June 14, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – A sure sign of summer is the return of the young, Maine bred Standardbreds to the racetrack.  The weekend kicks off with four ‘Learn and Earn’ 2-year-old Baby Races on Friday (June 14), before the regular card at 1:45 pm.  Then, the Maine Sire Stakes convenes on Saturday (June 15) when Cumberland Raceway will host two $16,000-plus divisions for 3-year-old filly pacers. 

Friday’s (June 14) regular card (post time 3:15 pm) carries 11 races with all of the standard and exotic betting options, including our popular 50-cent Pick-5 (races 3-7) with a low 16-percent take out.

The co-featured $4,800 trots in races 3 and 8 contain several interesting entrants who are moving up after a win, or conversely, some who are looking for a softer landing spot.  In any case, the combinations will give punters plenty of options with the full fields and competitive pairings.

Looking ahead to Saturday (June 15) the triumphant return of the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes witnesses a couple of the top three finishers in last season’s $51,023 freshmen filly final returning to the action.

In the first $16,196 stake race My Sweet Revenge (Kevin Switzer Jr.) has been pegged as the 9-5 second choice from post 6.  Trained by Marc Tardif, the daughter of Western Maverick finished third in last year’s final, but will have to contend with Pembroke Red (Heath Campbell) from post 2.  Trained by Valerie Grondin, the daughter of Thirty Two Red is listed as the 7-5 favorite.

Last year’s champion Gowestyounggrace highlights the second division.  To be driven by Dave Ingraham for trainer Fred Ward Jr., the daughter of Western Maverick has been installed as the 6-5 early morning line favorite from post 4.  Ghost Of You (2-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) scores outside of the favorite for trainer Marc Tardif, and the Deuce Seelster filly already has a 2:00.3 win this season.

In other action, Instant Replay looks for a repeat performance from his victory last week, scoring from post 2 in the $6,000 featured (race 7) overnight event.  Regular pilot Walter Case Jr. returns for trainer George ‘Triple Sticks’ Fenno III.

Two $5,000 divisions of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) go postward as races 5 and 8, with many of the usual suspects looking for bragging rights among the tight knit horsemen’s community.  Top point earner Hunter “Hot Lead” Lofthus will be looking for his fifth victory in a row as he has two mounts on the card.  As always, the MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

The First Tracks Cumberland meet continues throughout the Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3. 

For additional information, visit our website at firsttrackscumberland.com, or find us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/FirstTracksCumberland/

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June 13, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Holli Niles photos)

BANGOR, ME – Justcallmebuck showed fans of the Maine Sire Stakes that he is one to watch in the glamour boys division for 3-year-old male pacers, scoring in 1:57.4 on Wednesday (June 12) at historic Bass Park.

Two $16,416 divisions of the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes went postward in the opening two races on the afternoon card, premiering what looks like another exciting season of Pine Tree State-sired harness racing.

As the wings folded in the opener Aaron Hall blasted Whats For Suppaah out to the lead to protect his pylon position, with Wes’s Challenge (Walter Case Jr.) and Justcallmebuck (Heath Campbell) charging hard from their respective outside post positions and settling in behind the pacesetter.

Campbell and Justcallmebuck had nary a moment’s rest in the three hole as they were back out and rolling to the top and setting a snappy 28.3 opening tempo.

The first to the outer flow was Arts Flight (Kevin Switzer Jr.) who kept the developing colt’s attention through a 59.1 half.  Case had Wes’s Challenge poised to pounce second over as the field moved down the backstretch and into the 1:28.3 third panel, with Hall maintaining a strong hold on Whats For Suppaah who was locked in the pocket.

Case swung Wes’s Challenge three wide around the final turn to challenge for the lead and appeared to have caught the pacesetter.  However, Campbell shook the lines at Justcallmebuck and the 3-year-old son of Deuce Seelster responded to hold the would-be spoiler at bay.

The final time of 1:57.4 was a new lifetime mark for the homebred property of Kristina Hall, prevailing by half of a measured length.  Trained by Gary Hall, he paid $3.20 to win for the second time in his career.

Wes’s Challenge finished second; Whats For Suppah was third.

In the second $16,461 division of 3-year-old Maine-bred male pacers, the Tardif Taskforce entry prevailed, despite the most accomplished part of the prohibitive betting choice, Two Fold Cold, being scratched sick.

Hejustadelight (Ron Cushing) last year’s freshmen champion took the field to the opening quarter in a smooth 29.1, with the field of five strung out by well over 10 lengths.  As the single file queue passed the stands for the first time Kevin Switzer Jr. moved Ella V Fella from the back of the pack to range up toward the leaders, passing the half in 59.4.

