July 13, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes

AUGUSTA, ME – The Officers and Directors of the Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association (MSBOA) are pleased to announce a new mare incentive program which will provide up to $30,000 of payments in lieu of stud fees for mares bred to a Maine stallion during the 2023 breeding season.

Mares and owners new to the program and/or the state will be given preference over current resident mares, with a total of 15 registered broodmares that are bred to a Maine stallion being eligible to the program.

“We are excited to support bringing new Standardbred mares into the state of Maine,” noted MSBOA director Rhoda Underhill.  “This program helps in many ways as it will increase the size of our foal population, as well as benefit the stallion owners with increased bookings.”

The additional resultant foals should also help increase and strengthen the level of participation in Maine Sire Stakes events for years to come. 

For more information, and to download the applicable forms, go to:

Forms | Fees

In other news, the Pine Tree State-bred glamour boys were at it again, tearing up the racing strip at Bangor on Wednesday (July 12) in two $15,142 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings.

Continuing his domination, Luke McGook coasted to his fourth consecutive victory in the first early, non-wagering race.

Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr., the sophomore son of Rock N’ Roll World sat a perfect pocket trip behind pacesetter Colt Bennett (Bruce Ranger-David Crochere) to tip out in the stretch and draw off by 3-3/4 lengths in 1:58.1.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, it was his twelfth lifetime victory.  Luke McGook was bred in Maine by Erika Saucier.  Colt Bennett finished second; Two Points (Drew Campbell-Eric Bickmore) was third.

In the second $15,142 event, So Rock N’ Roll grabbed his second stakes victory of the season, scoring in the identical 1:58.1 time as his stable mate.

Driven by Walter Case Jr. for trainer Marc Tardif, the son of Western Maverick won from off the pace for owner-breeder Leighton Property.

Matucci (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) cut the mile while Wicked Scorchah (Drew Campbell-David Crochere) had a two-hole journey into a 28.1 opening panel.  However, at the 59.2 half the latter jumped off stride giving So Rock N’ Roll and Case Jr. clear access to that garden spot after being first over. 

The victor made his move at the head of the stretch to win by 1-1/4 lengths over Mattucci.  Facemaskrequired (Mike Stevenson-Marc Tardif) finished third.

Maine-bred 2- and 3-year-old pacing fillies return to historic Bass Park on Friday (July 14).  Over the weekend, the 2-year-old pacing colts visit Cumberland on Saturday (July 15), with all divisions of trotters racing at Bangor on Sunday (July 16) for more Maine Sire Stakes events.

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their new website:  https://www.mainesirestakes.com

July 10, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Thomas Smith photo).

BANGOR, ME – Two guys named ‘Mike’ departed Bangor as winners when their 3-year-old trotters scored in their respective divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes on Sunday’s (July 9) early card.

Trainer Mike Cushing’s filly She’salilbitmouthy grabbed her second victory of the stakes season, winning the $14,502 sophomore filly trot in a new lifetime best 2:02.4.

Driven by Aaron Hall, the daughter of Victor Blue Chip left from pylon position and never looked back as she cruised through opening fractions of 31.1 and 1:00.3.  With a comfortable two-length lead on the trailing horses, Hall was content to hit the third panel in 1:31.1 before opening up by four lengths to sail home a winner for owner Mona Dodd.  She’salilbitmouthy was bred in Maine by Stephen Hall.

It was the filly’s third seasonal start and second win where she lowered her mark by over three seconds, and now has 10 wins lifetime.  Wild Ending (Ivan Davies) finished second; Another Adventure (Kevin Switzer Jr.-Marc Tardif) was third.

The $14,941 sophomore colt trot was up next, which was settled in the final strides by trainer Mike Graffam’s Stealin Money.

When the wings folded Outlawofthevalley (Switzer Jr.-Tardif) was the first to leave from post four, followed by Stealin Money (Nick Graffam-Mike Graffam) who got away second, with Pembroke Traveler (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) settling into third.

