June 23, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland (Joe Shaw photo)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Open pacer So Rock N’ Roll continued his winning ways at Cumberland on Saturday (June 22), extending his current win streak to six in the process.

From New England to Monticello and back, the Maine-sired son of Western Maverick has not been off the board since January at the Meadowlands.  Since that time the Benson Merrill-trained 4-year-old has rattled off eight wins in nine starts.  Prior to Saturday, he had won the $8,000 Open at Monticello for three straight weeks with McGuire Sowers in the bike.  Subsequently, he was given his walking papers and sent back to Maine.

Bruce Ranger got the call from the assigned seven hole, where they got away fourth, allowing Rocksapatriot (Dave Ingraham, 11-1) to call the shots through a 28.3 opening panel.  Instant Replay (Walter Case Jr., 6-5) sat in a loose pocket while Ranger tipped the proud son of the Pine Tree State first over going into a 58.4 modest half.

By the time the seasoned sidesteppers hit the 1:26.2 third panel, So Rock N’ Roll was neck and neck with the pacesetter Rocksapatriot.  The pair battled stride for stride around the final turn and down through the length of the stretch.  With a slightly faster grind, the even-money favorite was able to get up by half a length to prevail in 1:55, equaling his seasonal best.

Owned by Leighton Property and bred by Lesley Leighton it was the 19^th win of his career, pushing his lifetime bankroll to $283,541.  He paid $4.20 to win.

Instant Replay hung on to be third.

A lone $5,000 division of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) saw leading point earner Hunter Lofthus also continue his reign of terror, winning in a wire-to-wire romp with Lisa Watson’s Jo Pa’s Sweet Lou.  Scoring from post 6, ‘Hot Lead’ Lofthus put the 8-year-old son of Sweet Lou right on the point and never looked back. 

Several would-be challengers came and went throughout the course of the mile, but Lofthus kept all of them in his wake and strolled home to victory in 1:58.3.  They paid $12.00 to win.  Southern Winds (Todd Whitney) finished second; Furious Beach (Mike Girouard) was third.  The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

Lofthus started a trend which some may call a ‘punters paradise’ as the next four races all enjoyed double-digit win payouts.  Then, Garret Mosher drove Gardys Legacy A (1:57.2) to a $31.00 upset in race 9, and Wally Watson scored with local favorite Airspinder (1:56.1) paying $44.80 in race 10. 

Drivers Aaron Hall and Bruce Ranger each picked up a pair of victories on the 12-race card. 

In the early Learn and Earn 2-year-old events, John Nason cruised to a 12-length victory in the opener with Marvin’s Choice in 2:06.3.  The son of Jug winner Courtly Choice (NY) is owned by Carolyn Corso and Katharine Nason and was bred by Winbak Farm. 

In the second non-betting race Kim Ireland also cut the fractions with Joyous Spirit to win in 2:17.2.  The daughter of sub-1:50 trotter Six Pack (NJ) is owned by Dennis and Deborah Foss and was bred by Mike Andrew.

In the third event John Nason rolled to another front-end victory with Ridgecrest Dan in 2:04.  The son of Adios winner Dude’s The Man (ME) is owned by Bill ‘Yarmouth Lumber’ Phipps and was bred by Jason Vafiades.  The Tardiff Taskforce picked up many of the remaining spots with their pupils finishing second, third, fourth and sixth in that event.

The final race was captured by Katahdin Victor in 2:08.1, which was more impressive than it sounds.  Following a miscue at the start, driver Wally Watson regrouped and was back 15 lengths at the quarter pole.  First over and back 8 at the half, the trotter had assumed command by the third panel, and went on to win handily by a length.  Trained by Lisa Watson for owner-breeder James and Betsey Kelley, the gelded son of Victor Blue Chip (ME) looks like he actually trotted in 2:05 and a piece to make up all that lost real estate.

Racing resumes at Cumberland on Friday (June 28) at 3:15 pm.

The First Tracks Cumberland meet continues throughout the summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3. 

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

June 22, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – Driver Mark Athearn and trainer Gretchen Athearn swept a pair of Maine Sire Stakes trotting events on Friday (June 21) at Cumberland Raceway, recreating a similar instance last season where the same two youngsters won their stakes debuts on the same day.

It was like Déjà vu all over again when in the $15,758 early non-wagering event Athearn’s Carrabassett went right to the top and never looked back, scoring by 9 open lengths in 2:03.2.  The sophomore son of Boy Band did the same thing in his first pari-mutuel race in 2023, winning in a pedestrian 2:11.3.  Reducing his mark by nearly 8 seconds, it was his first trip back to the winner’s circle since last July.  Owned by Patrick Leavitt, he was bred by the late Mike Andrew.

