August 15, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Holli Niles photos)

SKOWHEGAN, ME – The Downeast faithful invaded the Skowhegan State Fair on Tuesday (Aug. 13) and Wednesday (Aug. 14) with four $19,000-plus divisions of 3-year-old pacers going postward under the lights in the Maine Sire Stakes. 

Seeking and capturing her fifth consecutive stakes victory on Wednesday was Fred Ward Jr.’s Gowestyounggrace, who hasn’t seen another horse’s heels since the month of June.

Regular driver Dave Ingraham wasted no time getting to the top in their $19,922 division for sophomore distaffs.  Setting comfortable fractions of 30.2, 101.1 and 1:32, the handy daughter of Western Maverick was seemingly on autopilot when she threw in a 28 final quarter to cruise home unabated in two-minutes flat.

Also bred and owned by Fred Ward Jr. and his wife Sharon, it was the sixth win of the season and 11^th overall for the $111,185 lifetime earner.  She paid $2.20 to win.

Pembroke Red (Heath Campbell) finished second; My Sweet Revenge (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.

In Wednesday’s second $19,696 3-year-old pacing filly division, 7-1 longshot Mrs Foxy Roxy went a big mile and scored a big upset over 1-5 favorite Who’s Perfect.

Walter Case Jr. left swiftly and set a demanding 28.3 opening panel, forcing Who’s Perfect (Heath Campbell) to expend considerable energy to take command past that swift first quarter.  However, Case and Mrs Foxy Roxy tipped right back out past the 58.4 half and continued applying constant pressure to the favorite.

Through the 1:28.3 third panel track announcer Mike Sweeney proclaimed that the pair were ‘whiskers apart and matching strides.’  Down the lane Mrs Foxy Roxy continued to advance and prevailed by a measured length over Who’s Perfect in 1:58.1.

Trained by Bob Marston for owners Bill McElvain Jr., Diane Dunn and Brad Veilleux, the daughter of Deuce Seelster paid $16.00 to win her second Maine Sire Stake of the year.  She was bred by Kristina and Gary Hall.

Animore Sass (Andy Harrington) finished third.

On Tuesday (Aug. 13) both Maine Sire Stakes divisions for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings were captured by trainer Marc Tardif.

The $19,691 early, non-wagering event was a wire to wire tour for Two Fold Cold who grabbed his sixth win in a row.  Driven by Kevin Switzer Jr. and tripping the ‘Skow-Town’ timer in 1:57, the son of Deuce Seelster won easily by 2-1/2 lengths for owner-trainer Marc Tardif.  He was bred by Gary and Kristina Hall and has amassed $87,496 in lifetime earnings and remains undefeated this season.

Hesjustadelight (Aaron Hall) finished second; Thru The Fire (Case) was third.

In the second $19,916 sophomore pacing colt split Wes’s Challenge was up to the task as he rolled through the fractions effortlessly for driver Walter Case Jr. and took his division in 1:59.3.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property and breeders Gary and Kristina Hall, the son of Deuce Seelster has won his last two out of three starts.  He paid $4.20 to win.

Justcallmebuck (Heath Campbell) finished second; Arts Flight (Harrington) was third.

As of Tuesday (Aug. 13) a $3,500 base purse increase was authorized for all divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes.  This raised each event’s purse structure to $18,500, plus starting fees.

The Maine Sire Stakes continues into the weekend at the Skowhegan State Fair with the 2-year-old pacing fillies on Friday (Aug. 16) and all four divisions of 2- and 3-year-old trotters on Saturday (Aug. 17).

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

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

SKOWHEGAN, ME – The Pine Tree State’s 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers opened up the Maine Sire Stakes at the Skowhegan State Fair on Monday (Aug. 12) with trainer Marc Tardif sweeping both $16,000-plus divisions of freshmen sidesteppers.

Held at 12:30 pm, before the regular card, the Tardif Taskforce came to Skowhegan loaded for bear as their stable entered a total of seven horses in the pair of non-wagering events.

The undefeated colt Massive Speed racked up win number five by taking the first $16,161 division in a wire-to-wire romp.  Stopping the timer in 2:04.2, the son of Dude’s The Man has enjoyed a flawless season thus far for owner Leighton Property and trainer Marc Tardif. 