Switzer Jr. gathered up Outlawofthevalley after a 29.1 opening panel and reduced the tempo into a 1:00.4 half.  Last week’s victor Wabanaki (Ivan Davies) cruised solo in the outer flow throughout the opening panels but had a miscue following the 1:30.2 third quarter.

At the head of the stretch the leader Outlawofthevalley stepped off stride which allowed Stealin Money to inherit the lead for the Graffam clan, and score by a head over a fast-closing Pembroke Traveler in 2:02.  Wabanaki held on to be third.

It was the first seasonal victory for Graffam’s homebred colt by Pembroke Slugger, who lowered his mark by nearly ten seconds in the process.  Now co-owned by Mike Graffam with Jacquie Graffam and Joan Harmon, it was just the second lifetime victory for the up-and-comer.

The Maine-bred sidesteppers finish out the week, with the 3-year-old pacing colts invading Bangor on Wednesday (July 12) for two $15,142 divisions of seven horse fields.  First post is early at 2 pm where Luke McGook, the point leader in the glamour boys division, seeks his fourth consecutive victory.  Then, the 2- and 3-year-old pacing fillies are up next on Friday (July 14) at historic Bass Park. 

The following day the 2-year-old pacing colts visit Cumberland on Saturday (July 15) for more Maine Sire Stakes events.

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their new website:  https://www.mainesirestakes.com

By Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Stephanie Gray photos)

Driver Mark Athearn and trainer Gretchen Athearn swept the two early non-wagering Maine Sire Stakes events for 2-year-old trotters. 

My Saving Grace, a frosh filly by Shake It Off Lindy scored in the first $14,017 distaff trot, defeating Bernies Legacy (Ivan Davies) in 2:08.4 by three parts of a length.  Owned by Margaret Thyng and bred by Leighton Property, it was the second ‘official’ time behind the starting gate for both participants.  

The $13,796 Maine-bred 2-year-old colt trot was a walkover in 2:11.3 by a son of Boy Band named Carrabassett.  Owned by Patrick Leavitt and bred by the late Mike Andrew, it was the gelding’s third circuit in a professional setting.

July 7, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes

BANGOR, ME – Hesjustadelight made his first lifetime stakes race a memorable one, cruising to victory in the $14,598 Maine-sired 2-year-old colt and gelding pace at Bangor on Friday (July 7).

Co-owned and driven by Ron Cushing, the son of Western Maverick scored from post position four in the early non-wagering event, and when the wings closed he remained in fourth past a 29.2 opening panel.

Thru The Fire (Andrew Harrington) was one of three entrants from the Marc Tardif stable, and from pylon position that son of Western Maverick cut the fractions.  With no movement through a 1:00.2 breather, and with Oakleypopsthedeuce (David Ingraham-Anthony Urbanowicz) remaining in the two-hole, Cushing popped Hesjustadelight first over into a 1:31 third panel.

By the head of the stretch Cushing had cleared the top and was able to cruise to a 1-3/4 length victory in 2:02.1 with his whip tucked over his shoulder.

Trained by Heidi Gibbs and owned by the partnership of Cushing, Lynn-Marie Plouffe, Anthony and Joseph Romanelli, he was also bred in Maine by Lynn-Marie Plouffe.

Oakleypopsthedeuce rallied for second money; Wes’s Challenge (Walter Case Jr.-Marc Tardif) finished third.

The freshman trotters visit Cumberland on Saturday (July 8) for two Maine Sire Stakes worth a combined $27,800-plus in purses.  The early action starts before the regular card at 2:00 pm.  3-year-old trotters enjoy two $13,500 divisions at Bangor on Sunday (July 9) with an early 11:45 am post time.

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their new website:  https://www.mainesirestakes.com

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

BANGOR, ME – Trainer Mike Graffam’s Mrs Foxy Roxy strutted her stuff down the Bangor runway on Wednesday (July 5) to capture the season’s first 2-year-old Maine Sire Stakes, the $15,123 freshman filly pace.

Driven by Nick Graffam, the daughter of Deuce Seelster never had an anxious moment as the freshman distaff took immediate command from post three and led the field into a brisk 30.4 opening panel.

