August 8, 2025, by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Stephanie Gray photos)

TOPSHAM, ME – The Pine Tree State’s sophomore pacing sensation, Massive Speed, eked out his sixth straight victory at the Topsham Fair on Thursday (Aug. 7) afternoon, with two of his colleagues trying valiantly to defeat him.

Coming into the race with a five-race unbeaten streak is nothing new for the Marc Tardif-trained son of Dude’s The Man.  But, having his foes get past his saddle pad is another paradigm entirely. 

Last year Massive Speed uncorked an impressive 10-race rout that included victories in all of his freshman legs of the Maine Sire Stakes, plus the rich $76,000 final.  This season has been a similar path for the divisional standout; however, the finish may have been a little too close for comfort.

In his early $11,812 non-wagering 3-year-old male pacing event, Massive Speed does what he usually does, goes to the front.  From that point driver Aaron Hall set snappy fractions of :29.1, and :59 to the opening half, while maintaining a comfortable margin in front of the pocket-sitting Ridgecrest Dan (John Nason).

Hitting the third station in 1:28.4, it appeared that the pair was home free, but the challengers had other intentions.  While Ridgecrest Dan tipped to the outside and had looked Massive Speed right in the eye at the head of the stretch, a threat from the inside in the form of stable mate Dawn Two Dark (Andy Harrington) was at the colt’s saddle pad.

Massive Speed held on gamely, standing his ground, and refusing to lose.  The photo finish revealed that the divisional star had prevailed by a head over Ridgecrest Dan and by a neck over Dawn Two Dark in 1:59.1.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, Massive Speed has now accrued $170,727 lifetime with 16 career victories.  He was bred in Maine by Laurie Harding.

In the other $11,812 division, which was held on the regular card, driver Aaron Hall, trainer Marc Tardif, and owner Lesley Leighton swept the glamour boys division.

When the wings folded driver Drew Campbell sent Race Me Celtic out to the front setting opening panels of :29.4 and 1:00.  With No Guts No Glory (Aaron Hall) sitting a tight pocket to the half, Campbell tried to gain some separation by setting a swifter 1:29 third stanza. 

However, No Guts No Glory showed that he possessed both the intestinal fortitude and the speed to overcome the pacesetter.  He passed Race Me Celtic in the home stretch to prevail by a length in a lifetime best 1:58.4.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner / breeder Leighton Property, the son of Deuce Seelster finally broke his maiden after 13 previous career attempts, paying $17.60 to win.

Ella V Dude (Jason Bertolini) finished third.

Looking ahead to the weekend at Topsham Fair, the 2-year-old filly pacers close out the series on Saturday (Aug. 9).  Next week, the Maine Sire Stakes slides up to Skowhegan with the freshman pacing colts on Monday (Aug. 11) and sophomore filly pacers on Tuesday (Aug. 12).

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

August 7, 2025, by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Stephane Gray photos)

TOPSHAM, ME – Another tornado of trotting bloodstock was spotted along the I-95 corridor as every division of Maine-bred trotters spun into the Topsham Fair on Wednesday (Aug. 6) afternoon, with six $11,000-plus splits of the Maine Sire Stakes for the 2- and 3-year-old diagonally gaited groups.

In the $11,851 featured 3-year-old male trot, Liberty’s Wildcard (4/5, Kevin Switzer Jr.), made no attempts to hide from the storm.  The seasonally undefeated son of Noble Venture went right to the top from pylon position and continued to display his divisional dominance with a 2-1/4 length score in 2:05.1.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, it was his sixth consecutive victory.  He was bred by Jerry Stratton Jr. and paid $3.60.  Katahdin Victory (Wally Watson) finished second; Just Foolin (Heath Campbell) was third.

In the $11,699 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting fillies that was held on the pari-mutuel card, Barbella redeemed her uncharacteristic miscue from last week to further cement her standing atop the leaderboard.

Scoring from the outside post five, driver Bruce Ranger employed a European-style overland trip to secure the victory.  Sitting on the outside through the entire last half, the daughter of Whataworkout inched up closer and closer to the lead to prevail by a head in 2:04.3.

Trained by Ken Anderson for owner Robert Zakian, it was Barbella’s fourth win of the season.  She paid $4.60 and was bred by the late Mike Andrew.  Race Me Bombshell (Drew Campbell) finished second; Lady Lake Marty (Wally Watson) was third.