Scoring from the outermost post six by 1-1/4 lengths while sprinting home in 28.4, he was driven by Walter Case Jr. and now has $32,334 in seasonal earnings.  He was bred by Laurie Harding.

The Tardif’s Just Afternight (Kevin Switzer Jr.) finished second; Gracies Tough Guy (Dave Ingraham) was third.

Dawn Two Dark had two previous second place finishes when he went behind the gate in the $16,162 second division of the Maine Sire Stakes, and emerged a ‘maiden no more.’

Driver Andy Harrington came from off the pace in a first-over move to race uncovered through the final circuit.  Gaining ground with every stride Dawn Two Dark was able to catch the pacesetter This Dudes Perfect (Heath Campbell) and nip him at the wire in 2:03.3, a new lifetime mark.  

Owned and trained by Mark Tardif, the son of Deuce Seelster’s 28.3 final quarter was enough to get up in the final strides and prevail by a quarter length.  Bred by Gary and Kristina Hall, the colt has now earned $15,110 in just three starts.

Marc Tardiff’s Ella V Dude (Switzer) finished third.

Moving ahead with the sophomore pacers on Tuesday (Aug. 13), representatives of the Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association Board of Directors, in agreement with the Maine State Harness Racing Commission, have authorized a $3,500 base purse increase for all divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes.  This raises each event’s purse structure to $18,500, plus starting fees.

The Maine Sire Stakes continues throughout the week at the Skowhegan State Fair featuring two divisions of 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Tuesday (Aug. 13) under the lights with a 6:30 pm early race and the 7:00 pm opener.  Wednesday (Aug. 14) hosts the 3-year-old pacing fillies.  The Maine-bred action continues into the weekend at the Skowhegan State Fair August 16 and 17.

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

August 11, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Stephanie Gray photo)

TOPSHAM, ME – Maine’s 2- and 3-year-old trotters wrapped up the meet at Topsham Fair on Saturday (Aug. 10) to compete in four $16,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes, with trainer Valerie Grondin capturing three-quarters of the events. 

Pandemic Princess ran off and hid from her competitors in the $16,341 Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old trotting fillies, dominating by seven lengths in 2:09.1 for driver Heath Campbell and trainer Grondin.

The daughter of Whataworkout never had an anxious moment as she added more distance between herself and her rivals with every stride in the final half.  She paid $7.80 to win her second race of the season.  Owned and bred by Lynne-Marie Plouffe, she has earned $20,163 in four lifetime starts.

Little Shot (Ivan Davies) finished second; Katahdin Mistress (Wally Watson) was third.

In the early non-betting races Whatawonder started off the action in the $16,028 freshmen male trot, extending his win streak to five for trainer Lisa Watson and driver Ken Watson.  The son of Whataworkout made every call a winning one, holding off the late charge of stable mate Katahdin Victor (Wally Watson) to score by three parts of a length in 2:08.1.

Owned and bred by Barbara Lawson, the top horse in the 2-year-old trotting colt division has never seen the back of a helmet and has grossed $32,506, so far this year.

Liberty’s Wildcard (Walter Case Jr.) finished third.

Another divisional stand out is Pembroke Breeze in the 3-year-old trotting filly group.  The daughter of Pembroke Slugger has also triumphed in five consecutive outings, and just eclipsed six figures in lifetime earnings by taking her split by 3-3/4 lengths in 2:09.1.

Driven by Heath Campbell to a wire-to-wire romp, she is trained by Valerie Grondin and has earned $105,316 in her career for owner-breeder Bill Varney. 

Bernie’s Legacy (Dave Ingraham) finished second; My Saving Grace (Mark Athearn) was third.

In the third and final non-wagering race Chipper Dale and Drew Campbell led every step of the way in the 3-year-old colt and gelding trot, stopping the timer in 2:09.2.  Prevailing by 2-1/4 lengths to capture his fourth win of the season, and third in a row, the son of Shake It Off Lindy is owned and was bred by Lynne-Marie Plouffe and is a half-brother to Pandemic Princess.  Trained by Valerie Grondin, Chipper Dale has earned $113,422 lifetime.

