September 18, 2025, by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)

FARMINGTON, ME – Five $17,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2- and 3-year old trotters were contested on Wednesday (Sept. 17), with many of the usual suspects reminding fans that they are at, or near, the top of their class.

In the $17,476 Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings, which was the only division that was held on the wagering card, it was Liberty’s Wildcard that showed why he is the one to watch in next month’s rich Maine Sires Stakes final.

Sitting patiently in the pocket until the half, driver Kevin Switzer Jr. let the son of Noble Venture roll first over and cruise home the rest of the way in 2:04.1.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, it was Liberty’s Wildcard ninth win in ten seasonal starts and brought him to $109,231 in lifetime earnings.  He paid $3.20 to win and was bred by Jerry Stratton Jr.

Whatawonder (Ken Watson) finished second; Just Foolin (Heath Campbell) was third.

In the $16,973 sophomore filly trot Barbella maintained her relative dominance taking her fifth straight score for driver Bruce Ranger and trainer Ken Anderson.  The daughter of Whataworkout won by 1-3/4 lengths in 2:05.1. 

Owned by Robert Zakian, she was bred by the late Mike Andrew.  Little Shot (Ivan Davies) finished second; Race Me Bombshell (William Childs) was third in the non-wagering event.

Four additional divisions of Pine Tree State-bred trotters were held before the regular card at Farmington, with the winners as follows:

$16,754 Two-year-old filly Trot, Pembroke Lady, 2:04.4, Heath Campbell, Valerie Grondin;

$16,754 Two-year-old filly Trot, Our Last Quote, 2:10.1, Steve Wilson, Charlene Cushing;

$16,891 Two-year-old colt and gelding Trot, Wilder N Idy, Mark Athearn, Gretchen Athearn;

$16,974 Three-year-old filly Trot, Twisted Fate, Mike Cushing trained and drove.

The Maine Sire Stakes concludes with the 2-year-old filly pacers on ‘Jug Day’ Thursday (Sept. 18), and then transitions over to the Cumberland Fair next week.

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  https://www.mainesirestakes.com

September 17, 2025, by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)

FARMINGTON, ME – Massive Speed, the Maine-bred unbeaten sophomore pacer, added another notch to his belt at the Farmington Fair on Tuesday (Sept. 16) in one of the two $17,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes. 

In the first $17,212 non-wagering division of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings driver Aaron Hall put his star sidestepper right out on the front end where they set comfortable fractions of :30.1, :59.4 to the opening half.

Following a miscue at the start Mike Stevenson continued to rally on the outside with Gordon Corey’s I’m Not Maverick as Cheatin Fate (Andy Harrington) sat in the pocket while the field approached the 1:29.3 third panel.

With no real challengers in sight, and a few taps on the saddle pad to keep his attention, Aaron Hall rolled Massive Speed down the lane with authority to score by four lengths in 1:58.

Trained by Marc Tardif and owned by Leighton Property, it was Massive Speed’s tenth consecutive victory and 20th lifetime win.  His seasonal total now reads $70,845, with his lifetime earnings now at $205,375.  He was bred in Maine by Laurie Harding.

Cheatin Fate finished second; This Dudes Perfect (Heath Campbell) was third.

In the second $17,212 division Andy Harrington went from gate to wire with Dawn Two Dark, holding off a late-closing Gracies Tough Guy (5-1, Dave Ingraham) to prevail by a half-length in 1:58.1.

Trainer Marc Tardif swept both divisions of the sophomore pacers, and also owns Dawn Two Dark who was bred in Maine by Gary and Kristina Hall.  Winning for the fourth time this season, he paid $4.40 and upped his seasonal total to $45,978.

Ridgecrest Dan (2-1 John Nason) finished third.

The Maine Sire Stakes continues at the Farmington Fair with all the 2- and 3-year-old trotters on Wednesday (Sept. 17) and concludes with the 2-year-old filly pacers on ‘Jug Day’ Thursday (Sept. 18).

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  https://www.mainesirestakes.com

September 16, 2025, by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)

FARMINGTON, ME – It’s still six weeks until Halloween, but when the 184^th Farmington Fair opened on Monday (Sept. 15) fans were treated to a Real Horrorshow…Maine’s freshmen pacing sensation won his eighth consecutive stakes race.

