September 11, 2025, by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Hollianne Niles photos)

BANGOR, ME – A pair of $17,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year old pacing fillies closed out the week of harness action at Bangor Raceway Sunday (Sept. 7), with the two top distaffs in the division reigning supreme.

In the first $17,201 division Ron Cushing sent his own Lysiun (5-2) out to an early lead, with Whisper Of Luck (9-2, Kevin Switzer Jr.) dropping into the pocket as the field dashed to a :29.1 opening panel.

With no movement into the outer flow past the :59.4 midway point, the 2/5 favorite Chasing Dudes (Nick Graffam) tipped to the outside past the five-eighths marker from third and challenged for the lead.  Then, the pacesetting Lysiun was rough gaited heading into the 1:29.3 third station and ultimately went off stride.

As Chasing Dudes became the new leader around the final turn, Whisper Of Luck gave chase on the outside as the pair matched strides heading into the home stretch and down the lane.

Prevailing by a measured length, Chasing Dudes hit the wire first in 1:58.4, a new lifetime best.

Trained by Mike Graffam who co-owns with breeder Bob Marston, the daughter of Dude’s The Man picked up her fifth win of the season (third in a row) and ninth overall.  She has now earned $50,331 on the season returning $2.80, and maintained her place in second on the divisional leaderboard.

Lysiun hung on for third.

In the second $17,201 Maine Sire Stakes for sophomore distaffs it was divisional leader Leanne Marie (2/5, Mike Cushing) that parlayed a perfect two-hole trip into a neck victory over Glorilla (3-1, Aaron Hall) in 1:59.3.

Trained by Charlene Cushing who also bred with co-owners with Pamela Smith and Jane DiPompo, the daughter of Artistic Fella grabbed her sixth win of the season and second in a row.

Leanne Marie paid $2.80 while taking a new time badge and now has $56,788 earned this season, while going over $100,000 in lifetime earnings.

Dudes Pretty Chick (4-1, Heath Campbell) finished third.

The Maine Sire Stakes transitions to Farmington for a week of agricultural fair racing, starting with the 2-year-old colt pacers on Monday (Sept. 15), followed by the 3-year-old colt pacers on Tuesday (Sept. 16) and then all the 2- and 3-year-old trotters on Wednesday (Sept. 17).

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

September 8, 2025, by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Hollianne Niles photos)

BANGOR, ME – Four $17,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2- and 3-year old trotters arrived at historic Bass Park at Bangor Raceway Sunday (Sept. 7), with most showing continued success by divisional leaders, and another with a mild upset.

In the $16,891 Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings, which was the only division that was held before the wagering card, the Queen City faithful witnessed the formerly unbeaten freshman, Wilder N Idy, return to his winning ways.

Having made an uncharacteristic miscue last week that snapped his five race winning streak, driver Mark Athearn kept the son of To The Hilt on point and rolled through the circuits with the greatest of ease.  Gliding home in 2:07.2, it was his sixth lifetime victory, winning by 4-1/2 lengths.  Trained by Gretchen Athearn for owner Pat Leavitt, he was bred by the late Mike Andrew.

Gus’s Workout (Heath Campbell) finished second; High Fashion Hank (Nick Graffam) was third.

In the $17,476 split for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings it was another divisional rivalry between Liberty’s Wildcard and last year’s freshmen champ Whatawonder.

Driver Ken Watson sent Whatawonder out to an early lead from his pylon-protecting position, and sat chilly with Liberty’s Wildcard (Kevin Switzer Jr.) right on his helmet.  Through the wet surface they splashed with Swizter tipping the 1/5 favorite out at the half to challenge the pacesetter.  Liberty’s Wildcard was in front but still parked by the third panel, with the pair matching strides around the turn and down the lane.

With a final surge of trot the favored son of Noble Venture prevailed by a measured length in 2:05.3.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, it was Liberty’s Wildcard eighth win in nine seasonal starts and brought him over $100,000 in lifetime earnings.  He paid $2.40 to win and was bred by Jerry Stratton Jr.

Just Foolin (Heath Campbell) finished third.