In the other $11,473 division for sophomore trotting fillies, which was held before the regular card, it was Pandemic Princess (Heath Campbell) who overcame going off-stride behind the gate to rally and win by 4-1/2 lengths in 2:05.

Trained by Valerie Grondin for owner / breeder Lynn-Marie Plouffe, the daughter of Whataworkout picked up her third win of the season despite her continuous gait-maintaining challenges.  Katahdin Mistress (Wally Watson) finished second; Little Shot (Ivan Davies) was third.

The juvenile Pine Tree State-bred trotters were also featured at Topsham’s full day of racing, with all divisions of freshman trotters going post ward before and during the regular wagering card. 

While some punters have been overheard exclaiming, ‘betting on 2-year-old trotting fillies is like playing Russian roulette with money,’ the tote board appeared to be very confident in one particular entrant in the $11,429 Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old trotting fillies.

Coronation Moon was sent off at 3-5 as the public’s choice for trainer / driver Ivan Davies.  When the wings folded the daughter of Cantab Fashion had put seven lengths between her and the rest of the field before they hit the quarter pole.  Although she kept her would-be challengers well in check, Coronation Moon rolled to a 5-3/4 length victory in a pedestrian 2:11.3.

Owned and co-bred by Owen Davies (with Catherine Davies), it was her second win in three lifetime outings.  She returned $3.40 for the accomplishment.

The other $11,429 for freshman trotting fillies went to Pembroke Lady, who danced to a new lifetime best in 2:06.3, and secured her fourth consecutive stakes victory.

Driven by Heath Campbell for trainer Valerie Grondin and owner Brenda Varney, the daughter of Pembroke Slugger was bred in Maine by the late Bill Varney.  Our Last Quote (Steve Wilson) finished second; Nobella (Ken Watson) was third in this non-wagering event.

Speaking of four-in-a-row winners, Wilder N Idy continued to govern with authority in his $11,391 freshman colt district, winning by 5-3/4 lengths in 2:07.2. 

Driven in this non-bettor by Mark Athearn for trainer Gretchen Athearn and owner Patrick Leavitt, the son of Cantab Fashion was bred by the late Mike Andrew.

Gus’s Workout (Heath Campbell) finished second; Trottinfortreasure (Switzer Jr.) was third.

Looking ahead to the rest of the week at Topsham Fair, the 3-year-old male pacers race on Thursday (Aug. 7), and then the 2-year-old filly pacers close out the series on Saturday (Aug. 9).  Next week, the Maine Sire Stakes slides up to Skowhegan with the freshman pacing colts on Monday (Aug. 11) and sophomore filly pacers on Tuesday (Aug. 12).

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

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

August 3, 2025 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Maine’s freshmen pacers are often a pre-cursor to future Standardbred stars in the Pine Tree State, and this season is proving to be no exception as Real Horrorshow continues to show that he is for real as divisional participants helped pull the curtain down on Saturday (Aug. 2) for Cumberland Raceway’s closing day. 

In his $11,623 division of the Maine Sire Stakes driver Kevin Switzer Jr. put the heavy 1/9 favorite on the lead as the field chased him to the :29.3 opening panel.

By the 1:00.3 mid-way station a head strong Dude’s The Jet (Aaron Hall) had ranged up for a challenge first over with Daytoremember (Heath Campbell) enjoying a tight garden spot journey.

With a tight pack in his rearview mirror and the pocket sitter poised to pounce, Switzer Jr. let out a notch past the 1:31.2 third stanza, but couldn’t shake his pesky nemesis Daytoremember.

Down the stretch Heath Campbell was closing fast, but Real Horrorshow who was kept on high alert by his pilot, managed to secure a tight quarter-length victory in 2:00.2.

Trained by Kevin Switzer Sr. for owners KDK Standardbreds, Kathleen Mofield and Anthony Sivik Jr., the son of Dude’s The Man paid $2.20 for his fourth consecutive stakes victory.

Bred by Luke and Patricia Varnun, ‘horrorshow’ is the phonetic spelling of ‘good’ in the language of Nadset, which was the dialect spoken in the 1971 cult classic film Clockwork Orange.  Real Horrorshow is from the Varnum’s Yankee Cruiser mare Pretty Eyes p,3,1:51.4 ($96,242) and is considered one of their favorite horses.

Daytoremember was a fast closing second; Wowzah Clousah (Mike Cushing) was third.

