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 50th 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
