June 28, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Real Horrorshow was able to get back into the win column with a victory at Cumberland Raceway on Saturday (June 27) after surviving a thrilling, stretch-long battle with Rebel’s Revenge in the second leg of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings.

Last season’s Pine Tree State-bred freshmen champion Real Horrorshow had never tasted defeat until last week when Rebel’s Revenge sat a pocket trip and stormed down the lane to catch the colt with the previously unblemished record in his first start of the year.

Fast forward a week and the script was the same in the $15,434 Maine Sire Stakes event where Real Horrorshow was, once again, bet down to the heavy favorite at 1-5.  Regular pilot Kevin Switzer Jr. sent him right out from the start, blazing to an early lead.  Second choice and last week’s victor Rebel’s Revenge (9-5, Aaron Hall) ducked into the pocket and proceeded to give chase through a :29.1 opening panel and a softer 1:00 half.

Rebel’s Revenge was headstrong in the garden spot while heading down the backside the final time, with the pacesetter hitting the third panel in 1:29.2 and looking to gain some separation.  Off the turn Hall tipped Rebel’s Revenge and began to apply steady pressure on the leader.  Gaining ground with every stride the pair were locked in another furious clash down the stretch, with Rebel’s Revenge advancing within a neck of Real Horrorshow.

For the respective connections, the race was a real nail biter–right down to the wire, but ultimately the day belonged to Real Horrowshow who showed the necessary grit and fought back to retain the lead and split the beam in 1:58.2, a new lifetime best.

Trained by the senior Kevin Switzer, who also co-owns with Kathleen Mofield and Anthony Sivik Jr., the son of Dude’s The Man returned $2.40 for his first win of the season.  He was bred by Luke and Patricia Varnum, and now has $110,664 in lifetime earnings.

Dude’s The Jet (Dave Ingraham) finished third.

In the other $15,659 division the early morning line favorite Daytoremember (9-5, Heath Campbell) rolled out aggressively to take command from post six.  From that point the son of Dude’s The Man set comfortable fractions of :29.2 and 1:00 to the mid-station. 

Down the backside and heading to the third stanza Itsjustmoney (5-1, Switzer Jr.) maintained a tight pocket as the favorite hit that marker in 1:29.3.  Around the turn the aggressor tipped and began to gain ground on the leader.  As they turned for home the pair were neck and neck with the momentum favoring the outside swinging Itsjustmoney who had a full head of steam.

With nothing but racetrack in front of him Itsjustmoney overpowered Daytoremember to break his maiden and score by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:58.4.

Owned and trained by Marc Tardif the son of Thirty Two Red got his first win in 12 lifetime starts.  Bred by Bobbi Jean Carney, he returned $13.20.

Deuces Red (Mike Stevenson) got up for third.

Driver Aaron Hall started his day with a score aboard Maggie At Bat (1:57.3, $11.40), which was his 1,000^th career victory.  Hall won two more on the afternoon program with Zoes Precious RN (2:00, $19.00) and Head Of The Table (1:59.1, $12.60).  Kevin Switzer Jr. also enjoyed three wins on the program.

June 26, 2026, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Two $15,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings highlight the Saturday (June 27) card at Cumberland Raceway with the formerly unbeaten Real Horrorshow looking to avenge his only lifetime loss.

Last week’s 1-9 favorite and freshmen champion, Real Horrorshow, got caught at the wire by Rebel’s Revenge in 1:58.4 at Bangor.  Matched up again in the $15,434 first division of sophomore colts, also known as the ‘glamour boys’ group, the pair square off in race seven with the Marc Tardif’s Rebel’s Revenge listed as the 9-5 co-favorite from post two with Aaron Hall.  The senior Kevin Switzer co-owns and trains Real Horrorshow (9-5, post six) who gets the services of Kevin Switzer Jr. in the bike.

What happens when the gate closes is anyone’s guess, but the wagering public may be willing to give Real Horrorshow a mulligan for last week’s loss and bet him down to the heavy favorite, once again.  Despite being saddled with an outside post, the son of Dude’s The Man has shown that he can get off the car in a hurry and position himself where he likes to be—on the front end.

In addition, Rebel’s Revenge may have been a little tighter, having had two additional starts under his belt prior to the opening round of the Maine Sire Stakes.  Alas, it will be a long season and it will be interesting to see how these two match up in the weeks and months to follow.

Dude’s The Jet (3-1, Dave Ingraham) also hails from the Tardif Taskforce, was third against this group last time out, and rounds out the top three in the first split.