Stable mate Pembroke Will (Heath Campbell) finished second; Carrabassett (Mark Athearn) was third.

The Maine Sire Stakes makes the move north to the Skowhegan State Fair on Monday (Aug. 12) with two divisions of 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings.  The Maine-bred action continues throughout the week at the Skowhegan State Fair August 13-14 and 16-17.

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

August 8, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Stephanie Gray photos)

TOPSHAM, ME – The Pine Tree State’s 3-year-old pacers visited Topsham Fair in Topsham, Maine on Tuesday (Aug. 6) and Wednesday (Aug. 7) to compete in four $16,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes.  When the dust settled over the historic oval, several of the series’ top performers continued their winning ways, with their closest competitors nipping at their respective heels during the afternoon harness racing.

In the opener on Tuesday the fan favorite Gowestyounggrace led her division gate to wire to take her $16,191 division for sophomore pacing fillies, dubbed the Jake Phipps Memorial.

Scoring from pylon position, driver Dave Ingraham sent the daughter of Western Maverick out to the top to protect his strategic inside location and set an opening quarter of 31.1.  Gowestyounggrace, the 3-5 favorite led the field in single file post-position order through an unchanged half in 1:02.1 with Pembroke Red (Heath Campbell) tight to her driver’s helmet. 

Those two gained some separation from the field past the 1:33 expertly rated third panel, with Pembroke Red tipping out in the lane to take a shot at the pacesetter.  With a 29.2 final quarter, Gowestyounggrace tripped the Topsham timer in 2:02.2, holding off the late closer by 1-1/4 lengths.

Trained by Fred Ward Jr., who also co-owns and bred with his wife Sharon Ward, it was the fourth win in a row for Gowestyounggrace.  She paid $3.40 to win the tenth race of her career pushing her lifetime bankroll to $101,209.

Pembroke Red finished second; Ghost Of You (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.

In the second $16,416 division for 3-year-old filly pacers, the 2-5 favorite Who’s Perfect did what was expected of her by the betting public as well.

Driver Heath Campbell sent the daughter of Western Maverick out into the opening scramble, allowing Walter Case Jr. and the swift Mrs Foxy Roxy to take command by the eighth pole in the sharp first turn.

Before the 30 second opening quarter Campbell was out and re-taking the lead with Who’s Perfect, where the pair settled into a more modest 1:01.3 half-mile tempo.   My Sweet Revenge (Switzer) moved first over into the 1:32.2 third panel which caused a further hastening of the racing rhythm.

Announcer Mike Sweeney exclaimed, “throw a blanket over the field’” as the pacers turned for home.  Who’s Perfect was working hard to hold off the late charge of My Sweet Revenge with Mrs Foxy Roxy still glued to the pacesetter’s helmet.

At the wire Campbell and Who’s Perfect got the call, winning in 2:02.3 by half of a length.  Trained by Valerie Grondin for owner-breeder Lynn-Marie Plouffe with co-owners Dick and Patty McKeen, it was her third win of the season, paying $2.80.

My Sweet Revenge finished second; Mrs Foxy Roxy was third.

On Wednesday (Aug. 7) it was the boys turn on the Topsham stage for two divisions of Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings, with the several members of the Tardif Taskforce starring in the show.

In the first $16,191 division What’s For Suppaah (2-1) and driver Aaron Hall protected their inside starting position with 6-5 favorite Justcallmebuck (Heath Campbell) retaining his two-hole spot.  Arts Flight (2-1, Andy Harrington) ducked in third, but tipped out down the backstretch to take command into a 29.4 opening panel.

No movement occurred through a 1:00.3 half and 1:30.4 third stanza as Arts Flight showed the way relatively unfettered.  At the head of the stretch Whats For Suppaah pulled alongside the leader and made it a horse race down through the lane.  The pair hit the wire together with Arts Flight prevailing by three parts of a length in 2:00.

Owned and trained by Marc Tardif, the son of Artistic Fella was bred in Maine by Lynn-Marie Plouffe.  It was the colt’s third win of the season and he paid $6.60 on a two-dollar win ticket.

Wagering favorite Justcallmebuck finished third in the Scott Brewer Memorial.