Pembroke Will (Heath Campbell) last season’s freshman champion finished second; Chipper Dale (Drew Campbell) was third.  They were both trained by Valerie Grondin.

In the $16,208 opener for Maine-sired 3-year-old trotting fillies, Athearn took matters into his own hands once again and repeated his wire-to-wire journey with My Saving Grace in 2:05.1.  The Shake It Off Lindy filly won her first three starts last year, and went on to capture a total of five Maine Sire Stakes on the season.  Taking a new mark for Team Athearn, she is owned by Margaret Thyng and paid $7.60 to win by a length.  She was bred by Leighton Property.

Last year’s distaff champ and 1-2 favorite Pembroke Breeze (Heath Campbell) finished second; Twisted Venture (Mike Cushing) was third.

Next, a pair of $16,000-plus Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings went postward as races 3 and 4 on the 13-race pari-mutuel card.

Justcallmebuck just keeps on winning as the son of Deuce Seelster grabbed his third in a row for driver Heath Campbell and trainer Gary Hall.  Slicing through the beam in 1:59.1, the duo provided a meager $2.20 payoff as the 1-9 heavy favorite.  Owned and bred by Kristina Hall, it was the gray colt’s second consecutive stakes victory, and another wire-to-wire romp.

What’s For Suppah (Aaron Hall-Michelle Hardin) finished a fast-closing second; Chance Worth Tryin (Drew Campbell-Kevin Chase) was third.

The Tardif Taskforce nearly swept the final $16,416 event, with their charges taking first, second and fourth places.  Aaron Hall left swiftly with Ron Cushing’s Hesjustadelight, setting an opening panel of 29.1.  They paced in single file fashion to the 59.2 half, where 1-2 favorite Ella V Fella (Kevin Switzer Jr.) moved first over from fifth position. While he embarked on that mission to improve his position, that attempt proved unsuccessful as stable mate Wes’s Challenge (Walter Case Jr.) popped the deuce and took command past the 1:28.1 third stanza.

Storming home in 1:58, the son of Deuce Seelster paid $7.20 to win, who was bred by Gary and Kristina Hall.  Art’s Flight (Andy Harrington-Mark Tardif) picked up the pieces and finished second; Hesjustadelight hung on to be third; Ella V Fella was fourth.

Driver Drew Campbell had four wins on the card, and Mark Athearn won three which included the early non-betting race.

Racing resumes on Saturday (June 22) which brings the Learn & Earn 2-year-old races back with four non-wagering events starting at 1:30 pm.  The regular card begins promptly at 3:15 pm with a 12-race program of full fields, including the featured $6,000 top pace in race 11.

A single $5,000 division of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) rings the bell for the opener on Saturday.  The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

The First Tracks Cumberland meet continues throughout the Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3. 

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

June 20, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – First Tracks Cumberland hosts four $16,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes on Friday (June 21) when the southern oval begins a stretch of 30 races over the weekend.

The action starts Friday with a single non-betting race at 2:45 pm for Maine-sired 3-year-old male trotters.  Then the 13-race card opener features the $16,208 3-year-old filly trot, led by last year’s frosh filly champion Pembroke Breeze.  The Valerie Grondin-trained lass by Pembroke Slugger has been listed as 6-5.  Heath Campbell gets the call from post 4.

Pine Tree State racing continues in races 3 and 4 with the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old male pacers which was rescheduled due to the cancellation of the Wednesday (June 19) Bangor program. 

Last week, the fastest of the two divisions of sophomore pacing boys was captured by Gary Hall’s Just Call Me Buck in 1:57.4.  The 3-year-old son of Deuce Seelster won his last pair of outings and will be looking to make this race a three-peat performance.  Installed as the 6-5 early morning line favorite, Heath Campbell gets the assignment.

Second choice What’s For Suppah (3-1, Aaron Hall) will try to crash the party from his outermost post position five.  Owned and trained by Michelle Hardin, he is also a son of Deuce Seelster and would like to get the lion’s share of the $16,191 purse in race 3.

In the second $16,416 division in race 4, Ella V Fella got pushed to the outside, but was still installed as the 7-5 favorite with Kevin Switzer Jr. driving.  With victories in all three of his seasonal starts, the son of Artistic Fella was bred by Marc Tardif, who also owns and trains. 

