July 14, 2025 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Hollianne Niles photos)

BANGOR, ME – Ken Anderson’s Barbella challenged a full, eight-horse field of Maine Sire Stakes 3-year-old trotting fillies on Sunday (July 13) at Bangor Raceway, and overwhelmed them with ease. 

In her $12,453 division Barbella, last season’s runner up in the 2-year-old trotting distaff division, took her task to a whole new level as she wired the field in personal record breaking fashion.

Scoring from pylon position, driver Bruce Ranger strode right to the top with Barbella and was met by year’s champion Little Shot (2-1, Ivan Davies) who also attempted to take command from post two, only to be thwarted and forced take an abundance of that good Queen City air in the :31 opening panel. 

The pacesetting duo continued to make every call a winning one through the 1:01.3 half.  Little Shot was able to duck into the two hole as Kevin Switzer Jr. pulled a blind switch with Race Me Bombshell (7-1) while the field headed past the five-eighths marker.

As Barbella cruised toward the 1:32 third station, gaining separation with every stride, the ‘catcher-uppers’ were doing all they could to stay with her.  Race Me Bombshell’s first over bid found her neck and neck with Little Shot as the field rounded the final turn.

Rolling home a winner by three lengths, the sharp daughter of Whataworkout shaved a full three seconds off of her previous lifetime best, tripping the timer in 2:02.1 for a new time badge.

Trained by Ken Anderson for owner Robert Zakian, Barbella was bred by the late Mike Andrew.  She paid $4.80 to win for the fourth time in her career and third in a row while amassing $21,647 in seasonal earnings.

Little Shot finished second; Race Me Bombshell was third.

Hopping over to the boys, the $11,799 Maine Sire Stakes for sophomore male trotters was anything but a twist of fate as 1/9 heavy favorite Liberty’s Wildcard went down the road like a chalk horse should.

Leaving from post four driver Kevin Switzer Jr. wasted little time getting to the top and taking the field through a :31 second opening panel.  Just Foolin (15-1, Heath Campbell) tracked along closely in second with Newport Venture (36-1, Erik Bickmore) gapping in third.

Liberty’s Wildcard passed the half in a measured 1:03.2 forcing Enchanted Prince (24-1, Kim Ireland) to vacate his fourth-on-the-pegs position and take up residency in the outer flow.

As the field trotted down the backstretch for the final time Liberty’s Wildcard gained some separation on the field while scampering to a 1:34.1 third stanza.  Turning for home the pacesetter was well on his way with his disciples trotting up a storm in the race for second.

Track announcer Mike Sweeney noted that Liberty’s Wildcard “gave his swoop to the group” and crossed the beam in 2:05.3, well in hand.  Winning his fourth consecutive Maine Sire Stake, after being the runner up in last year’s $75,753 freshman final, he now has $23,988 in seasonal earnings.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, the son of Noble Venture was bred by Jerry Stratton Jr. and paid $2.20 to win.

Just Foolin finished second; Enchanted Prince was third.

Looking ahead, Wednesday’s (July 16) Bangor program hosts the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings.  Later in the week, Maine’s 2-year-old filly pacers head to Cumberland on Friday (July 18), with the sophomore distaff pacers coming right back on Saturday (July 19).

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