WINGATE, N.C. — Former Maine pacing sire Sweet Dragon, 33, was laid to rest on Monday (Sept. 2) from the infirmities of old age at Olive Branch Farm in North Carolina.
A former leading Maine pacing sire Sweet Dragon p,2,1:54.4 ($232,392) was a multiple sub-1:53 sire and sired the winners of over $4.69 million in the Pine Tree State.
A half-brother to Hall of Fame broodmare Sweet Future, he was a son of Breeders Crown winner Dragon’s Lair, and was the first foal from the Nero mare Sweet Dahrlin p,3,1:55.4 ($169,163).
Olive Branch Farm owner-operator Chris Coyle stated, “He was special horse that I helped raise during my years at Walnridge Farm in New Jersey. I got to watch him finish 2nd in the 1993 Woodrow Wilson with Jim Doherty driving for trainer Polie Mallar and owner Dr. Binette. He went on to be a leading Maine pacing sire for many years under the management of Lynn-Marie Plouffe at her Dupuis Farm in Saco.”
SWEET DRAGON with (L. to R.) former trainer Polie Mallar, Chris Coyle, Mr. & Mrs. Pat Leavitt.
In 2012 he was adopted by Chris Coyle, his breeder Seth Rosenfeld, and trainer Polie Mallar and got to live a long, happy life at Olive Branch as a baby sitter to many yearling colts.
Coyle added, “We adopted him from the Standardbred Retirement Foundation of NJ, an organization that does a wonderful job placing horses in good homes lead by Judy Bokman.”
September 3, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Holli Niles photos)
WINDSOR, ME – Two $19,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old filly pacers closed out the harness racing at Windsor Fair on Labor Day Monday (September 2) where top filly Gowestyounggrace picked up her seventh straight victory.
Scoring from post two driver Dave Ingraham never had an anxious moment with the talented daughter of Western Maverick. The pair set comfortable fractions of 29.4 and 1:00.3 while pacing effortlessly to the opening half through an eerily unique silence.
The silence of the crowd and the announcer was not due to any technical malfunction, but as a tribute to the late Bill Ellis, the former track announcer for many of the Maine Fairs and president of the New England Chapter of the U.S. Harness Writers. Mike Cushing proclaimed after the ‘silent half’ that Bill Ellis was perhaps “calling that race from up above.”
With Gowestyounggrace calling all the shots, and Mike Cushing back calling all the action, the rest of the field was feverishly trying to catch the 1-5 pacesetter. Pocket-sitting Emma Rozze (Heath Campbell) was well-positioned at the 1:30.2 third panel with Ghost Of You (Kevin Switzer Jr.) moving first over.
As the field turned for home the top filly was asked for a little more and responded with a 28.3 final quarter to win by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:59. Trained by Fred Ward Jr. who co-owns and bred with his wife Sharon Ward, it was the eighth seasonal victory and 13th overall for the career winner of $130,805. She paid $2.40 to win the first division with a purse of $19,921.
Emma Rozze finished second; Who’s Perfect (Aaron Hall) was third.
The second $19,922 division witnessed My Sweet Revenge exacting retribution against her colleagues as she took matters into her own hands and scored from off the pace.
When the gate sprung Walter Case Jr. sent 4-5 favorite Mrs Foxy Roxy right to the top from post two and set a 29.4 first quarter, with Pembroke Red (Heath Campbell) giving chase in the pocket. The field was in single file position as they passed the stands the first time and clocked 1:00.4 to the half.
With Case looking for his third win in a row with the pacesetting bettor’s choice, he increased the tempo to a 1:30.1 with My Sweet Revenge now first over and challenging with stable mate Animore Sass (Andy Harrington) right behind them second up.
Round the turn they paced with My Sweet Revenge gaining ground with every stride to cause a mild upset and prevail by two lengths in 1:59.3.
Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, the daughter of Western Maverick took a new lifetime mark while winning her second race of the season. She paid $5.80 to win, and was bred in Maine by Laurie Harding and Reginald Duguay.