In the other $15,659 division the early morning line favorite is Daytoremember (9-5, Heath Campbell, post six).  The Valerie Grondin-trained, owned and bred son of Dude’s The Man won last week’s second division and looks to repeat against a similar cast of characters. 

Marc Tardif sends three into this mix, including second choice Itsjustmoney (3-1, Switzer Jr.) whose ‘off the pace’ style may suit him well from post five.  Ghost Of Winter (7-2, Hall) and Nuh Uh (12-1, Andy Harrington) round out the Tardif troika.

Looking ahead to the following race date, the Maine Sire Stakes for sophomore trotters sees two $14,000-plus divisions going postward on Sunday (June 21). 

This is First Tracks Cumberland’s final June weekend of Saturday-Sunday cards. During July the schedule reverts back to Friday-Saturday, with the exception of the three day run from Fri., July 24 through Sun., July 26 during the penultimate weekend of the meet.  In addition, there will be no racing Friday, July 3, a federal holiday.

First post is 12:15 pm (EDT) during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 2. 

June 25, 2026 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)

BANGOR, ME – Unbeaten 3-year-old Maine-bred pacing filly Snowonthepines has continued to display her dominance over her divisional rivals, winning all by herself on Wednesday (June 24) at Bangor Raceway. 

Touting an unblemished record going into her $15,209 Maine Sire Stakes event, last year’s undisputed Maine 2-year-old pacing filly champion has continued that reign of supremacy by scoring in a lifetime best of 1:58 at historic Bass Park.

With regular pilot Kevin Switzer Jr. at the controls, the daughter of Dude’s The Man set comfortable early fractions of :29.1, and 1:00.1 to the half. 

Ekorus (Nick Graffam) sat a loose pocket until the 1:29.3 third panel when the pacesetter opened up on the field.  With Show wagering eliminated, and bet down to 1-9, the only question remaining was by how many lengths Snowonthepines would win.

Posting a :28.2 final quarter the Marc Tardif-trained lass coasted home to prevail by 4-1/4 lengths.  Owned and bred by Leighton Property, it was the filly’s 11^th consecutive lifetime victory, in as many starts.  She returned $2.20.

Ekorus finished second; Grace Of Spades (Dave Ingraham) came from off the pace to get up for third.

In the earlier $15,209 Maine Sire Stakes division for 3-year-old pacing fillies She’s A Firefly illuminated the tote board with a big upset over heavy favorite Dudelookslikeafily.

When the wings folded Dudelookslikeafily (1-9, Aaron Hall) passed the pocket to forge on to the front, resulting in a :28.4 opening panel.  She’s A Firefly (18-1, Nick Graffam) released the chalk and was settled into the garden spot through the :59.2 half-mile marker.

Down the backstretch Heymickeyyousofine (9-2, Heath Campbell) was first over and on the move, catching up with the leader by the 1:29.2 third station.

That pair battled around the long, far turn with Heymickeyyousofine poking a head in front at the head of the stretch.  With Dudelookslikeafily fading in the lane, and She’s A Firefly advancing up the pegs, the battle ensued right down to the wire.

When the dust settled it was She’s A Firefly out-sprinting Heymickeyyousofine by a quarter length under the shadow of the wire in 1:59.1.

Trained by Mike Graffam for owner Bill ‘Yarmouth Lumber’ Phipps, the daughter of Thirty Two Red picked up her first lifetime victory, returning $38.80.  She was bred in Maine by Ron Cushing.

Dudelookslikeafily held on for third.

Looking ahead, Saturday’s (June 27) Cumberland program hosts the 3-year-old colt pacers, followed by this same group of sophomore filly pacers Wednesday (July 1).  On Independence Day, Saturday (July 4) the 3-year-old trotters return to Cumberland.

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow them on Facebook @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  MaineSireStakes.com

June 22, 2026 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes

(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Wilder N Idy, last season’s champion freshmen trotting gelding, and upstart Hayden, a sophomore trotting filly, captured their respective divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes on Sunday (June 21) at Cumberland Raceway. 

For the Athearn’s Wilder N Idy, it has been a wild ride with the son of To The Hilt who won eight of his nine outings last year and earned $106,062.

Owned by Patricia Leavitt and bred by the late Mike Andrew, the Napoleonic high-stepper put in a few steps while going to the gate in last year’s $85,591 final, surely giving his connections a few anxious moments. 