In the first $17,124 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings driver Kevin Switzer Jr. sent his dad’s son of Dude’s The Man right to the top from post six.  From that point it was all over but the shouting as the young phenom made every call a winning one, setting early fractions of :30.4 and 1:01.3 to the half.

Perhaps Real Horrowshow was allowing his prey to stalk him in the early going, because once Switzer asked for a little more, he got a lot more.  Hitting the third panel in 1:31.3 and leaving the field in his dusty wake by ten open lengths, the divisional star cruised home an easy winner in 2:01.4.

Trained by Kevin Switzer Sr., and owned by KDK Standardbreds, Kathleen Mofield and Anthony Sivik Jr., Real Horrowshow has never seen the back of a helmet.  Prevailing by a nine lengths, and increasing his bankroll to $57,044, he was bred in Maine by Luke and Patricia Varnum. 

Silence Of Darkness (Mike Stevenson) finished second; Deuces Red (Heath Campbell) was third in the non-wagering event.

In the second $16,948 division of the Maine Sire Stakes, which was held on the betting program at Farmington, it was the favorite Daytoremember who finally got a day to shine having drawn into a different division than that of his undefeated peer.

Wowzah Clousah (7-1, Mike Cushing) led the field away from the wings and through the first turn from post two, however driver Heath Campbell had no intention of getting a pocket trip and sent the son of Dude’s The Man out to take command by the time the field hit the :29.1 opening station.

Campbell relaxed his charge on the point and rolled comfortably into a softer 1:00.2 mid-way marker, with the rest of the field following along in straight alignment.  Just past the half driver Andy Harrington sent Rebel’s Revenge first over to challenge the pocket-sitting Wowzah Clousah as the pack rolled down the backstretch for the final time.

The pacesetter increased his tempo and hit the third stanza in 1:30.1, while the rest of the aggressors tried valiantly to maintain the pace.  However, it was all Daytoremember who drew off by 3-1/2 lengths to score in a lifetime best 2:00.

Owned, trained and bred by Valerie Grondin, the son of Dude’s The Man grabbed his second victory of the season, which compliments his ultra-consistent six second place finishes.  He paid $3.40 for the win and increased his bankroll to $37,086.

Wowzah Clousah finished second; Rebel’s Revenge was third.

The Maine Sire Stakes continues at the Farmington Fair with the 3-year-old colt pacers on Tuesday (Sept. 16) and then all the 2- and 3-year-old trotters on Wednesday (Sept. 17).

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  https://www.mainesirestakes.com

September 11, 2025, by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Hollianne Niles photos)

BANGOR, ME – A pair of $17,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year old pacing fillies closed out the week of harness action at Bangor Raceway Sunday (Sept. 7), with the two top distaffs in the division reigning supreme.

In the first $17,201 division Ron Cushing sent his own Lysiun (5-2) out to an early lead, with Whisper Of Luck (9-2, Kevin Switzer Jr.) dropping into the pocket as the field dashed to a :29.1 opening panel.

With no movement into the outer flow past the :59.4 midway point, the 2/5 favorite Chasing Dudes (Nick Graffam) tipped to the outside past the five-eighths marker from third and challenged for the lead.  Then, the pacesetting Lysiun was rough gaited heading into the 1:29.3 third station and ultimately went off stride.

As Chasing Dudes became the new leader around the final turn, Whisper Of Luck gave chase on the outside as the pair matched strides heading into the home stretch and down the lane.

Prevailing by a measured length, Chasing Dudes hit the wire first in 1:58.4, a new lifetime best.

Trained by Mike Graffam who co-owns with breeder Bob Marston, the daughter of Dude’s The Man picked up her fifth win of the season (third in a row) and ninth overall.  She has now earned $50,331 on the season returning $2.80, and maintained her place in second on the divisional leaderboard.

Lysiun hung on for third.

In the second $17,201 Maine Sire Stakes for sophomore distaffs it was divisional leader Leanne Marie (2/5, Mike Cushing) that parlayed a perfect two-hole trip into a neck victory over Glorilla (3-1, Aaron Hall) in 1:59.3.

Trained by Charlene Cushing who also bred with co-owners with Pamela Smith and Jane DiPompo, the daughter of Artistic Fella grabbed her sixth win of the season and second in a row.

