September 1, 2025, by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)

WINDSOR, ME – For the second time this season Windsor Fair hosted two $17,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies.  The encore performances on Sunday (Aug. 31) pitted several of the division’s leading competitors against one another, with each trying to make their own case for class supremacy. 

During the first $17,202 division for sophomore pacing distaffs the Maine faithful witnessed their 4/5 favorite Lysiun scoot out to an early lead, towing the pack through a :29.3 opening panel.  The daughter of Dude’s The Man, making her second start back after a month-long hiatus, had put three lengths between her and the pocket-sitting Chasing Dudes and Nick Graffam.

By the :59.3 midway marker Lysiun appeared to be well in command, with the pocket sitter filling in the gap through the third-quarter in 1:29.4.  Graffam tipped Chasing Dudes (3/2) to the outside around the final turn to engage the pacesetter who made an unsettling break while rounding the seven-eighths marker.

Chasing Dudes went on to win in 2:00.2 by 2-1/2 lengths having avoided the fracas around the final turn.  Trained and co-owned by Mike Graffam, who shares ownership with breeder Bob Marston, it was the filly’s second straight victory and fourth of the season.  Her lifetime earnings have now eclipsed $154,000, and she paid $5.00 to win.

Dudes Pretty Chick (4-1, Heath Campbell) finished second; Lysiun held on for third.

In the second $17,201 division the leading point earning filly in the division, Leanne Marie (9/5), was given her head and she responded by pacing right to the top for driver Mike Cushing.  Post time favorite Glorilla (4/5, Aaron Hall) ducked in the two hole with Whisper Of Luck (5-1, Andy Harrington) sitting third past the :30 second opening panel.

There was no movement through the 1:01.1 half-mile point, with Leanne Marie enjoying a comfortable 1-1/2 length advantage.  While heading to the 1:31 third panel Aaron Hall tipped Glorilla, who is came into the race on a three-race win streak, but then jumped off stride while engaging the leader around the final turn.

With Glorilla out of the picture the pocket-inheriting Whisper Of Luck made a hard charge on the outside, and Ruff Dude’s Jena (28-1, Dave Ingraham) snuck up the inside to make it a three-horse photo finish at the wire.

Leanne Marie did prevail by a tight half of a length in 2:01.  Trained by Charlene ‘Sherry’ Cushing who co-owns and bred with Pamela Smith and Jane DiPompo, the daughter of Artistic Fella picked up her fifth win of the season and pushed her sophomore bankroll to $48,188.  She paid $5.60 to win.

Whisper Of Luck finished second; Ruff Dude’s Jena was third.

The Maine Sire Stakes concludes at the Windsor Fair with the 2-year-old colt pacers on Monday (Sept. 1), the final day of Labor Day weekend.  Sophomore pacing colts and gelding head back to Bangor on Wednesday (Sept. 3).

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