September 16, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Thomas Smith photos)

BANGOR, ME – Maine’s 2-year-old pacing fillies stormed through historic Bass Park a day early with two $14,000-plus divisions, in a successful pre-emptive strike on Friday (Sept. 15) against the potential havoc of Hurricane Lee. 

In the $14,486 first division, Who’s Perfect (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) took command into a :29.4 opening panel.  Without the benefit of cover Gowestyounggrace, the Dave Ingraham-driven daughter of Western Maverick, raced first over through a 1:00.4 half, and began her ascent to the top.

Still getting that good Bangor air at the 1:30 (29.1) third stanza, Gowestyounggrace was poised to pounce, and did just that by taking command at the head of the stretch.

Trained by Fred Ward Jr., Gowestyounggrace prevailed by two lengths in 2:00.2, the fastest division of the afternoon.  It was the fourth consecutive victory for the filly that is owned and was bred by Sharon and Fred Ward Jr.  She has earned $32,956 in just seven lifetime starts, and paid $6.60 to win from the outermost fifth starting post position.

Wagering favorite Who’s Perfect finished second; Ghost Of You (Kevin Switzer Jr-Marc Tardif) was third.

My Sweet Revenge followed a perfect garden-spot trip to grab the second $14,487 division of Maine-sire freshman fillies.

Driven by Walter Case Jr., the reinsman let betting favorite Mrs Foxy Roxy (Nick Graffam-Mike Graffam) do all the heavy lifting as she cut moderate fractions through a relatively uneventful mile.

But the action came quickly and decisively as ‘Casey’ unleashed the daughter of Western Maverick at the head of the stretch to wear down the pacesetter and score by three parts of a length in 2:04.1.

Trained by Marc Tardif and owned by Leighton Property, it was the filly’s second victory of her career.  She was bred by Laurie Harding and Reginald Duguay, and paid $15.00 to win.

Mrs Foxy Roxy finished second; Summertime (Steve Wilson) was third.

In other news, one of Maine’s favorite daughters, Valerie Grondin, picked up her 500^th career driving victory aboard her own Zampara in the final race of the afternoon at Bangor.  Friends and family from as far south as Bell, Florida were eager to congratulate the prominent Maine Sire Stakes trainer for her career driving milestone.

The Maine Sire Stakes rolls into the Farmington Fair on Sunday (Sept. 17) for four days of Pine Tree State harness racing.

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

September 6, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Thomas Smith photos)

BANGOR, ME – Maine’s 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings got away from the fairgrounds and invaded historic Bass Park in Bangor for two $14,000-plus divisions of the Sire Stakes.  When the dust settled, it was the Tardif Taskforce that came away with the lion’s share of the hardware after sweeping both events—but not without significant effort.

The first $14,692 split witnessed a real dog fight with some aerial maneuvers that would cause even the most seasoned veteran to take pause.

As the wings folded driver Walter Case Jr. moved Facemaskrequired to the front from post three. At the :29 first quarter stable mate Luke McGook and Kevin Switzer Jr. were out and applying early pressure.  Both hail from the Mark and Peggy Tardif stable.

By the :59.4 half mile marker Luke McGook, who was trying to redeem his only loss of the season last week at Windsor, had advanced to within a head of the pacesetter Facemaskrequired.  Second over was Mattucci (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) who was following the live cover of Luke McGook.

When the field reached the 1:29.3 third stanza Luke McGook had poked a nose in front and Mattucci was three-deep right alongside the new leader with Facemaskrequired fighting for his life on the inside, back just a head off the outside duelers.

At the head of the stretch it looked like a two-horse race with the parked aggressors gaining a half-length advantage.  But Mattucci faded and Facemaskrequired kicked into another gear and fought back the challenge of stable mate Luke McGook to prevail by a neck in 1:59.3.

Twice The Ice (Andy Harrington) finished third, giving the Tardif Taskforce a sweep of the top three positions.

Owned and trained by Marc Tardif, Facemaskrequired broke his maiden in grand fashion, and gave the son of Deuce Seelster a big boost of confidence.  He was bred by KDK Standardbreds.

