July 3, 2025 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Hollianne Niles photos)

BANGOR, ME – A dozen 3-year-old pacing fillies came right back to Bangor Raceway on Wednesday (July 2) for the third week of the Maine Sire Stakes for more action-filled harness racing under sunny skies.

In the first $11,927 division Ron Cushing’s Lysiun went from pillar to post as a one-to-nine shot should.  Scoring from post three, the hot and handy daughter of Dude’s The Man wasted little time gaining command of the field and set comfortable fractions of :29.2 and 1:00 to the half while enjoying a two-length margin.

McGwire Sowers pulled Wishin For Kisses (20-1) from sixth to start the outer flow while heading to the half.  Just around the 5/8’s turn they got jammed up by a breaker and were forced three-wide into a 1:29.3 third panel while gaining ground in fourth down the backside. 

Through all of this, Audry (45-1, Steve Wilson) had maintained pocket position while Thinkin Bout Life (19-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) was thinking about their challengers while gapped in third.

Down the lane Lysiun added distance between her and the rest of the field, scoring in hand by five lengths in 1:59.1.

According to AI, ‘Lysiun’ appears to be a mindset focused on relentless effort and achieving goals.  It is associated with a “never give up” attitude and a commitment to personal growth and improvement.  Clearly the filly by the same name is living up to her moniker.

Owned and driven by Ron Cushing and trained by Heidi Cushing, it was the third stakes win in a row (fourth on the season) for the heavy favorite.  Lysiun has accrued $22,776 in just four seasonal starts.  She paid $2.20 to win and was bred in Maine by Lynne-Marie Plouffe. 

Audry finished second; Thinkin Bout Life was third.

In the second $11,926 division for sophomore distaffs, Chasing Dudes (3-1, Nick Graffam) blasted out for an early lead, followed in the pocket by Whisper Of Luck (5/2, Sowers).

They were all chasing the pacesetter Chasing Dudes past a snappy :28.4 opening panel with Glorilla (Ron Cushing) starting a pre-emptive strike in the outer flow down the backside.  Her presence forced a headstrong Dude’s Pretty Chick (16-1, Heath Campbell) to check her momentum while following along the pegs in third.

Wagering favorite Leanne Marie (8/5, Mike Cushing) picked up his brother’s cover second over as the field moved past the 1:00 half while in tight quarters. 

As the field paced down the backstretch for the second time, the first over Glorilla became rough gaited and was losing ground.  This forced Leanne Marie three-deep while approaching the 1:30 third stanza.

With Chasing Dudes feeling the pressure from Leanne Marie, things got a little sketchy for the favorite down the stretch as the pocket-sitting Whisper Of Luck bore out in the stretch while locked on the left line.

With all the mayhem left in her wake Chasing Dudes prevailed by 1-1/4 lengths in 2:00.2, a new lifetime best.

Driven by Nick Graffam for trainer and co-owner Mike Graffam (with partner-breeder Bob Marston), it was the first win of the year for the daughter of Dude’s The Man.  She paid $8.20 to win.

Leanne Marie got up for second; Dudes Pretty Chick was third.

Looking ahead, Friday’s (July 4) program at Cumberland Raceway has two $10,500 Maine Sire Stakes divisions for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings, carded as races one and three with a special early post time 2:15 pm. 

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

June 30, 2025 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Hollianne Niles photos)

BANGOR, ME – The Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings was postponed a day due to heavy rain, but that didn’t slow down the Tardif Taskforce from sweeping both $12,000-plus divisions on Sunday (June 29) at Bangor Raceway.

Originally slated for Cumberland on Saturday (June 28) the Pine Tree State-bred glamour boys were still primed and ready to roll a day later at historic Bass Park, with the two divisions being held before the regular noon-time pari-mutuel program.

In the first $12,162 division Massive Speed, last season’s 2-year-old pacing star, continued his winning ways for trainer Marc Tardif and catch driver Bruce Ranger.

When the wings folded Ranger, sitting in for regular driver Walter Case Jr., let the talented son of Dude’s The Man roll right to the top, where he proceeded to make every call a winning one.

Passing the first panel in :29.2 he was on top by two, where he continued through the 1:00.1 half.  By the third station Race Me Celtic (Drew Campbell) had launched a first over challenge, reaching that marker in 1:29.3.

That test turned out to be short-lived as Massive Speed switched into high gear and pulled away from his would-be spoilers to win drawing off by 3-1/2 lengths in 1:58, and equaling his lifetime best.

Owned by Leighton Property, and bred by Laurie Harding it was the gelding’s second consecutive victory.

