August 25, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Stephanie Gray photos)

WINDSOR, ME – Four $14,000-plus divisions of Maine Sire Stakes for trotters will open the historic Windsor Fair on Sunday (Aug. 27), with the 2- and 3-year-old divisions being contested before the regular card at 12:15 pm.  On the opening card, the legacy of the late Mike Andrew, a breeder and leader in Maine harness racing, continues to shine in the offspring he helped develop.

A pair of sophomore trotting events are highlighted by a pair of Ivan Davies-trained, Anita Anastosopoulos-owned horses that will look to keep their winning streaks alive, while racing in the memory of their breeder Mike Andrew.

In the opener Wild Ending intends to take her fourth Maine-sired event in a row, scoring from post six in the $14,850 3-year-old filly trot.  Trained and driven by Ivan Davies, she is owned by Anita ‘Bunny’ Anastosopoulos-Andrew and was bred by her late husband Mike Andrew.  To date, she has earned $36,704 in six seasonal starts.

Their other horse, Wabanaki, has the same owner-breeder while looking for his second consecutive win, and fourth of the season in the $15,166 three-year-old colt and gelding trot.  Now with six wins lifetime and $87,860 in career earnings, he hasn’t been off the board all season.

A force for good in harness racing, as well as the state of Maine, Mike Andrew was admired throughout the industry for his knowledge of Standardbred bloodlines and his commitment to the Pine Tree State program. 

Over the decades Andrew bred and raised over 160 trotters, including award winners and champions like Obrigado and Rebuff.  He was especially fond of his stallion Boy Band, who is the sire of these two leading sophomore trotters in the Maine program this season. 

A Harvard Ph.D. and a distinguished professor at the University of New Hampshire, Andrew’s devotion to the sport led him to positions as commissioner of the Maine State Harness Racing Commission, and as president of the Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association.

Prior to Professor Andrew’s passing at age 84 in December, he made one plea to his widow.  “Bunny, race the horses this summer…promise me.”

Perhaps it is divine intervention, or maybe these are the best of the bunch, one may never know.  But ‘Bunny’ has carried out her beloved late-husband’s wishes, and the horses have certainly responded.

Recent success notwithstanding, their owner is somewhat assuaged by their trips to the winners circle while she simultaneously processes her husband’s passing and packs up their 30 years of life together.

“I feel the inescapable depth of his loss every minute of every day but especially on every racetrack in Maine. He was a force, that love of mine,” Mrs. Andrew stated.

“I feel him at every race….in every corner of this old farm house… ‘The  Place’…in the quiet of the barns surrounded by the animals he loved so well.  No matter where [these horses finish], they are a testament to his unwavering faith in the Maine Sire Stakes program and his dedication to the people and the horses in this business.”

She concluded with, “I miss him with every breath I take.”

* * *

Chipper Dale leads the 2-year-old colt trotters in the $14,146 event, with trainer Valerie Grondin looking for her fifth win in a row with the son of Shake It Off Lindy.  In addition, Grondin sits at 497 driving wins lifetime, and could add another with this horse.

My Saving Grace has only missed once this year for Team Athearn, and will look to add her fifth seasonal victory to her tally in the $14,367 two-year-old filly trot.

‘A family tradition since 1888’ boasts the Windsor (Maine) fair poster, featuring 50 acres of amusement and all the sights and sounds of an agricultural extravaganza.  One of Maine’s oldest and largest agricultural fairs, the official fair opening is Sunday (Aug. 27), and runs through Labor Day (Sept. 4).

Maine Sire Stakes racing resumes 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, or go to their website:  https://www.mainesirestakes.com

August 19, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Stephanie Gray photos)

SKOWHEGAN, ME – The Maine-bred freshmen pacers closed out the week of harness racing at the Skowhegan State Fair in grand fashion, with the distaff sidesteppers going two $14,000-plus divisions on Friday (Aug. 18) and their male counterparts mimicking that pattern on Saturday (Aug. 19).

Marc Tardif’s barn swept the 2-year-old colt and gelding paces on Saturday’s final day of the racing meet, sending Wes’s Challenge and Two Fold Cold to the winner’s circle.

In the first $14,487 Maine Sire Stakes non-betting event driver Walter Case Jr. sent Wes’s Challenge first over into a soft 1:02 half, challenging stable mate Thru The Fire (Andy Harrington).  At the 1:32.4 third panel Gary Hall had gone three-deep with his Justcallmebuck and was able to poke a nose in front of the pacesetter.

