October 11, 2024, by Chris Tully for the Maine Sire Stakes (Joe Shaw photos)
BANGOR, ME – Hollywood Casino Hotel and Raceway at historic Bass Park welcomes the $380,000-plus Maine Sire Stakes Finals with four 3-year-old Pine Tree State-bred events on Saturday (Oct. 12) in Bangor, Maine.
Looking to put an exclamation point on an already perfect season is Marc Tardif’s Two Fold Cold (5-2) in the $96,132 Maine Sire Stakes final for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings. The son of Deuce Seelster has 11 wins in as many starts this year, and retains the services of regular pilot Kevin Switzer Jr. from post six.
However, the early morning-line favorite is Hesjustadelight (2-1) from post three. Ron Cushing drives the gray son of Western Maverick for trainer Heidi Cushing who won his last start at Fryeburg and is peaking at the right time.
The third choice from pylon position is Arts Flight (7-2) with Andy Harrington at the controls. Also owned and trained by Marc Tardif, the son of Artistic Fella could get a big piece of this one with a good trip.
Another Maine-bred star is Gowestyounggrace (8-5) who has been the principal dominant force in her division of sophomore distaffs. Scoring from post two in the $96,143 final, the homebred daughter of Western Maverick has 10 straight victories to her credit for owner-trainer-breeder Fred Ward Jr. Veteran reinsman Dave Ingraham will continue to drive the talented lass.
Rounding out the top contenders is Valerie Grondin’s Who’s Perfect (7-2), who has been 1-2-3 in her last seven starts and will be driven by Aaron Hall. Stable mate Emma Rozze (4-1) retains driver Heath Campbell who steered her to a decisive 6-1/2 length score last week at Fryeburg.
The diagonally gaited filly set features another Grondin pupil in Pembroke Breeze. The 3-year-old daughter of Pembroke Slugger is listed as the 4-5 favorite in the $95,708 Maine Sire Stakes final. Driver Heath Campbell has guided her to seven wins in nine seasonal outings for owner-breeder Bill Varney.
Team Athearn’s My Saving Grace (3-1) will also look to grab the lion’s share of the lofty prize, as the daughter of Shake It Off Lindy put down a string of three straight wins over August and September.
The state-bred action begins thirty minutes before the regular 2:00 pm post time with an early non-betting event, which is the $95,583 Maine Sire Stakes Final for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings. Four males go postward, with the current point leader Chipper Dale (Drew Campbell) leading the charge. With nine wins in 12 seasonal starts for trainer Valerie Grondin, the son of Shake It Off Lindy is the proud homebred property of Lynn-Marie Plouffe.
The Maine Sire Stakes Finals represent a culmination of years of hard work and dedication of behalf of dozens of industry stakeholders, including, but not limited to the owners, breeders, trainers, drivers and caretakers of these equine athletes.
Not only do these horses represent a significant individual and collective investment in harness racing and agriculture in the state of Maine, but the peripheral revenue generated by the truck and trailer sales and maintenance, fuel suppliers, feed companies, hay producers, tack shops, blacksmiths, farm owners, and racetracks that give them a place to compete, generously exceeds seven figures annually.
For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow their Facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com
