July 21, 2025 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Hollianne Niles photos)
BANGOR, ME – The Maine Sire Stake’s glamour boys division has a familiar superstar this year as Massive Speed has continued his reign of supremacy on Sunday (July 20) at Bangor Raceway.
Two $11,937 divisions for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings were contested in the slop at historic Bass Park, with the first round witnessing an easy victory for the four-time seasonal stakes winner.
Already known as last season’s 2-year-old Maine pacing champion, the son of Dude’s The Man picked up the services of Aaron Hall of the day’s events, which was little more than a training mile for the lifetime winner of $158,853.
While the early pedestrian fractions of :31.1 and 1:03.3 onlookers may have pondered that the race was still undecided as stable mate Dawn Two Dark (3-1, McGwire Sowers) was poised to pounce in the two-hole.
But Hall was just toying with the field as he tapped the Massive Speed accelerator and hit the third panel in 1:34. Around the final turn Dawn Two Dark popped the deuce prompting Hall to hit the afterburners and the colt responded with a :28.4 final quarter to splash home in 2:02.4 by a measured 1-1/4 lengths.
Undefeated at 3, Massive Speed is trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property and now has 14 wins lifetime. He was bred in Maine by Laurie Harding and paid $2.20 as the 1/9 favorite.
Dude’s Wanted Man (18-1, Heath Campbell) finished third.
In the second $11,937 division of sophomore male pacers last week’s victor Race Me Celtic (1-1, Drew Campbell) got out to an early lead and towed his fellow competitors along though the muck in :29.2 and 1:01.4 opening panels. Ridgecrest Dan (7/5, John Nason) left alertly as well, ducking into the pocket for a tight seat.
Past the half Keenan Star (9/2, Heath Campbell) moved first over with Cheatin Fate (12-1, Hall) right on his helmet second up. Around the five-eighths Hall sensed stalling cover and moved three wide down the backside to engage the leaders.
The pacesetter Race Me Celtic started to get leg weary as well, prompting John Nason to pull the right line on Ridgecrest Dan and apply more pressure to the leader as they reached the third station in 1:31.4.
Those two fought toe-to-toe in the off-going around the final turn with Ridgecrest Dan using his momentum and pocket trip stamina to roll down the lane a 1-1/2 length victor in 2:01.1.
Trained and driven by 69-year-old veteran horseman John Nason, it was the third seasonal victory for the son of Dude’s The Man who is owned by Bill ‘Yarmouth Lumber’ Phipps. He was bred by Jason Vafiades and paid $4.80 to win.
No Guts No Glory (13-1, Sowers) finished second; Race Me Celtic hung on for third.
Looking ahead, Friday’s (July 25) Cumberland program hosts the Maine Sire Stakes 2-year-old male pacers. The following day, Saturday (July 26) brings back all divisions of Maine-bred trotters to Cumberland. Sunday’s (July 27) special 12 noon card at Cumberland hosts the Pine Tree State’s 2-year-old pacing fillies.
For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com