But Case had other ideas and sent the son of Deuce Seelster on a beeline for the finish wire and prevailed in 2:05.1 by a half length.  Owned by Leighton Property, ironically Wes’s Challenge was bred by Gary and Kristina Hall.  It was the colt’s second sire stakes victory of the season.

Justcallmebuck held on for second, Thru The Fire was third.

In the second $14,486 colt pace Two Fold Cold driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. shot out for an early lead and never looked back, grabbing his second win in a row in 2:02.4 while equaling his lifetime mark.  Owned and trained by Marc Tardif, he was also bred by Gary and Kristina Hall.

Hesjustadelight finished second (Ron Cushing-Heidi Gibbs); Stretch It Donn was third (Case Jr.-Tardif).

The fillies enjoyed two divisions on Friday (Aug. 18) with Who’s Perfect remaining perfect in her last two outings.  In the $14,486 Maine Sire Stake for 2-year-old pacing fillies she was driven by Heath Campbell for trainer Valerie Grondin.  The daughter of Western Maverick traded places with initial pacesetter Mrs Foxy Roxy (Nick Graffam-Mike Graffam) and took over at the half and coasted home in 2:01.3, which was a new lifetime best.

Owned and bred by Lynn-Marie Plouffe with co-owners Dick and Patty McKeen, she has yet to be worse than second in her last five starts.

Mrs Foxy Roxy was second; My Sweet Revenge (Case Jr.-Tardif) finished third.

The final $14,487 division was Friday’s opener on the regular card, and witnessed Gowestyounggrace score from off the pace for driver Dave Ingraham and owner-trainer-breeder Fred Ward Jr. with Sharon Ward.

Scoring by two lengths in 2:02, it was a new lifetime record for the daughter of Western Maverick who has also copped her last two starts.  She paid $6.20 to win.  Wagering favorite Ghost Of You (Switzer Jr.-Tardif) finished second; Animore Sass (Harrington-Tardif) was third.

Maine Sire Stakes racing resumes at the Windsor Fair on Sunday (Aug. 27).

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

August 16, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Stephanie Gray photos)

SKOWHEGAN, ME – Marc Tardiff’s Luke McGook continued to display his dominance in the Maine Sire Stakes, winning Tuesday’s (August 15) $14,917 div. 3-year-old colt and gelding pace at the Skowhegan State Fair.  It was the seventh consecutive victory for the Leighton Property-owned son of Rock N’ Roll World, who also took a new seasonal mark of 1:56.1 in the wire-to-wire triumph.

Driven by regular pilot Kevin Switzer Jr. and conditioned by the powerful Peggy and Marc Tardiff stable, the winner of 15-of-20 lifetime starts cut swift early fractions of 28.4 and 59.  At the third panel Switzer Jr. let out a notch in 1:27.4 while feeling some pressure from Colt Bennett (Dave Ingraham-David Crochere) and stablemate So Rock N’ Roll (Walter Case Jr.).

Despite So Rock N’ Roll posting a 28.1 final quarter he could only get to his rival’s saddle pad as Luke McGook prevailed by a quarter length.  Mattucci (Aaron Hall-Valerie Grondin) was third.

Luke McGook was bred in Maine by Erika Saucier and now has $193,490 in lifetime earnings.  He paid $2.60 to win.

The other $14,692 glamour boys division was won handily by Two Towns Over, before the regular twilight card.  Driven by Aaron Hall for owner-trainer Valerie Grondin, the son of Deuce Seelster cruised unfettered through comfortable fractions of 29.4, 1:00.4 and 1:31 before equaling his own seasonal best of 1:58.1.

Twice The Ice (Andy Harrington-Marc Tardif) finished second by three parts of a length; Rockaroundsam (Switzer Jr.-Tardif) was third.

During Monday’s (Aug’ 14) card the 3-year-old pacing fillies enjoyed two divisions of Maine-bred action, with Katelyn’s Angel grabbing her fourth win in a row in the $14,459 event.

Driven by Switzer Jr. for the Tardif Taskforce, the daughter or Western Maverick got every call and opened up by four lengths to score in 1:58.4.  Katelyn’s Angel is owned and was bred by the Leightons and now has $93,605 in lifetime earnings.

