July 16, 2026 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – The husband and wife team of driver Heath Campbell and trainer Valerie Grondin enjoyed a sweep of both of the $14,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes at Bangor Raceway on Wednesday (July 15) with a pair of sophomore trotters.

In the first $14,408 division for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings, the current point leader Wilder N Idy (March Athearn) made an uncharacteristic miscue in the early going, giving Campbell plenty of racetrack for Gus’s Workout to blast out to a ten length advantage.

Hitting early fractions of :28.4 and :59.1 the son of Whataworkout never had an anxious moment as the duo continued to lead the field by open lengths.  Following a 1:29 third panel Campbell eased the trotter home in 2:00.3, shaving nearly five seconds off of the gelding’s previous time badge.

Owned and bred by Lynn-Marie Plouffe it was the trotter’s first stakes win, and boosted his lifetime earnings to $69,512 in the 15-length romp for trainer Valerie Grondin. 

Trottingfortreasure (Kevin Switzer Jr.) finished second; Wilder N Idy was third in the early, non-wagering event.

In the second $15,261 Pine Tree State-bred event for 3-year-old trotting fillies it was the freshmen filly champ, Pembroke Lady, who found her previous form and made it to the winner’s circle for the first time this season.

Heath Campbell wasted little time putting the daughter of Pembroke Slugger out on the point and led the field into a soft :31.2 opening panel.  On top by three lengths, with the rest of the trotting distaffs tracking along single file, Pembroke Lady took her followers through a 1:03.4 midway marker and likewise into the 1:34.1 third station.

With no pressure in sight Campbell strode home in 2:04.2 by 4-1/4 lengths giving Pembroke Lady a new lifetime mark.  Trained by Valerie Grondin, owned by Brenda Varney, and bred by the late William Varney, it was the filly’s ninth lifetime victory and increased her bankroll to $111,761.

Out Last Quote (Mike Cushing) finished second; I Think I can (John Nason) was third in the second non-wagering race.  Leading divisional point earner, Hayden, also made an early break and was not a factor.

Looking ahead, First Tracks Cumberland hosts all the 2-year-old trotters who are making their pari-mutuel debut on Friday (July 17).  Over the weekend Cumberland also presents the 2-year-old pacing fillies on Saturday (July 18) with Bangor featuring the 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Sunday (July 19).

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