Leanne Marie paid $2.80 while taking a new time badge and now has $56,788 earned this season, while going over $100,000 in lifetime earnings.

Dudes Pretty Chick (4-1, Heath Campbell) finished third.

The Maine Sire Stakes transitions to Farmington for a week of agricultural fair racing, starting with the 2-year-old colt pacers on Monday (Sept. 15), followed by the 3-year-old colt pacers on Tuesday (Sept. 16) and then all the 2- and 3-year-old trotters on Wednesday (Sept. 17).

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  https://www.mainesirestakes.com

September 8, 2025, by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Hollianne Niles photos)

BANGOR, ME – Four $17,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2- and 3-year old trotters arrived at historic Bass Park at Bangor Raceway Sunday (Sept. 7), with most showing continued success by divisional leaders, and another with a mild upset.

In the $16,891 Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings, which was the only division that was held before the wagering card, the Queen City faithful witnessed the formerly unbeaten freshman, Wilder N Idy, return to his winning ways.

Having made an uncharacteristic miscue last week that snapped his five race winning streak, driver Mark Athearn kept the son of To The Hilt on point and rolled through the circuits with the greatest of ease.  Gliding home in 2:07.2, it was his sixth lifetime victory, winning by 4-1/2 lengths.  Trained by Gretchen Athearn for owner Pat Leavitt, he was bred by the late Mike Andrew.

Gus’s Workout (Heath Campbell) finished second; High Fashion Hank (Nick Graffam) was third.

In the $17,476 split for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings it was another divisional rivalry between Liberty’s Wildcard and last year’s freshmen champ Whatawonder.

Driver Ken Watson sent Whatawonder out to an early lead from his pylon-protecting position, and sat chilly with Liberty’s Wildcard (Kevin Switzer Jr.) right on his helmet.  Through the wet surface they splashed with Swizter tipping the 1/5 favorite out at the half to challenge the pacesetter.  Liberty’s Wildcard was in front but still parked by the third panel, with the pair matching strides around the turn and down the lane.

With a final surge of trot the favored son of Noble Venture prevailed by a measured length in 2:05.3.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, it was Liberty’s Wildcard eighth win in nine seasonal starts and brought him over $100,000 in lifetime earnings.  He paid $2.40 to win and was bred by Jerry Stratton Jr.

Just Foolin (Heath Campbell) finished third.

In the $17,974 sophomore filly trot Barbella is still the belle of the ball as has grabbed her fourth straight score for driver Bruce Ranger and trainer Ken Anderson.  The daughter of Whataworkout won by 4-3/4 lengths in 2:04.4. 

Owned by Robert Zakian, she was bred by the late Mike Andrew and returned $2.80 to her backers. Race Me Bombshell (Drew Campbell) finished second; Twisted Fate (Mike Cushing) was third.

Frosh fillies were packed into a single $17,508 Maine Sire Stakes division with eight on the gate.

When the wings folded Gary Hall left alertly with Heyden and was on top by six at the half in 1:01.3 off an opening panel in :30 seconds flat.  Perhaps the speed relative to the off-going was too much for her as she went off stride while in the final turn and already collared by 1/5 favorite Pembroke Lady (Heath Campbell).  However, just when the public’s choice appeared to be home free, Our Last Quote (Steve Wilson) made a last-ditch effort to reel in Pembroke Lady.

The daughter of Cantab Fashion prevailed by three parts of a length, showing that last week’s maiden-breaking upset was no fluke.

Trained by Charlene Cushing for owners/breeders R. DiPompo Jr. and Michael Graham, it was Our Last Quote’s second win in six seasonal starts.  She paid $12.40 to win.

Coronation Moon (Ivan Davies) was third.

The Maine Sire Stakes concludes at Bangor with the 3-year-old pacing fillies on Wednesday (Sept. 10).  The series then transitions back to Farmington for a week of agricultural fair racing, starting with the 2-year-old colt pacers on Monday (Sept. 15).

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  https://www.mainesirestakes.com

September 7, 2025, by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Hollianne Niles photos)

BANGOR, ME – Snowonthepines didn’t let any grass grow under her feet on Saturday (Sept. 6) at Bangor Raceway as the distaff with the unblemished record put on a speed show in her $17,000-plus division of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing fillies.