My Sweet Revenge (Walter Case Jr.-Marc Tardif) sat in the two-hole, with Who’s Perfect (Dave Ingraham-Valerie Grondin) the first to move to the outside into a 1:03.4 half-mile time.

Following Graffam’s perfectly rated middle half with Mrs Foxy Roxy, Heath Campbell moved Pembroke Red second over through a 1:35 third panel.  As the tempo increased the field stacked up in the leader’s wake as Graffam gained considerable separation around the final turn.

Mrs Foxy Roxy cruised to victory unabated in 2:04.3, a new lifetime best.  The four fillies in chase mode were stretched out in unison across the wire and racing for second.

Owned by William McElvain Jr, Diane Dunn and Bradford Veilleux, it was the black filly’s second score of the year, but first pari-mutuel victory.  She paid $5.40 to win by 3-1/2 lengths.  7-5 favorite My Sweet Revenge was second, Ghost Of You (Kevin Switzer Jr.-Marc Tardif) was third.

The male freshman sidesteppers invade Bangor on Friday (July 7) for a $14,598 Maine-sired 2-year-old colt and gelding pace.

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their new website:  https://www.mainesirestakes.com

July 1, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes

CUMBERLAND, ME – The Tardif Taskforce swept the glamour boy divisions at Cumberland Saturday (July 1), winning both $15,209 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers.

In the first division, which was contested at 2 pm before the regular card, Kevin Switzer Jr. sent Luke McGook right to the front from post four and controlled the tempo into opening panels of 29.2 and 1:00.4.  At the half Bruce Ranger driving Colt Bennett took a shot at the leader and had come first over through the 1:30.2 third quarter and grabbed the lead.

Seemingly home free, Ranger wasn’t counting on Switzer Jr. and Luke McGook digging in for one final rally to re-take a half-length lead and the victory in 1:59.4.  Owned by Leighton Property and trained by Marc Tardif, the sophomore son of Rock N’ Roll World picked up the eleventh win of his career.  He was bred by Erika Saucier.

Mattucci (Aaron Hall/Valerie Grondin) finished third.

In the second $15,209 division the Tardif Taskforce was back at it again, with four of the seven entrants in the Maine-bred sophomore pace.

Twice The Ice (Andy Harrington) started from pylon position but had to negotiate a re-take as stable mate Anythingforyoudear (Switzer Jr.) had grabbed the early lead.  With the first quarter in 29 flat, Harrington finally took command and settled down into a 59.2 half.

With a quickening of the tempo, Twice The Ice was well in command at the 1:28.1 third panel and began to draw off under mild urging to score by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:58, a new lifetime best as well as a track record for 3-year-old pacing colts.  Owned and trained by Marc Tardif, the son of Deuce Seelster picked up his first win of the season.  He was bred by Gary and Kristina Hall.

So Rock N’ Roll (Walter Case Jr./Marc Tardif) finished second; Two Towns Over (Aaron Hall/Valerie Grondin) was third.

The Maine Sire Stakes visits Bangor on Sunday (July 2) for two $14,684 divisions for 3-year-old pacing fillies, first post is 12:15 pm.

Looking ahead, the Maine Sire Stakes originally scheduled for Union Fair have been moved to Bangor (July 26) and Cumberland (July 28).

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 26, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Thomas Smith photos)

BANGOR, ME – Pickmepickme handily took a new lifetime mark of 1:56.2 winning her $14,684 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies at Bangor on Sunday (June 25).  The 1-9 favorite has never been worse than third in any race with a purse, so Andy Harrington drove her like she was the best.

When the wings folded for the opener at historic Bass Park, Harrington sent the Marc Tardif-owned, bred and trained daughter of Western Maverick right to the top.  From that point it was a fast-trip training mile as the fillies in tow followed right along through opening fractions of 29.2 and 59.

With a comfortable 1-1/2 length advantage over her disciples, Harrington let Pickmepickme have her head following a 1:28 third panel.  As their collective lead continued to build, the pair scampered home by four lengths to collect the lion’s share of the purse and retain a faster career record.  Her last quarter was a snappy 28.2, further cementing her prowess within the division.

