July 6, 2026 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)
CUMBERLAND, ME – The Pine Tree States next crop of harness horses made their pari-mutuel debut at Bangor Raceway on Sunday (July 5) with two $14,000-plus divisions of Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing fillies.
While stallion Dude’s The Man has enjoyed robust success as of late, it appears that he will have some company atop the progeny leaderboard as foals from the first crop of State Treasurer swept both divisions at historic Bass Park.
The son of Real Desire had already produced the winners of over $5.5 million during his six year stint in Ontario, including Stockade Seelster p,3,1:48.4 ($1.2 million). With the move to Maine in 2023, this group by State Treasurer p,1:47 ($1.9 million) is coming of age and started his stateside swing with real patriotic Independence weekend fireworks.
In the first $14,808 division it was No Small Wonder who wowed the early crowd and leaped out to a ten length advantage by the :30.1 opening panel.
Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. was able to reel in the fast filly who is trained and co-owned by the senior Kevin Switzer. With middle splits in 1:01.4 and 1:32.1 the daughter of State Treasurer appeared to be very comfortable on the front end as she led every step of the way.
The first foal from I Am Wonder Women p,2,1:56.1f ($70,693) coasted home in 2:02.3 and prevailed by 2-3/4 lengths. Switzer co-owns with Kathleen Mofield and Anthony Sivik Jr. No Small Wonder was bred in Maine by Luke and Patricia Varnum.
There were no mutuels on this early non-wagering event. Siri (Heath Campbell, Jimmy Nickerson) finished second; Feel The Fury (Aaron Hall, Marc Tardif) was third, and both these fillies were also sired by State Treasurer.
In the second $14,983 Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing fillies it was Bettor’s Treasure who gave her Goshen (Orange County, NY) connections a victory on Hall of Fame Day.
When the wings folded the daughter of State Treasurer (McGwire Sowers) blasted out for an early lead from post five and after a :32.4 opening panel had five lengths on the field by the 1:04.3 midway marker.
Past the 1:34.4 third panel the loose pocket sitting Showfaith Showdown (Nick Graffam) had gotten closer to the pacesetter and was within 1-1/2 lengths at the head of the stretch.
Down the lane Bettor’s Treasure found another gear and used a :29.3 last quarter to score by 2-1/2 lengths in 2:04.2.
Trained and co-owned by David Dziengiel with John and Thelma Kiernan and Anthony Lake, the filly is stabled at Goshen Historic Track. Bettor’s Treasure had previously qualified at Monticello with her conditioner in the bike on two occasions, showing consistent miles around 2:02. She was bred in Maine by Larry Dancer and is the second foal of racing age from the Bettor’s Delight mare Bettor Buns p,3,1:55.2h ($71,001).
Showfaith Showdown finished second; Mad Moxxi (John Nason) was third in the second non-bettor.
Looking ahead, Bangor hosts the 3-year-old colt pacers on Wednesday (July 8), with the 2-year-old colt pacers making their pari-mutuel debut on Friday (July 10) at Cumberland.
For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow them on Facebook @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: MaineSireStakes.com