Animore Sass was a fast closing second; Mrs Foxy Roxy hung on for third.
The Maine Sire Stakes returns to Bangor on Wednesday (Sept. 4) for the 2-year-old male pacers, continues Saturday (Sept. 7) for all four divisions of trotters and Sunday (Sept. 8) with the 2-year-old filly pacers.
For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com
September 2, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Holli Niles photos)
WINDSOR, ME – The 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers highlighted the Labor Day weekend Maine Sire Stakes at Windsor Fair on Sunday (September 1) with a pair of $19,000-plus divisions where the top horse in the division continued his winning ways.
Two Fold Cold needs no introduction to the Downeast faithful as the Marc Tardif-trained son of Deuce Seelster has dominated the sophomore pacing ranks throughout the season. Sunday was no exception as the unbeaten gelding provided for a thrilling finish to extend his streak to seven sire stakes events and eight on the season.
Scoring from pylon position in the early $19,466 non-wagering race, driver Kevin Switzer Jr. floated away from the car and set comfortable fractions of 31.1 and 1:01.3 before increasing the tempo. While Justcallmebuck (Heath Campbell) was tracking closely in the pocket, the third panel was recorded in a swifter 1:31.2, which prompted the challenger to pop the deuce and advance uncovered on the outside and through the turn.
At the head of the stretch stablemate Arts Flight (Andy Harrington) was looking for racing room up the inside, while Justcallmebuck was bearing down on the leader in mid-stretch. Seemingly unconcerned, Switzer was hand driving his charge down to the wire for a photo finish.
When the dust settled, Two Fold Cold had done it again, prevailing by a neck margin in 2:00.3 over Justcallmebuck. Owned and trained by Marc Tardif, it was the star’s 12th lifetime victory, which raised his career earnings to $107,074. He was bred by Gary and Kristina Hall.
Arts Flight finished third.
In the other $19,691 division for 3-year-old male pacers, carded as race one at Windsor Fair, driver Walter Case Jr. left alertly with Wes’s Challenge while rebuffing the advancement of Hesjustadelight and Ron Cushing into a 28.3 opening panel.
While the co-favorites were 1-2 heading into the 1:00 softer half, Oakleypopsthedeuce (McGwire Sowers) brushes from fourth to challenge the leader first up and got to his throat latch before the 5/8’s pole.
Case spurned that encounter before reaching the 1:30 third panel, with Hesjustadelight locked in the box and Whats For Suppaah (Aaron Hall) blasting three wide on the outside around the final turn.
With Oakleypopsthedeuce fading Cushing found a seam with Hesjustadelight as they turned for home and charged down the lane to prevail in another thrilling photo finish. The margin for win was a head over Wes’s Challenge in 2:00.1.
Trained by Heidi Cushing for owners Ron Cushing, Lynn-Marie Plouffe (breeder), Anthony Romanelli & Joseph Romanelli, the son of Western Maverick picked up his second victory of the season. He paid $4.40 to win and increased his lifetime earnings to $115,984.
Whats For Suppaah finished third.
The Maine Sire Stakes concludes at Windsor Fair on Labor Day Monday (Sept. 2) with the sophomore filly pacers. The Maine-bred program returns to Bangor on Wednesday (Sept. 4) for the 2-year-old male pacers and then Saturday (Sept. 7) for all four divisions of trotters.
For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com
September 1, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Holli Niles photos)
WINDSOR, ME – Freshmen trotting phenom Whatawonder has continued his wondrous run of dominance, taking his seventh consecutive victory on Saturday (Aug. 31) at Maine’s Windsor Fair.
In his $19,558 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings, the son of Whataworkout did what he always does, take the top and never look back. Driven to his wire-to-wire romp by Ken Watson, the talented gelding maintained a formidable lead throughout the mile and trotted home by four lengths in 2:03.4, a new lifetime best.