Looking to upset the apple cart will be Wes’s Challenge (3-1, Walter Case Jr.).  Another Tardif disciple, this is the colt’s first inside post position since Labor Day, so look for him to fire out of there swiftly.

Friday’s (June 21) regular card (post time 3:15 pm) carries 13 races with all of the standard and exotic betting options, including our popular 50-cent Pick-5 (races 3-7) with a low 16-percent take out.

Saturday (June 22) brings the Learn & Earn 2-year-old races back with four non-wagering events starting at 1:30 pm.  The regular card begins promptly at 3:15 pm with a 12-race program of full fields, including the featured $6,000 top pace in race 11.

A single $5,000 division of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) rings the bell for the opener on Saturday.  The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

The First Tracks Cumberland meet continues throughout the Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3. 

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

June 16, 2024 — by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes (Joe Shaw photos)

CUMBERLAND, ME – Last year’s freshmen pacing filly champion Gowestyounggrace picked right up where she left off in the Maine Sire Stakes, taking the faster of two $16,196 divisions at Cumberland on Saturday (June 15).

Heavily favored Gowestyounggrace (1-9) and driver Dave Ingraham got away fourth in the field of five, with Heath Campbell taking point with Who’s Perfect (10-1) through a 29.2 opening panel.

Sensing the modest pace, Ingraham pulled the daughter of Western Maverick at the three-eighths pole and moved swiftly to match strides alongside the leader at a 1:00 half.  Those two got some separation from the field as they fought tooth and nail to the three-quarter pole, resulting in a stinging 1:28.1 stanza.

The battle continued through the far turn and into the head of the stretch, with Gowestyounggrace finding another gear to out sprint the Valerie Grondin-trained pacesetter and score by a measured length in 1:58.2.

Trained by Fred Ward Jr., who co-owns with Sharon Ward, it was the first seasonal victory and a new lifetime mark for the 2023 Pine Tree State 2-year-old pacing filly final winner.  She paid just $2.20 to win, and increased her bankroll to $66,641.

Ghost Of You (Kevin Switzer Jr. – Marc Tardif) finished third.

In the other $16,196 division, the Tardif Taskforce showed that they have plenty of quills in their quiver as they sent two of their four 3-year-old filly pacers into this skirmish.

When the wings folded Heath Campbell sent Pembroke Red right to the front from post two, as the Tardif fillies merged into traffic close behind.  Favored My Sweet Revenge (Switzer) followed along in the 2-hole, with Push Your Luck (Walter Case Jr.) settling in third.

No movement occurred through the 29.2 opening panel, nor by the laxer 1:01.2 half.  Heading down the backstretch for the final time Case pulled Push Your Luck to the outside and made a swift move to challenge the leader into a 1:31.1 third panel.

As the field turned for home Push Your Luck put a nose in front and continued to gain momentum and ground as Case steered the daughter of Thirty Two Red to a maiden-breaking victory in 2:01.2.

Owned, trained and bred by Marc Tardif it was just the filly’s eighth lifetime start and only second time on the board.  She paid $6.60 in redeeming victory as the third wagering choice.

Pembroke Red (Campbell-Grondin) held on for second; even-money first choice My Sweet Revenge (Switzer-Tardif) ran out of racing room and had to settle for third.

Looking ahead, the Maine Sire Stakes resumes on Wednesday (June 19) at Bangor (post time 3 pm) with the return of the 3-year-old male pacers, and then on Friday (June 21) Cumberland hosts several divisions for 3-year-old trotters (post 3:15 pm).

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

June 14, 2024, by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland

CUMBERLAND, ME – A sure sign of summer is the return of the young, Maine bred Standardbreds to the racetrack.  The weekend kicks off with four ‘Learn and Earn’ 2-year-old Baby Races on Friday (June 14), before the regular card at 1:45 pm.  Then, the Maine Sire Stakes convenes on Saturday (June 15) when Cumberland Raceway will host two $16,000-plus divisions for 3-year-old filly pacers. 

Friday’s (June 14) regular card (post time 3:15 pm) carries 11 races with all of the standard and exotic betting options, including our popular 50-cent Pick-5 (races 3-7) with a low 16-percent take out.

The co-featured $4,800 trots in races 3 and 8 contain several interesting entrants who are moving up after a win, or conversely, some who are looking for a softer landing spot.  In any case, the combinations will give punters plenty of options with the full fields and competitive pairings.