Race Me Celtic finished second; stable mate Cheatin Fate (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.

In the second $12,387 division for Maine’s 3-year-old male pacers, the would-be favorite Ridgecrest Dan (John Nason) got some of that good ‘Queen City’ air while Kevin Switzer Jr. sent Dawn Two Dark to the front and never looked back.

Scoring from post two Dawn Two Dark grabbed the lead quickly with Keenan Star (Heath Campbell) protecting his pylon position in the pocket.  This left the 8-5 morning line favorite Ridgecrest Dan hung out to dry and looking to take the overland route to victory.

Since these races were off the card there was no wagering, however, being listed as the second pick on the morning line didn’t stop Dawn Two Dark from racing like he was the public’s choice.  With Switzer Jr. controlling the tempo, and passing the panels in :29, :58.2 and 1:28, not much changed other than the stamina of Ridgecrest Dan who stayed game through the stretch.

Down the lane This Dude’s Perfect (Drew Campbell) surged from fourth to track down the leaders, but fell short by 1-1/2 lengths to Dawn Two Dark who prevailed in a new lifetime best 1:58.

Owned and trained by Marc Tardif the son of Deuce Seelster was bred by Gary Hall and Kristina Hall.

Keenan Star finished third; Ridgecrest Dan hung on to be fourth.

Looking ahead, Wednesday’s (July 2) Bangor program hosts the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies. 

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

June 26, 2025 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Hollianne Niles photos)

BANGOR, ME – The second week of the Maine Sire Stakes witnessed Mike and Ron Cushing each capture an 11,900-plus division on Wednesday (June 25) at Bangor Raceway with their own 3-year-old pacing fillies.

In the first $11,927 division for sophomore distaffs, Chasing Dudes (5-1, Nick Graffam) blasted out for an early lead, followed in the pocket by the favorite Leanne Marie (3/5, Mike Cushing), with Thinkin Bout Life (43-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) forced to forge ahead to the front from the outside.

The field of fillies reached the quarter in :30.4 prompting Leanne Marie to pull from third position and take the lead just before the group were sent around the paddock turn.  Off the bend brother Ron Cushing pulled Glorilla (8/5) first over and made chase through the 1:02.1 half.

Glorilla was rough-gaited through the third turn which prompted Wishin For Kisses (16-1, McGwire Sowers) to tip three wide from his second over position.  However, Leanne Marie was still firmly in command through the 1:31.4 third panel and had opened a ten length lead over the rest of the pack.

Down the lane, it was a race for second as Mike Cushing hand-drove the daughter of Artistic Fella under the wire in 2:01.4 to score by four lengths.

Trained and co-owned by Charlene ‘Sherry’ Cushing with partners Pamela Smith and Jane Dipompo, the triumvirate also bred the filly.  She paid $3.20 to win the third race of her career for the Cushings, which pushed her lifetime bankroll to $57,484.

Thinkin Bout Life finished second; Chasing Dudes was a close third.

The second $11,926 division of the Maine Sires Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies went to the elder Cushing brother, Ron, who steered his heavy 1/9 favorite Lysiun to an easy victory.

Scoring from post four, Ron Cushing was parked to the opening quarter in :29.1 by a flurry of activity on the inside.  Once the dust settled Whisper Of Luck (9/2, Sowers) had taken point briefly, but was soon overtaken by Lysiun before the three-eighths marker.

Heading to the 1:00 half, the outer flow began but was soon thwarted by the increased tempo and a short-lived brush down the backside and into the 1:29.4 third stanza.

Down the lane it was all Lysiun who drew away from the field and won by four lengths in 1:59.2.

Also owned by Ron Cushing, the daughter of Dude’s The Man is trained by Heidi Cushing and was bred by Lynne-Marie Plouffe.  She paid $2.20 and is now a perfect three-for-three on the season.

Whisper Of Luck finished second; Ruff Dude’s Jena (99-1, Dave Ingraham) was third.

Looking ahead, Saturday’s (June 28) program at Cumberland Raceway has two $12,000-plus Maine Sire Stakes divisions for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings, carded as races two and four with a first post of 3:15 pm. 

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

June 23, 2025 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Hollianne Niles photos)

BANGOR, ME – Week two of the Maine Sire Stakes saw the return of three $11,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotters at Bangor Raceway on Sunday (June 23), with a new face joining a pair of last week’s victors that enjoyed repeat performances.

In the first $11,477 division of 3-year-old trotting fillies, Bill Childs rushed his own Race Me Bombshell (6-1) out to an early lead with 1-2 favorite Little Shot (Ivan Davies) giving chase and ultimately taking command just past the :32 opening quarter.