Catch driver Bruce Ranger sent the daughter of Dude’s The Man out to a comfortable early lead, setting opening fractions of :28.2 and 58.4 with Dudelookslikeafily (Aaron Hall) trying to keep up in the pocket.  Just Delightful (Ron Cushing) was parked from the early going, and was determined to improve their position by land, or by sea.

By the time Snowonthepines had hit the 1:28.2 third panel the swift sidestepper had put four lengths between herself and the rest of the field.  With the pocket-sitting Dudelookslikeafily fading, Just Delightful was able to overcome that good Queen City air and advance down the lane.

However, there was no catching Snowonthepines who captured her seventh consecutive victory by 5-1/2 lengths in a lifetime best 1:58.3.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner/breeder Leighton Property, the $17,124 race was held before the regular wagering card.

Just Delightful finished a game second; Artistic Girl (Andy Harrington) got up for third.

The second $17,223 division for frosh pacing fillies was conducted on the regular card at historic Bass Park with Perfectly Lovely enjoying a wire-to-wire winning effort.

Driver Aaron Hall sent the daughter of Western Maverick out to an early lead from post three, hitting the quarter in :29.4.  She’s A Firefly (Nick Graffam) stuck close to Hall’s helmet as the single file field passed the half in 1:00.4.

Graceofspades (Dave Ingraham) was the first to enter the outer flow, with McKenna Jeanne (Heath Campbell) catching a second over trip into a 1:31.2 third panel.

Perfectly Lovely gained some separation at the head of the stretch and was untested through the lane to score handily by three lengths in 2:01.3, a new lifetime best.

Trained by Jimmy Nickerson for Joseph Trice, she paid $2.40 to win.  Perfectly Lovely was bred in Maine by Lynne-Marie Plouffe.

She’s A Firefly finished second; Graceofspaces was third.

The Maine Sire Stakes continues at Bangor with all the 2- and 3-year-old trotters on Sunday (Sept. 7) and then the 3-year-old pacing fillies return on Wednesday (Sept. 10).

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  https://www.mainesirestakes.com

September 4, 2025, by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Hollianne Niles photos)

BANGOR, ME – Undefeated sophomore pacing phenom Massive Speed added another notch to his belt on Wednesday (Sept. 3) at Bangor Raceway, showing his heels to the field in his $17,000-plus division of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings.

Presented before the regular card the $17,212 purse brought the son of Dude’s The Man back to the Queen City oval where his regular pilot Aaron Hall sent him to the front and never looked back.

Setting fractions of :28.3 and 58.3 to the opening panels, stable mate Dawn To Dark (Andy Harrington) stuck close to his helmet with Gracies Tough Guy (Dave Ingraham) the first horse to enter the outer flow.

As the field passed the third station in 1:28 Dave Ingraham had Gracies Tough Guy in lock step with the precocious pacesetter, however, the divisional dynamo had other ideas and stepped into another gear and pulled away from his stalkers.

Tripping the timer in 1:57, the effort shaved a tick off the gelding’s lifetime best, earning him a new time badge as he prevailed by 2-1/2 lengths.

Trained by Marc Tardif and owned by Leighton Property, it was Massive Speed’s ninth consecutive victory and 19th lifetime win.  His seasonal total now reads $62,239, with his lifetime earnings now at $196,769.  He was bred in Maine by Laurie Harding.

Dawn To Dark finished second; Gracies Tough Guy was third.

In the second $17,212 division John Nason sent Ridgecrest Dan out for an early lead from his pylon starting position, but was initially thwarted by Heath Campbell and This Dude’s Perfect who were the swiftest off the car. 

Once in command past the :29.3 opening panel Ridgecrest Dan enjoyed a two length advantage at the 1:01 midway point.  Cheatin Fate (Andy Harrington) applied pressure first over and was at the pacesetter’s throat latch as the field rolled past the third stanza in 1:30 flat.

Down the stretch This Dude’s Perfect found a swifter speed and passed the pacesetter to prevail in 1:59.2, a maiden-breaking effort.

Trained by Valerie Grondin for owner/breeder Lynn-Marie Plouffe who co-owns with Brenda Varney, the son of Dude’s The Man finally found the winner’s circle after 14 lifetime outings.

Ridgecrest Dan finished second; Cheatin Fate was third.

