July 31, 2026 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)
BANGOR, ME – Maine’s glamour boys division rolled back into the Queen City on Thursday (July 30) for the Fair meet at Bangor Raceway. A baker’s dozen of 3-year-old colt pacers competed in two $15,000-plus divisions for purse money and bragging rights as the early pari-mutuel term comes to an end and Maine’s fun and exciting fair season gets underway.
In the first $15,434 division Joey Mosher hustled Ghost Of Winter out to an early lead and repelled Deuce’s Red (5-2, Mike Stevenson) who popped the deuce briefly, then recanted into a :29 opening panel.
With the rest of the field strung out by ten lengths, those two continued to scamper off and reached the half in :57.3. Itsjustmoney (1-2, Kevin Switzer Jr.) was far back in third, but gaining ground as the pacers made their way to the third station in 1:27.
Deuces Red pulled the pocket again, but was thwarted once again by a headstrong Ghost Of Winter who held sway through the final turn and into the long Bangor homestretch.
With ample high-lining and plenty of hootin’ and hollerin’ Joey Mosher kept Ghost Of Winter on task and prevailed by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:58.1, establishing a new lifetime mark.
Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, the son of Deuce Seelster picked up his third lifetime victory. Bred in Maine by Kristina Hall, he returned $13.40 to win.
Deuces Red finished second; Itsjustmoney was third.
In the second $15,659 division for sophomore male pacers it was a battle of the favorites at Real Horrorshow (1-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) was looking for his fourth consecutive victory.
With a flurry of early speed under the historic Bass Park lights Rebel’s Revenge (3-1, Aaron Hall) was the first out on top, but was soon engaged by a hard-charging Daytoremember (7-5, Heath Campbell) as the field rounded the first turn. Luke warm favorite Real Horrorshow got away third.
Heading to the opening panel the early leavers battled stride for stride, leaving the rest of the field in a ten length wake, they hit that station in a torrid :27.3 with Daytoremember ultimately taking command.
With the field now packed back together approaching the midway marker Real Horrorshow was the first to pull and pressing on through that :59 half. Rebel’s Revenge was sitting comfortably in third and Dude’s The Jet (Joey Mosher) was moving second over.
Down the backstretch the final time Real Horrorshow was not giving up, having lost a little ground while parked around the third turn. They reached the third stanza in 1:27.2 with Daytoremember in command and being pressed on the outside by the public choice.
As they battled down the homestretch in an epic performance it was all Daytoremember as the son of Dude’s The Man conquered his foes in 1:56.3, a new lifetime best.
Owned, bred and trained by Valerie Grondin it was his sixth victory and fourth of the season. Winning by three parts of a length over Real Horrorshow, they returned $4.80.
Rebel’s Revenge hung on for third.
Looking ahead, First Tracks Cumberland hosts the 2-year-old filly pacers on Saturday (August 1), with the 2- and 3-year-old trotters on Sunday (August 2. Maine Sire Stakes action concludes at the Bangor Fair with the 2-year-old colt pacers on Wednesday (Aug. 5).
For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow them on Facebook @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: MaineSireStakes.com