Some six lengths back at the 1:03.2 half, Walter Case Jr. urged Barbella (9-5) to the outside as they took their shot at the leaders.  The headstrong filly passed both Race Me Bombshell and Little Shot as they approached the 1:34.2 third panel, and was poised to advance further around the final turn.

However, with Little Shot forced into the pocket, Davies opted to be back out and rolling and the three fillies fanned out a across the track for the final stretch drive.   Barbella, a daughter of Whataworkout, prevailed by a measured length in 2:05.1, which was a new lifetime mark.

Trained by Ken Anderson for owner Robert Zakian, it was Barbella’s second lifetime victory, and first of the season.  Bred by the late New England Hall of Famer Mike Andrew, she paid $5.60 to win.

Little Shot finished second; Race Me Bombshell was third.

Despite an early miscue, and an interference break approaching the half, Pandemic Princess (1-1, Heath Campbell) took the $11,701 second division of the Maine Sires Stakes for 3-year-old trotting fillies.

Lady Lake Marty (4/5, Ken Watson) blasted out for an early lead and pulled the field through a :31 opener, only to jump off stride around the three-eighths pole and scatter her followers.  Belabelle (38-1, Eric Bickmore) inherited the lead through the 1:03.2 half, and continued on point past a swifter 1:33.3 third panel.   

Around the final bend Pandemic Princess tipped to the outside and a dash for the wire ensued.  Belabelle hung on gamely but Pandemic Princess had the momentum and grabbed the win by half a length in 2:04.1, a new lifetime best.

Trained by Valerie Grondin for owner-breeder Lynne-Marie Plouffe, the daughter of Whataworkout picked up her second consecutive victory, and fifth of her career.  Her lifetime earnings are now $42,644 and she paid $4.20 for the win.

Twisted Fate (6-1, Mike Cushing) finished third.

For the second week in a row, it was another easy tour of historic Bass Park for Liberty’s Wildcard, who lowered his mark in the effort.

In the lone $11,752 Maine Sire Stakes division for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters, Walter Case Jr. drove the son of Noble Venture to an unabated four length score in 2:04.2. 

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, Liberty’s Wildcard now has $57,296 in lifetime earnings.  He paid $2.20, and was bred by Jerry Stratton Jr.

Katahdin Victor (5-1, Wally Watson) went on an extended break while crossing the finish line second, however, was placed back to fourth by the judges.  Just Foolin (9-1, Heath Campbell) finished third and was placed second; Enchanted Prince (11-1, Kim Ireland) was fourth, placed third.

Looking ahead, Wednesday’s (June 25) Bangor program has two $11,900-plus Maine Sire Stakes divisions for 3-year-old pacing fillies, slated as races three and six on the regular card with a first post of 3:00 pm. 

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

June 19, 2025 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Hollianne Niles photos)

BANGOR, ME – Last year’s freshman pacing phenom Massive Speed, who won every Maine event that he ever entered, started his sophomore season in similar fashion as Bangor hosted two $12,387 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old male pacers on Wednesday (June 18).

Part of the powerful Tardif Taskforce, Massive Speed assembled an impressive ten-for-ten record in the Pine Tree State during 2024, and with a few solid efforts in the Mass. Stakes as well, the son of Dude’s The Man amassed $134,530 in purse earnings at two.

Fast forward to the present, and it looks like the Marc Tardif-trained, Leighton Property-owned gelding will be, once again, the one to watch in this season’s glamour boys division.

Racing off of a single qualifier in late May, regular pilot Walter Case Jr. moved the heavy 1/5 favorite Massive Speed to the pegs from post two, and observed patiently as a scramble for the lead unfolded between stable mate Dawn Two Dark (9-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) and This Dude’s Perfect (32-1, Drew Campbell).

Just past the :29.1 opening panel Massive Speed took command following a swift early bid.  Heading into the :59.4 half mile marker Bill Childs pulled Race Me Celtic first over but failed to advance into the 1:29.2 third panel.

Around the final turn Dawn Two Dark tipped to the outside to challenge the accomplished pacesetter as the battlers stepped away from the rest of the field.

With an impressive surge approaching the finish Dawn Two Dark had the momentum but not the distance as the wire arrived and Massive Speed held on as a half-length winner in 1:58, which equaled his lifetime best.

Massive Speed was bred by Laurie Harding and paid $2.40 to win.  This Dudes Perfect finished third.

In the other $12,387 division John Nason steered his own Ridgecrest Dan to a pocket seat score.