Trained by Lisa Watson for owner-breeder Barbara Lawson, it was Whatawonder’s sixth straight stakes victory. His lifetime earnings through seven career starts has now reached $52,059.
Liberty’s Wildcard (Kevin Switzer Jr.) finished second; stable mate Katahdin Victory (Wally Watson) was third in the first of three non-wagering events held before the regular card at Windsor.
$19,483 was on the line when four sophomore trotting fillies went postward in their division of the Maine Sire Stakes. With points leader Pembroke Breeze taking the week off, it was smooth sailing for My Saving Grace and Team Athearn as they enjoyed a coast-to-coast voyage around the Windsor oval.
Driver Mark Athearn had 3-1/2 lengths on the field when he tripped the timer in 2:06.2. Trained by Gretchen Athearn for owner Margaret Thyng, the daughter of Shake It Off Lindy picked up her third seasonal victory. She was bred in Maine by Leighton Property and now has $93,774 in career earnings.
A little shuffling of the deck occurred in the $19,483 3-year-old colt and gelding trot as the Valerie Grondin-trained Pembroke Will (Heath Campbell) prevailed from off the pace to grab his second win of the season.
Pacesetting Carrabassett (Mark Athearn) appeared to have things his own way while setting comfortable fractions of 31, 1:03.1 and 1:34.1 while maintaining a two-length margin.
However, the leader was engulfed by Team Grondin entrants at the head of the stretch as Chipper Dale and Drew Campbell, who were looking for their fifth straight win, looked Carrabassatt right in the eye. But, it was Heath Campbell and Pembroke Will that had the extra brush at the end to overtake both combatants and grab the victory in 2:05 by half a length.
Owned and bred by Bill Varney, the son of Pembroke Slugger increased his lifetime earnings to $106,504.
Carrabassett finished second; Chipper Dale was third.
The sole Maine Sire Stakes wagering event on the Saturday (Aug. 31) afternoon Windsor card saw seven 2-year-old trotting fillies vying for the $19,841 purse.
Little Shot (Ivan Davies) grabbed the point while 6-5 favorite Barbella (Bruce Ranger) protected the two-hole as Blizzard’s Fury (Switzer) charged out from post six but jumped it off in the turn.
Heading into the 31.4 opening panel, Blizzard’s Fury was back trotting and moving up first over from sixth and trying to play ‘catch up.’ By the 1:03.4 half-mile marker, Blizzard’s Fury was rolling swiftly and already alongside the pocket-sitting Barbella.
As the field moved down the backstretch the final time, Switzer and Blizzard’s Fury had gained a half-length advantage over the pacesetting Little Shot into a 1:36.1 third stanza. Around the turn Blizzard’s Fury had taken command and increased the tempo as Lady Lake Marty (Ken Watson) made a furious bid to catch the new leader.
The wire arrived just in time as Blizzard’s Fury held on to win by a quarter length in 2:07.1. Trained by Marc Tardif for owner-breeder Leighton Property, it was the second win in six starts for the daughter of Whataworkout. She paid $19.00 to win.
Barbella finished third.
The Maine Sire Stakes continues with the 3-year-old male pacers on Sunday (Sept. 1), and concludes at Windsor Fair on Labor Day Monday (Sept. 2) with the sophomore filly pacers. The Maine-bred program returns to Bangor on Wednesday (Sept. 4) for the 2-year-old male pacers.
For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com
August 31, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Holli Niles photo)
WINDSOR, ME – Freshmen pacing filly Whisper Of Luck has shown an abundance of skill during the Fair circuit of the Maine Sire Stakes, grabbing her second consecutive victory on Friday (Aug. 30) at the historic Windsor Fair.
Leaving from post four the Marc Tardif-trained daughter of Artistic Fella slipped down to the pylons and let front-runner Chasing Dudes (Nick Graffam) take command into a 31 second opening panel. Wagering favorite Glorilla (Ron Cushing) hesitantly marched first over from the start with Leanne Marie (Mike Cushing) sitting comfortably in the pocket.
