August 12, 2025, by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Hollianne Niles photos)
SKOWHEGAN, ME – A pair of $17,000 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing colts and gelding helped kick off a full week of harness racing action at the 207th year of the Skowhegan State Fair, with a particular divisional leader cushioning his point total at the historic venue. Claiming the title of the Nation’s Oldest Consecutively running Agricultural Fair, Skowhegan has been operating annually since 1818.
Situated in the heart of Maine’s Kennebec Valley, the Skowhegan State Fair has run without interruption, through the great depression, two world wars, and many smaller, though significant battles.
Of course, harness racing has been a part of that storied past since the inception. Therefore, it is only fitting that the Maine-bred colts that competed at the fair on Monday (Aug. 11) were presented to a host of fair-goers and racing fans alike.
In the first $16,948 split for freshmen male pacers Heath Campbell gave Daytoremember a day that he may never forget.
Scoring from post four the Valerie Grondin owned, trained and bred son of Dude’s The Man was sent right to the top where he put up early fractions of :30.1 and 1:03.1. Mia’s Boy (Mark Athearn) was enjoying a tight pocket trip while Silence Ofdarkness (McGwire Sowers) was the first to start the outer flow while the field passed the third panel in 1:34.1.
At the head of the stretch Campbell let out a notch and let Daytoremember roll on to a four length victory in 2:02.4, which was the colt’s first lifetime win. Heretofore Daytoremember has had the misfortune of drawing in with Real Horrorshow in his last four outings, finishing second in each instance. However, this day would be different as Daytoremember is a maiden no more, thanks in large part to his swift :28.3 final quarter.
Mia’s Boy finished second; Itsjustmoney (Andy Harrington) rallied for third in the non-wagering event.
In the second $17,124 Maine Sire Stakes event, it was no surprise that Real Horrorshow would take the lead from his pylon-skimming starting position.
Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. the divisional leader and unbeaten phenom has had things his own way in his previous four starts, and his Skowhegan jaunt appeared to be no different.
Following the pacesetter Wowzah Clousah (Mike Cushing) sat a comfortable pocket trip through opening splits of :30 and 1:00.1. Heading into the 1:30.3 third stanza Nuh Uh (Aaron Hall) had inched up alongside Wowzah Clousah and matched strides around the final turn.
Down the stretch, the pocket sitting Wowzah Clousah jumped off stride while Real Horrorshow was showing his heels to the field. Winning by 4-1/4 lengths in 1:59.1, it was a career best equaling effort for the son of Dude’s The Man.
Trained by Kevin Switzer Sr. for owners KDK Standardbreds, Kathleen Mofield and Anthony Sivik Jr., the divisional leader was bred by Luke and Patricia Varnun and nabbed his fifth straight victory.
Nuh Uh finished second; Ghost Of Winter (Andy Harrington) was third.
The Maine Sire Stakes continues on the fair circuit in Skowhegan with the sophomore filly pacers on Tuesday (Aug. 12). The glamour boys (3 colt pace) division arrives on Thursday (Aug. 14), followed by all the 2- and 3-year old trotters on Friday (Aug. 15), and concludes the week at Skowhegan with the 2-year-old filly pacers on Saturday (Aug. 16).
For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com
