October 1, 2023, by Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland (Stephanie Gray photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – The Maine faithful were out in force on Saturday (Sept. 30) when the Pine Tree State-bred freshmen battled for bragging rights in the $200,000-plus Maine Sire Stakes finals for 2-year-olds on the closing day of the iconic Cumberland Fair.

The swiftest stakes race of the afternoon program was captured by Gowestyounggrace in 1:59.4 taking the $51,023 final for frosh filly pacers.

Driven by Dave Ingraham for trainer and owners/breeders Fred Ward Jr. and Sharon Ward, the homebred daughter of Western Maverick and wagering favorite worked hard to get to the top.

When the wings folded 8-5 second choice Who’s Perfect (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) dashed out for the lead with Summertime (Steve Wilson) and Mrs Foxy Roxy (Nick Graffam-Mike Graffam) settling into the second and third positions, respectively.

Just after the field hit the :28.1 opening panel Ingraham had Gowestyounggrace out and rolling through the turn and while passing the stands the aggressor had made up nearly six lengths and was looking the leader right in the eye.

That :59 second stanza breather was neither a benefit, nor a detriment, to the advancing Gowestyounggrace as she got to within a whisker of the lead as Who’s Perfect was valiantly trying to gain some separation at the 1:28.1 third station.

With the rest of the herd smelling blood in the water and racing for second, Ingraham took charge and scooted home by a very comfortable 3-1/2 lengths, with the final time just a fifth of a second off the filly’s lifetime best.  Gowestyounggrace paid $4.00 to win her fifth race of the season.

Summertime finished second; My Sweet Revenge (Walter Case Jr.-Marc Tardif) was third.

When the boys got busy in the $51,023 Maine Sire Stakes 2-year-old colt and gelding pace final, it was the tactical steer by Ron Cushing that rewarded the connections of Hesjustadelight with the champion’s trophy.

At the start Kevin Switzer Jr. driving 4-5 favorite Two Fold Cold (Marc Tardif) from the dreaded post eight was literally forced to leave and continued moving up to grab the lead just past the :29.2 opening panel.

Alertly, Cushing was anticipating the scenario and was content in the pocket while Dave Ingraham pulled Oakleypopsthedeuce first over into a :59.2 half.  While that put Cushing and Hesjustadelight in a box, the veteran reinsman sat chilly through the 1:30 third station.

As the field rounded the final turn daylight emerged for Cushing as he found racing room and set his sails into the wind and let the son of Western Maverick’s final brush take him home a winner in 2:01.4.

Trained by Heidi Cushing and owned by Ron Cushing, (breeder) Lynn-Marie Plouffe, Anthony and Joseph Romanelli, it was the gelding’s fourth win of the season.  He paid $5.40 to win.

Two Fold Cold finished second; Justcallmebuck (Gary Hall) was third.

In the $50,567 Maine Sire Stakes final for 2-year-old trotting fillies it was

Pembroke Breeze who emerged victorious.  Trained by Valerie Grondin and driven by Heath Campbell, the daughter of Pembroke Slugger is owned and was bred by Bill Varney.  She paid $3.40 to win in 2:07, giving her four seasonal victories. 

Bernie’s Legacy (Ivan Davies) finished second; My Saving Grace (Mark & Gretchen Athearn) was third.

Before the card was the $50,421 Maine Sire Stakes for freshmen trotting colts and geldings, which completed a sweep of the trotting splits for the aforementioned connections.  Pembroke Will was driven by Heath Campbell for trainer Valerie Grondin and owner/breeder Bill Varney with the son of Pembroke Slugger taking a new lifetime mark of 2:08.3 in the process.

Stable mate Chipper Dale (Valerie Grondin) finished second; Carrabassett (Athearn) was third.

Racing concludes at the Cumberland Fair with a special 11 am post time for Sunday (Oct. 1), where the first 100 patrons that purchase a program will receive a $5 betting voucher. 

First Tracks Cumberland’s winter festival reconvenes on Sunday, November 5, abiding by a weekend racing schedule through Christmas Eve (Dec. 24).  Winter post times will be 11 a.m.

More information can be found on our website: https://firsttrackscumberland.com and on our Facebook page: First Tracks Cumberland.