As the field moved toward the 1:02.3 softer half-mile marker, Switzer pulled Whisper Of Luck second over, but as his cover started to stall around the third turn, they ducked back to the rail before heading down the backstretch the final time.
With the pacesetter Chasing Dudes enjoying all the tussling behind them, Audrey (Steve Wilson) pulled three-wide down the backside to circumvent Glorilla who was still hanging-on gamely past the 1:33.1 third stanza.
Full of pace, and with nowhere to go but to the extreme outside, Switzer charged Whisper Of Luck four-deep around the final turn in an effort to roll clear of the front-end battlers.
Down the short stretch Glorilla has gone the gritty, uncovered trip and was trying valiantly to catch Chasing Dudes under the shadow of the wire. However, Whisper Of Luck handily brushed past them all to steal the show and prevail by a head in 2:04.
Also owned and bred in Maine by conditioner Marc Tardif, it was the second straight win for the 2-year-old pacing filly, who increased her lifetime earnings to $29,777. She paid $6.60 to win.
Chasing Dudes hung on to be second; Glorilla finished third.
The Maine Sire Stakes continues with all four divisions of trotters on Saturday (Aug. 31), 3-year-old male pacers on Sunday (Sept. 1), and concludes on Labor Day Monday (Sept. 2) with the sophomore filly pacers.
For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com
August 28, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Holli Niles photos)
WINDSOR, ME – Marc Tardif’s Massive Speed has been a huge success in the 2-year-old male pacing ranks of the Maine Sire Stakes, winning every race that he ever entered. That swath of superiority continued on Tuesday (August 27) at the Windsor Fair when the colt picked up his sixth consecutive victory, and a new time badge, while going for the $19,662 enhanced purse.
Massive Speed was sent out to an early lead by driver Walter Case Jr. from his outermost sixth post position, setting a snappy 29 second opening panel. With This Dude’s Perfect (Heath Campbell) sitting in the two-hole, the rest of the field was stretched out single file down the backstretch.
With Case giving his colt a short breather into a 1:00.3 half, Massive Speed gained some separation from the field as stable mate Dawn Two Dark (Andy Harrington) blasted from fourth to second past the 1:30.1 third panel, giving the pacesetter another reason to keep rolling on.
Around the final turn, as the challenger nearly got to the leader’s wheel, the son of Dude’s The Man responded to Case’s urging with track announcer Mike Cushing declaring, “it’s another coast-to-coast win for Massive Speed.”
Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, Massive Speed took a new lifetime mark of 1:59.1, winning by 2-1/4 lengths.
Marc and Peggy Tardif noted that, “we always liked this colt; he was good from day one. He never did anything wrong.”
They continued, “Our crew says that he acts like an old man in a 2-year-old’s body. He is very professional.”
Bred by Laurie Harding, Massive Speed paid $2.40 to win as the heavy favorite.
Dawn Two Dark finished second; Race Me Celtic (Bill Childs) was third.
The other $19,661 division for freshmen pacing colts and geldings was held before the card as a non-wagering event. While the Tardif Taskforce had stacked the deck with four of the six entrants, it was trainer Valerie Grondin that came away with the victory.
Heath Campbell piloted the stable’s Keenan Star to his maiden-breaking victory in 2:00.3. A wire-to-wire rout from post five, it was just the second purse start for the 2-year-old son of Western Maverick. Valerie Grondin was also the breeder and has retained ownership of the fourth foal from Paxxie p,2,1:57f ($76,717). She is by Six Of Diamonds, a sub-1:50 son of Artsplace and from a Matt’s Scooter mare.
Campaigned by Grondin and Campbell during her racing career, Paxxie is already the dam of three whose average earnings exceed $100,000 in Paxxton p,1:56.4h, Bandolito Blaze p,2,1:57.3h and Mattucci p,4,1:56h. All three are full brothers to their newest Maine-bred sibling winner, Keenan Star.
