October 6, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)

FRYEBURG, ME – Trainer Valerie Grondin swept the Maine Sire Stakes for sophomore trotters at the Fryeburg Fair on Saturday (October 5) as the popular and well-attended meet comes to a close.

The first division for 3-year-old trotting fillies was captured by divisional leader Pembroke Breeze, who took command early and never looked back.  The daughter of Pembroke Slugger cruised through moderate fractions to score by 3-1/4 lengths in 2:03.2.  Driven by Heath Campbell for trainer Valerie Grondin, it was the talented filly’s seventh win in nine starts for owner and breed Bill Varney.

The early non-wagering race carried a purse of $19,708.  Bernie’s Legacy (Dave Ingraham) finished second; My Saving Grace (Mark Athearn) was third.

The boys were up next for a three-horse race with a similar purse, where driver Drew Campbell got the drive back aboard Chipper Dale, who also made every call a winning one.  Sprinting away from the field to win by 5-1/2 lengths in 2:03.3, the son of Shake It Off Lindy is trained by Valerie Grondin for owner-breeder Lynn-Marie Plouffe.

Carrabasset (Mark Athearn) finished second; Pembroke Will (Heath Campbell) was third.

The previous afternoon (Oct. 4) witnessed Two Fold Cold (Kevin Switzer Jr.) grab his 11th straight win of his career, holding off the late charge of Whats For Suppaah (Aaron Hall) to win by a neck in a pedestrian 2:01.

He is owned and trained by Marc Tardif, and was bred in Maine by Gary and Kristina Hall. 

That division of 3-year-old pacing colts and gelding went for a purse of $19,691, as did the other split captured by Hesjustadelight by a head in 1:58.4.

Driven by co-owner Ron Cushing for trainer Heidi Cushing and partners Lynn-Marie Plouffe (breeder) and Anthony & Joseph Romanelli, the son of Western Maverick picked up his third victory of the year.

Just Call Me Buck (Heath Campbell) finished a close second; Arts Flight (Andy Harrington) was third by a neck.

The final seasonal races for all of these Pine Tree State-bred Standardbreds are four divisions of the 3-year-old Maine Sire Stakes Finals, which will be held at Bangor Raceway on Saturday (Oct. 12).

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