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

CUMBERLAND, ME – Once again, First Tracks Cumberland welcomes the $200,000-plus Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old Pine Tree State-bred harness horses on Saturday (Sept. 30), being held on the final day of the 151^st Cumberland Fair.

The racing begins twenty minutes before the regular 1:30 pm post time with an early non-betting event, the $50,000 Maine Sire Stakes Freshman Final for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings.  Three males go postward with the powerful Valerie Grondin Stable sending two behind the gate.

The winningest chap is Chipper Dale who had six straight victories before jumping off in his last start over a sloppy track.  Driven by conditioner Grondin, the son of Shake It Off Lindy is owned by top Maine breeding farm owner Lynn-Marie Plouffe.

Stablemate Pembroke Will (Heath Campbell) will look to pick up the pieces should anything go awry with the aforementioned sentimental favorite.  The Athearns round out the field with Carrabassett.

The $50,567 pari-mutuel opener is the Maine Sire Stakes final for 2-year-old trotting fillies, which is led by early 6-5 morning line favorite My Saving Grace.  Trained and driven by Team Athearn, the daughter of Shake It Off Lindy has five wins in nine seasonal starts.  She has pylon position in the rich final.

Her biggest threat comes from just outside in post two, Pembroke Breeze.  Trained by Valerie Grondin and driven by Heath Campbell, the daughter of Pembroke Slugger has been first or second in all seven of her starts.

Transitioning over to the sidesteppers, the sixth race features the $51,013 Maine Sire Stakes final for 2-year-old pacing fillies.  The slight favorite at 8-5 is Who’s Perfect who has been holding up to her moniker having been first or second in seven of eight career outings.  Trained and driven by the dynamic duo of Grondin and Campbell, the daughter of Western Maverick scores from post two.  Several other fillies have established themselves as ones to watch, including Gowestyounggrace (Dave Ingraham-Fred Ward), My Sweet Revenge (Walter Case Jr.-Marc Tardif) and Mrs Foxy Roxy (Nick Graffam-Mike Graffam).  They have been doing battle against one another all year with no dominant distaff emerging.  This race will come down to post position, trip and racing luck.

The final event is the $51,023 Maine Sire Stakes for freshmen colts and geldings.  Interestingly, the 9-5 favorite, Two Fold Cold comes off four wins in a row, but leaves from post eight.  He gets the services of his regular pilot Kevin Switzer Jr. and hails from the heavily-armed barn known as the Tardif Taskforce.  The son of Deuce Seelster has won his last four races by a combined total 28-1/2 lengths.

Hesjustadelight (5-2) was shown more kindness by the post position Gods as he drew post two and will assuredly be forwardly placed by driver Ron Cushing and trainer/partner Heidi Cushing.

Including the Maine Stakes, First Tracks Cumberland has added several pop up series finals to the day’s festivities, bringing the total purses on the program to over $275,000.  The seventh race features the Cumberland Derby where fans can enter to win up to $500 by picking the correct race winner.

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

September 21, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Judy Ellis photos)

FARMINGTON, ME – Two $14,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old male pacers closed out the harness racing meet at the Farmington Fair on Wednesday (Sept. 20), with a couple of the usual suspects finding the winners circle once again.

In the first and fastest $14,692 split Colt Bennett came from off the pace to win his fourth race of the year in 1:58.

When the wings folded Mattucci (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) fought for command from pylon position and led the field into a :29.1 opening panel.  As the field passed the stands for the first time going to the half, Mattucci was well in control of the tempo, having set a comfortable :59.1 second quarter.

Walter Case Jr. ranged So Rock N’ Roll up first over and had collared the pacesetter by the third stanza in a snappy 1:28.4.  The Marc Tardif-trained recent winner was on top at the head of the stretch, with a seemingly comfortable margin.

However, ‘Double Digit’ Dave Ingraham had other ideas and unleashed a torrid burst of speed with Colt Bennett to chase down the leader and prevail by a quarter length.  Trained by David Crochere for owner Nancy Lombardi, it was the :28.4 final quarter that sealed the deal for the connections and gave the son of Rock N’ Roll World his fourth win of the season.  He was bred by Steve O’Toole.