Fred Ward’s Gracies Tough Guy (Dave Ingraham), who is a full brother to 3-year-old pacing filly star Gowestyounggrace, finished second; Ella V Dude (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.
The Maine Sire Stakes reconvenes at the Windsor Fair with the 2-year-old filly pacers on Friday (Aug. 30), continues with all four divisions of trotters on Saturday (Aug. 31), 3-year-old male pacers on Sunday (Sept. 1), and concludes on Labor Day Monday (Sept. 2) with the sophomore filly pacers.
For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com
August 27, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Holli Niles photos)
WINDSOR, ME – Fred Ward’s Gowestyounggrace continued her dominance of the 3-year-old pacing filly division of the Maine Sire Stakes, easily taking her $19,000-plus split on Monday (August 26) at the Windsor Fair.
Unbeaten in her last six starts, Gowestyoungrace scored a wire-to-wire victory in her $19,321 event for the sophomore distaffs with regular driver Dave Ingraham at the controls. Leaving from post four, the daughter of Western Maverick shot to the front in a 29.3 opening panel. From there she was able to get a quick breather into a 1:01.1 half.
While second choice Who’s Perfect (Aaron Hall) was tight in the pocket, Heath Campbell pulled Pembroke Red first over heading into the 1:31.1 third stanza. With that challenge diminishing Gowestyounggrace kicked into another gear and scooted home in 29 seconds to win in 2:00.1.
Owned and bred by Sharon and Fred Ward Jr., who also trains, it was the 12th lifetime win for their homebred stable star that now has $120,845 in career earnings. She paid $2.80 to win.
Who’s Perfect finished second; Animore Sass (Andy Harrington) was third.
In the other $19,322 division Bob Marston’s Mrs Foxy Roxy picked up her second win in a row in the Maine Sire Stakes.
Scoring from post six in rein to Walter Case Jr. the daughter of Deuce Seelster shot out to the lead in a swift 29.3 first-quarter. With the field stretched out Mrs Foxy Roxy set a softer 1:01.2 half with Emma Rozze (Heath Campbell) sitting comfortably in the garden spot.
Second choice Ghost Of You (Kevin Switzer Jr.) tipped off the cones at the 5/8’s marker and began his advance to the challenge the leader. The field hit the three-quarters in 1:31.3 and with the outer flow now at her wheel Mrs Foxy Roxy increased her tempo. With Emma Rozze locked in the box and Ghost Of You charging on the outside it was three horse battle down to the wire.
Making every call a winning one Mrs Foxy Roxy held on to win by a half-length in 2:01.1. Trained by Bob Marston for owners Bill McElvain Jr., Diane Dunn and Brad Veilleux, it was the filly’s seventh lifetime victory, pushing her career total to $76,827. She was bred by Kristina and Gary Hall and piad $5.20 to win.
Emma Rozze finished second; Ghost Of You was third.
The Maine Sire Stakes continues at the Windsor Fair with the 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers on Tuesday (August 27), followed by the freshmen filly pacers on Friday (Aug. 30) and all four divisions of trotters on Saturday (Aug. 31).
For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com
August 26, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Joe Shaw photos)
WINDSOR, ME – The 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers kicked off the Maine Sire Stakes at Windsor Fair on Sunday (August 25) with a pair of $19,000-plus divisions where an unbeaten horse and a maiden both grabbed victories.
The $19,691 opening round was presented as an early non-wagering event, with the undefeated Two Fold Cold and driver Kevin Switzer Jr. letting nobody stand in the way of their six-race win streak.
Scoring from post six, Switzer sent the Marc Tardif-trained son of Deuce Seelster right to the top in a moderate 30.1 opening panel. From that point it was smooth sailing for the unchallenged star as he paced through fractions of 1:01.4 and 1:31.3 before charging home in 27.4 to stop the Windsor Fair timer at 1:59.2.
Prevailing by two lengths, it was the seventh consecutive victory and 11th lifetime win for the Gary and Kristina Hall, Maine-bred powerhouse. His lifetime earnings are just below six figures at $97,341 for owner-trainer Marc Tardif.