The Maine Sire Stakes continues at Bangor with the freshmen pacing fillies on Saturday (Sept. 6) and all the 2- and 3-year-old trotters on Sunday (Sept. 7).

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  https://www.mainesirestakes.com

September 2, 2025, by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)

WINDSOR, ME – Maine’s 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings made their second spin around the historic Windsor Fair oval on Labor Day Monday (Sept. 1) with the results exactly the same as the week before.

With the pair of $17,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for freshmen male sidesteppers closing out the extended stretch of harness racing at Windsor, all eyes were upon the unbeaten phenom Real Horrorshow in the first non-wagering event.

Vying for bragging rights and $17,123 in purse money, six boys lined up behind the Wes Brown starting gate en route to another successful performance by the Kevin Switzer Jr.-driven and Kevin Switzer Sr.-trained son of Dude’s The Man.  When the wings folded the swift youngster sped out to the top from post five, just like he has done seven times before, and reached the quarter in :29.3.

Daytoremember (Heath Campbell) sat in a close pocket with Nuh Uh (Aaron Hall) tracking along in third as the field hit the half in 1:00.3.

As the pacesetter, who has never seen the back of a helmet, and his tracker put some separation on the rest of the field, Real Horrorshow had Daytoremember looking over his shoulder as they reached the third panel in 1:30.2.  On the outside while rounding the turn Heath Campbell and his charge were as close to the undefeated Real Horrowshow as any other horse has ever been, chasing him down to the wire in 1:58.4.

Owned by KDK Standardbreds, Kathleen Mofield and Anthony Sivik Jr., it was a new lifetime mark for the seven-time winner.  Prevailing by a measured half of a length, and increasing his bankroll to $48,842, he was bred in Maine by Luke and Patricia Varnum. 

Nuh Uh finished third.

In the second $17,124 division Wowzah Clousah was sent to the top from his pylon-hugging starting position by regular driver Mike Cushing, spurning a potential overtake by the fast-leaving Dude’s The Jet and Switzer Jr.

Cushing took the field past the opening panel in :29.2 with Ghost Of Winter (Andy Harrington) first over and providing cover for Itsjustmoney (Aaron Hall) into a 1:00.4 midway point.

Down the backstretch the second time Ghost Of Winter had reached the pacesetter’s throat latch and was applying significant pressure before going off stride and relinquishing any further advancement. 

Past the 1:30.1 third stanza and into the turn, with Itsjustmoney floating on the outside, Switzer Jr. pushed Dude’s The Jet out through a negligible seam to daylight and rolled past Wowzah Clousah to capture the victory in 2:00.4 by three parts of a length.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owners Leighton Property and Victoria Leighton, it was the colt’s second straight victory.  He was bred in Maine by Fred Decker.

Deuces Red (Dave Ingraham) rallied to be third.

The Maine Sire Stakes reconvenes with the sophomore pacing colts and geldings as the series transitions to Bangor on Wednesday (Sept. 3), followed by the freshmen pacing fillies on Saturday (Sept. 6) and all the 2- and 3-year-old trotters on Sunday (Sept. 7).

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  https://www.mainesirestakes.com

September 1, 2025, by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)

WINDSOR, ME – For the second time this season Windsor Fair hosted two $17,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies.  The encore performances on Sunday (Aug. 31) pitted several of the division’s leading competitors against one another, with each trying to make their own case for class supremacy. 

During the first $17,202 division for sophomore pacing distaffs the Maine faithful witnessed their 4/5 favorite Lysiun scoot out to an early lead, towing the pack through a :29.3 opening panel.  The daughter of Dude’s The Man, making her second start back after a month-long hiatus, had put three lengths between her and the pocket-sitting Chasing Dudes and Nick Graffam.

By the :59.3 midway marker Lysiun appeared to be well in command, with the pocket sitter filling in the gap through the third-quarter in 1:29.4.  Graffam tipped Chasing Dudes (3/2) to the outside around the final turn to engage the pacesetter who made an unsettling break while rounding the seven-eighths marker.

Chasing Dudes went on to win in 2:00.2 by 2-1/2 lengths having avoided the fracas around the final turn.  Trained and co-owned by Mike Graffam, who shares ownership with breeder Bob Marston, it was the filly’s second straight victory and fourth of the season.  Her lifetime earnings have now eclipsed $154,000, and she paid $5.00 to win.