In the $17,974 sophomore filly trot Barbella is still the belle of the ball as has grabbed her fourth straight score for driver Bruce Ranger and trainer Ken Anderson.  The daughter of Whataworkout won by 4-3/4 lengths in 2:04.4. 

Owned by Robert Zakian, she was bred by the late Mike Andrew and returned $2.80 to her backers. Race Me Bombshell (Drew Campbell) finished second; Twisted Fate (Mike Cushing) was third.

Frosh fillies were packed into a single $17,508 Maine Sire Stakes division with eight on the gate.

When the wings folded Gary Hall left alertly with Heyden and was on top by six at the half in 1:01.3 off an opening panel in :30 seconds flat.  Perhaps the speed relative to the off-going was too much for her as she went off stride while in the final turn and already collared by 1/5 favorite Pembroke Lady (Heath Campbell).  However, just when the public’s choice appeared to be home free, Our Last Quote (Steve Wilson) made a last-ditch effort to reel in Pembroke Lady.

The daughter of Cantab Fashion prevailed by three parts of a length, showing that last week’s maiden-breaking upset was no fluke.

Trained by Charlene Cushing for owners/breeders R. DiPompo Jr. and Michael Graham, it was Our Last Quote’s second win in six seasonal starts.  She paid $12.40 to win.

Coronation Moon (Ivan Davies) was third.

The Maine Sire Stakes concludes at Bangor with the 3-year-old pacing fillies on Wednesday (Sept. 10).  The series then transitions back to Farmington for a week of agricultural fair racing, starting with the 2-year-old colt pacers on Monday (Sept. 15).

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

September 7, 2025, by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Hollianne Niles photos)

BANGOR, ME – Snowonthepines didn’t let any grass grow under her feet on Saturday (Sept. 6) at Bangor Raceway as the distaff with the unblemished record put on a speed show in her $17,000-plus division of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing fillies.

Catch driver Bruce Ranger sent the daughter of Dude’s The Man out to a comfortable early lead, setting opening fractions of :28.2 and 58.4 with Dudelookslikeafily (Aaron Hall) trying to keep up in the pocket.  Just Delightful (Ron Cushing) was parked from the early going, and was determined to improve their position by land, or by sea.

By the time Snowonthepines had hit the 1:28.2 third panel the swift sidestepper had put four lengths between herself and the rest of the field.  With the pocket-sitting Dudelookslikeafily fading, Just Delightful was able to overcome that good Queen City air and advance down the lane.

However, there was no catching Snowonthepines who captured her seventh consecutive victory by 5-1/2 lengths in a lifetime best 1:58.3.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner/breeder Leighton Property, the $17,124 race was held before the regular wagering card.

Just Delightful finished a game second; Artistic Girl (Andy Harrington) got up for third.

The second $17,223 division for frosh pacing fillies was conducted on the regular card at historic Bass Park with Perfectly Lovely enjoying a wire-to-wire winning effort.

Driver Aaron Hall sent the daughter of Western Maverick out to an early lead from post three, hitting the quarter in :29.4.  She’s A Firefly (Nick Graffam) stuck close to Hall’s helmet as the single file field passed the half in 1:00.4.

Graceofspades (Dave Ingraham) was the first to enter the outer flow, with McKenna Jeanne (Heath Campbell) catching a second over trip into a 1:31.2 third panel.

Perfectly Lovely gained some separation at the head of the stretch and was untested through the lane to score handily by three lengths in 2:01.3, a new lifetime best.

Trained by Jimmy Nickerson for Joseph Trice, she paid $2.40 to win.  Perfectly Lovely was bred in Maine by Lynne-Marie Plouffe.

She’s A Firefly finished second; Graceofspaces was third.

The Maine Sire Stakes continues at Bangor with all the 2- and 3-year-old trotters on Sunday (Sept. 7) and then the 3-year-old pacing fillies return on Wednesday (Sept. 10).

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

September 4, 2025, by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Hollianne Niles photos)

BANGOR, ME – Undefeated sophomore pacing phenom Massive Speed added another notch to his belt on Wednesday (Sept. 3) at Bangor Raceway, showing his heels to the field in his $17,000-plus division of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings.