Hesjustadelight (Ron Cushing) finished second; stable mate Wes’s Challenge (Walter Case Jr.) was third.
The second $19,916 division on the regular card saw Michelle Hardin’s Whats For Suppaah break his maiden following a hard fought front-end journey in his sixteenth lifetime start.
Driven throughout his career by Aaron Hall, Whats For Suppaah had been a bridesmaid in five earlier outings, but on Sunday the son of Deuce Seelster had every intention of being the first one seated at the dinner table.
When the wings folded Hall sent his charge out to the front from post six, which is not the gelding’s usual tactic. Nonetheless, the 4-1 third choice Whats For Suppaah fought hard to reach the point in a taxing 28.3 opening panel. Following a brief respite into a 59.1 half, the upset-minded pacesetter had 6-5 favorite Arts Flight (Andy Harrington) tight on his driver’s helmet and Justcallmebuck (9-5, Heath Campbell) first up and looking for a tussle.
Past the third stanza in 1:28.3 Whats For Suppaah maintained his length advantage over the challengers. Around the final turn Justcallmebuck had reached the leader’s saddlepad, but when the field turned for home the favorite Arts Flight had no place to go as Hall let out a notch and they grabbed the horse’s first lifetime win in 1:58.1 by a measured length and a quarter.
Owned and trained by Michelle Hardin, Whats For Suppaah paid $10.80 to win. He was bred by Christine Holt.
Arts Flight finished second; Justcallmebuck was third.
The Maine Sire Stakes continues at the Windsor Fair with the 3-year-old filly pacers on Monday (August 26), which is followed by the 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers on Tuesday (August 27).
For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com
August 24, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Stephane Gray photo)
WINDSOR, ME – Two $19,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old male pacers jump start the Windsor Fair program on Sunday (August 25) with the top two point earners pitted against one another in the opener.
The first $19,691 division kicks off the afternoon card at 12:45 pm with an early non-wagering event. Two Fold Cold (PP 4, Kevin Switzer Jr.) is undefeated this year in six seasonal starts and stands atop the standings with an impeccable 250 points. Hailing from the powerful Tardif stable, the son of Deuce Seelster is also the fastest of the bunch, as he paced to an effortless 1:55.2 score at Bangor last month.
Stable mate Wes’s Challenge (PP1, Walter Case Jr.) is hot on his heals with 237 points, and has 3 wins and 4 seconds in 10 outings. Both colts have earned in excess of $40,000 so far this year. Tardif also sends out Ella V Fella (PP2, Andy Harrington) who won an opening round in this glamour boys division.
In the other $19,916 division, which has been carded as race two on the 1:00 pm post time program, the Marc Tardif-trained Arts Flight leads the pack with Andy Harrington at the controls. Scoring from post two, and installed as the 5-2 early morning line favorite, the son of Artistic Fella has three wins on the season.
The 7-2 second choice is Justcallmebuck (PP 3, Heath Campbell) who also has three wins and is third in the point standings. The grey son of Deuce Seelster is trained by Gary Hall for his wife Kristina Hall. The third choice at 9-2 is Whats For Suppaah (PP 6, Aaron Hall) who is looking for his first score of the year.
The Maine Sire Stakes continues at the Windsor Fair with the 3-year-old filly pacers on Monday (August 26), which is followed by all the 2-year-old colt pacers Tuesday (August 27).
For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com
August 18, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Holli Niles photos)
SKOWHEGAN, ME – The Maine Sire Stakes closed out the week of racing at the historic Skowhegan State Fair on Saturday (Aug. 18) with four $19,000-plus divisions of 2- and 3-year-old trotters rolling down the lively midway before and during the afternoon pari-mutuel card.
Freshmen trotter Whatawonder extended his unbeaten streak and increased his career win total to six as the gelding continued to dominate his division, having never laid eyes on the back of a helmet.