Six male pacers entered the $16,416 second division, with all eyes fixed upon the seasonally unbeaten Two Fold Cold, the 2-5 favorite from post three.

When the gate sprung stable mate Wes’s Challenge (5-1, Case) scurried out for the lead in the short first turn.  Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. pushed Two Fold Cold up to the point before the 29.2 opening panel, and it was all smooth sailing from there.

While things were quiet leading into the 1:01 half, Hesjustadelight (Ron Cushing) pulled first over heading into a 1:30.2 third panel with his eyes on the prize.  However, Switzer and Two Fold Cold would have none of it as the challenge was met with more speed as those two paced away from the field in hand to score in 1:59.4 by 2-3/4 lengths.

Owned and trained by Marc Tardiff the son of Deuce Seelster was bred by Gary and Kristina Hall and is undefeated in five starts this year.  It was the gelding’s ninth lifetime victory, which paid $2.80 to win.

Wes’s Challenge finished second; Hesjustadelight was third in the Fred Sr. and Marlene Ward Memorial.

The Maine Sire Stakes continues at Topsham with all four divisions of 2- and 3-year-old trotters racing on Saturday (Aug. 10).  The Maine-bred action continues the following week at the Skowhegan Fair August 12-17.

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

August 4, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Marc and Peggy Tardif’s Maine-bred colt Cheatin Fate refuted his dire diagnosis, brushed off the grim reaper, and went on to win his first Maine Sire Stakes on Saturday (Aug. 3) at Cumberland Raceway.

While many of the sport’s harness racing fans were anxiously anticipating the start of the Hambletonian at the Meadowlands, Cheatin Fate quietly went about his business and took home his first pari-mutuel victory.  Proving to his naysayers that this colt had much more life in him than some gave him credit for, the son of Thirty Two Red was more or less cast aside by an academic veterinarian when he was afflicted with a bad case of colic.

Raised in Bell, Florida at the Tardif’s farm on the quiet, sandy back roads of Gilcrest Training Center, the colt was in the early stages of breaking and training when he got sick in November of last year.

“Our local vet came to the barn and suggested we take him to the University of Florida Veterinary Hospital in Gainesville,” Marc Tardif recalled.  “So we loaded him up and dropped him off around 1 am the next morning.”

A day later the hospital called and said that the horse had improved dramatically and was ready to come home and could be treated off site.

“Two hours later they called back and said he had taken a turn for the worse,” Tardif continued.  “They said we had to either approve emergency surgery, or euthanize, immediately.”

Neither Marc nor Peggy Tardif agreed with that diagnosis and went back to the hospital and picked up the colt.

“He was never experiencing extreme pain, it simply looked like an average case of colic,” noted Peggy Tardif.  “We just didn’t understand why they would recommend such a dramatic course of action.  So we decided to just bring him home and work on him with our local vet.”

Following some fluids and medicinal treatment while back in Bell (FL), the horse returned to normal in a few days, and has been fine ever since.  Half a year later the colt made his first start in a Learn and Earn baby race at Cumberland. 

During July he made two starts in the Maine Sire Stakes with a second and fourth place finish.  On Hambletonian Day Cheatin Fate lived up to his name and won his $16,161 division for freshmen pacing colts in 2:02.4.

Leaving from pylon position Cheatin Fate got away third and then had to be checked by regular driver Andy Harrington when stable mate Just Aftermidnight (9-2, Kevin Switzer Jr.) made a break right in front of him while heading to the quarter pole in 30.1.

While Cheatin Fate was regaining his ground in the two-hole, I’m Not Maverick (13-1, John Beckwith) arrived first over into a 1:02.2 softer half.  Following that live cover was the headstrong Jax Attack (6-5, Walter Case Jr.) who had since recovered from his earlier rambunctiousness.

With the outer flow fading into that faster 1:32 third panel, Cheatin Fate was poised to pounce in the pocket behind the pacesetting This Dudes Perfect (11-1, Heath Campbell).  Around the final turn Harrington tipped his charge and rolled off the turn and started to bear down on the leader.  Gaining ground with every stride the once discounted equine prevailed by 1-1/4 lengths.

Owned and trained by Marc Tardif, it was the colt’s first lifetime victory and fastest mile here-to-date.  He was bred in Maine by Kristina and Gary Hall and paid $5.00 to win.