Nonetheless, Wilder N Idy, under the confident hold of trottin’ horse man Mark Athearn got it all back together, regained command, and drew off a champion.  Coming off a qualifier last week, the local sophomore won by 36 lengths in 2:01.3, removing any doubt that the ‘boss was back.’

In Sunday’s $14,783 division for 3-year-old trotting colts and gelding, Wilder N Idy reminded his foes who was in command, as the diminutive powerhouse strolled through opening fractions of :30 and 1:02.1 with his fellow disciples in moderate pursuit.

Following that second quarter breather Athearn hit the gas and rolled through a 1:32.4 third panel and brushed home a 2-1/2 length winner in 2:01.4.

The early, non-wagering race was the first seasonal outing for Wilder N Idy.  Gus’s Workout (Heath Campbell) finished second; Trottinfortreasure (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.

In the $15,486 division for 3-year-old trotting fillies in the Maine Sire Stakes, last season’s bridesmaid took center stage for a change and opened her campaign with a victory against freshmen filly champ Pembroke Lady.

When the wings folded trainer-driver Gary Hall sent his charge Hayden out to a speedy start and took command almost instantly from post six.  The daughter of Cantab Fashion showed a quick turn of foot off the car and rolled to the top with ease and settled down while setting a modest :30.1 opening panel. 

Mike Cushing driving Our Last Quote from post three made Heath Campbell work for the pocket with 3-5 favorite Pembroke Lady, which he held loosely while the field moved down the backstretch, around the turn, and into a 1:03 half.

Heading down the backside the final time Cushing and Our Last Quote flushed Campbell with Pembroke Lady, which resulted in a three-deep cavalry charge around the final turn following a soft 1:35 third panel.

Despite staying with the pacesetter around the final turn, the public choice could not catch Hayden who scampered off down the stretch to draw off by 3-1/4 lengths while in hand and trip the timer in 2:04.3.

Owned and bred in Maine by Stephen Hall, it was Hayden’s third lifetime victory, which increased her bankroll to $54,187.  She returned $12.40.

Pembroke Lady finished second; Our Last Quote was third.

Looking ahead, Wednesday’s (June 24) Bangor program hosts the 3-year-old filly pacers, with the 3-year-old colt pacers returning to Cumberland on Saturday (June 27).

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow them on Facebook @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  MaineSireStakes.com

June 18, 2026 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)

BANGOR, ME – When the wings of the starting gate folded in one of two $15,000-plus divisions for 3-year-old colt pacers on Wednesday (June 17) at Bangor Raceway, it looked like it was going to be another 1-9 shot going wire-to-wire.  However, that scenario changed dramatically in deep stretch as 9-1 longshot Rebel’s Revenge handed the previously unbeaten Real Horrorshow his first lifetime defeat.

The betting public recognized that Real Horrorshow, last year’s undisputed Maine 2-year-old pacing colt champion, was the top choice considering he was unbeaten as a freshman and was coming off a strong 1:54.4 qualifier at Plainridge for trainer Kevin Switzer Sr.  Not only did the son of Dude’s The Man win all nine of his races at two, including the lucrative $85,000 final, but he did so convincingly by winning most outings by open lengths.

When his regular driver Kevin Switzer Jr. put the colt into motion—on the front end—it appeared that the duo would have everything their own way.

Switzer Jr. set reasonable opening fractions of :29 and 59.4 and continued to maintain a two-length advantage over the pocket sitting Rebel’s Revenge and Aaron Hall.  Down the backside and into the 1:29.1 third panel Dave Ingraham had Dude’s The Jet (32-1) rolling first over and for a brief spell was right alongside Rebel’s Revenge.

Around the final turn Dude’s The Jet stalled, which allowed Rebel’s Revenge to find room to ease out and continue his momentum.

But when Hall started to gain ground on the leader, a gasp filled the air.

“Real Horrorshow appeared to have everything to his liking, as expected, and when Rebel’s Revenge pulled the pocket it looked like a typical mere perfunctory late challenge,” noted track announcer Mike Sweeney after the race.  “There was little warning that the complexion of this race would change so dramatically and so quickly.”

And change it did as the Marc Tardif-trained son of Deuce Seelster, who looked a little headstrong down the backstretch, decided that he had had enough following for the day and proceeded to take command under the shadow of the wire, winning by half a length in 1:58.4.

While trainer Marc Tardif humbly stated that his colt “raced good,” the Leighton Property-owned sophomore not only took a new lifetime mark, but also may have altered the flavor of the upcoming season.

