August 30, 2025, by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)
WINDSOR, ME – Six $16,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2- and 3-year old trotters rolled around the Windsor Fair oval on Friday (Aug. 29) kicking off the long weekend of Pine Tree State harness racing on the popular agricultural fair circuit.
In the $17,351 Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings, which was the only division on the wagering card, the Windsor faithful witnessed the formerly unbeaten sophomore, Liberty’s Wildcard, return to his winning ways.
Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. took the son of Noble Venture off the gate and settled into fifth position after slight even-money favorite Whatawonder (Ken Watson) jumped it off before the start. With the race unfolding differently than expected, Heath Campbell urged Just Foolin (4-1) out for an early lead, followed by Katahdin Victory (Wally Watson) who settled into the garden seat.
Taking the field through opening fractions of :30.1 and 1:02, Just Foolin had things pretty much his own way until Liberty’s Wildcard came calling at the 1:32.4 third panel.
Down the lane the pair engaged in a relatively short, but hard fought battle to the wire with Liberty’s Wildcard getting up in the final strides to prevail by a nose in 2:03.1.
Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, it was his seventh win in eight seasonal starts and pushed his lifetime bankroll to $91,755. He paid $4.30 to win and was bred by Jerry Stratton Jr.
Katahdin Victor (Wally Watson) finished third.
With the other five divisions on the early, non-wagering card, fans watched Ivan Davies capture the $16,973 division for 3-year-old trotting fillies with Little Shot in 2:07. Owned and bred by Dr. Douglass Hutchins with Paul Kinnear, the daughter of Noble Venture grabbed her third win of the season, and second consecutive wire-to-wire victory.
Twisted Fate (Mike Cushing) finished second by 2-1/4 lengths; Pandemic Princess (Heath Campbell) was third.
In the other $16,974 sophomore filly trot Barbella continued her divisional dominance for driver Bruce Ranger and trainer Ken Anderson. The daughter of Whataworkout picked up her third straight win, covering the circuit in 2:05.
Owned by Robert Zakian, she was bred by the late Mike Andrew. Race Me Bombshell (Drew Campbell) finished second by 2-1/4 lengths; Katahdin Mistress (Wally Watson) was third.
Once again, freshmen fillies also enjoyed their two divisions on the afternoon card, with Our Last Quote breaking her maiden for driver Steve Wilson.
When the gate sprung in the first $16,754 division Kevin Switzer Jr. left swiftly with Legendofthe Valley and led the field around the first turn and into the backstretch. Steve Wilson wasted little time tipping Our Last Quote out from the pocket to assume command before the opening panel. From that point the duo made every call a winning one as they covered the mile in 2:09 which was the first lifetime win and a new time badge for the daughter of Cantab Fashion.
Trained by Charlene Cushing for owners/breeders R. DiPompo Jr. and Michael Graham, it was the first win in five seasonal starts for the 2-year-old filly who already had four second place finishes under her belly band.
Nobella (Ken Watson) finished second; Legendofthe Valley was third.
In the other $16,754 frosh filly division, Pembroke Lady prevailed by a comfortable 3-1/4 length margin in 2:05.4 for driver Heath Campbell and trainer Valerie Grondin. The daughter of Pembroke Slugger has advanced her unbeaten streak to six straight victories for owner Brenda Varney and was bred in Maine by the late William Varney.
Roseapple Ave (Wally Watson) finished second; Hayden (Gary Hall) was third.
In the $16,891 freshmen male trot Wilder N Idy’s five-race unbeaten streak came to end when the son of To The Hilt made an uncharacteristic miscue behind the gate and relinquished command to the formerly winless High Fashion Hank.
Driver Nick Graffam steered High Fashion Hank to his maiden-breaking wire-to-wire victory in 2:09. The son of Cantab Hall is co-owned (with Paul Lusky), bred and trained by Mike Graffam, which was his first win in five lifetime outings.
Trottingfortreasure (Switzer Jr.) finished second; Wilder N Ivy (Mark Athearn) rebounded to be third.
The Maine Sire Stakes continues at the Windsor Fair with the 2-year-old filly pacers on Saturday (Aug. 30), followed by the 3-year-old filly pacers on Sunday (Aug. 31) and finally the 2-year-old colt pacers to close out the long weekend on Monday (Sept. 1).
For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com