This Dudes Perfect finished second; Jax Attack was third.

In the second $16,161 division it was a Tardif Trifecta as the 1-9 favorite Massive Speed utilized a perfect pocket trip to grab his fourth career victory in a new lifetime best 2:00.3.  Undefeated thus far this season, the son of Dude’s The Man is trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property.  He paid $2.20 to win and was bred by Laurie Harding.

Tardif stable mates completed the trifecta ticket with Dawn Two Dark (Harrington) and Ella V Dude (Switzer) caught in an official dead heat photo for second.

The Maine Sire Stakes continues at Topsham with a one day push due to rain on Sunday.  The 3-year-old filly pacers were originally scheduled for Monday (Aug. 5) and the 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers slated for Tuesday (Aug. 6).  Those divisions are reportedly set to race on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.

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

August 3, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Several of the six fillies in the $16,171 Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing fillies tried valiantly, but none could reel in wire-to-wire winner Chasing Dudes on Friday (Aug. 2) at Cumberland Raceway. 

Scoring for the second straight week, the daughter of Dude’s The Man never had an anxious moment as driver Nick Graffam set comfortable fractions of 30.1 and 1:02.4 in the opening half. 9-5 wagering favorite Glorilla (Ron Cushing) was the first to pull to the outside and challenge going past the stands to the 5/8’s marker.  Thinkin Bout Life (Walter Case Jr.) was also thinking about improving her position as she was second over.

By the swifter 1:33 third panel Glorilla was at the wheel of the pacesetting Chasing Dudes, with the field stacked up behind them heading into the final turn.  Graffam let out a notch through the apex and got a little breathing room from the rest of the pack.

Down the stretch Glorilla took one more shot at the leader, but to no avail.  Chasing Dudes tripped the timer in 2:03.3, winning by measured length margin.

Trained and co-owned by Mike Graffam with breeder Bob Marston, it was the filly’s second win in a row from just five lifetime starts.  She paid $7.60 to win.

Glorilla finished second; Audry (Steve Wilson) was third.

Nick Graffam picked up another two wins on the program, and leading reinsman Kevin Switzer Jr. had a grand slam.

Saturday’s 14-race closing day card (special post time 3:25 pm) includes all of the track’s regular betting options, including 50-cent Pick-5 (races 3-7 & 9-13); 50-cent Pick-4 (races 11-14); 50-cent Pick 3 (races 12-14), all with a low 16-percent take out. The 14^th race Pentafecta (High 5) has a $228.15 carryover.

There is also full card simulcasting of Hambletonian Day at the Meadowlands and Whitney Stakes Day at Saratoga.  Gates open at 11 am and programs from those two big tracks will be available.

The action at Cumberland starts with two $16,000-plus divisions for Maine-sired freshmen male pacers.  The opener pits Jax Attack (7-5, Walter Case Jr.) against Cheatin Fate (3-1, Andrew Harrington) who both hail from the powerful Tardif Taskforce.  Just Aftermidnight (3-1, Switzer) completes the stable’s troika.

The second $16,161 Maine Sire Stakes division shows Massive Speed (3-5, Case-Tardif) as the heavy favorite, with that third race named in memory of tack shop man ‘Ridgecrest’ Dan Chamberlin.

Race seven is the $12,500 Frank Dubreuil Jr. Memorial which is a winners over class of top pacers led by former Maine Sire Stakes champion Call Me Maverick (2-1, John Beckwith).  Other contenders are Lifes A Puzzle (5-2, Case) and Bet On Joe (9-2, Switzer).

Race eight is the $8,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) final with runaway point leader Hunter Lofthus looking to secure his spot in the Tim Fouts Memorial Amateur Driving Championship at Delaware during Jug week.  The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine. 

In addition to the $12,500 winners over trot and several $10,000 pop up series finals, the highlight of the day may be the $25,000 Pine Tree Invitational Pace, which presents some of the best pacers in the state of Maine.  The early favorite is Heinikin Bythebay (9-5, Switzer) who scores from pylon position.  He is followed by The Wild Card (4-1, Graffam) and So Rock N’ Roll (5-1, Bruce Ranger).