La Mamabacita (Campbell-Grondin) finished second; Justcallmemimi (Case Jr.-Mike Graffam) was third.

In a sweep of the sophomore pacing fillies, Team Tardiff took the other $14,684 division with Pickmepickme, who redeemed her recent activity with a much anticipated victory.

Driven by Walter Case Jr. the daughter of Western Maverick was parked to the quarter in 30.1 by South St Dottie (Kevin Switzer Jr.-Mike Graffam) and took command by the 1:00.4 half.  Past the 1:31.2 third panel, the two front-end combatants started to draw off from the rest of the field, putting double digit lengths between them and the rest of the field.

Pickmepickme and South St Dottie engaged in a great battle down the stretch, with the former prevailing by three-quarters of a length in 1:59.1.  Owned, trained and bred by Marc Tardif, it was the eleventh victory of her career and the third of the season.  Pickmepickme paid $6.60 to win and now has $121,535 in lifetime earnings.

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

Maine Sire Stakes racing resumes at Skowhegan with the 2-year-old filly pacers racing on Friday (Aug. 18) with a wrap up featuring the male freshmen pacers on Saturday (Aug. 19).

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

August 14, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Stephanie Gray photos)

SKOWHEGAN, ME – A quartet of $14,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for trotters opened the 205^th year of the Skowhegan State Fair, with several of the divisional leaders cushioning their point totals at the historic venue.  Claiming the title of the Nation’s Oldest Consecutively running Agricultural Fair, Skowhegan has been operating annually since 1818.

Situated in the heart of Maine’s Kennebec Valley, their website notes, “the Skowhegan State Fair has run without interruption, through the great depression, two world wars, and many smaller, though significant battles, and now a tough national pandemic.”

Of course, harness racing has been a part of that storied past since the inception.  Therefore, it is only fitting that the Maine-bred colts and fillies opened the fair on Sunday (Aug. 13) with the afternoon card presented to throngs of fair-goers and racing fans alike.

The 3-year-old colts and geldings tussled for $14,941 in the featured non-wagering event, held immediately after the fourth race on the regular program.  As the wings folded Nick Graffam hustled Stealin Money out to the lead, putting trainer-driver Ivan Davies and Wabaki on the offense, and on the outside.

Parked to the opening panel in a spry 30.1, the son of Boy Band was just a quarter length back as the monsters of the midway rounded the long, far turn.  Davies ducked in for a spell but was right out back and moving past the 1:01.4 half-mile marker.  Applying constant pressure on Graffam and Stealin Money, Davies and Wabanaki were relentless in their pursuit of the lead, which was fought for and won by the time the teamsters hit the 1:32 third panel.

At the head of the stretch it was all over but the shouting as Davies had a hand drive to the wire in 2:01.2, scoring by 2-1/2 lengths over the fast closing Outlawofthevalley (Kevin Switzer Jr.-Marc Tardif). 

Wabanaki’s final quarter of 29.2 was also his swiftest closing kick as a 3-year-old. 

Surely, owner Anita Anastosopolous must be overjoyed with Wabanaki’s bankroll, which has hit $87,860.  Both Wabanaki and Wild Ending are products of the late-Mike Andrew’s pedigree prowess and his stallion Boy Band. 

Pembroke Traveler (Campbell-Grondin) finished third.

Maine’s 3-year-old trotting fillies battled for $14,727 after the 2^nd betting race on the regular card.  It was anything but a wild ending as the Boy Band filly Wild Ending was much the best and captured her third win in a row while engaged with her like-minded peers.

Trainer-driver Ivan Davies wasted little time hustling Wild Ending to the front, where the pair enjoyed unfettered access to every Mike Sweeney-ah call and ended the afternoon a winner by 2-3/4 lengths in 2:05.4.  Her 29.4 last quarter was the fastest closing time of her sophomore season, showing that she had plenty left in the tank.  Her career kitty has grown to $49,573 for owner Anita Anastosopolous.

Melania’s Best (John Nason) was a well-rated second; Katahdin Kris (Gary Hall) finished third.

With his pair of powerhouse sophomore trotters this season, the trainer-driver of stablemate Wabaki may become known as ‘King’ Ivan Davies.

The first $14,367 early, non-wagering event for 2-year-old trotting fillies was captured by My Saving Grace, who redeemed her only loss of the season at Cumberland last Saturday with a resounding triumph at her first fair.