In the other $11,623 division an upset in week four of the Pine Tree State freshmen stakes, provided for a double digit payout.

Second choice Ghost Of Winter (6/5, Switzer Jr.) left swiftly with favorite Nuh Uh (4/5, Aaron Hall) dropping in the two-hole in route to the moderate :30.3 opening panel.

Not much movement led to an easy 1:02 half-mile marker, prompting Mia’s Boy (6-1, Mark Athearn) to pull from fourth and challenge first over down the backstretch while heading to the 1:33 third station.

While the loose pocket sitting Nuh Uh was busy looking into the infield around the final turn, Mia’s Boy had collared the steppy pacesetter and was turning the heretofore uneventful event into a horse race.

With his momentum interrupted, Ghost Of Winter was unable to stave off the closing speed of Mia’s Boy, as the latter got up by a head for the victory in 2:03.1, a maiden-breaking effort.

Driven by Mark Athearn for trainer Gretchen Athearn and owners Eric Dickson and Peter Whitmore, the son of Thirty Two Red was bred by Deborah Doane.  He paid $15.80 to win his first lifetime start.

Looking ahead, with Maine’s pari-mutuel tracks on summer hiatus, the Pine Tree State-bred 3-year-old filly pacers head to the Topsham Fair on Monday (Aug. 4), with the 2- and 3-year-old trotters coming right back on Wednesday (Aug. 6).

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

August 2, 2025, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Massive Speed showed that he is the big man on campus this season in the Maine Sire Stakes 3-year-old male pacing division, picking up his fifth in a row on Friday (Aug. 1) at Cumberland Raceway.

Winning the first $11,937 division of the glamour boys group in lifetime best equaling 1:57.4, the Marc Tardif trainee has not seen the back of helmet since last season when he anointed himself the ‘Maine’ Monster of the Midway with a perfect 10-for-10 in the freshman follies.

Driven from pillar to post by Bruce Ranger for owner Leighton Property, the son of Dude’s The Man has earned a handsome sum of $30,291 this year, to bring his lifetime bankroll to $164,821.  

Bred in Maine by Laurie Harding, Massive Speed won in hand by 4-3/4 lengths and paid $2.40 as the 1/5 favorite.  Race Me Celtic (Drew Campbell) finished second; Ridgecrest Dan (John Nason) was third.

In the second $11,937 division Keenan Star (9-2, Heath Campbell) rolled out to an early lead, clearing just after the :28.3 opening panel.  Easing the tempo a bit, the son of Western Maverick led the pack through a softer :59.2 mid-way point.

Public choice No Guts No Glory (4/5, McGwire Sowers) got away last and had made up significant ground and headed the pacesetter into the 1:29 third panel.  While the aggressor showed some guts with his first over move, he failed to reap the glory as Keenan Star fought back and drew away with a length victory in 1:59.2.

Owned, trained and bred by Valerie Grondin, it was the first win of the year for the homebred colt, earning a new time badge for his efforts.  He paid $11.00 to win.

I’m Not Maverick (Mike Stevenson) finished second; Just Aftermidnight (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.

Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. led all drivers with three wins on the program.

Racing resumes on the final day of the summer meet Saturday (Aug. 2), which includes a full card simulcast of Hambletonian Day from the Meadowlands, as well as two $11,623 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old male pacers.  Doors open at 12 noon, but first live post is still 3:15 pm.

The featured race of the day is the annual $25,000 Pine Tree Invitational Pace, which is carded as race nine.  Leading the charge in this group is Tenzing Bromac N (2-1, Ron Cushing) who was just third in the $75,000 Beckwith Memorial at Plainridge.  With 20 wins down under, the 8-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight is making his first start on a half-mile track.

Former Maine Sire Stakes star Two Fold Cold (5-2, Dave Ingraham) is the second choice from post four, and he finished second in that same rich Beckwith Mem.

In addition, there are two $11,623 divisions of 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers, a $10,000 Open Trot, and three $8,000 End of Summer Pop Up Series finals.

Post time for both days is 3:15 pm, and there is a Trifecta in all races, and the program also features a plethora of exotic wagers.  Cumberland’s Pick 5 begins with the third race, and continues with our Pick 4 and Pick 3 toward the tail end of the program, and concludes with our High-Five Pentafecta in the final race—all with low 16% takeouts.

Live video and replays can be found on our website: firsttrackscumberland.com on the Live Racing / Video Replays tab.