Anithingforyoudear (Dan Deslandes-Marc Tardif) finished third.

Luke McGook redeemed his recent second place finishes to get back to winners circle following an interrupted seven-race win streak.

Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. for trainer Marc Tardif, Luke McGook left little doubt about his intentions when the wings folded as he assumed his favorite position on the front end.

From that point Swizter set moderate fractions of :30.1; 1:02.1 and 1:32.3 while Two Towns Over (Aaron Hall-Valerie Grondin) maintained a tight pocket in anticipation of any diminishing pace.  Rockaroundsam (Case Jr.-Tardif) came first over and got to within a half length of the pacesetter at the third panel.

Nonetheless, Switzer found another gear with Luke McGook and the gelding responded with a :28.2 final quarter to prevail by half a length in 2:01.

Town Towns Over finished second; Rockaroundsam was third.

Luke McGook is owned by Leighton Property and picked up his eighth seasonal victory.  Bred in Maine by Erika Saucier, he is a son of Rock N’ Roll World and now has over $207,000 in lifetime earnings.

The Maine-sired Standardbreds invade the Cumberland Fair with the trotters on Wed. (Sept. 27), the sophomore pacers on Friday (Sept. 29), and the $240,000 (est.) freshman finals on Saturday (Sept. 30).

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

September 20, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Judy Ellis photos)

FARMINGTON, ME – The sophomore pacing fillies enjoyed their day in the sun at the Farmington Fair, where two $14,684 divisions of Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old distaffs raced on Tuesday (Sept. 19).

South St Dottie handily put away her field of cohorts in a wire-to-wire effort from post four.

Driven by Aaron Hall for trainer Mike Graffam, the successful daughter of Western Maverick made every call a winning, showing her heels to the field in a 1:59.2 score, with a :28.1 final quarter thrown in for good measure.

Owned and bred by Jan Donaway, South St Dottie now has $66,285 in seasonal earnings with eight trips to the winners circle.

Katelyn Angel (Kevin Switzer-Marc Tardif) was back a length and a half to be second; Ally Mac (Walter Case Jr.-Cain MacKenzie) was third.

The Tardif Taskforce sent Pickmepickme out from the outermost post position in the second division, where she came from off the pace to wrap up another victory in 2:00.

Driven by Andy Harrington, the daughter of Western Maverick was first over heading down the backside for the final time, and pulled away from the pack to win by 2-1/2 lengths.

Owned, trained and bred by Marc Tardif, it was the thirteenth victory of Pickmepickme’s  career, pushing her lifetime earnings to $139,720.

La Mambacita (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) set the fractions and settled for second; Justcallmemimi (Case Jr.-Graffam) was third.

The Maine Sire Stakes concludes at the Farmington Fair on Wednesday (Sept. 20) with two divisions of the 3-year-old male pacers.  Next week, the Maine-sired Standardbreds transition over to the Cumberland Fair with the trotters on Wed. (Sept. 27), the sophomore pacers on Friday (Sept. 29), and the $240,000 (est.) freshman finals on Saturday (Oct. 2).

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

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

FARMINGTON, ME – Four $14,000-plus divisions of Maine Sire Stakes for trotters sloshed through the wet going at Farmington Fair on Monday (Sept. 18) including a pair of Ivan Davies-trained and driven prohibitive favorites that were ultimately barred from the wagering.

The folks in the Fair’s mutuel department had such confidence that Wabanaki’s $15,166 Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old male trotters would have a predictable outcome, that they instituted place and show wagering only and barred the pre-ordained winner from the betting pools.

Davies took a seat in the heavy going with the son of Boy Band, and pulled his trusty steed out at the half to race uncovered through the third panel.

At the head of the stretch the gelding had gained some separation but had to fend off the late charge of 26-1 longshot Eustis (John Beckwith-Gordon Corey) who got within half a length of Wabanaki when they tripped the timer in a soggy 2:04.3.

Owned by Anita ‘Bunny’ Anastosopoulos-Andrew, and bred by the late Mike Andrew, it was Wabanaki’s sixth win of the season.

Eustis paid $54.00 to place.  Outlawofthevalley (Kevin Switzer Jr.-Marc Tardif) finished third.