Looking ahead to Saturday (June 15) the triumphant return of the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes witnesses a couple of the top three finishers in last season’s $51,023 freshmen filly final returning to the action.

In the first $16,196 stake race My Sweet Revenge (Kevin Switzer Jr.) has been pegged as the 9-5 second choice from post 6.  Trained by Marc Tardif, the daughter of Western Maverick finished third in last year’s final, but will have to contend with Pembroke Red (Heath Campbell) from post 2.  Trained by Valerie Grondin, the daughter of Thirty Two Red is listed as the 7-5 favorite.

Last year’s champion Gowestyounggrace highlights the second division.  To be driven by Dave Ingraham for trainer Fred Ward Jr., the daughter of Western Maverick has been installed as the 6-5 early morning line favorite from post 4.  Ghost Of You (2-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) scores outside of the favorite for trainer Marc Tardif, and the Deuce Seelster filly already has a 2:00.3 win this season.

In other action, Instant Replay looks for a repeat performance from his victory last week, scoring from post 2 in the $6,000 featured (race 7) overnight event.  Regular pilot Walter Case Jr. returns for trainer George ‘Triple Sticks’ Fenno III.

Two $5,000 divisions of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC) go postward as races 5 and 8, with many of the usual suspects looking for bragging rights among the tight knit horsemen’s community.  Top point earner Hunter “Hot Lead” Lofthus will be looking for his fifth victory in a row as he has two mounts on the card.  As always, the MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine.

The First Tracks Cumberland meet continues throughout the Summer months with regular racing on Friday and Saturday each weekend during the extended pari-mutuel meeting, which runs through August 3. 

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

–30—

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

BANGOR, ME – Justcallmebuck showed fans of the Maine Sire Stakes that he is one to watch in the glamour boys division for 3-year-old male pacers, scoring in 1:57.4 on Wednesday (June 12) at historic Bass Park.

Two $16,416 divisions of the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes went postward in the opening two races on the afternoon card, premiering what looks like another exciting season of Pine Tree State-sired harness racing.

As the wings folded in the opener Aaron Hall blasted Whats For Suppaah out to the lead to protect his pylon position, with Wes’s Challenge (Walter Case Jr.) and Justcallmebuck (Heath Campbell) charging hard from their respective outside post positions and settling in behind the pacesetter.

Campbell and Justcallmebuck had nary a moment’s rest in the three hole as they were back out and rolling to the top and setting a snappy 28.3 opening tempo.

The first to the outer flow was Arts Flight (Kevin Switzer Jr.) who kept the developing colt’s attention through a 59.1 half.  Case had Wes’s Challenge poised to pounce second over as the field moved down the backstretch and into the 1:28.3 third panel, with Hall maintaining a strong hold on Whats For Suppaah who was locked in the pocket.

Case swung Wes’s Challenge three wide around the final turn to challenge for the lead and appeared to have caught the pacesetter.  However, Campbell shook the lines at Justcallmebuck and the 3-year-old son of Deuce Seelster responded to hold the would-be spoiler at bay.

The final time of 1:57.4 was a new lifetime mark for the homebred property of Kristina Hall, prevailing by half of a measured length.  Trained by Gary Hall, he paid $3.20 to win for the second time in his career.

Wes’s Challenge finished second; Whats For Suppah was third.

In the second $16,461 division of 3-year-old Maine-bred male pacers, the Tardif Taskforce entry prevailed, despite the most accomplished part of the prohibitive betting choice, Two Fold Cold, being scratched sick.

Hejustadelight (Ron Cushing) last year’s freshmen champion took the field to the opening quarter in a smooth 29.1, with the field of five strung out by well over 10 lengths.  As the single file queue passed the stands for the first time Kevin Switzer Jr. moved Ella V Fella from the back of the pack to range up toward the leaders, passing the half in 59.4.

Ella V Fella caught the leader going down the backstretch and those two began their own race, scampering swiftly away from the rest of the pack.  With Hejustadelight on the inside, and Ella V Fella on the outside, the stubborn pair exchanged strides until the 1:29.4 third panel where the aggressor waved goodbye and paced away from the former leader and gained command through the final turn.

Scoring by three lengths, the 3-year-old son of Artistic Fella shaved a tick off his lifetime mark by stopping the timer in 1:58.1.  Ella V Fella, the 1-5 favorite was bred, and is owned and trained by Marc Tardif, paying $2.40 to win his third consecutive outing.

Hejustadelight finished second; CBF Windy Fella (Dave Ingraham) was third.