The live action resumes during the annual Cumberland Fair for a week of racing beginning September 22 and continuing through Sept. 29.  The track’s 19-day Winter Festival begins November 2 and races through December 22 and will include the popular Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies.

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

August 2, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Cumberland’s closing weekend purses have reached nearly a quarter of a million dollars when the track will offer $235,500 in purses on Friday (August 2) and Saturday (Aug. 3).  Led by the $25,000 Pine Tree Invitational Pace and three $16,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for freshmen pacers, the two-day extravaganza has 25 races for fans and bettors alike to enjoy.

The action starts of Friday (Aug. 2) at 3:15 pm with the lone $16,171 Maine-bred division of 2-year-old pacing fillies.  Three frosh females lead the charge and are equally accomplished with one win apiece.  The slight favorite is Leanne Marie (5-2, Mike Cushing) followed by Glorilla (3-1, Ron Cushing) and Chasing Dudes (3-1, Nick Graffam).  Throw in bridesmaid Whisper Of Luck (3-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) and the punters will have their work cut out for them.

Nearly a dozen $5,000, $6,000 and $7,000 pop-up series finals are sprinkled throughout the card and will make for very exciting harness racing.

Friday’s 13-race card (post time 3:15 pm) includes all of the track’s regular betting options, including 50-cent Pick-5 (races 3-7); 50-cent Pick-4 (races 10-13); 50-cent Pick 3 (races 11-13), all with a low 16-percent take out.

Moving on to closing day on Saturday (Aug. 3), has a special 3:25 pm post time with full card simulcasting of Hambletonian Day at the Meadowlands and Whitney Stakes Day at Saratoga.  Gates open at 11 am and programs from those two big tracks will be available.

At Cumberland Raceway Saturday’s 14-race card starts with two $16,000-plus divisions for Maine-sired freshmen male pacers.  The opener pits Jax Attack (7-5, Walter Case Jr.) against Cheatin Fate (3-1, Andrew Harrington) who both hail from the powerful Tardif Taskforce.  Just Aftermidnight (3-1, Switzer) completes the stable’s troika.

The second $16,161 Maine Sire Stakes division shows Massive Speed (3-5, Case-Tardif) as the heavy favorite, with that third race named in memory of tack shop man ‘Ridgecrest’ Dan Chamberlin.

Race seven is the $12,500 Frank Dubreuil Jr. Memorial which is a winners over class of top pacers led by former Maine Sire Stakes champion Call Me Maverick (2-1, John Beckwith).  Other contenders are Lifes A Puzzle (5-2, Case) and Bet On Joe (9-2, Switzer).

Race eight is the $8,000 Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) final with runaway point leader Hunter Lofthus looking to secure his spot in the Tim Fouts Memorial Amateur Driving Championship at Delaware during Jug week.  The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine. 

In addition to the $12,500 winners over trot and several $10,000 pop up series finals, the highlight of the day may be the $25,000 Pine Tree Invitational Pace, which presents some of the best pacers in the state of Maine.  The early favorite is Heinikin Bythebay (9-5, Switzer) who scores from pylon position.  He is followed by The Wild Card (4-1, Graffam) and So Rock N’ Roll (5-1, Bruce Ranger).

The live action resumes during the annual Cumberland Fair for a week of racing beginning September 22 and continuing through Sept. 29.  The track’s 19-day Winter Festival begins November 2 and races through December 22 and will include the popular Au Revoir Retirement Ceremonies.

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

July 28, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – All four $15,000-plus divisions of Maine-sired trotters invaded Cumberland Raceway on Saturday (July 27) with several divisions captured by the usual suspects, yet others seeing some fresh faces emerge.

In the pari-mutuel $16,378 Maine Sire Stakes opener Whatawonder had fans cheering ‘What a horse!’

With no equine able to reach his bridle, as of yet, the son of Whataworkout romped and stomped to victory for the fourth consecutive time.  Driven by Kenneth Watson for trainer Lisa Watson and owner Barbara Lawson, the heretofore undefeated gelding has never seen the back of a helmet. 

Scoring in 2:07 in another wire-to-wire training mile, Liberty’s Wildcard (Kevin Switzer Jr.) got to within a half of a length at the wire, which has been the closest that any other foe has ever gotten to him.

