the Farmington Fair on Wednesday (September 18) in the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old male pacers, but when the dust settled his seasonally unblemished record remained intact. 

Scoring from post three driver Kevin Switzer Jr. hustled the son of Deuce Seelster out to the top where he likes to be, however, when the tight group of sophomores rounded the first turn the gelding jumped off stride and was taken inside the pylons.  Hesjustadelight (Ron Cushing) took command into a 29.3 opening panel, with the Two Fold Cold back on stride and looking to make up ten lengths and get back into contention.

Tardif Taskforce stable mate Arts Flight (Andy Harrington) sat a tight pocket as Hesjustadelight cruised to a 59.4 half with Two Fold Cold gaining ground with every stride.  Switzer tipped the divisional point leader first over around the five-eighths pole and began his march toward the top.

As the field reached the third stanza in 1:30 Two Fold Cold was less than three lengths off the top and rolling once again.  At the head of the stretch, barreling down the center of the race track Two Fold Cold hit his stride like his pants were on fire. Arts Flight was gaining ground along the pylons with pacesetter Hesjustadelight trying to fend off the challengers.

Track announcer Mike Sweeney exclaimed, “Two Fold Cold made amends for his costly misstep.”

Owned and trained by Marc Tardif, the gelding picked up his ninth consecutive win, scoring by a neck in 1:58.4.  It was his 13^th lifetime victory with his bankroll now reaching $116,919.  He was bred in Maine by Gary and Kristina Hall.

Hesjustadelight hung on for second; Arts Flight was third.

In the other non-wagering event it was another Kristina Hall-bred, Deuce Seelster-sired pacer that was victorious. 

Justcallmebuck led a wire-to-wire rout over the Farmington oval, scoring by 8-3/4 lengths in 2:00.

Also owned by Kristina Hall, the four-time winner is trained by Gary Hall and was piloted to victory by Heath Campbell.

Wes’s Challenge (Walter Case Jr.) finished second; Stretch It Donn (Andy Harrington) was third.

The pair of non-wagering events of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings carried $19,000-plus purses.

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 Thursday (Sept. 19) with two divisions of 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings, 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 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