August 22, 2025, by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photo of LEANNE MARIE from Cumberland)

WINDSOR, ME – Known as Maine’s second largest agricultural fair, the Windsor Fair welcomes two $17,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies on Sunday (Aug. 24) following a week’s respite for the series formerly known as the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes.

When the sophomore sidesteppers visit the fair, many will be looking to secure their position in the lucrative finals set for Oct. 11 at Bangor Raceway.  The current point leader in the division is the Cushing’s Leanne Marie who has amassed 225 points with four wins and three seconds and earnings of $35,232 on the season.

The daughter of Artistic Fella is the homebred property of Pamela Smith, Jane DiPompo and trainer Charlene ‘Sherry’ Cushing, with hubby Mike handling the driving duties.  She leads a field of six from post three in the $17,427 second split, which will be held before the regular card. 

Not to be outdone, the Graffam’s have a filly star of their own in Chasing Dudes.  Scoring from pylon position Nick Graffam drives the daughter of Dude’s The Man who has a pair of victories and three seconds in the series.  Trained and co-owned by Mike Graffam, he shares ownership with her breeder Bob Marston.

Rounding out the field is the return of Ron Cushing’s Lysiun (post four), who won her first three-in-a-row before being sidelined in early July.  Trained by Heidi Cushing, the daughter of Dude’s The Man should enjoy being back in the Pine Tree State after her Pocono Downs qualifier.  She was bred in Maine by Lynn-Marie Plouffe.

In the other division $17,201 division of 3-year-old pacing fillies Glorilla (2, Aaron Hall) is coming off of two wins in a row with his daughter of Dude’s The Man and should look to control tempo. 

The Marc Tardif stable sends out Thinkin Bout Life from post four, who is the second leading point earner in the division.  Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr., the daughter of Dude’s The Man is always right there at the wire.

The Maine Sire Stakes continues at the Windsor Fair with the 2-year-old male pacers on Monday (Aug. 25) and then the 3-year-old glamour boys division on Tuesday (Aug. 26).

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