While Mike Sweeney called it the “upset of the year” during his exciting stretch call, the five-year Bangor track announcer has witnessed his fair share of Maine Sire Stakes events, and opined, “perhaps the outlook for this entire division has now tilted.”

Rebel’s Revenge returned $20.40, with no show wagering on the race.

In the earlier $15,609 division for sophomore pacing colts and geldings the 1-2 heavy favorite Daytoremember with Heath Campbell in the bike made quick work of this field from post five. 

Rolling through comfortable initial fractions of :29 and 1:00.1, Campbell picked up the tempo and hit them with a 1:28.3 third panel to draw off by three and score in a new lifetime best of 1:57.3. 

Owned and trained by Valerie Grondin the son of Dude’s The Man returned $3.00 for his first start of the season.

Itsjustmoney (9-2, Switzer Jr.) finished second; Mia’s Boy (10-1, Mark Athearn) was third.

This ‘glamour boys’ leg was the first $15,000-plus rounds of Maine Sire Stakes action for this division, which starts the 18-week season of New England’s premier harness racing showcase.  This group shall meet again at Cumberland on June 27.

Looking ahead, First Tracks Cumberland hosts the 3-year-old trotters on Sunday (June 21), with the 3-year-old pacing fillies back at Bangor on Wednesday (June 24).

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow them on Facebook @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  MaineSireStakes.com

June 16, 2026 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes

BANGOR, ME – Just like in the filly division of the Maine Sire Stakes, there is an undefeated colt named Real Horrorshow who makes his seasonal bow in one of two $15,000-plus divisions for 3-year-old colt pacers on Wednesday (June 17) at Bangor Raceway. 

Real Horrorshow, last year’s undisputed Maine 2-year-old pacing colt champion steps into his first seasonal stakes competition off a blistering 1:54.4 qualifier at Plainridge for trainer Kevin Switzer Sr.  The son of Dude’s The Man won all nine of his races at two, including the lucrative $85,000 final.

Regular driver Kevin Switzer Jr. gets the call for the 3-5 heavy favorite from pylon position, which is just where the precocious gelding likes it—on the front end.

His $99,089 in 2025 earnings for owners KDK Standardbreds, Kathleen Mofield and Anthony Sivik Jr. are evidence of the handsome sum available in the Pine Tree State-bred program, as well as the talent of this colt.  Bred in Maine by Luke and Patricia Varnum, this horse looked like the real thing when he won the freshmen final by open lengths.

Of course the powerful ‘Tardif Taskforce’ has three entrants in the same division as the ‘unblemished one,’ which is carded as race seven.  The 9-5 second choice is Rebel’s Revenge (Aaron Hall) from post four, along with Dude’s The Jet (6-1, Walter Case Jr.) from post three.

In the earlier $15,609 division for sophomore pacing colts and geldings the 8-5 favorite is Daytoremember with Heath Campbell from post five.  Owned and trained by Valerie Grondin the son of Dude’s The Man was nine times 1-2-3 in 11 seasonal outings.

From the pegs is second choice Itsjustmoney (7-2, Switzer Jr.) who is one of three in that division that hail from the Marc Tardif stable.

First post at Bangor on Wednesday (June 17) is 3:00 pm.

This ‘glamour boys’ leg is the first $15,000-plus rounds of Maine Sire Stakes action for this division, which starts of the 18-week season of New England’s premier harness racing showcase. 

Looking ahead, First Tracks Cumberland hosts the 3-year-old trotters on Sunday (June 21), with the 3-yar-old pacing fillies back at Bangor on Wednesday (June 24).

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow them on Facebook @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  MaineSireStakes.com

June 14, 2026 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes

CUMBERLAND, ME – Snowonthepines, the sensational 3-year-old Maine-bred pacing filly has continued her tour de force by crushing her opponents in her first race of the year on Saturday (June 13) at Cumberland Raceway. 

Winning all nine of her races at two, including the lucrative $85,000 final, the daughter of Dude’s The Man was last year’s undisputed Maine 2-year-old pacing filly champion.  Now, it appears that the Marc Tardif-trained sophomore distaff will be just as dangerous to her competition this year.

Regular driver Kevin Switzer Jr. drove the prohibitive 1-9 favorite from post five, in the $15,209 opening day of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies. 

As expected, when the wings folded Snowonthepines was sent out for an early lead and hit the first panel in :29.4.  She continued to set the tempo into a 1:00.4 half and with just Ekorus (4-1, Nick Graffam) tipping to the outside through a 1:30.1 third stanza.