Pickmepickme paid $2.20 for her backers, with the Tardif Taskforce enjoying the filly’s 10^th career victory in 12 lifetime starts.  It was her second win a row as a sophomore, and ninth consecutive victory lifetime. 

La Mambacita (Heath Campbell/Valerie Grondin) finished second; Janie (Aaron Hall) was third.

The second $14,684 division had another repeat filly winner in South St Dottie who also took the coast-to-coast route to victory in the early, non-wagering race.

Nick Graffam drove the daughter of Western Maverick for trainer Mike Graffam, who left from post five and scored by 2-3/4 lengths.  The final time of 1:58 was also a new lifetime mark for the filly who appears to be improving with every start.

Having just a single victory last year at two, South St Dottie has won her last two sophomore Maine Sire Stakes events, lowering her mark in each instance.  Owned and bred by Jan Donaway, her last quarter of 28.4 is indicative of her speed and agility, and should make her another filly to watch in the coming weeks and months of Maine-bred action.

Katelyn’s Angel (Kevin Switzer Jr./Marc Tardif) finished second; Ally Mac (Aaron Hall/Mike Graffam) was third.

The Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes returns to Cumberland on Friday (June 30) for two $14,000-plus divisions for 3-year-old trotters, with the 3-year-old pacing colts the following day on Saturday (July 1).  First post is 3:15 pm. On Sunday (July 2), Maine’s 3-year-old pacing fillies come back to Bangor for week three.

Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association (MSBOA) president Scott Pooler announced that the Maine State Harness Racing Commission has unanimously approved the MSBOA Board of Directors request that all Maine Sire Stakes races shall drawn by lot, not electronically.

Looking ahead, the Maine Sire Stakes originally scheduled for Union Fair have been moved to Bangor (July 26) and Cumberland (July 28).

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 24, 2023, by Chris Tully

CUMBERLAND, ME – Despite an early miscue Outlawofthevalley overcame his inaugural round jitters to grab the lone $14,491 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old male trotters on Friday (June 23) at Cumberland Raceway.

Sent in as 7-5 favorite in the opener, driver Kevin Switzer Jr had to help steady the gait of the sophomore gelding by Pembroke Slugger as the pair were three lengths off the gate when the starter called ‘go.’  Once the field hit the first turn, Switzer Jr. hit the accelerator and moved past the other three participants in a quick brush of speed to reach the quarter-mile marker first in 30.3.

As the field approached the half, Outlawofthevalley was showing the way with Stealin Money (Nick Graffam) right there second.  A gap of nearly six lengths separated the leaders from Eustis (Mike Stevenson) and Pembroke Traveler (Heath Campbell), who were third and fourth respectively at the 1:02 half.

The pace quickened going toward the 1:32.1 third stanza, with Pembroke Traveler finally tipping to the outside as time was running out to make a closing bid.  With both of the aft-placed trotters gaining ground, the wire found Outlawofthevalley still on top, with Stealin Money second and Pembroke Traveler getting up for third.

It was a new lifetime mark of 2:03.1 for Outlawofthevalley, who picked up his fourth career victory for owner-breeder Leighton Property and trainer Marc Tardif.  He paid $4.80 to win.

Friday’s early non-wagering race featured the first purse start for three Maine-bred sophomore filly trotters, competing for a purse of $14,277.  Winning from pylon position in a wire-to-wire tour was She’salilbitmouthy in 2:08.  The daughter of Victor Blue Chip was driven by Aaron Hall for trainer Mike Cushing, and is owned by Bill ‘Yarmouth Lumber’ Phipps.  Second by three parts of a length was Another Adventure (Kevin Switzer Jr.).

The Graffam Stable swept all of the ‘Learn and Earn’ baby races on the early card, giving driver Nick Graffam and trainer/father Mike Graffam three victories with three different freshmen pacers:  Crimson Pine, a colt by So Surreal in 2:05.3; Mrs Foxy Roxy, a filly by Deuce Seelster in 2:07.1; and The Marvinator, a colt by Mysharona Bluechip in 2:08.4.  Each race carried a nominal purse of two hundred dollars.