Driven by Mark Athearn for trainer Gretchen Athearn and owner Margaret Thyng, the daughter of Shake It Off Lindy made every call a winning one and scored by two lengths in 2:08.1.

Pembroke Breeze (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin), the only filly to show the winner her heels, followed along politely in second.  Bernie’s Legacy (Ivan Davies) was third.  My Saving Grace was bred in Maine by Leighton Property and has increased her seasonal bankroll to $34,261 with four wins in six outings.

Next up before the card was the $14,146 male freshmen trot, which was a walk in the park for Chipper Dale who remains undefeated in four starts for trainer-driver Valerie Grondin.  Tripping the timer in a lifetime best-equaling 2:08.4, the altered son of Shake It Off Lindy is owned and was bred by Lynne-Marie Plouffe.  His seasonal take is $34,542.  It was just two lengths back to stablemate Pembroke Will (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) who finished second; Carrabassatt (Athearn) was third. 

Conditioner Valerie Grondin has well over 2,000 training victories, and over $10-million in purses earned, but is approaching a milestone with 497 lifetime driving victories at press time.

Maine Sire Stakes racing resumes at Skowhegan on Tuesday (Aug. 15).  The 2-year-old filly pacers rock and roll on Friday (Aug. 18) and wrap up with the male freshmen pacers on Saturday (Aug. 19).

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

August 13, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Stephanie Gray race photos; Michelle Hardin photo provided)

TOPSHAM, ME – A pair of $14,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers closed out the 169^th week of harness racing at historic Topsham Fair.  The duo of early, non-wagering races kicked off the final, blockbuster card Saturday (Aug. 12), which was met with praise and applause for the second-year director of racing Michelle Hardin.

“It takes a village to run a fair,” Hardin noted on social media after receiving flowers from the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association, and dozens of congratulatory posts on the final day of the meet.

Hardin, 43, is a Standardbred trainer and owner from Topsham that stepped in last year and filled the often thankless position with poise and perseverance.  While thanking all of her volunteers, Hardin noted, “without whom I wouldn’t be able to do my job,” she continued, “Fair season is all about community and we have a great one!”

Area businesses, such as Steve McGee construction, Ray Labbe and Sons and Harpswell Auto sales all donated equipment to help get the track ‘race ready’ for the fair.  “Mark Ponziani spent more hours than I could count getting the track into condition this summer,” she added.

Hardin credits this community spirit as the essential ingredient to having a successful fair.  An L.L. Bean manager when she is not training horses was quick to point out that, “Last year was a great learning experience and it taught me that having the right people in the right places is key to a smooth run.”

Aside from finding people to perform all of the duties necessary to facilitate a race card, Hardin was also instrumental in getting the video feed for the races on YouTube so that fans could watch the races from home.  The broadcast occurred live every day, complete with slick wagering graphics and changes, and remains available for replays after the races.

“We hoped to reach a wider audience through social media channels, and it seems to have paid off, as we had an overwhelming response,” concluded Hardin.  “We are hoping that we can build on that, and more Fairs will be able to do the same in the future.”

Clearly, more Fairs need more people like Michelle Hardin.

In the opening round of Maine Sire Stakes action, Two Fold Cold finally figured out this ‘racing thing’ and picked up the first victory of his somewhat tumultuous career.  Through many trials and tribulations, the Marc Tardif-owned and trained son of Deuce Seelster seemed to display a knack for galloping at the most inopportune times.  Having toiled in relative obscurity since late June, he picked up a pair of fifth place checks along the way.

Things seemed to be going as they had in the past when driver Kevin Switzer Jr. had to steady the fractious colt just after the start following a miscue.  But that all changed in an instant at Topsham.  Once the pair was back pacing Two Fold Cold was all business as they set evenly rated fractions of 31.2, 1:02 and 1:32.1 while on top by a few lengths at the third panel.

That’s when it all came together for the freshman gelding pacer as he drew off from the $14,487 field by 11 lengths to score in 2:02.4, breaking his maiden and taking his first lifetime record.  He was bred in Maine by Gary and Kristina Hall.

Whats For Suppaah (Aaron Hall-Michelle Hardin) finished second; Fisher Kat (Nick Graffam-Mike Graffam) was third.

The second $14,486 division was handily captured by Hesjustadelight in 2:03.4.  Driven by Ron Cushing for trainer Heidi Gibbs, the son of Western Maverick picked up his third wire-to-wire Maine Sire Stakes romp, from six seasonal starts.  He continues to lead all the male freshmen pacers in the point standings.

