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 11th 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