Whatawonder paid $3.00 to win.  Stablemate Katahdin Victor (Wally Watson) finished third.

Next up were the freshmen fillies going for $16,341, with the even-money favorite Katahdin Mistress (Wally Watson) slow to get engaged.  The first leave was Blizzard’s Fury (Swizter) who sent the daughter of Whataworkout right to the top in a 31.1 opening panel. 

Ranging up on the outside following her earlier hesitation was Katahdin Mistress to challenge for the lead.  From that point the pair raced ‘European style’ being stuck first over into a 1:03.1 half.  While the field bunched up going into the 1:34.2 third panel, Katahdin Mistress got shut out of the two-hole and continued to take in that fresh Maine air.

Employing a second over move was Heath Campbell driving Pandemic Princess who swooped the other combatants and had just Blizzard’s Fury to catch.  Andy Harrington hustled Barbella three-wide in similar fashion to lap the tiring aggressors.

At the wire Blizzard’s Fury held off the late charges to prevail in 2:06 by half a length.  Trained by Marc Tardif for owner-breeder Leighton Property, it was the filly’s first lifetime victory.  She paid $15.00 to win.

Pandemic Princess finished second; Barbella was third.

Before the regular card there were two divisions for Maine-sired sophomore trotters, with Chipper Dale repeating in his $15,983 3-year-old colt and gelding trot in 2:04.4.  Driven by Drew Campbell for trainer Valerie Grondin has emerged as the leader of the pack and has added considerable padding to his top point total.  The son of Shake It Off Lindy now has three Maine Sire Stakes victories on the season for owner-breeder Lynn-Marie Plouffe.

It was a Grondin double as Pembroke Will (Heath Campbell) finished second; Carrabassett (Mark Athearn) was third.

The fairer set completed the quartet of Maine Sire Stakes, with Pembroke Breeze (Heath Campbell) taking the $15,983 sophomore filly trot in 2:03.2.  Trained by Valerie Grondin for owner-breeder William Varney, the daughter of Pembroke Slugger has won her last four stakes outings and is the clear leader of her division.

Twisted Venture (Mike Cushing) finished second; My Saving Grace (Mark Athearn) was third.

In other news, the undisputed and still heavyweight points champion of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC), Hunter Lofthus scored another knockout blow to his competition.  Despite being assigned the eight-hole, the 35-year-old reinsman picked up his seventh win of the season and scored again with his trusty steed Forrest Blu.  Winning by 3-1/2 lengths in 1:59 following a first over past at the half, they paid $4.00 to win.  The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

Drew Campbell picked up three driving wins on the afternoon’s full program.

The First Tracks Cumberland meet concludes next week on Friday and Saturday, August 2 & 3.  The final day of the meet features the $25,000 Pine Tree Invitational Pace, as well as full card simulcasting of Hambletonian Day at the Meadowlands and Whitney Stakes Day at Saratoga.  Gates open at 11 am, with the first pari-mutuel harness race set for 3:15 pm.

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

July 27, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Fresh off her track record-equaling performance Gowestyoungrace overpowered her foes at Cumberland on Friday (July 26) to win her third consecutive Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies.

In the first of two $16,000-plus divisions of the Maine-sired series driver Dave Ingraham allowed the early speed to roll out on top while taking and all-so-brief respite.  The first to leave was Who’s Perfect (5-2, Heath Campbell), who was immediately followed by My Sweet Revenge (7-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) into a 28.4 second opening panel.

While marching into the 59.1 half Ingraham had Gowestyounggrace first over around the second turn and cleared as the field passed the stands for the second time.  On top and in control through the 1:28.1 third panel Gowestyounggrace had Who’s Perfect glued to her helmet with My Sweet Revenge tipping to the outside to challenge around the final turn.

The 1-5 favorite found another gear as they turned for home, sprinting away to win by a comfortable 2-length margin in 1:58.  The heavy 1-5 favorite paid just $2.60 to win.

Conditioned by Fred Ward Jr., who owns and bred with his wife Sharon Ward, the daughter of Western Maverick-Gracie Gracie has won half of her eight seasonal outings.

Who’s Perfect finished second; My Sweet Revenge was third. 