Presented before the regular card the $17,212 purse brought the son of Dude’s The Man back to the Queen City oval where his regular pilot Aaron Hall sent him to the front and never looked back.

Setting fractions of :28.3 and 58.3 to the opening panels, stable mate Dawn To Dark (Andy Harrington) stuck close to his helmet with Gracies Tough Guy (Dave Ingraham) the first horse to enter the outer flow.

As the field passed the third station in 1:28 Dave Ingraham had Gracies Tough Guy in lock step with the precocious pacesetter, however, the divisional dynamo had other ideas and stepped into another gear and pulled away from his stalkers.

Tripping the timer in 1:57, the effort shaved a tick off the gelding’s lifetime best, earning him a new time badge as he prevailed by 2-1/2 lengths.

Trained by Marc Tardif and owned by Leighton Property, it was Massive Speed’s ninth consecutive victory and 19th lifetime win.  His seasonal total now reads $62,239, with his lifetime earnings now at $196,769.  He was bred in Maine by Laurie Harding.

Dawn To Dark finished second; Gracies Tough Guy was third.

In the second $17,212 division John Nason sent Ridgecrest Dan out for an early lead from his pylon starting position, but was initially thwarted by Heath Campbell and This Dude’s Perfect who were the swiftest off the car. 

Once in command past the :29.3 opening panel Ridgecrest Dan enjoyed a two length advantage at the 1:01 midway point.  Cheatin Fate (Andy Harrington) applied pressure first over and was at the pacesetter’s throat latch as the field rolled past the third stanza in 1:30 flat.

Down the stretch This Dude’s Perfect found a swifter speed and passed the pacesetter to prevail in 1:59.2, a maiden-breaking effort.

Trained by Valerie Grondin for owner/breeder Lynn-Marie Plouffe who co-owns with Brenda Varney, the son of Dude’s The Man finally found the winner’s circle after 14 lifetime outings.

Ridgecrest Dan finished second; Cheatin Fate was third.

The Maine Sire Stakes continues at Bangor with the freshmen pacing fillies on Saturday (Sept. 6) and all the 2- and 3-year-old trotters on Sunday (Sept. 7).

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

September 2, 2025, by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)

WINDSOR, ME – Maine’s 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings made their second spin around the historic Windsor Fair oval on Labor Day Monday (Sept. 1) with the results exactly the same as the week before.

With the pair of $17,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for freshmen male sidesteppers closing out the extended stretch of harness racing at Windsor, all eyes were upon the unbeaten phenom Real Horrorshow in the first non-wagering event.

Vying for bragging rights and $17,123 in purse money, six boys lined up behind the Wes Brown starting gate en route to another successful performance by the Kevin Switzer Jr.-driven and Kevin Switzer Sr.-trained son of Dude’s The Man.  When the wings folded the swift youngster sped out to the top from post five, just like he has done seven times before, and reached the quarter in :29.3.

Daytoremember (Heath Campbell) sat in a close pocket with Nuh Uh (Aaron Hall) tracking along in third as the field hit the half in 1:00.3.

As the pacesetter, who has never seen the back of a helmet, and his tracker put some separation on the rest of the field, Real Horrorshow had Daytoremember looking over his shoulder as they reached the third panel in 1:30.2.  On the outside while rounding the turn Heath Campbell and his charge were as close to the undefeated Real Horrowshow as any other horse has ever been, chasing him down to the wire in 1:58.4.

Owned by KDK Standardbreds, Kathleen Mofield and Anthony Sivik Jr., it was a new lifetime mark for the seven-time winner.  Prevailing by a measured half of a length, and increasing his bankroll to $48,842, he was bred in Maine by Luke and Patricia Varnum. 

Nuh Uh finished third.

In the second $17,124 division Wowzah Clousah was sent to the top from his pylon-hugging starting position by regular driver Mike Cushing, spurning a potential overtake by the fast-leaving Dude’s The Jet and Switzer Jr.