But it was already too late for the chasers as the filly had six lengths on the field at the head of the stretch and increased that advantage to nine when Snowonthepines tripped the timer under the wire in 1:59.

Owned and bred by Leighton Property, the unbeaten lass paid just $2.20.

Ekorus finished second; Perfectly Lovely (Aaron Hall) who sat in the pocket throughout the entire mile, hung on for third.

Perhaps setting the stage for his ‘big filly,’ trainer Marc Tardif also won the first $15,209 division with Dudelookslikeafily in gate to wire fashion.

Driver Aaron Hall sent the daughter of Dude’s The Man right to the top and never looked back as the filly picked up her first stakes victory and a new lifetime mark of 1:59.3.

Owned by Leighton Property and Victoria Leighton, she was bred by Stephanie Gray and returned $5.20.

Graceofspades (2-1, Dave Ingraham) finished second; Race Me Ireland (Andy Harrington) was third.

The Pine Tree State-bred action marks the first $15,000-plus round of the Maine Sire Stakes program, which is the start of the 18-week season of New England’s premier harness racing showcase. 

Looking ahead, Wednesday’s (June 17) Bangor program hosts the 3-year-old colt pacers, followed by the 3-year-old trotters on Sunday (June 21).

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow them on Facebook @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  MaineSireStakes.com

June 12, 2026 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Undefeated phenom Snowonthepines leads two fields of 3-year-old filly pacers as stakes season gets underway on Saturday (June 13) at Cumberland Raceway. 

The much-anticipated event marks the first $15,000-plus rounds of Maine Sire Stakes action, which is the start of the 18-week season of New England’s premier harness racing showcase. 

With up to ten legs for each division throughout the summer and autumn months, the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes program has been promoting and providing a venue for Pine Tree State Standardbreds since the legislative establishment of the series in 1972. 

While the program has evolved over the last fifty years…so has the speed and durability of the Maine-bred harness horse.  While it is not uncommon to see horses by Maine sires competing throughout North America, New England drivers and trainers are also making a name for themselves on the National stage.  In fact, Maine-native Jason Bartlett was voted the U.S. Harness Writer’s Dan Patch Driver of the Year in 2025.

Snowonthepines, last year’s undisputed Maine 2-year-old pacing filly champion steps into her first seasonal stakes competition off a pair of qualifiers for trainer Marc Tardif and owner-breeder Leighton Property.  The daughter of Dude’s The Man won all nine of her races at two, including the lucrative $85,000 final.

Regular driver Kevin Switzer Jr. gets the call for the 9-5 favorite from post five, as the dominant distaff appears to be just as comfortable off a helmet as on the front end.  Her $99,000 in 2025 earnings are a testament to the rich funds available in the Pine Tree State-bred program, as well as the talent of this filly.

Her primary threat comes from the pylon positioned Ekorus (2-1, Nick Graffam) who is the home-bred property of trainer Mike Graffam with Martha Holden as partner.  The daughter of Cheyenne Hollywood was eight times 1-2-3 in 10 seasonal outings at two, earning $53,642.  This $15,209 Maine Sire Stakes division is carded as race seven on the 12-race Cumberland card.

Each racing season the powerful ‘Tardif Taskforce’ enters the Maine Sire Stakes loaded with talent, and once again this year is no exception.  They also have the favorite 3-year-old pacing filly in the earlier, $15,209 first division, named Dudelookslikeafily (2-1, Aaron Hall, post 5).  Owned by Leighton Property and Victoria Leighton the daughter of Dude’s The Man won her last start at Bangor in an overnight race and was bred by horsewoman and photographer Stephanie Gray.

The co-second choice in race four is the Graceofspaces (5-2, Dave Ingraham, post 1) who is a Western Maverick full sister to former Maine champion Gowestyounggrace.  Owned, bred and trained by Fred Ward Jr. and Sharon Ward, the younger ‘Grace’ is seeking her first trip to the winners circle.

Scoring from post four is Heymickeyyousofine (Heath Campbell), the other 5-2 pick in that division.  A true family affair, the daughter of Dude’s The Man was bred by Kimberly Vafiades, is trained by Steven Vafiades, and is owned by Jason Vafiades.  She earned just under $20,000 last year and was a consistent earner with checks in nearly all nine of her contests.

First post at Cumberland on Saturday (June 13) is 12:15 pm.

Looking ahead, Wednesday’s (June 17) Bangor program hosts the 3-year-old colt pacers, followed by the 3-year-old trotters on Sunday (June 21).

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow them on Facebook @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  MaineSireStakes.com