In the second $14,917 division, which was raced on the wagering card, Walter Case Jr. drove So Rock N’ Roll to his second consecutive stakes win for trainer Marc Tardif.

Using the wire-to-wire route, the son of Western Maverick provided both his driver, Case Jr., and his trainer, Tardif, a clean sweep of the afternoon’s two stakes races.  Owned by Leighton Property and bred by Lesley Leighton, it was a 1:58.1 score for the five-time seasonal winner. 

So Rock N’ Roll paid $2.60 to win. Two Towns Over (Aaron Hall-Valerie Grondin) finished second; Rockaroundsam (Switzer Jr.-Tardif) was third.

After a short break, the Maine Sire Stakes returns to Bangor with the freshmen pacing fillies on Saturday (Sept. 16) before transitioning over to the Farmington Fair the following afternoon for four days of Pine Tree State harness racing. For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow their Facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation

September 5, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Stephanie Gray photos)

WINDSOR, ME – Under sunny skies and high temperatures, Maine’s sophomore pacing fillies scored some fast miles on Monday’s (Sept. 4) final day of racing at Windsor Fair. 

Held prior to the regular card the pair of $14,000-plus divisions witnessed equal winning times for the pair of talented distaffs, both of whom took the most direct route to the winners circle.

In the first match-up, Pickmepickme was all business and grabbed the $14,459 split in decisive fashion.  Scoring from post three, driver Andy Harrington had to contend with the hard-charging Justcallmemimi (Walter Case Jr.-Mike Graffam) to overtake the lead past the :29 opening panel.

With the rest of the field now comfortably at bay, Harrington rolled the Western Maverick filly through evenly-rated fractions of 58.1 and 1:27.3 while gaining separation with every stride.  As the finish line drew closer, the contenders slipped away from Pickmepickme who triumphed in 1:57.2 by three open lengths.

Justcallmemimi finished second; Bailey’s Rock Star (McGuire Sowers-Sherry Cushing) was third.

Owned, trained and bred by Marc Tardif, it was Pickmepickme’s twelfth lifetime victory, which boosted her career bankroll to $132,378.

The second $14,684 division for 3-year-old pacing fillies was captured by South St Dottie in a wire-to-wire thriller.

Driver Aaron Hall had the daughter of Western Maverick out and rolling from her pylon starting position, and had 2-1/4 lengths on the field at the :28 first quarter.  While settling into a softer :58 half, the aggressor Katelyn’s Angel (Kevin Switzer Jr.-Tardif), who came into the day off of a five-race win streak, was ranging up on the outside to make a bid for the top.  At the 1:27.4 third panel the pair were matching strides while side by side.

But, the final turn helped South St Dottie keep Katelyn’s Angel a few steps back, which was just enough to hold off any late brushes to win by a length in 1:57.2.

La Mambacita (Scott McKenzie-Valerie Grondin) finished third.

Owned and bred by Jan Donoway, the time was a new lifetime best for South St Dottie who grabbed her seventh stakes win of the season, and pushed her lifetime earnings to $101,999.  She is trained by Mike Graffam.

The Maine Sire Stakes returns to Bangor on Wednesday (Sept. 6) with two $14,000-plus divisions for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings.  Looking ahead, Bangor hosts the freshmen pacing fillies on Sunday (Sept. 16) before transitioning over to the Farmington Fair the week of Sept. 17. For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow their Facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation

September 4, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Stephanie Gray photos)

WINDSOR, ME – For the second Sunday in a row, all divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for trotters went postward at Windsor Fair, with several fan favorites increasing their seasonal win totals and three victors taking new lifetime marks.

In Sunday’s (Sept. 3) $14,146 non-wagering opener trainer Valerie Grondin got her 499^th career driving victory aboard Chipper Dale, giving that 2-year-old son of Shake It Off Lindy his sixth consecutive victory, along with a faster lifetime mark.

With a ‘take no prisoners’ effort, Grondin pushed her charge out to the lead by open lengths, and continued to control the tempo through speedy ‘colt trotter’ fractions from her well-established position of power.  Cruising home in 2:04.4, the time shaved a full four seconds off Chipper Dale’s previous lifetime best, and maintained the gelding’s perfect record with $50,102 in earnings.