With a total of 15 ‘purse’ races being held on Friday, the winningest driver of the afternoon was Nick Graffam who captured three early races plus one overnight.  He was followed by Kevin Switzer Jr. who had a hat trick, and then with Aaron Hall, Bruce Ranger, Mike Stevenson who each grabbed a pair.

June 22, 2023 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes

BANGOR, ME – Although Luke McGook scored his second Maine Sire Stake of the fledgling season, he was not the only sophomore pacer from the Mark Tardif stable to find victory Lane.  So Rock N’ Roll won the second division in swift fashion at Bangor on Wednesday (June 21), with both favored sidesteppers rewarding their backers with modest rewards, as well as the $15,367 purses.

Luke McGook scored from post 5 with regular pilot Kevin Switzer Jr. at the controls.  Pressing out for the lead, the pair set comfortable opening fractions of 29.4 and 1:00.4, while in complete command.  Stable mate Twice The Ice (Andrew Harrington) maintained a close pocket seat.

At the half, the outer flow started to materialize with last week’s divisional winner Colt Bennett (Bruce Ranger) ranging up on the outside into a swifter 1:30.1 third panel.  As the two leaders rounded the final turn Ranger had Colt Bennett poised to pounce, but Switzer urged Luke McGook into another gear and held the would-be up setter at bay, winning by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:58.  The last quarter was in 27.4.

Owned by Leighton property, the son of Rock N’ Roll World paid $3.00 to win.  He was bred in Maine by Erika Saucier. Twice The Ice held position to be third.

The second $15,367 division witnessed So Rock N’ Roll and driver Walter Case Jr. work out a tactically savvy two-hole trip behind Two Towns Over (Aaron Hall) to capture his first win of the season.

As the gate wings folded Hall rushed Two Towns Over out for the lead from post 3, only to initially thwarted by the pylon positioned So Rock N’ Roll.  The pair fought to the quarter pole, leaving the rest of the field a dozen lengths in arrears.  Just past the 27.4 opening panel, Case Jr. eventually yielded to Hall, but not without taking some of the sting out of the leader.

Case Jr. kept the pocket closed with Wicked Scorchah (Drew Campbell) closing ground in third and Someone’s Hero (Andy Harrington) moving first over to the half in 58.3.

Hall managed to gain a little separation going down the backstretch the final time, hitting the third panel in 1:28.  Case Jr. got So Rock N’ Roll rolling into gear and tipped out just before the final turn to challenge the leader, with Wicked Scorchah looking for racing room.

The two leaders battled down the stretch, with Case Jr. and So Rock N’ Roll prevailing in the final strides to win by a head over Hall and Two Towns Over.

So Rock N’ Roll tripped the timer in 1:57.1, which equaled his lifetime best, but also was the fastest Maine-bred event of the afternoon at Bangor.  Owned Leighton Property and trained by Marc Tardif, the son of Western Maverick paid $3.40 to win.  He was bred by Lesley Leighton.  Wicked Scorchah held on for third.

The Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes returns to Cumberland on Friday for two $14,000-plus divisions for 3-year-old trotters.  First post is 3:15 pm. Following that, Maine’s 3-year-old pacing fillies revisit Bangor on Sunday (June 25).

In other news, the Union sire stakes dates have been moved to Bangor (July 26) and Cumberland (July 28).

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their new website:  https://www.mainesirestakes.com

The Maine Sire Stakes events originally schedule for the now-cancelled harness races at Union Fair have been picked up by Bangor and Cumberland.

The Maine State Harness Racing Commission has approved the following changes to the Stakes schedule:

Wednesday 7/26 @Bangor 

    2yo colt trotters, 3yo colt trotters and 3yo colt pacers.

Friday 7/28 @ First Tracks Cumberland 

     2yo filly trotters, 3yo filly trotters, and 3yo filly pacers.