August 5, 2025 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Stephanie Gray photos)
TOPSHAM, ME – A true sign of summer is when the Maine Sire Stakes and harness racing in general makes its annual swing into the Pine Tree State’s agricultural fair circuit. Monday (Aug. 4) the region’s 3-year-old filly pacers rolled into the historic Topsham Fair for two $11,000-plus divisions of sidestepping action.
In the $11,802 pari-mutuel division Leanne Marie (4/5, Mike Cushing) left swiftly from post two to grab the lead just past the :30 opening panel. From that point the daughter of Artistic Fella was on cruise control through a mid-way marker of 1:01.1.
With Chasing Dudes (3-1, Andy Harrington) sitting a tight pocket and Wishin For Kisses (8-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) racing third, the pacesetter hit the third panel in 1:31.3.
As the field turned for home the pocket-sitting filly Chasing Dudes tipped out and took aim at the leader, outpacing Leanne Marie to the wire to score by a quarter-length in 2:03.
Co-Owned and trained by Mike Graffam with partner and breeder Bob Marston, the daughter of Dude’s The Man grabbed her second win of the season, and sixth lifetime victory. She paid $7.80 to win and increased her lifetime bankroll to $132,491.
Wishin For Kisses finished third.
In the other $11,576 Maine Sire Stakes division for sophomore distaff pacers, which was contested before the regular card, McGwire Sowers sent Whisper Of Luck out to an early lead after exchanging a give-and-go with stable mate Thinkin Bout Life (Switzer Jr.) past the :31.2 quarter-mile marker.
The daughter of Artistic Fella led the field into a 1:02.1 half, with Dudes Pretty Chick (Heath Campbell) first up and Glorilla (Aaron Hall) giving chase second over in fourth.
By the 1:32.3 third panel the advancers were advancing on the pacesetter, who ultimately succumbed to the speed of Glorilla. The Aaron Hall-trained daughter of Dude’s The Man used a swift :30.2 final quarter to pass her fellow combatants and secure the victory by a cool pair of lengths in 2:03.1.
Glorilla is owned by Ron Cushing and was bred by Kevin Sywyk and picked up her third lifetime victory with earnings at $47,233.
Thinkin Bout Life finished second; Dudes Pretty Chick was third.
Looking ahead, with Maine’s pari-mutuel tracks on summer hiatus, all of the Pine Tree State-bred 2- and 3-year-old trotters invade the Topsham Fair on Wednesday (Aug. 6). Next up are the 3-year-old male pacers on Thursday (Aug. 7) and 2-year-old filly pacers on Saturday (Aug. 9).
For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com