Cushing took the field past the opening panel in :29.2 with Ghost Of Winter (Andy Harrington) first over and providing cover for Itsjustmoney (Aaron Hall) into a 1:00.4 midway point.

Down the backstretch the second time Ghost Of Winter had reached the pacesetter’s throat latch and was applying significant pressure before going off stride and relinquishing any further advancement. 

Past the 1:30.1 third stanza and into the turn, with Itsjustmoney floating on the outside, Switzer Jr. pushed Dude’s The Jet out through a negligible seam to daylight and rolled past Wowzah Clousah to capture the victory in 2:00.4 by three parts of a length.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owners Leighton Property and Victoria Leighton, it was the colt’s second straight victory.  He was bred in Maine by Fred Decker.

Deuces Red (Dave Ingraham) rallied to be third.

The Maine Sire Stakes reconvenes with the sophomore pacing colts and geldings as the series transitions to Bangor on Wednesday (Sept. 3), followed by the freshmen pacing fillies on Saturday (Sept. 6) and all the 2- and 3-year-old trotters on Sunday (Sept. 7).

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

September 1, 2025, by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)

WINDSOR, ME – For the second time this season Windsor Fair hosted two $17,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies.  The encore performances on Sunday (Aug. 31) pitted several of the division’s leading competitors against one another, with each trying to make their own case for class supremacy. 

During the first $17,202 division for sophomore pacing distaffs the Maine faithful witnessed their 4/5 favorite Lysiun scoot out to an early lead, towing the pack through a :29.3 opening panel.  The daughter of Dude’s The Man, making her second start back after a month-long hiatus, had put three lengths between her and the pocket-sitting Chasing Dudes and Nick Graffam.

By the :59.3 midway marker Lysiun appeared to be well in command, with the pocket sitter filling in the gap through the third-quarter in 1:29.4.  Graffam tipped Chasing Dudes (3/2) to the outside around the final turn to engage the pacesetter who made an unsettling break while rounding the seven-eighths marker.

Chasing Dudes went on to win in 2:00.2 by 2-1/2 lengths having avoided the fracas around the final turn.  Trained and co-owned by Mike Graffam, who shares ownership with breeder Bob Marston, it was the filly’s second straight victory and fourth of the season.  Her lifetime earnings have now eclipsed $154,000, and she paid $5.00 to win.

Dudes Pretty Chick (4-1, Heath Campbell) finished second; Lysiun held on for third.

In the second $17,201 division the leading point earning filly in the division, Leanne Marie (9/5), was given her head and she responded by pacing right to the top for driver Mike Cushing.  Post time favorite Glorilla (4/5, Aaron Hall) ducked in the two hole with Whisper Of Luck (5-1, Andy Harrington) sitting third past the :30 second opening panel.

There was no movement through the 1:01.1 half-mile point, with Leanne Marie enjoying a comfortable 1-1/2 length advantage.  While heading to the 1:31 third panel Aaron Hall tipped Glorilla, who is came into the race on a three-race win streak, but then jumped off stride while engaging the leader around the final turn.

With Glorilla out of the picture the pocket-inheriting Whisper Of Luck made a hard charge on the outside, and Ruff Dude’s Jena (28-1, Dave Ingraham) snuck up the inside to make it a three-horse photo finish at the wire.

Leanne Marie did prevail by a tight half of a length in 2:01.  Trained by Charlene ‘Sherry’ Cushing who co-owns and bred with Pamela Smith and Jane DiPompo, the daughter of Artistic Fella picked up her fifth win of the season and pushed her sophomore bankroll to $48,188.  She paid $5.60 to win.

Whisper Of Luck finished second; Ruff Dude’s Jena was third.

The Maine Sire Stakes concludes at the Windsor Fair with the 2-year-old colt pacers on Monday (Sept. 1), the final day of Labor Day weekend.  Sophomore pacing colts and gelding head back to Bangor on Wednesday (Sept. 3).

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

August 31, 2025, by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)

WINDSOR, ME – A couple of $17,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year old pacing fillies were part of the Windsor Fair festivities on Saturday (Aug. 30) with the unbeaten lass Snowonthepines retaining her unblemished record.