Owned and bred by Lynn-Marie Plouffe, the Maine-bred trotting star has yet to taste defeat in a purse race.  Pembroke Will (Heath Campbell-Grondin) finished second; Carrabassett (Mark Athearn-Gretchen Athearn) was third.

The second $14,367 non-betting event for 2-year-old trotting fillies was captured by My Saving Grace, who also took a new lifetime mark.

Driven by Mark Athearn for trainer-partner Gretchen Athearn, the daughter of Shake It Off Lindy took an early seat behind pacesetter Pembroke Breeze (Campbell-Grondin).  As the race progressed through evenly-rated panels, Athearn continued to close the gap on the leader, and by the head of the stretch he and My Saving Grace were poised to pounce.

Getting up in the final strides to win by three parts of a length, My Saving Grace prevailed in a new lifetime best of 2:06.  Owned by Margaret Thyng and bred by Leighton Properties, it was her fifth seasonal victory and brought her earnings to $45,035.

Pembroke Breeze finished second; Twisted Venture (Mike Cushing-Sherry Cushing) was third.

The Maine-bred 3-year-olds hit the track during the regular Windsor Fair card, with the $14,941 colt trot presented as race one, with odds-on favorite Wabanaki advancing his current win streak to three.

Trained and driven by Ivan Davies, the son of Boy Band left for an early lead and controlled the opening panels of 29.2 and 1:00.1 before feeling any significant pressure from the pack.

However, at the 1:30.4 third panel Pembroke Traveler (Campbell-Grondin) had advanced first over and was at the throat latch of pacesetter Wabanaki.  By the head of the stretch only a whisker separated the two combatants as they bore down on the swift Windsor Fair homestretch.

That’s when Davies reminded Wabanaki what was at stake and the gelding found another gear and put down a :29 second final quarter to scoot away from the would-be spoilers and take a new record of 1:59.4, winning by 2-1/4 lengths.

Owned by Anita ‘Bunny’ Anastosopolous-Andrew and bred by her late husband Mike Andrew, Wabanaki’s efforts put his lifetime earnings into six-figure territory at $102,913.  He now has five wins this year, and paid $2.80 to win.

Outlawofthevalley (Kevin Switzer Jr.-Marc Tardif) surged home to be second; Pembroke Traveler finished third.

The Davies-Andrew clan had another shell in the chamber as Wild Ending redeemed her defeat last week to pick up her fifth win of the season while taking the $14,952 sophomore filly trot.

In a decisive wire-to-wire romp, the daughter of Boy Band was expertly piloted by Davies to a 2:05 score, drawing off by six lengths at the wire.

Owned by Anastosopolous and bred by Andrew, the filly now has $47,892 in seasonal earnings.  She paid $2.80 to win.

Melania’s Best (John Nason) finished second; B R Glory (Wally Watson-Lisa Watson) was third.

Racing concludes at Windsor with the sophomore filly pacers closing out the meet on Labor Day Monday (Sept. 4). For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow their Facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation

September 3, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Stephanie Gray photo)

WINDSOR, ME – Team Tardif’s Two Fold Cold has provided his owner-trainer with an emotional rollercoaster this season.  Winning the fastest $14,487 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing colts on Saturday (Sept. 2) at Windsor is only part of the story.

The son of Deuce Seelster is trained and owned by Marc Tardif, and together with his wife Peggy Tardif, they comprise one of the most heavily armed forces in the Maine Standardbred Breeders program.  With a horse or three in just about every division the Tardif’s work hard at racing horses, and supporting Maine Standardbreds.

It’s no surprise that with several dozen horses in the barn that one may become a ‘project horse.’  With a habit of breaking stride, the raucous freshman has good speed but a tendency to do things his own way.

But, despite ‘running’ at, or near, the start in two of his last three outings, the gelding still has managed to win decisively on each occasion.  Saturday was another ‘case in point’ with the uncertainty surrounding Two Fold Cold’s behavior. 