Owned by Cushing, breeder Lynn-Marie Plouffe and Anthony and Joseph Romanelli, Hesjustadelight now has $27,605 in seasonal earnings.  Justcallmebuck (Gary Hall) finished second; Oakleypopsthedeuce (Dave Ingraham-Kelly Case) was third.

Sunday (Aug. 13) the Maine pari-mutuel fair circuit transitions to Skowhegan for another full week of Maine harness racing at its finest, and continues through August 19.

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

August 11, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Stephanie Gray photos)

TOPSHAM, ME – Four $14,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2- and 3-year-old pacers went postward at Topsham Fair on Wednesday (Aug. 9) and Thursday (Aug. 10), with the popular attraction acting as a centerpiece of the week-long agricultural fair. 

Thursday’s card included two splits for freshmen pacing fillies, which saw some fresh faces finding their way to the winners circle.

The opening non-wagering event saw Dave Ingraham guide Gowestyounggrace to her first lifetime victory in the $14,662 Maine-bred 2-year-old filly pace, handing Mrs. Foxy Roxy (Heath Campbell-Mike Graffam) her first defeat in three starts.

Ingraham was happy to let Mrs Foxy Roxy and Campbell cut the early fractions of 31.2 and 1:04.1 around the tight turns of the Topsham Fair track.  Despite the soft half and an up-tempo 1:36 third panel, Ingraham was able to take the lead by the head of the stretch and prevail by 2-1/2 lengths.  Tripping the timer in 2:05.4, Gowestyounggrace took her first lifetime record and the lion’s share of the purse while breaking her maiden.

Owned by Sharon Ward with trainer Fred Ward Jr., the daughter of Western Maverick was also bred in Maine by the Wards.

For Mrs Foxy Roxy, it was the second time in five starts that she finished second in a Maine Sire Stake, having won the other three while still maintaining a healthy lead in the divisional point standings.

Push Your Luck (Andy Harrington-Marc Tardif) finished third.

In the second $14,486 2yo filly pace, Who’s Perfect had not a care in the world as she toured the Topsham circuit, capturing every call, and scoring in a new lifetime best 2:03.1.  Driven by Heath Campbell for trainer Valerie Grondin, the daughter of Western Maverick is owned by breeder Lynn-Marie Plouffe with co-owners Dick and Patty McKeen.  Now with two wins and two seconds in Maine Sire Stakes company, she has amassed $23,140 in seasonal earnings.  Who’s Perfect paid $5.60 to win

Animore Sass (Harrington-Tardif) finished second; Ghost Of You (Kevin Switzer Jr.-Tardif) was third.

Wednesday’s (Aug 9.) card was postponed from Tuesday due to rain, and brought the glamour boys out to the fair for their weekly romp.

Remaining undefeated this season is the talk of the town Luke McGook, who has heretofore an unblemished six-for-six record.  Scoring in 2:00 for regular pilot Kevin Switzer Jr. and trainer Marc Tardif, the 3-year-old son of Rock N’ Roll World added another $14,917 Maine Sire Stake to his growing résumé.

Two Towns Over (Aaron Hall-Valerie Grondin) cut the fractions of 29.2, 1:01 and 1:30.4 with Luke McGook right on his helmet.  However, when the field turned for home the horse with the funny name was all business as he tipped off the pylons and battled stride for stride with the pacesetter down to the wire to ultimately prevail by a scant quarter of a length.

Luke McGook was the heavy 1-9 favorite and paid $2.20 to win.  Owned by Leighton Property, he was bred in Maine by Erika Saucier.  His sophomore stable mate Rockaroundsam (Harrington-Tardif) was third.

In a training sweep of the glamour boys division, the well-stocked stable of Marc and Peggy Tardif sent out their own So Rock N’ Roll to overpower his foes.  Scoring in an identical 2:00 over the Topsham half-mile oval, the son of Western Maverick took his $15,142 sophomore colt and gelding pace in dominant fashion following a bold 28.4 quarter move from the back of the pack.

Driven by Walter Case Jr. for owner-breeder Leighton Property-Lesley Leighton, it was the third victory of the season the lifetime winner of $110,403.  Colt Bennett (Ingraham-David Crochere) finished second; Facemaskrequired (Switzer Jr.-Tardif) was third.

