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