In the first $17,123 Maine Sire Stakes for freshmen filly sidesteppers, driver Kevin Switzer Jr. sent the daughter of Dude’s The Man right out to the front, and never looked back.  Scoring from post four the top divisional star got every Mike Sweeney call as she breezed through early fractions of :29.3 and 1:01.1 with no pressure from the other participants.

Ekorus (Nick Graffam) sat tight on the pacesetter’s helmet through the first half, but failed to retain his position which forced Perfectly Lovely (Aaron Hall) to move first over into a 1:32.1 third panel.  Turning for home Snowonthepines had a comfortable three length lead over the rest of the field, who were all trying to play catch up.

While Ekorus and Perfectly Lovely battled valiantly behind them, Switzer Jr. and Snowonthepines paced effortlessly across the wire in 2:02.1, still on top by a confident 2-1/4 lengths, to take her sixth straight victory.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner/breeder Leighton Property, she paid $3.40 to win.

Ekorus finished second; Perfectly Lovely was third.

In the second $17,299 division for 2-year-old pacing fillies trainer Tardif and driver Switzer Jr. attempted a sweep of series by sending Dudelookslikeafily out to an early lead and took the field through the first split in :30.2.

McKenna Jeanne (Heath Campbell) was tracking along nicely in second with Just Delightful (Ron Cushing) sitting third. As the field passed the half in 1:01.3 McKenna Jeanne got a little headstrong and jumped off stride allowing first-time starter Just Delightful to inherit the pocket.

Heading into the 1:32 third panel Dudelookslikeafily saw her lead evaporate as Just Delightful challenged on the outside and ultimately overtook the pacesetter.

Blasting home, the daughter of Western Maverick won her first lifetime start in 2:03.1 by three lengths.

Trained by Heidi Cushing for owners R. Cushing, S. Downey and A.J. & J.J. Romanelli, she paid $5.40 to win.  Just Delightful was bred in Maine by Lynne-Marie Plouffe.

Dudelookslikeafily hung on for second; Artistic Girl (Andy Harrington) was third.

The Maine Sire Stakes continues at the Windsor Fair with the 3-year-old filly pacers on Sunday (Aug. 31) and then the 2-year-old colt pacers to close out the long weekend on Monday (Sept. 1).

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

August 30, 2025, by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)

WINDSOR, ME – Six $16,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2- and 3-year old trotters rolled around the Windsor Fair oval on Friday (Aug. 29) kicking off the long weekend of Pine Tree State harness racing on the popular agricultural fair circuit.

In the $17,351 Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings, which was the only division on the wagering card, the Windsor faithful witnessed the formerly unbeaten sophomore, Liberty’s Wildcard, return to his winning ways.

Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. took the son of Noble Venture off the gate and settled into fifth position after slight even-money favorite Whatawonder (Ken Watson) jumped it off before the start.  With the race unfolding differently than expected, Heath Campbell urged Just Foolin (4-1) out for an early lead, followed by Katahdin Victory (Wally Watson) who settled into the garden seat.

Taking the field through opening fractions of :30.1 and 1:02, Just Foolin had things pretty much his own way until Liberty’s Wildcard came calling at the 1:32.4 third panel.

Down the lane the pair engaged in a relatively short, but hard fought battle to the wire with Liberty’s Wildcard getting up in the final strides to prevail by a nose in 2:03.1.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, it was his seventh win in eight seasonal starts and pushed his lifetime bankroll to $91,755.  He paid $4.30 to win and was bred by Jerry Stratton Jr.

Katahdin Victor (Wally Watson) finished third.

With the other five divisions on the early, non-wagering card, fans watched Ivan Davies capture the $16,973 division for 3-year-old trotting fillies with Little Shot in 2:07.  Owned and bred by Dr. Douglass Hutchins with Paul Kinnear, the daughter of Noble Venture grabbed her third win of the season, and second consecutive wire-to-wire victory.