Racing continues with freshmen colt pacers on August 12 at Topsham. 

Next week, the circuit transitions to Skowhegan for another full week of Maine harness racing at its finest, beginning Sunday (Aug. 13) and continuing through August 19.

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

August 8, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes

TOPSHAM, ME – Two $14,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies opened the festivities at Topsham Fair on Monday (Aug. 7), serving as the starter’s call for the annual Pine Tree State harness racing pari-mutuel fair circuit.

Always popular attractions across the midways of New England, Standardbred trotters and pacers have long enjoyed preferred status at the agricultural events that highlight the calendar during the summer and early-autumn months.  The Topsham Fair has been a family tradition since 1854, and this year hosts four days of Maine Sire Stakes racing.

Katelyn’s Angel extended her winning streak to three as she took the fastest $14,684 division of the sophomore filly sidesteppers for driver Kevin Switzer Jr. and conditioner Marc Tardif. 

Scoring from post five, the daughter of Western Maverick was first over past the half and strode home a winner in 2:00.4 by 1-1/4 lengths.  The filly rewarded the fair faithful by paying $5.60 to win.  Katelyn’s Angel is owned and was bred by the Leightons. 

Wagering favorite South St Dottie (Aaron Hall-Mike Graffam) cut the fractions and finished second; La Mambacita (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) was third.

In the early, $14,459 non-wagering division, Pickmepickme (Walter Case Jr.-Marc Tardiff) had nine lengths on the field as she crossed the finish wire first, however was disqualified and placed third by the judges for a pylon infraction.  Alittlemorebliss (Dave Ingraham-Mike Cayoutte) was awarded the victory with Ally Mac (Hall-Graffam) placed second.

Racing resumes on Wednesday (Aug. 9) at Topsham with two $14,000-plus glamour boys divisions, which had been postponed from the previous day.  Luke McGook will look to make it six-in-a-row as he puts his winning streak to the test in race four. 

Racing continues with the remaining pacing divisions through August 12.  The third week in August brings the monsters of the midway up to Skowhegan for another full week of Maine harness racing at its finest.

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

July 31, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Maine-bred and sired 2-year-old pacers re-appeared at Cumberland on Sunday (July 30), where the aptly named Oakleypopsthedeuce acted accordingly to capture the first win of his fledgling career.

Scoring from post two driver ‘double-digit’ Dave Ingraham maintained his position with Oakleypopsthedeuce (8-1) and settled in behind 2-5 favorite Hesjustadelight (Ron Cushing-Heidi Gibbs) to hit the opening panel in a moderate 29.4.

With no movement, and the field in perfect alignment the freshmen pacers hit the half in a relaxed 1:01.2 with Wes’s Challenge (Walter Case Jr.-Marc Tardif) sitting third.  Down the backstretch for the final time Thru The Fire (Andy Harrington-Tardif) moved swiftly passing horses first over and was alongside Oakleypopsthedeuce as the field reached the third stanza in 1:31.

Rolling through the turn in the heat of battle Thru The Fire lost some momentum which gave Oakleypopsthedeuce just enough wiggle room to pop out of the two-hole and challenge for the lead.  Down the stretch the pair matched strides valiantly, but it was Oakleypopsthedeuce that prevailed by a quarter length, getting up in the final steps to break his maiden in 2:01.4.

Trained by Kelly Case for owner Tammy Sowers, the son of Deuce Seelster was bred by Irwin Kaplan.  Living up to his Gabe Prewitt-given nickname, Dave Ingraham with Oakleypopsthedeuce paid $19.00 to win the $15,123 Maine Sire Stake for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers. 

Hesjustadelight finished second; Wes’s Challenge was third.

Two $14,000-plus divisions of Maine Sire Stakes for freshmen fillies were scheduled for Saturday (July 30), however, one raced and one was postponed until Sunday (July 31).

Ghost Of You took the rescheduled $14,663 event, which was contested before Sunday’s regular program, in a maiden-breaking 2:02.1.  Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. for trainer Marc Tardif and owner-breeder Leighton Property, the 2-year-old daughter of Deuce Seelster made every call a winning won, scoring wire-to-wire to grab the first victory in her 6-start career.

Zoes Precious RN (Mike Cushing-Sherry Cushing) finished second; My Sweet Revenge (Case Jr.-Tardif) was third.

