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.
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
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 182nd 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 500th 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 499th 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.
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 499th 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