Ella V Fella caught the leader going down the backstretch and those two began their own race, scampering swiftly away from the rest of the pack.  With Hejustadelight on the inside, and Ella V Fella on the outside, the stubborn pair exchanged strides until the 1:29.4 third panel where the aggressor waved goodbye and paced away from the former leader and gained command through the final turn.

Scoring by three lengths, the 3-year-old son of Artistic Fella shaved a tick off his lifetime mark by stopping the timer in 1:58.1.  Ella V Fella, the 1-5 favorite was bred, and is owned and trained by Marc Tardif, paying $2.40 to win his third consecutive outing.

Hejustadelight finished second; CBF Windy Fella (Dave Ingraham) was third.

Maine Sire Stake resumes on Saturday (June 15) as First Tracks Cumberland hosts two $16,196 divisions for 3-year-old pacing fillies, which are slated as races one and three on the regular card.  First post is 3:15 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 11, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Stephanie Gray photo)

BANGOR, ME – Two fields of six 3-year-old male pacers highlight the first $32,000-plus round of Maine Sire Stakes action at Bangor on Wednesday (June 12), 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, and with significant purse increases, 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.

Last year’s Champion freshmen pacer, Hesjustadelight, makes his seasonal debut in the $16,416 second division of two betting events which opens the program at historic Bass Park at 3 pm. 

Trained, driven and co-owned by Ron Cushing the sophomore son of Western Maverick earned $74,067 last year at 2 for co-owner and breeder Lynn-Marie Plouffe along with partners A. J. and J. J. Romanelli.  He scores from post 4 and has been listed as the 7-2 second choice behind a 1-5 morning line favored ownership entry from the Marc Tardif Stable.

The powerful ‘Tardif Taskforce’ annually enters the Maine Sire Stakes loaded for bear, and this year is no exception.  Their horse Two Fold Cold has drawn the pylon position for the second race, and will look for redemption having finished second by a mere length to Hesjustadelight in last year’s $51,023 Maine Sire Stakes final at Cumberland.  The 3-year-old son of Deuce Seelster has already equaled his lifetime best of 1:59.4 a few weeks ago, and has been installed as the 1-5 heavy favorite with Walter Case Jr. driving, along with his ownership entry-mate Ella V Fella (post 6, Kevin Switzer Jr.).

In the first $16,416 division Justcallmebuck gets the oddsmaker’s call at 2-1.  The gray Deuce Seelster sophomore already has a win and a second on his card this season for trainer Gary Hall and driver Heath Campbell.

Tardif sends out the second and third choices in Wes’s Challenge (5-2, Walter Case Jr.) and Arts Flight (3-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.), the latter coming off a win at Cumberland a few weeks ago.

Below are the entries for the opening leg of the Maine Sires Stakes.  Wagering Head Numbers may differ.

(Post position, Horse, Driver, Trainer, Morning Line Odds)

RACE 1 – Bangor Raceway – ME – June 12, 2024

Conditions: MAINE STANDARDBRED BREEDERS STAKES 3 YO COLTS & GELDINGS

Gait: Pace, Purse: $16,416, Post Time: 3:00 PM

1, Whats For Suppaah, Aaron Hall, Michelle Hardin, 7-1

2, Chance Worth Tryin, W. Drew Campbell, Kevin Chase, 6-1,

3, Arts Flight, Kevin Switzer Jr, Marc Tardif, 3-1

4, Jjfs Hot Rod Ronie, Michael Stevenson, Ralph D`Amelio II, 7-1,

5, Wes`s Challenge, Walter Case Jr, Marc Tardif, 5-2,

6, Justcallmebuck, Heath Campbell, Gary Hall, 2-1,

RACE 2 – Bangor Raceway – ME – June 12, 2024

Conditions: MAINE STANDARDBRED BREEDERS STAKES 3 YO COLTS & GELDINGS

Gait: Pace, Purse: $16,416, Post Time: 3:17 PM

1, Two Fold Cold, Walter Case Jr, Marc Tardif, 1-5

2, Oakleypopsthedeuce, Mcgwire Sowers, Mcgwire Sowers, 10-1

3, Thru The Fire, Andrew Harrington, Marc Tardif, 10-1

4, Hesjustadelight, Ron Cushing, Ron Cushing, 7-2

5, Cbf Windy Fella, David Ingraham, David Crochere, 10-1

6, Ella V Fella, Kevin Switzer Jr, Marc Tardif, 1-5

Looking ahead, Saturday’s (June 15) Cumberland program has two $16,196 divisions for 3-year-old pacing fillies, which are slated as races one and three on the regular card.  First post is 3:15 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 2024 NEWSLETTER – download here

Below are the meeting minutes from the MSBOA meeting held on May 7, 2024

PDF download

Learn and Earns for 2-year-olds

First Tracks Cumberland – 6/14 and 6/21 @ 2PM 

Bangor –   6/12 and 6/19

These will be charted lines – Eligibility and Coggins necessary. 