With an inconsistent and hair-pulling early bobble, he got back pacing right away, settling into third position while back seven lengths.  Coming first over after the half, he had caught the field and was poised for the top at the third panel.

By the head of the stretch Two Fold Cold had taken command, and then drew off to give himself a new lifetime mark of 1:59.4, winning by 3-3/4 lengths for regular handler Kevin Switzer Jr.

Bred by Gary and Kristina Hall, Two Fold Cold now has three wins in seven lifetime starts, with earnings of $23,233.  Hesjustadelight (Ron Cushing-Heidi Gibbs) finished second; Wes’s Challenge (Walter Case Jr.-Tardif) was third.

Team Tardif swept the 2-year-old pacing colts division with their own Thru The Fire, who also picked up a new lifetime mark.

Andy Harrinton drove the son of Western Maverick to a wire-to-wire victory in a career best 2:02.4.  Owned by Leighton Property and bred by Marc Tardif, it was Thru The Fire’s second career win, but first Maine Sire Stakes triumph.

Justcallmebuck (Gary Hall) finished second; Stretch It Donn (Case Jr.-Tardif) was third.

Racing continues at Windsor when the Maine-bred trotters race on Sunday (Sept. 3) with the sophomore filly pacers closing out the meet on Labor Day Monday (Sept. 4).

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

September 1, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Stephanie Gray photos)

WINDSOR, ME – The freshmen filly pacers kicked off a long, four-day holiday weekend at historic Windsor Fair on Friday (Sept. 1) with two $14,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes.

Both winners extended their respective winning streaks to three, as the pair of paces went before the regular card in front of a lively crowd on a perfect day for Pine Tree State harness racing.

The swiftest of the $14,487 splits went to Gowestyounggrace, who used a three-eighths pole move to wear down the leader and take home her third consecutive stakes victory.

Scoring from post four, driver Dave Ingraham was content to settle into fourth position heading into the first turn while Nick Graffam pushed Mrs Foxy Roxy to the front from post five.

Setting a swift 29.2 opening panel, Graffam took a breather going to the half in 1:00.2 (31) giving Ingraham the opportunity to move his filly first over as the field passed the stands for the first time.

Graffam picked up the pace to try and fend off the challenger but the sassy daughter of Western Maverick kept moving forward and had a three-quarter length lead at the 1:29.2 (29) third panel.

As the field turned for home Ingraham kept Gowestyounggrace going strong and the pair scooted home to win by 1-3/4 lengths in a lifetime best 1:59.3.

Trained and co-owned by Fred Ward Jr. with Sharon Ward, it was the third lifetime victory for the lightly raced distaff.  The Wards also bred the filly.

Mrs Foxy Roxy finished second; Ghost Of You (Kevin Switzer Jr.-Marc Tardif) was third.

The other division witnessed Who’s Perfect stay perfect in her third consecutive outing, scoring in 2:01.3 for driver Heath Campbell and trainer Valerie Grondin.

It was a wire-to-wire walk in the park for the consistent daughter of Western Maverick, who now has four stakes victories this season, with earnings of $37,626.  She was bred in Maine by Lynn-Marie Plouffe, who now co-owns with Dick and Patty McKeen.

Drawing off by three lengths at the wire, it was the 28.4 final quarter that distinguished her from the rest of the fillies.  Animore Sass (Andy Harrington-Marc Tardif) finished second; Summertime (Steve Wilson) was third.

Racing continues with Maine’s 2-year-old colts and gelding on Saturday (Sept. 2).  All the Maine-bred trotters return on Sunday (Sept. 3) with the sophomore filly pacers closing out the meet on Labor Day Monday (Sept. 4). For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow their Facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation

August 30, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Stephanie Gray photos)

WINDSOR, ME – ‘All good things must come to an end.”

English poet Geoffrey Chaucer is credited with the original use of this idiom in the 1300’s, which is commonly used as a proverb to remind us that nothing great will last forever.  This aptly describes the 2023 winning streak of Marc Tardif’s Luke McGook, which was snapped at seven in Tuesday’s (August 29) $14,692 Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings at Windsor Fair.