A day earlier Mrs Foxy Roxy picked up her fourth career victory, scoring in 2:05.2 in the $14,486 Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing fillies.  Also by the sire Deuce Seelster, the Mike Graffam-trained and Nick Graffam-driven distaff has assembled an impressive seasonal summary of four wins and a second in six starts. 

This was Mrs Foxy Roxy’s third Maine Sire Stakes victory for owners Bill McElvain Jr., Diane Dunn and Brad Veilleux and breeders Gary and Kristina Hall.  She paid $4.00 to win.  Who’s Perfect (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) finished second; Gowestyounggrace (Dave Ingraham-Fred Ward Jr.) was third.

The Maine Sire Stakes returns to Cumberland on Saturday (Aug. 5) with all divisions of the 2- and 3-year-old Pine Tree State-bred trotters going postward.  The following week the program transitions to the fair circuit with sire stakes racing at Topsham beginning August 7.  The third week in August brings the monsters of the midway up to Skowhegan for another full week of Maine harness racing.

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

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

CUMBERLAND, ME – My Saving Grace hasn’t had to endure much hardship in her short, but successful career as the freshman filly is a perfect three-for-three so far this season in Maine Sire Stakes competition.

Driven by Mark Athearn for trainer Gretchen Athearn, the young daughter of Shake It Off Lindy (a son of Crazed) hasn’t had to save anything for next week as she scampered off to victory lane by eight lengths in her $14,367 two-year-old filly trot for Pine Tree State-breds.

Under sunny skies the talented distaff stopped the timer in 2:06.3 to take a new lifetime mark over her home track Cumberland oval.  Owned by Margaret Thyng and bred by Leighton Property, My Saving Grace has saved up a nice nest egg of $23,487 so far this season. 

Coupled with last week’s romp at Bangor, the frosh filly has a combined margin of victory of 14-3/4 lengths.  My Saving Grace paid $3.00 to win.  Pembroke Breeze (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) finished second; Twisted Venture (Mike Cushing-Sherry Cushing) was third.

For the sophomore trotting fillies, it was a case of location, location, location. 

In the $14,952 Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old diagonally-gaited distaffs, heavy favorite She’salilbitmouthy ducked, pulled three-wide, and then ducked again before the field reached the pedestrian half in 1:02.3, following a 30.4 opening panel.

At the start, Another Adventure (Kevin Switzer Jr.-Marc Tardif) had taken command initially, but begrudgingly yielded to Melania’s Best (John Nason) who was intent on taking no prisoners.  After getting stung to the quarter, and then parking the favorite, Nason found himself leading the way with an empty tank in that filly’s first seasonal purse start.

First up was Wild Ending (Ivan Davies) with She’salilbitmouthy and Hall in a tight pocket third.  At the decisive 1:33.2 third panel Wild Ending took the lead over Melania’s Best, who had called it an afternoon.  Another Adventure had taken chase and was now beside the favorite, locking her behind the tiring former pacesetter.

As the field rounded the final turn it was a race for second as Wild Ending had put all the wild antics behind her.  Another Adventure was too busy looking around to mount a serious stretch drive, but hung on to be second.  B R Glory (Wally Watson-Lisa Watson) swooped them all to be a fast closing third.

Trained and driven by Ivan Davies, Wild Ending picked up her second lifetime victory for owner Anita Anastosopoulis.  The daughter of Boy Band was bred in Maine by the late Michael Andrew.  She paid 4.80 to win.

In the first division for 3-year-old filly pacers Katelyn’s Angel grabbed her second wire-to-wire victory, winning the $14,684 Maine Sire Stake in a lifetime mark equaling 1:58.2.  Driven to a 10-1/4 length romp by Kevin Switzer Jr. for trainer Marc Tardif, the daughter of Western Maverick is owned and was bred the Leightons.  She paid $4.00 to win.  Slight favorite La Mambacita (Campbell-Grondin) finished second; Ally Mac (Nick Graffam-Mike Graffam) was third.

The second division was also an unimpeded rout by South St Dottie in a well-rated 2:00.2.  Driven by Nick Graffam for trainer/father Mike Graffam, was on easy street after the favored Pickmepickme (Andy Harrington-Marc Tardif) made a costly break while giving chase in the final turn.