When the wings folded Heath Campbell blasted out to an early lead with Dude’s Wanted Man (8-1) while the Nason-trained and driven 1/5 favorite held his ground in the two-hole and forced No Guts No Glory (30-1, Switzer Jr.) into third position.

Dude’s Wanted Man controlled the tempo into a :29.1 opening panel, with Cheatin Fate (28-1, Case Jr.) flushing the cover of Bourbonstreetblues (47-1, McGwire Sowers) while the field passed the half in 1:00.3.

Around the five-eighths marker Nason popped the deuce briefly, but was thwarted by the first over momentum of Bourbonstreetblues.  However that first-up move was short-lived as the Sowers-driven colt called it a day and jammed up the rest of the field as they approached the 1:29.3 third stanza.

With Campbell and Nason leading pack with their respective charges, Nason had the pace around the turn and the speed through the stretch to overtake the pacesetter and score by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:58.3, a new lifetime best.

Owned by Bill Phipps, the son of Dude’s The Man paid $2.40 to win his second race of the season.  He was bred by Jason Vafiades.  No Guts No Glory finished third.

Looking ahead, Sunday’s (June 22) Bangor program hosts all the divisions of Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotters. 

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

June 16, 2025 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Hollianne Niles photo)

BANGOR, ME – Three $11,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotters went postward on Sunday (June 15) at Bangor Raceway, giving the Pine Tree State faithful something new to cheer about.

In the first non-betting $11,526 division of 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters it was an easy tour of the historic Bass Park oval for Liberty’s Wildcard, who broke his maiden in the process.

Driven by Walter Case Jr. the son of Noble Venture had a basket full of eight second place finishes last season as a freshman, constantly chasing divisional champion and rival Whatawonder.  However, with that colt curiously absent from the event, Liberty’s Wildcard rolled to an easy victory in 2:04.4, winning by four lengths.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, he now has $51,421 in lifetime earnings, as well as a new record.  He was bred by Jerry B. Stratton Jr.

Just Foolin (Heath Campbell) finished second; Enchanted Prince (Kim Ireland) was third.

In the second early race, an $11,474 test for 3-year-old filly trotters, it was Lady Lake Marty who cut the fractions and held off the late charge of freshmen champion Little Shot to win by a nose.

Driven by Ken Watson for trainer Lisa Watson and owner John Muldoon, the daughter of Whataworkout set reasonable fractions of :31 and 1:00.3 to the half and was on top by 2-1/4 past the 1:32 third panel.

Down the lane Ivan Davies fed the swift Little Shot plenty of race track but was thwarted at the wire by a tenacious Lady Lake Marty to who took home the trophy in 2:03.4.  She was bred by Joel Wheeler.  Race Me Bombshell (Bill Childs) was third.

The second $11,698 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting fillies was contested on the wagering card and may have been somewhat exasperating for the local punters.

Horseplayers know that trotting fillies can be somewhat temperamental, and by that very nature, unpredictable.  This particular wagering event was no exception with slight favorite Barbella (8-5, Walter Case Jr.) and second choice Pandemic Princess (9-5, Heath Campbell) both jumping off stride at the start.

With the early miscuers and wagering favorites behind them, Demonofthevalley (15-1, McGwire Sowers) inherited the lead.  That control of the pace was short lived as Pandemic Princess regained her composure and blasted to the top to take command just before the :33 opening panel. 

Barbella had also made up some ground and was poised to re-enter the fray and was parked third at the 1:04.4 half, after spotting the field some 20 lengths.  Impressively, Barbella was just four lengths behind Pandemic Princess at the 1:36.2 third stanza, and both the Whataworkout fillies had already made the best of what earlier looked like a bad situation.

Down the stretch Heath Campbell had Pandemic Princess well under wraps, with Barbella trotting up a storm in second, back just 1-1/2 lengths at the wire in 2:07.4.

Trained by Valerie Grondin for owner-breeder Lynne-Marie Plouffe, it was the fourth lifetime victory, and first of the season, for the $36,794 lifetime earner.  She paid $5.60 to win.  Demonofthevalley finished third.

Looking ahead, Wednesday’s (June 18) Bangor program has two $12,387 Maine Sire Stakes divisions for 3-year-old male pacers, slated as races two and five on the regular card with a first post of 3:00 pm. 

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

June 15, 2025 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Owner-driver Ron Cushing and trainer Heidi Cushing combined for a clean sweep of both $11,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies on Saturday (June 14) at Cumberland Raceway.