Held before the regular program, the five pacers lined up behind the starting gate with this season’s ‘chosen one,’ Luke McGook, scoring from pylon position.  When the wings folded regular pilot Kevin Switzer Jr. scooted out for control of the tempo, and enjoyed setting relatively soft opening fractions of 30.1 and 1:02.1.

But Maine County Fair racing is not for the faint of heart as the drivers are always on the move in the tight turns and rapid rhythm of half-mile track harness racing.  Walter Case Jr. had started his ascent for the lead instantly, as he was first over from the ‘get-go’ with stable mate Anithingforyoudear.  Matucci (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) sat comfortably in the two-hole, with Colt Bennett (Dave Ingraham-David Crochere) moving second over with Casey’s cover at the half.

Around the five-eighths paddock turn Switzer felt the pressure mounting, yet kept the pack bunched up behind him.  Anithingforyoudear was now within a half-length of the leader at the 1:32.3 (30.2) third panel, where Luke McGook was finally given the cue to increase the cadence. 

Around the final turn ‘Double-Digit’ Dave Ingraham smelled blood in the water and swooped Colt Bennett three-wide around the thundering herd.  Gaining ground with every stride, while unleashing an uncompromising 28.3 final quarter, the prey became the predator and got up by a nose to win in 2:01.3

Trained by David Crochere for owner Nancy Longobardi, it was the third seasonal victory for the son of Rock N’ Roll World.  Having finished second to Luke McGook on five previous occasions, the win put Colt Bennett’s 2023 earnings to $46,483.  He was bred by Stephen K. O’Toole. 

The Leighton Property-owned, Marc Tardif-trained Luke McGook has nothing to be ashamed of in being beaten by a nose.  He is still the leading money-winning horse in the Maine Sire Stakes program this season, as well as having the most victories.  Certainly the Tardif Taskforce will have Luke McGook back in harness and ready to redeem himself when the glamour boys meet again at Bangor on Sept. 6.

Anithingforyoudear finished third.

The second $14,917 glamour boys division was raced on the Windsor Fair pari-mutuel card and observed So Rock N’ Roll take one for Team Tardif and score in 1:57.2, just a tick off of his career best. 

When the wings folded three horses made a mad-dash for the top with Two Points (Ingraham-Eric Bickmore) on the inside, Rockaroundsam (Switzer Jr.-Tardif) in the middle, and Two Towns Over (Aaron Hall-Valerie Grondin) forced three wide through the first turn.

Hall, recognizing a speed duel in the making, opted to duck into third, with Ingraham ultimately allowing Switzer Jr. to take command before the 29 second first quarter.  Leaving from the outermost post six, driver Walter Case Jr. was content to take the overland route and let some of the early tussling expire as So Rock N’ Roll took a trailing position in the outer flow, hoping to flush some cover.

Almost like he planned it that way, Casey followed Hall and Two Towns Over when that duo pulled the right line around the three-eighths pole.  As the field approached the half in 59, the pack was tightening around the leader, Rockaroundsam.  While reaching the third panel in a swift 1:27.4 (28.4), Two Towns Over had collared the pacesetter and poked a nose in front by the head of the stretch.

But, as those two were busy battling on the front end, Walter Case Jr. thrust So Rock N’ Roll three-wide around the final turn and fed him racetrack.  Matching and then surpassing the front-end skirmishers, So Rock N’ Roll emerged as the fresh and fastidious victor by 1-1/4 lengths.  The wagering favorite used a 29.2 final quarter to find that elusive Windsor Fair winners circle.

Trained by Marc Tardif for breeder-owner Lesley Leighton/Property, the son of Western Maverick paid $4.20 to win his fourth race of the year, boosting his seasonal kitty to $43,475.

Two Towns Over finished second; Rockaroundsam was third.

Drivers Aaron Hall and Kevin Switzer Jr. each enjoyed three wins apiece on the afternoon Windsor Fair program.  In the opener, Aaron Hall driving Ira Cheif nipped pacesetter Zampara and driver Valerie Grondin at the wire, denying the latter of her 499^th career victory.  The Grondin 500-win watch continues.