Maine Sire Stake resumes on Saturday (June 15) as First Tracks Cumberland hosts two $16,196 divisions for 3-year-old pacing fillies, which are slated as races one and three on the regular card.  First post is 3:15 pm. 

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

BANGOR, ME – Two fields of six 3-year-old male pacers highlight the first $32,000-plus round of Maine Sire Stakes action at Bangor on Wednesday (June 12), which marks the start of the 18-week season of New England’s premier harness racing showcase. 

With up to ten legs for each division throughout the summer and autumn months, and with significant purse increases, the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes has been promoting and providing a venue for Pine Tree State Standardbreds since the legislative establishment of the program in 1972. 

While the series has evolved over the last fifty years…so has the speed and durability of the Maine-bred harness horse.  While it is not uncommon to see horses by Maine sires competing throughout North America, New England drivers and trainers are also making a name for themselves on the National stage.

Last year’s Champion freshmen pacer, Hesjustadelight, makes his seasonal debut in the $16,416 second division of two betting events which opens the program at historic Bass Park at 3 pm. 

Trained, driven and co-owned by Ron Cushing the sophomore son of Western Maverick earned $74,067 last year at 2 for co-owner and breeder Lynn-Marie Plouffe along with partners A. J. and J. J. Romanelli.  He scores from post 4 and has been listed as the 7-2 second choice behind a 1-5 morning line favored ownership entry from the Marc Tardif Stable.

The powerful ‘Tardif Taskforce’ annually enters the Maine Sire Stakes loaded for bear, and this year is no exception.  Their horse Two Fold Cold has drawn the pylon position for the second race, and will look for redemption having finished second by a mere length to Hesjustadelight in last year’s $51,023 Maine Sire Stakes final at Cumberland.  The 3-year-old son of Deuce Seelster has already equaled his lifetime best of 1:59.4 a few weeks ago, and has been installed as the 1-5 heavy favorite with Walter Case Jr. driving, along with his ownership entry-mate Ella V Fella (post 6, Kevin Switzer Jr.).

In the first $16,416 division Justcallmebuck gets the oddsmaker’s call at 2-1.  The gray Deuce Seelster sophomore already has a win and a second on his card this season for trainer Gary Hall and driver Heath Campbell.

Tardif sends out the second and third choices in Wes’s Challenge (5-2, Walter Case Jr.) and Arts Flight (3-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.), the latter coming off a win at Cumberland a few weeks ago.

Below are the entries for the opening leg of the Maine Sires Stakes.  Wagering Head Numbers may differ.

(Post position, Horse, Driver, Trainer, Morning Line Odds)

RACE 1 – Bangor Raceway – ME – June 12, 2024

Conditions: MAINE STANDARDBRED BREEDERS STAKES 3 YO COLTS & GELDINGS

Gait: Pace, Purse: $16,416, Post Time: 3:00 PM

1, Whats For Suppaah, Aaron Hall, Michelle Hardin, 7-1

2, Chance Worth Tryin, W. Drew Campbell, Kevin Chase, 6-1,

3, Arts Flight, Kevin Switzer Jr, Marc Tardif, 3-1

4, Jjfs Hot Rod Ronie, Michael Stevenson, Ralph D`Amelio II, 7-1,

5, Wes`s Challenge, Walter Case Jr, Marc Tardif, 5-2,

6, Justcallmebuck, Heath Campbell, Gary Hall, 2-1,

RACE 2 – Bangor Raceway – ME – June 12, 2024

Conditions: MAINE STANDARDBRED BREEDERS STAKES 3 YO COLTS & GELDINGS

Gait: Pace, Purse: $16,416, Post Time: 3:17 PM

1, Two Fold Cold, Walter Case Jr, Marc Tardif, 1-5

2, Oakleypopsthedeuce, Mcgwire Sowers, Mcgwire Sowers, 10-1

3, Thru The Fire, Andrew Harrington, Marc Tardif, 10-1

4, Hesjustadelight, Ron Cushing, Ron Cushing, 7-2

5, Cbf Windy Fella, David Ingraham, David Crochere, 10-1

6, Ella V Fella, Kevin Switzer Jr, Marc Tardif, 1-5

Looking ahead, Saturday’s (June 15) Cumberland program has two $16,196 divisions for 3-year-old pacing fillies, which are slated as races one and three on the regular card.  First post is 3:15 pm. 

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 2024 NEWSLETTER – download here

Below are the meeting minutes from the MSBOA meeting held on May 7, 2024

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