The first division witnessed prohibitive favorite Lysiun (1-9, Ron Cushing) give a first quarter retake to Leanne Marie (3-1, Mike Cushing) into a :29.3 split.  Following that reshuffle, the sophomore daughter of Dude’s The Man made every call a winning one as she led the field through a softer 1:01 half and then a 1:30.2 third panel while increasing her advantage to a couple of lengths.

Around the final turn Leanne Marie closed the gap and turned the final charge into a horse race, getting to within a half-length of Lysiun under the shadow of the wire.  The latter held on to the lead and the victory, scoring in 2:00.3 for her second win in a row.

Trained by Heidi Cushing, and owned by her driver, she was bred in Maine by Lynne-Marie Plouffe.  She paid $2.20 to win, Wishin For Kisses (19-1, Walter Case Jr.) finished third in the opener.

In the second $11,000 sophomore filly pace Ron Cushing steered his own Glorilla (6-5) to a hard fought victory in race three.

When the wings folded top Cumberland reinsman McGwire Sowers urged Whisper Of Luck (8-5) out to an early lead, with Audry (5-1, Steve Wilson) protecting position in second leaving Glorilla hung out to dry on the outside.

With nowhere to go but forward Cushing pressed Glorilla to the front, finally clearing after a :30.2 opening panel.  The tempo eased through the second turn amid a softer 1:01.3 half, which prompted Steve Wilson to pop Audry out of their three hole spot just before the 1:31.3 third stanza and challenge for the lead.

The pack raced in tight quarters around the final turn, and down the lane Audry pressed the pacesetter on the outside while Whisper Of Luck looked for racing room up along the pylons.

Glorilla held on to win by half a length in 2:02.3, equaling her lifetime best.  She is trained by Heidi Cushing, while being owned and driven to victory by Ron Cushing, the 3-year-old daughter of Dude’s The Man paid $4.60 to win. 

Whisper Of Luck finished second; Audry was third. 

Looking ahead, Sunday’s (June 15) Bangor program has three $11,000-plus divisions for 3-year-old trotters.  Two of which are raced before the regular card at 11:30 am, and the third in race three on the regular card with a first post of 12:10 pm. 

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

June 12, 2025 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Two fields of 3-year-old filly pacers highlight the first $23,000-plus round of Maine Sire Stakes action at Cumberland Raceway on Saturday (June 14), which marks the start of the 18-week season of New England’s premier harness racing showcase. 

With up to ten legs for each division throughout the summer and autumn months, the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes has been promoting and providing a venue for Pine Tree State Standardbreds since the legislative establishment of the program in 1972. 

While the series has evolved over the last fifty years…so has the speed and durability of the Maine-bred harness horse.  While it is not uncommon to see horses by Maine sires competing throughout North America, New England drivers and trainers are also making a name for themselves on the National stage.

The first division shows Lysiun (Ron Cushing) as the 8-5 early morning line favorite based upon a swift 1:55.2 maiden-breaking romp at Plainridge a few weeks ago.  The sophomore daughter of Dude’s The Man is trained by Heidi Cushing, owned by her driver and was bred in Maine by Lynne-Marie Plouffe.

The most seasoned lass of the bunch is Leanne Marie (5-2, Mike Cushing) who crossed the wire first in last season’s $75,821 Maine Sire Stakes final  but was placed second for interference.  The daughter of Artistic Fella amassed $48,596 in 10 starts while finishing the season with a 2-3-2 summary.  She is trained by Charlene ‘Sherry’ Cushing, who co-owns with Pamela Smith and Jane DiPompo.

The powerful ‘Tardif Taskforce’ annually enters the Maine Sire Stakes loaded for bear, and once again this year is no exception.  They have two fillies in the first division, and another pair in the second division.  Marc Tardif is the breeder of record on three of four, and owns three as well. 

While some of the Tardif entrants may need a few more starts under their belts to really shine, Whisper Of Luck (2-1, McGwire Sowers) appears to be ready for action and is the favorite in the second division.  The daughter of Artistic Fella earned $38,203 last season and is poised to pick right up where she left off. 

From pylon position Audry (3-1, Steve Wilson) is looking for her first victory for trainer Charlene Cushing.  The daughter of Deuce Seelster earned $46,063 last year, despite never winning a heat.

In addition, the tough Dude’s The Man filly Glorilla (3-1, Ron Cushing) has had plenty of tighteners leading up to this event, and will be a threat from the middle of the pack.

Looking ahead, Sunday’s (June 15) Bangor program has three $11,000-plus divisions for 3-year-old trotters.  Two of which are raced before the regular card at 11:30 am, and the third in race three on the regular card with a first post of 12:10 pm. 

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