In similar fashion, management determined that there would be no ‘wild endings’ in the $14,952 filly trot.  Thus, Davies’ filly Wild Ending was unceremoniously barred from the wagering.

As expected, the dedicated daughter of Boy Band cruised coast-to-coast in 2:06.2 over the sloppy conditions to score by 4-3/4 lengths.  Once again, owned by Anita ‘Bunny’ Anastosopoulos-Andrew, and bred by the late Mike Andrew, it was Wild Ending’s sixth win of the season.

B R Glory (Andy Harrington-Lisa Watson) finished second and paid $20.00 to place.  Melania’s Best (John Nason) was third.

Before the regular card, the 2-year-old trotters had their day in the liquid sunshine, where Pembroke Breeze cruised to victory in the $14,367 Maine Sire Stakes for the frosh fillies.

Driven by Heath Campbell for trainer Valerie Grondin, the daughter of Pembroke Slugger made every call a winning one, scoring in 2:06 on a surface deemed ‘good.’

Owned and bred by Bill Varney, it was the third seasonal victory for Pembroke Breeze.  Twisted Venture (Mike Cushing-Sherry Cushing) finished second; Bernie’s Legacy (Ivan Davies).

Bill Varney’s ‘Pembroke’ moniker got another workout with Pembroke Will as that gelding took the $13,971 event for 2-year-old male trotters in 2:10.1.

Varney owns and bred that son of Pembroke Slugger who was also driven by Campbell for trainer Grondin.  Stable mate Chipper Dale (Grondin) made an uncharacteristic miscue and finished second.

The Maine Sire Stakes resumes at the Farmington Fair on Tuesday (Sept. 19) and continues through Wednesday (Sept. 20).

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

—30—

September 18, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Judy Ellis photos)

FARMINGTON, ME – Maine-bred Standardbred racing helped open the historic Farmington Fair on Sunday (Sept. 17) with two $14,000-plus divisions for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings.

The Farmington, Maine Agricultural Fair is now in full swing and harness racing is the center of attraction at the historic 182^nd annual event.  Situated in Franklin County (Maine), Farmington has a whopping 47 properties or districts listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

In the first $14,486 division Marc Tardif’s Two Fold Cold ran off and hid like his tail was on fire, which was an early non-wagering race, and thus the first race of the Fair meet. 

Reinsman Kevin Switzer Jr. was content to take a seat in third position when the wings folded, while stable mate Thru The Fire (Andy Harrington) assumed control of the tempo, and Whats For Suppaah (Aaron Hall-Michelle Hardin) grabbed the two-hole.

Not much changed at the :31.1 opening panel, but by the 1:02.2 half Switzer had Two Fold Cold out and rolling, with victory on his mind.  At the 1:32.3 third stanza the son of Deuce Seelster was looking his stable mate pacesetter right in the eye, and then went right on by.

It was at that point that Switzer hit the afterburners and the gelding responded by putting eleven lengths between himself and the rest of the field, scoring in 2:02.3, using a :30 final quarter to gain the vast separation.

Owned and trained by Marc Tardif, Two Fold Cold picked up his fourth win in a row and was impressive in his ‘off the pace’ effort.  The freshman was bred in Maine by Gary and Kristina Hall.

What For Suppaah finished second; Thru The Fire was third.

In the second $14,487 division Oakleypopsthedeuce inherited the win when Justcallmebuck (Gary Hall) was disqualified and placed fifth for a pylon infraction.

While driver Dave Ingraham had controlled the tempo with Oakleypopsthedeuce through moderate fractions, he was nipped at the wire by a neck in 2:02.1 by the fast closing Justcallmebuck.

That unofficial result did not stand as Oakleypopsthedeuce was declared the winner by the judges for trainer Kelly Case and owner Tammy Sowers.  The son of Deuce Seelster was bred by Irwin Kaplan.

Wes’s Challenge (Walter Case Jr.-Marc Tardif) was third placed second; Arts Flight (Switzer Jr.-Tardif) was fourth placed third.

The Maine Sire Stakes resumes at the Farmington Fair on Monday (Sept. 18) and continues through Wednesday (Sept. 20).

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

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