Dudes Pretty Chick (4-1, Heath Campbell) finished second; Lysiun held on for third.

In the second $17,201 division the leading point earning filly in the division, Leanne Marie (9/5), was given her head and she responded by pacing right to the top for driver Mike Cushing.  Post time favorite Glorilla (4/5, Aaron Hall) ducked in the two hole with Whisper Of Luck (5-1, Andy Harrington) sitting third past the :30 second opening panel.

There was no movement through the 1:01.1 half-mile point, with Leanne Marie enjoying a comfortable 1-1/2 length advantage.  While heading to the 1:31 third panel Aaron Hall tipped Glorilla, who is came into the race on a three-race win streak, but then jumped off stride while engaging the leader around the final turn.

With Glorilla out of the picture the pocket-inheriting Whisper Of Luck made a hard charge on the outside, and Ruff Dude’s Jena (28-1, Dave Ingraham) snuck up the inside to make it a three-horse photo finish at the wire.

Leanne Marie did prevail by a tight half of a length in 2:01.  Trained by Charlene ‘Sherry’ Cushing who co-owns and bred with Pamela Smith and Jane DiPompo, the daughter of Artistic Fella picked up her fifth win of the season and pushed her sophomore bankroll to $48,188.  She paid $5.60 to win.

Whisper Of Luck finished second; Ruff Dude’s Jena was third.

The Maine Sire Stakes concludes at the Windsor Fair with the 2-year-old colt pacers on Monday (Sept. 1), the final day of Labor Day weekend.  Sophomore pacing colts and gelding head back to Bangor on Wednesday (Sept. 3).

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  https://www.mainesirestakes.com

August 31, 2025, by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)

WINDSOR, ME – A couple of $17,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year old pacing fillies were part of the Windsor Fair festivities on Saturday (Aug. 30) with the unbeaten lass Snowonthepines retaining her unblemished record.

In the first $17,123 Maine Sire Stakes for freshmen filly sidesteppers, driver Kevin Switzer Jr. sent the daughter of Dude’s The Man right out to the front, and never looked back.  Scoring from post four the top divisional star got every Mike Sweeney call as she breezed through early fractions of :29.3 and 1:01.1 with no pressure from the other participants.

Ekorus (Nick Graffam) sat tight on the pacesetter’s helmet through the first half, but failed to retain his position which forced Perfectly Lovely (Aaron Hall) to move first over into a 1:32.1 third panel.  Turning for home Snowonthepines had a comfortable three length lead over the rest of the field, who were all trying to play catch up.

While Ekorus and Perfectly Lovely battled valiantly behind them, Switzer Jr. and Snowonthepines paced effortlessly across the wire in 2:02.1, still on top by a confident 2-1/4 lengths, to take her sixth straight victory.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner/breeder Leighton Property, she paid $3.40 to win.

Ekorus finished second; Perfectly Lovely was third.

In the second $17,299 division for 2-year-old pacing fillies trainer Tardif and driver Switzer Jr. attempted a sweep of series by sending Dudelookslikeafily out to an early lead and took the field through the first split in :30.2.

McKenna Jeanne (Heath Campbell) was tracking along nicely in second with Just Delightful (Ron Cushing) sitting third. As the field passed the half in 1:01.3 McKenna Jeanne got a little headstrong and jumped off stride allowing first-time starter Just Delightful to inherit the pocket.

Heading into the 1:32 third panel Dudelookslikeafily saw her lead evaporate as Just Delightful challenged on the outside and ultimately overtook the pacesetter.

Blasting home, the daughter of Western Maverick won her first lifetime start in 2:03.1 by three lengths.

Trained by Heidi Cushing for owners R. Cushing, S. Downey and A.J. & J.J. Romanelli, she paid $5.40 to win.  Just Delightful was bred in Maine by Lynne-Marie Plouffe.

Dudelookslikeafily hung on for second; Artistic Girl (Andy Harrington) was third.

The Maine Sire Stakes continues at the Windsor Fair with the 3-year-old filly pacers on Sunday (Aug. 31) and then the 2-year-old colt pacers to close out the long weekend on Monday (Sept. 1).

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  https://www.mainesirestakes.com