Maine’s freshman pacers return to start the four-day weekend with the fillies enjoying two $14,000-plus divisions on Friday (Sept. 1).  Distaffs go with an early post time of 2:15 pm, and the 2-year-old colts and gelding race the following day, Saturday (Sept. 2).  All the Maine-bred trotters return on Sunday (Sept. 3) with the aforementioned sophomore filly pacers closing out the meet on Labor Day Monday (Sept. 4). For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow their Facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation

It seems we have the approval for the stakes payment for Topsham now and it will be sent out soon.

Notice from the Maine State Harness Racing Commission Office:

Unfortunately, the purse payments will be delayed for Maine Sire Stakes horses that raced at Topsham Fair due to the department not getting permission to send the money for purses to the tracks.

The department has requested an emergency item for permission to send the funds to the tracks, but that approval will not be granted until September 15. Once the permission has been granted the department will send the money to the tracks and they can send the funds to the participants.

Owners and trainers who have money owed to them should see those funds by the 3rd or 4th week of September.

August 29, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Stephanie Gray photos)

WINDSOR, ME – With the Maine Sire Stakes rolling full-steam ahead at Windsor Fair, the Monday (Aug. 28) pari-mutuel card was previewed with two $14,000-plus divisions for 3-year-old pacing fillies, both of which being captured by Monday’s ‘King of the Fair’ Kevin Switzer Jr.

In the opener South St Dottie returned to her winning ways for trainer Mike Graffam.  The talented daughter of Western Maverick wasted little time pushing to the lead in the $14,459 dash, with Switzer Jr. controlling the tempo with 30 second and 1:01.3 opening fractions.

While it appeared that South St Dottie may have things her own way, last week’s winner Pickmepickme (Walter Case Jr.-Marc Tardif) had other ideas as she rolled first over into that soft half to challenge for the lead. 

The pair battled down the backstretch into a 1:31.2 (29.4) third panel, with the pursuer getting up to the leader’s saddle pad.  That’s when Switzer gave South St Dottie her head and the filly responded by kicking away and gaining a length separation at the head of the stretch.

But, Casey was not finished as he continued to urge Pickmepickme down to the wire, getting to within half a length of the pacesetter as the toteboard indicated a 1:59.3 (28.1) final time.

Owned and bred by Jan Donaway, it was the sixth victory in nine seasonal starts for South St Dottie who now has $97,657 in career earnings.

Ally Mac (Aaron Hall-Mike Graffam) finished third.

In the second $14,684 division, Kevin Switzer Jr. was back behind his faithful filly Katelyn’s Angel, with which he was victorious in four previous outings.

Scoring from pylon position, Switzer put his daughter of Western Maverick right where he likes to be, in front and in command.  Following a brief push La Mambacita (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) ducked into the two-hole in the first turn, with Justcallmemimi (Walter Case Jr.-Mike Graffam) taking in some of that fresh Maine air first over in third.

While the pressure continued to mount for the pacesetter with 29.4 and 1:00.2 early fractions, Justcallmemimi had moved up to within a length of Katelyn’s Angel at the half, and to within three parts of a length at the third 1:31.1 stanza.  But it was while rounding the final turn that the ‘Case chase’ diminished with La Mambacita sitting in the garden spot to pick up the pieces.

With a commanding 28.4 final quarter, Katelyn’s Angel tripped the final timer in 2:00 flat to gain her fifth consecutive victory for owner Leighton Property and breeder Lesley Leighton.  Trained by Marc Tardif, she was 2-3/4 lengths in front of La Mambacita at the wire, eclipsing the six-figure mark with $100,947 in lifetime earnings.  Justcallmemimi hung on tough to be third.

Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. led all drivers on the Monday (Aug. 28) card at the Windsor fair, sweeping both Maine Sire Stakes and then winning four additional pari-mutuel races, giving him six purse victories on the afternoon program.

The Maine-sired action resumes at Windsor on Tuesday (Aug. 29) with two $14,000-plus divisions for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers.  First early post is 2:30 pm.