The Jan Donaway owned and bred daughter of Western Maverick is heretofore undefeated in five seasonal Maine Sire Stakes events.  South St Dottie paid $4.80 to win.  Pickmepickme got back pacing and finished second; stable mate Justcallmemimi (Bruce Ranger-Graffam) was third.

Saturday’s (July 29) Cumberland card has two divisions of freshman pacing fillies, with the freshmen pacing colts going on Sunday (July 30).  All the divisions are on the betting program.  First post is 3:15 pm.

For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  https://www.mainesirestakes.com to learn about the new Mare Incentive program.

July 27, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Thomas Smith photos)

BANGOR, ME – Marc Tardif’s 3-year-old pacing gelding Luke McGook grabbed another victory at Bangor on Wednesday (July 26), giving the seasonal star an unblemished record of five-for-five in the glamour boys division of the Maine Sire Stakes.

Leaving from pylon position and driven by regular pilot Kevin Switzer Jr., the son of Rock N’ Roll World left little doubt who would be in command at the 29.2 opening panel of the $15,142 event.  With the world at his back the Leighton Property-owned horse with the funny name rolled through the middle half of 1:00.2 and 1:29.3 while maintaining a respectable, but not overly boisterous, single-length lead on Colt Bennett (Bruce Ranger-David Crochere). 

First up at the half and through the third panel was stable mate Someones Hero (Dave Ingraham-Tardif).  Sensing some hesitation Walter Case Jr. moved So Rock N’ Roll (Tardif) three wide down the backside to swoop his tiring colleague.

With the fracas behind him, Luke McGook pranced home in 1:58.3, with nary an anxious moment to score by 1-1/4 lengths.  Colt Bennett finished second with So Rock N’ Roll getting up to be third in the first of three non-wagering events. 

Luke McGook was bred in Maine by Erica Saucier, and now has $178,574 in lifetime earnings, with 13 career victories.

The second $14,146 Maine Sire Stakes event, a 2-year-old colt trot, was captured by Chipper Dale in 2:12 by a 1-3/4 length margin with trainer-driver Valerie Grondin at the controls.  Chipper Dale is by the sire Shake It Off Lindy and is owned and was bred by Lynn-Marie Plouffe.  Pembroke Will (Heath Campbell-Grondin) finished second after cutting the fractions; Carrabassatt (Mark Athearn-Gretchen Athearn) was third.

The final non-bettor was captured by Two Towns Over who grabbed the other $15,367 sophomore colt pace division in a seasonal best 1:58.1.

Driven by Aaron Hall for owner-trainer Valerie Grondin, the son of Deuce Seelster made every call a winning one, wiring the field and scoring by 3-3/4 lengths.  Stable mate Mattucci (Walter Case Jr.-Grondin) finished second; Rockaroundsam (Andy Harrington-Tardif) was third.  Two Towns Over was bred by Andrew Bustard.

Outlawofthevalley provided a mild upset in defeating wagering favorite and previous point leader Wabanaki (Ivan Davies, 1-5) in the $15,166 Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings.

Scoring from the Euro-rail position, driver Kevin Switzer Jr. let Stealin Money (Nick Graffam, 20-1) leave sharply and cross over.  However, the dust barely had time to settle as Switzer Jr. was back out and rolled on to re-take command in a 29.4 opening panel.

Stealin Money sat a tight pocket with Wabanaki not content in third and choosing to pull first over into the 1:01.4 half-mile marker.  The pair battled on the front end through a 1:31.4 third stanza, where track announcer Mike Sweeney noted that Wabanaki ‘refused to go away.’

Down the stretch it appeared that the lathered-up Outlawofthevalley had his hands full, but the wire arrived and the pacesetter was able to maintain a half-length lead over the favorite to score in 2:02.2.  Outlawofthevalley is a son of Pembroke Slugger, is owned and was bred by Leighton Property, and paid $9.80 to win for trainer Marc Tardif.

Stealin Money hung on to be third.

Trainers Valerie Grondin and Marc Tardif swept the four divisions of Maine Sire Stakes events, each taking two races on the day’s program.

It’s a three-day weekend for participants in the Maine Sire Stakes at Cumberland.  Friday (July 28) hosts 2- and 3-year-old trotting fillies and 3-year-old pacing fillies.  Saturday (July 29) has two divisions of freshman pacing fillies, with the freshmen pacing colts going on Sunday (July 30).  All the divisions are on the betting program. 

For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  https://www.mainesirestakes.com to learn about the new Mare Incentive program.