Twisted Fate (Mike Cushing) finished second by 2-1/4 lengths; Pandemic Princess (Heath Campbell) was third.

In the other $16,974 sophomore filly trot Barbella continued her divisional dominance for driver Bruce Ranger and trainer Ken Anderson.  The daughter of Whataworkout picked up her third straight win, covering the circuit in 2:05. 

Owned by Robert Zakian, she was bred by the late Mike Andrew. Race Me Bombshell (Drew Campbell) finished second by 2-1/4 lengths; Katahdin Mistress (Wally Watson) was third.

Once again, freshmen fillies also enjoyed their two divisions on the afternoon card, with Our Last Quote breaking her maiden for driver Steve Wilson.

When the gate sprung in the first $16,754 division Kevin Switzer Jr. left swiftly with Legendofthe Valley and led the field around the first turn and into the backstretch.  Steve Wilson wasted little time tipping Our Last Quote out from the pocket to assume command before the opening panel.  From that point the duo made every call a winning one as they covered the mile in 2:09 which was the first lifetime win and a new time badge for the daughter of Cantab Fashion.

Trained by Charlene Cushing for owners/breeders R. DiPompo Jr. and Michael Graham, it was the first win in five seasonal starts for the 2-year-old filly who already had four second place finishes under her belly band.

Nobella (Ken Watson) finished second; Legendofthe Valley was third.

In the other $16,754 frosh filly division, Pembroke Lady prevailed by a comfortable 3-1/4 length margin in 2:05.4 for driver Heath Campbell and trainer Valerie Grondin.  The daughter of Pembroke Slugger has advanced her unbeaten streak to six straight victories for owner Brenda Varney and was bred in Maine by the late William Varney.

Roseapple Ave (Wally Watson) finished second; Hayden (Gary Hall) was third.

In the $16,891 freshmen male trot Wilder N Idy’s five-race unbeaten streak came to end when the son of To The Hilt made an uncharacteristic miscue behind the gate and relinquished command to the formerly winless High Fashion Hank.

Driver Nick Graffam steered High Fashion Hank to his maiden-breaking wire-to-wire victory in 2:09.  The son of Cantab Hall is co-owned (with Paul Lusky), bred and trained by Mike Graffam, which was his first win in five lifetime outings.

Trottingfortreasure (Switzer Jr.) finished second; Wilder N Ivy (Mark Athearn) rebounded to be third.

The Maine Sire Stakes continues at the Windsor Fair with the 2-year-old filly pacers on Saturday (Aug. 30), followed by the 3-year-old filly pacers on Sunday (Aug. 31) and finally the 2-year-old colt pacers to close out the long weekend on Monday (Sept. 1).

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

August 27, 2025, by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)

WINDSOR, ME – Undefeated sophomore pacing star Massive Speed unleashed another dominant tour de force when he took his $17,000-plus division of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Tuesday (Aug. 26) at the Windsor Fair. 

Leaving from pylon position, nothing stood in the way of the impressive son of Dude’s The Man, except time and opportunity.  Regular pilot Aaron Hall took the pacer through opening fractions of :29.1 and 58.4 with Keenan Star (Heath Campbell) right on his helmet.

Past the half stable mate Cheatin Fate (Andy Harrington) was the first to start the outer flow, and by the 1:28.4 third panel had reached the pacesetter’s saddle pad.  From that point Massive Speed was given his head and the horse responded with a dramatic afterburner, showing his heels to the field.

Having unleashed a torrid :28.2 final quarter en route to a seven length romp, they tripped the timer in 1:57.1 in the non-betting event, which was a new lifetime best for the divisional standout.

Trained by Marc Tardif and owned by Leighton Property, it was the gelding’s eighth consecutive victory and 18^th lifetime win.  His seasonal total shot up to $53,633, with his lifetime earnings quickly approaching $200,000.  He was bred in Maine by Laurie Harding.

Cheatin Fate finished second; Keenan Star was third.

The second $17,212 ‘Glamour Boys’ division was held on the wagering card as the opener, and witnessed the powerful Tardif Taskforce complete a sweep of the Pine Tree State-bred contests.