Driven by Ken Watson for trainer Lisa Watson, the son of Whataworkout stepped out to the front where he likes to be, and made every call a winning one. Dashing away from the field to win by 9-1/2 lengths in 2:06.2, the time was a new lifetime best for the talented trotter.
Owned and bred by Barbara Lawson, Whatawonder made quick work of the $19,528 Maine-bred early non-wagering event for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings.
Just Foolin (Heath Campbell) finished second; Iron Mike (Mark Athearn) was third.
In the $19,483 sophomore male trotters split, Chipper Dale also continued his winning ways, picking up his fourth win in a row.
Steered by regular pilot Drew Campbell, the son of Shake It Off Lindy took a seat behind his brother Heath Campbell who was driving Pembroke Will. Both trotters hail from the Valerie Grondin stable and were heads apart entering the home stretch where Chipper Dale tipped to the outside and posted a 29.1 last quarter to prevail by 2-1/2 lengths in 2:02.4.
Owned and bred by Lynn-Marie Plouffe, it was Chipper Dale’s 11th lifetime victory which pushed his lifetime earnings to $123,163.
Pembroke Will finished second; Carrabassett (Mark Athearn) was third.
The 3-year-old trotting fillies completed the early card with $19,708 up for grabs.
Current divisional point leader Pembroke Breeze (Heath Campbell) was the first to leave and got stretched out heading into the opening panel. However, while setting the pace through the third quarter she jumped off stride which allowed My Saving Grace to inherit the lead and coast home an easy winner in 2:07.1.
Guided to a 3-1/2 length victory by Mark Athearn for trainer Gretchen Athearn and owner Margaret Thyng, the daughter of Shake It Off Lindy picked up her second win of the season after a string of five third-place finishes. She was bred in Maine by Leighton Property and is second in her divisional point standings.
Bernie’s Legacy (Dave Ingraham) finished second; Pembroke Breeze hung on for third.
The final $19,841 Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old trotting fillies was on the betting card and saw Barbella break her maiden and trot home a long-shot winner in 2:05.4.
With five of the seven entrants making breaks before, or after, the wings folded, the two fillies left trotting were Barbella and Bruce Ranger who grabbed the lead, and Little Shot and Ivan Davies who tracked her cover closely.
With the rest of the field scattered Ranger set perfectly rated fractions and sailed home a 2-length winner at 12-1.
Trained by Ken Anderson for owner Bob Zakian, the daughter of Whataworkout was bred by the late Mike Andrew. She paid $26.40 to win.
Little Shot finished second; Blizzard’s Fury (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.
On Friday (Aug. 16) another filly got a new time badge in the lone $19,496 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing fillies.
Whisper Of Luck had ample luck and sufficient skill to pull off a mild upset in her sixth career attempt.
Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. the daughter of Artistic Fella got shuffled to the back of the bus at the start with 4-5 favorite Nick Graffam and Chasing Dudes setting the fractions in the freshmen filly fracas. With Leanne Marie (Mike Cushing) first up and Glorilla (Ron Cushing) second over heading to the 1:02 half, Whisper Of Luck seemingly had nowhere to go.
However, as Glorilla gapped her cover around the 5/8’s turn, Switzer tipped his filly out to chase the live cover in a 1:31.4 half. Rolling three-wide around the final turn, the 4-1 third choice Whisper Of Luck had the speed and the momentum to track down the leaders and score by three parts of a length in 2:02.3.
Owned, bred and trained by Marc Tardif, it was the filly’s first lifetime win.
Glorilla finished a fast closing second; Chasing Dudes hung on to be third.
The Maine Sire Stakes takes a brief hiatus and returns for a long stand at the Windsor Fair beginning Sunday (Aug. 25) with the 3-year-old male pacers, followed on Monday (Aug. 26) by their sophomore filly counterparts. The 2-year-old colt pacers race on Tuesday (Aug. 27).
For more information about the Maine Sire Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website: https://www.mainesirestakes.com
