July 10, 2025 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Hollianne Niles photos)
BANGOR, ME – Marc Tardif’s Massive Speed handily took his third Maine Sire Stake for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Wednesday (July 9) at Bangor Raceway, securing a new 1:57.4 record in the process.
In his $12,162 division Massive Speed, last season’s 2-year-old pacing champion, added another notch to his win total for trainer Marc Tardif and driver Bruce Ranger.
Saddled with post seven Ranger was forced to let the swift son of Dude’s The Man pace pass the early leavers and grind his way to the lead in a snappy :28.2 opening panel.
As the 1/9 favorite led the single-file field through a softer :58 half, the first movement came from Cheatin Fate (9-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) who mounted his challenge from fifth into the outer flow.
Despite no credible threats to his authority, Massive Speed hit the third station in 1:27.2 and began to extend his separation on the rest of the pack, with Keenan Star (5-1, Heath Campbell) giving chase in second.
Down the lane, the star pacer was hand-driven by Ranger to a 2-3/4 length victory in 1:57.4, a new lifetime best.
Owned by Leighton Property, and bred by Laurie Harding it was the gelding’s third consecutive victory. He paid $2.20 to win.
Keenan Star finished second; stable mate Cheatin Fate was third.
In the other $12,162 division for Maine’s 3-year-old male pacers, Drew Campbell sent Race Me Celtic down the road for a lifetime best-breaking score in 1:58.
Leaving from post five the elder Campbell pushed the son of Western Maverick to the top and never looked back, winning by 1-1/4 lengths.
Owned, trained and bred by William Childs, it was the second lifetime win, and first of the season for Race Me Celtic. He paid $12.00 for the victory.
Ridgecrest Dan (4/5, John Nason) finished second; Dawn Two Dark (2-1, Switzer Jr.) was third.
Looking ahead, Friday’s (July 11) Cumberland program hosts the Maine Sire Stakes seasonal bow for 2-year-old pacing fillies. The following day, Saturday (July 12) brings back the sophomore pacing distaffs to Cumberland.
For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com