When the wings folded it was the 4/5 favorite Ridgecrest Dan and John Nason who took the early lead from post three.  From the :29 second opening panel through the :59.3 mid-way point Nason was in complete command.  However, Andy Harrington and Dawn Two Dark (5-1) pulled at the half and then made a sweeping move down the backstretch to overtake the pacesetter and assume the point into a 1:29.2 third stanza.

Around the turn and down the stretch Nason had tipped Ridgecrest Dan to re-engage with Dawn Two Dark and was putting their once comfortable lead in jeopardy.  Under the shadow of the wire Dawn Two Dark did prevail by a whisker in 1:59 over the fast closing Ridgecrest Dan.

Trained and owned by Marc Tardif, the son of Deuce Seelster paid $13.40 to win his third race of the season.  He was bred by Gary and Kristina Hall and now lays claim to $33,069 in seasonal earnings.

Gracies Tough Guy (Dave Ingraham) got up for third.

The Maine Sire Stakes continues at the Windsor Fair with all of the 2- and 3-year-old trotters on Friday (Aug. 29) to kick off the holiday weekend.  The 2-year-old filly pacers arrive on the Saturday (Aug. 30) Windsor program, followed by the 3-year-old filly pacers on Sunday (Aug. 31) and finally the 2-year-old colt pacers to close out the long weekend on Monday (Sept. 1).

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

August 26, 2025, by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)

WINDSOR, ME – A pair of $17,000 divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings went postward on Monday (Aug. 25) at Windsor, with both sides of the win spectrum on display. 

In the $16,948 non-wagering opener for freshmen sidesteppers it was Marc Tardif’s Dude’s The Jet who broke his maiden in wire-to-wire fashion for hot driver Kevin Switzer Jr.

Scoring from post two, the son of Dude’s The Man made every call a winning one as he went down the road posting fractions of :29.1 and 1:00.1 to the half, with only stable mate Rebel’s Revenge (Andy Harrington) within striking distance.

As Dude’s The Jet led the field past the third panel in 1:30, several colts trying to get back into the race were three wide down the backside.  However, no one could catch the pacesetter as Switzer let out a notch and cruised home by a pair of lengths in 2:00.3.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owners Leighton Property and Victoria Leighton, it was the colt’s first victory in five previous outings.  He was bred in Maine by Fred Decker.

Rebel’s Revenge finished second; Nuh Uh (Aaron Hall) was fourth placed third.

In the second $17,124 Maine Sire Stakes for 2-year-old male pacers, it was no surprise that Switzer Jr. would put his father’s unbeaten gelding Real Horrorshow on the front end and play catch me if you can.

Reeling off fractions of :29.2 and 1:01 to the half, it was obvious to observers that the soft half would play well for the divisional star’s unblemished record.

With Daytoremember (Heath Campbell) glued to his helmet in the pocket, Switzer Jr. let out a notch and hit the third station in 1:30.4.  Campbell and his charge stayed right with the ‘favorite’ and the pair battled down the lane unleashing identical :28.3 final quarters.

When the dust settled Real Horrorshow had maintained his measured 1-1/2 length advantage over the challenging Daytoremember and took home the trophy in 1:59.2, which is just a tick off of his season’s best clocking.  Taking his sixth consecutive victory, the emerging talent has accrued $40,281 this year.

Trained by Kevin Switzer Sr. for KDK Standardbreds, Kathleen Mofield and Anthony Sivik Jr., the son of Dude’s The Man was bred in Maine by Luke and Patricia ‘Tuffy’ Varnum.

Itsjustmoney (Aaron Hall) finished third in the second non-wagering event.

The Maine Sire Stakes continues at the Windsor Fair with the 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers on Tuesday (Aug. 26), followed by all the 2- and 3-year-old trotters on Friday (Aug. 29) to kick off the holiday weekend.  The 2-year-old filly pacers arrive on the Saturday (Aug. 30) Windsor program, with 3-year-old filly pacers on Sunday (Aug. 31) and finally the 2-year-old colt pacers to close out the long weekend on Monday (Sept. 1).

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