In the second $16,421 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for sidestepping sophomore distaffs, it was another favorite that triumphed in front-end fashion.

It was a three-horse cavalry charge into the first turn with Ghost of You (3-5, Switzer) taking command from Animore Sass (6-1, Andy Harrington) and Mrs Foxy Roxy (7-1, Drew Campbell).  Switzer had things his own way and was able to back down from the 28.4 opening panel to a more pedestrian 1:00.1 half.

At the 1:30.2 third panel the pace had quickened as Harrington pulled the pocked with Animore Sass and poked a head in front as the battling stable mates led the field through the final turn. Ghost Of You emerged the leader at the head of the stretch and was able to fend off the kinetic momentum of Animore Sass to prevail by three parts of a length in 2:01.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner-breeder Leighton Property, the daughter of Deuce Seelster secured her first Maine Sire Stakes victory of the season.

Pembroke Red (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) recovered from an early miscue to get up for third.

‘Double Digit’ Dave Ingraham picked up the middle of his driving triple in the $7,000 Chickadee Pop-Up Series Trot, scoring with Guinness in 2:02.4 while paying a whopping $84.20 to win.  Aaron Hall also enjoyed a teamster trifecta.  The meet’s leading driver, Kevin Switzer Jr., also had a double, as did Drew Campbell.  Trainer Jamie Gerard harnessed a pair of winners.

Looking ahead to Saturday (July 27), Cumberland sees the return of all the Maine-sired trotters for their next round of Maine Sires Stakes action.  Two early, non-wagering races start the day with the sophomore trotters, post time is 2:15 pm.  Then the regular card kicks off with two $16,000-plus divisions for freshmen trotters, as well as a $5,000 division of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC).  The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.  The rest of the 13-race program features additional pop-up series with increased $6,000-$7,000 purses.

The First Tracks Cumberland meet concludes next week on Friday and Saturday, August 2 & 3.  The final day of the meet features the $25,000 Pine Tree Invitational Pace, as well as full card simulcasting of Hambletonian Day at the Meadowlands and Whitney Stakes Day at Saratoga.  Gates open at 11 am, with the first pari-mutuel harness race set for 3:15 pm.

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

July 26, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Holli Niles photos)

BANGOR, ME – Kevin Switzer Jr. steered two of the Marc Tardif stable’s six 3-year-old male pacers to wire-to-wire victories in both $16,000-plus legs of the Maine Sire Stakes on Thursday (July 25) at the Bangor State Fair.

Switzer wasted little time as he sent Wes’s Challenge to the top in the 5-horse opener and cruised through comfortable fractions of 29.3 and 1:00.3 to the half.  From that point the reinsman rolled into a swifter 1:29.4 third panel en route to a 57.3 back half to win handily in 1:58.1 by 1-1/2 lengths.

It was the second seasonal win for the son of Deuce Seelster who has now won two Maine Sire Stakes events for trainer Marc Tardif and owner Leighton Property. Wes’s Challenge paid $3.20 to win, and was bred by Gary and Kristina Hall.

What’s For Suppaah (Aaron Hall-Michelle Hardin) finished second; Arts Flight (Andy Harrington-Tardif) was third.

In the second $16,461 division the odds-on favorite Two Fold Cold never had an anxious moment, as Switzer allowed the son of Deuce Seelster to set strong fractions of 28.3, 58.4, and 1:27.2 unfettered through the first three stations.

By the head of the stretch under some rain drops the public’s choice had put five lengths between himself and the rest of the field.  Under the wire with no urging necessary, the timer read 1:56.2 with the margin of victory being 4-1/2 lengths.

Owned and trained by Marc Tardif he paid just $2.20 to win.  Also, bred by Gary and Kristina Hall, it was a nursery double for the Hall’s.

It was the fourth victory of the season in as many starts for the lightly raced gelding.  It was also Two Fold Cold’s third Maine Sire Stakes win.

Hesjustadelight (Ron Cushing) finished second; Oakleypopsthedeuce (McGwire Sowers) was third.

The Maine Sire Stakes continues with 3-year-old filly pacers on Friday (July 26) at Cumberland, which is followed by all the 2- and 3-year-old trotters on Saturday (July 27).

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