The meeting minutes from the April 2, 2024 meeting of the Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association is now available for viewing and PDF download.

The Meeting Minutes are now available for viewing and download

October 15, 2023, by Chris Tully for the Maine Sire Stakes (Thomas Smith photos)

BANGOR, ME – Luke McGook, the fast horse with the funny name, provided for a mild upset while capturing Saturday’s (Oct. 14) $71,134 Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings, highlighting the rich $280,000-plus Pine Tree State-bred sophomore finals at Bangor.

Trained by the powerful Marc Tardif stable and driven to victory by Kevin Switzer Jr., the son of Rock N’ Roll World allowed his pylon starting position to enhance his chances at a big payday by allowing his stablemate favorite to take command in the early going.

The 1-5 bettor’s choice So Rock N’ Roll (post 6, Walter Case Jr.) sprung hard and fast from the wings, but had to work through a parked-out :28.4 opening panel before assuming total command going into the paddock turn.

As Case eased the field into a :59.2 half, the cavalry charge from the outer flow forced his hand to quicken the tempo through turn three and down the backside for the final time.

Last year’s freshman champ Two Towns Over (Aaron Hall-Valerie Grondin) was first up, followed closely by Rockaroundsam (Dan Deslandes-Marc Tardif) with Luke McGook getting a perfect pocket trip into the 1:27.4 third panel.

With the outside horses failing to advance track announcer Mike Sweeney exclaimed, “Luke McGook is revving up the engines as the two step clear of the field.”

Rounding the final turn, with dead aim on the finish line, the leaders fought head to head, toe to toe and wheel to wheel as the reinsmen boldly encouraged their charges with every ground-covering stride.  Under the shadow of the wire Luke McGook got up to win by a scant three parts of a length in 1:57.1 over So Rock N’ Roll.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, it was the ninth seasonal victory for Luke McGook.  Bred by Erica Saucier, the sophomore gelding now has $105,404 in seasonal earnings.  He paid $7.60 to win.

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

South St Dottie easily handled her foes in the $71,118 Maine Sire Stakes final for 3-year-old pacing fillies.  Driven by Nick Graffam for trainer Mike Graffam, the daughter of Western Maverick made every call a winning one, getting the pillar to post victory in 1:58.3.

Owned and bred by Jan Donaway, the even-money favorite has banked $124,044 this season with ten trips to the winners circle.  She paid $4.20 to win.

Katelyn’s Angel (Kevin Switzer Jr.-Marc Tardif) stayed close throughout the entire mile and was back just 1-1/4 lengths to be second; La Mambacita (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) was third.

Ivan Davies sent both of his star trotters out to do the work they were bred for, and neither disappointed.

In the opener, the $70,852 Maine Sire Stakes final for 3-year-old trotting fillies, Wild Ending was unceremoniously barred from the wagering.  To the casual observer it may have been somewhat confusing as the filly was listed as scratched for the bettors and viewers at home.  Nonetheless, the Anita ‘Bunny’ Anastosopoulos-Andrew-owned and Mike Andrew-bred distaff by Boy Band was very much in the race and dictated all the fractions with authority.

With the wire to wire victory nearly preordained, the final time was clocked in 2:03.2, with the ‘purse only’ participant winning by 5-1/4 lengths.  Her seasonal kitty has now soared to $105,683 with nine wins to her credit.  Coming off that impressive victory, she looks to be a hot commodity in the Concord Stud Farm, Agent consignment at the upcoming Harrisburg Mixed Sale.

For betting purposes, the second place finisher Another Adventure (Kevin Switzer Jr.-Marc Tardif) was declared the pari-mutuel ‘winner’ and paid $14.00.  B R Glory (Wally Watson-Lisa Watson) was third.

Wild Ending’s stable mate and Boy Band-sired travel companion Wabanaki also made quick work of his challengers in the $70,966 Maine Sire Stakes final for sophomore male trotters.

Davies took command and never looked back as the gelding cruised through every panel with ease in the early non-wagering event, scoring in 2:00.3.  While the margin of victory was 3-1/4 lengths, the win was bittersweet for all the same connections as this horse will also head to the Standardbred Horse Sale in November.  With his steady gait and will to win, interested parties will find his $100,934 in seasonal earnings very attractive.

The Maine Sire Stakes finals are a strong representation of the culmination of years of hard work and dedication of behalf of dozens of industry stakeholders, including, but not limited to the owners, breeders, trainers, drivers and caretakers of these equine athletes. 

Not only do these horses represent a significant individual and collective investment in harness racing and agriculture in the state of Maine, but the peripheral revenue generated by the truck and trailer sales and maintenance, fuel suppliers, feed companies, hay producers, tack shops, blacksmiths, farm owners, and the racetracks and fairs that give them a place to compete, generously exceeds seven figures annually.

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