Looking ahead, the freshman pacers return to start the four-day weekend with fillies on Friday (Sept. 1) and their male counterparts on Saturday (Sept. 2).  All the Maine-bred trotters return on Sunday (Sept. 3) with the aforementioned sophomore filly pacers closing out the meet on Labor Day Monday (Sept. 4). For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow their Facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation

August 28, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Stephanie Gray photos)

WINDSOR, ME – On Sunday’s (Aug. 27) opening day of the historic Windsor Fair, a quartet of $14,000-plus divisions of Maine Sire Stakes for trotters set the stage for a full week of New England harness racing action.

Contested before the regular card, the Pine Tree State’s diagonally-gaited group invaded the backstretch in hopes of taking home their ‘fair share’ of the robust funding provided by the Maine Standardbred Breeders program.  Of course, there were some fulfilled expectations, along with some mild upsets, all of which makes for great horse racing.

In the opener Wild Ending intended to take her fourth Maine-sired event in a row, while leaving from the outermost post six in the $14,850 3-year-old filly trot.  However, Marc Tardif’s Another Adventure had other ideas.

Having the advantage of the innermost post position, driver Kevin Switzer Jr. put the daughter of Noble Venture on top, where she made every call a winning one through early fractions of 30.1, 1:01.4 and 1:33.3.  Ivan Davies had sentimental favorite Wild Ending giving chase throughout the mile, but it was ultimately Another Adventure who prevailed by half a length in 2:05.

It was the first win of the season and a new lifetime mark for the Tardif Taskforce-trained, Leighton Property-owned filly who shows an ultra-consistent three seconds and three thirds in eight seasonal starts.  Another Adventure was bred in Maine by East Pond Stable.

Melania’s Best (Steve Nason-John Nason) finished third.

The $15,166 three-year-old colt and gelding trot was up next, and as predicted it was Wabanaki who was entering the race as the sentimental favorite.  Looking for his second win a row, the Ivan Davies-trained, Anita Anastosopoulos-owned son of Boy Band was also scoring from the outermost post position. 

Undeterred, Davies sent the Mike Andrew-bred gelding right to the front in a snappy 29.4 opening panel, and was on top by three.  While getting a breather at the 1:01 half-mile marker, Outlawofthevalley (Switzer Jr.-Tardif) stuck close to Davie’s helmet, as the rest of the field gave fruitless chase.  Once past the 1:31.4 third panel it was a downhill coast for the pacesetting pair as they drew off by two lengths to score in 2:01.4.

Wabanaki increased his lifetime earnings to $95,443 in his fourth win of the season.

Pembroke Traveler (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) finished third.

During the ensuing freshman events, trainer Valerie Grondin swept both races and got once step closer to her 500^th career driving victory.

Driving Chipper Dale in the $14,146 two-year-old colt trot driver-trainer Grondin sat a comfortable two-hole trip behind stable mate Pembroke Will (Heath Campbell).  Tipping out around the final turn the dominant duo scored in 2:09 by 1-1/4 lengths.  It was the fifth win in a row for the son of Shake It Off Lindy, who his owned and was bred by Lynn-Marie Plouffe. 

Grondin now sits at 498 driving wins lifetime.  Pembroke Will finished second; Carrabassett (Mark Athearn-Gretchen Athearn) was third.

Heath Campbell drove Pembroke Breeze to 3-1/2 length victory in the $14,367 two-year-old filly trot, giving his partner-trainer Valerie Grondin a win in both the baby races.

Scoring in 2:06.4, the daughter of Pembroke Slugger never had an anxious moment as she was in command every step of the way for owner-breeder Bill Varney.  My Saving Grace (Athearn) finished second; Twisted Venture (Mike Cushing-Sherry Cushing) was third.

Maine Sire Stakes racing continues at Windsor with two $14,000-plus divisions of 3-year-old filly pacers racing on Monday (Aug. 28) at 2:30 pm.  The action continues on Tuesday (Aug. 29) when the fair showcases their ‘glamour boy’ male counterparts, a.k.a. the 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers. For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow their Facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation