September 26, 2026, by Chris Tully, for Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)
FARMINGTON, ME – Three $17,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings finished up their regular racing season on Friday (September 25) at the Farmington Fair, securing their positions for the upcoming Freshmen Finals on Oct. 3.
The swiftest $17,153 Pine Tree State-bred event was slated as race three on the regular card at Farmington, with the favorite being thwarted by an up-and-coming youngster.
When the gate wings sprung driver Kevin Switzer Jr. sent One Last Deal right to the top in a :29.2 opening panel. Aaron Hall had Rustysonlytreasure in the pocket through the 1:00.3 half, with no threatening outer flow advancing into the 1:30.3 third panel set by the 3-5 favorite.
At the head of the stretch driver Dave Ingraham had Duderrific looking the pacesetter right in the eye, and went right on by. The son of Dude’s The Man went on to win in a lifetime best 1:59, prevailing by 1-1/4 lengths.
Trained by Joe Nelson for owner-breeder M and L of Delaware, it was Duderrific’s second seasonal victory, returning $6.60.
One Last Deal finished second; Rustysonlytreasure was third.
In the early, non-wagering $17,754 event it was the taste of sweet redemption for The Gucci Man who had suffered his only career defeat in is last outing.
In typical Switzer Jr. style, The Gucci Man was sent to the front and never looked back. The pacer made every call a winning one, in dominating fashion. Scoring by 3-1/2 lengths in 1:59.3, the son of Dude’s The Man now has seven wins in eight seasonal starts.
Owned, trained and bred by Marc Tardif is the leading point earner in his division.
Agent James Bond (Ron Cushing) finished second; Poocham Luck (Ingraham) was third.
In the third $16,978 division of freshmen male pacers it was the 1-5 favorite Justcallmebuddy that sat a perfect pocket trip to score in 2:01 over pacesetter Painter’s Treasure and Andy Harrington.
The son of Deuce Seelster prevailed by a length for driver Aaron Hall and trainer Marc Tardif. Owned by Leighton Property and Victory Leighton, it was his third victory of the season. Bred in Maine by Kristinal Hall, he returned $2.40.
Looking ahead, the Maine Sire Stakes transitions to the Cumberland Fair with the 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers racing Tuesday (Sept. 29). The action continues with their female counterparts on Wednesday (Sept. 30) and the 3-year-old trotters on Friday (Oct. 2). Then the lucrative Freshman Finals are slated for Saturday, October 3.
For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow them on Facebook @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: MaineSireStakes.com
