Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association

09/10/2026

Upsets abound for Maine trotters at Bangor

September 10, 2026, by Chris Tully, for Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)

BANGOR, ME – All the usual suspects invaded historic Bass Park on Wednesday (September 9) for four $17,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 2- and 3-year-old trotters, but when the dust settled two previously unbeaten harness horses had finally tasted defeat.

The first $17,210 Pine Tree State-bred event on the Bangor Raceway betting card for freshmen male trotters saw Heath Campbell send Pembroke Zagursky right out to the front ahead of the heretofore unbeaten 1-5 heavy favorite U Know I Know. They hit the first panel in :30.3 with the favorite in a loose pocket for driver Ken Watson, an unfamiliar spot for the division’s leading high-stepper who had won all six of his previous outings.

Mark Athearn tipped Come On Charlie into a 1:03.4 half-mile marker and found himself right alongside U Know I Know who was gapping in third place as they hit the third station in a swifter 1:34.4.

Around that long, far turn Watson found a seam and slipped out in front of a stalling Come On Charlie and engaged the pacesetter for the stretch drive. However, there was no catching Pembroke Zagursky as the trotter sped off like a good horse while the formerly unbeaten U Know I Know drifted out while giving chase.

It was the first lifetime victory for the son of Pembroke Slugger who split the beam in 2:05.3, and returned $7.00 for the quarter length win.

Trained by Valerie Grondin for owner Brenda Varney, he was bred in Maine by the late Bill Varney.

High Fashion Owyn (Nick Graffam) finished third.

A few races later in the $17,711 event for 3-year-old trotting fillies, 1-5 favorite Hayden put her seven race seasonal winning streak on the line from post six, but was quickly thwarted at the start by the well-positioned Our Last Quote and Mike Cushing who sent his charge to the top while protecting the pylons.

After a speedy start Hayden and Gary Hall found themselves shuffled back to third into the :30 opening panel as I Think I Can and John Nason had ducked into the pocket during the opening foray.

As the field hit the half in 1:01.3 Coronation Moon (Ivan Davies) flushed Hayen out of her third position to be first over. That filly stuck her nose out and then advanced to the front into a 1:31.1 third panel while looking Our Last Quote right in the eye. And then, in the blink of an eye, Hayden jumped off stride which allowed the pacesetter to continue unfettered to the wire in 2:02.1, a new lifetime best.

Trained by Charlene Cushing for owners-breeders Nelson DiPompo Jr and Mike Graham, the daughter of Cantab Fashion picked up her first seasonal victory by 3-3/4 lengths, returning $8.20.

Race Me Boomer (Andy Harrington) finished second; I Think I Can was third.

As part of the early, non-wagering card, driver Gary Hall got redemption for his previous week’s defeat with Princess Caledonia who won easily in her $16,681 Maine Sire Stake for 2-year-old trotting fillies.

The daughter of To The Hilt got away on top and never looked back, scoring by 1-1/2 lengths in 2:07. Princess Caledonia now has five wins this season and earnings of $48,975. Co-owned and trained by Gary Hall with partners James Kelly Jr., Betsey Kelley and Kristina Hall, she was bred in Maine by Anita Anastosopoulos.

Cape Cod Friday (Dave Ingraham) finished second; Mikella Bella was third.

In the $17,008 Maine Sire Stake for 3-year-old trotting c**ts and geldings, it was a repeat performance for driver Heath Campbell and Gus’s Workout as they enjoyed another front end circuit for that c**t’s second consecutive score.

Winning by a measured length in 2:01.2, he is trained by Valerie Grondin for owner-breeder Lynn-Marie Plouffe. The son of Whataworkout now has $105,688 on his card.

Wilder N Idy (Mark Athearn) finished second; Trottingfortreasure (Kevin Switzer Jr.) was third.

Looking ahead, the Maine Sire Stakes action resumes for the Bangor home stand with the 2-year-old male pacers on Saturday (September 12) and their female counterparts on Sunday (Sept. 13). Then it’s back to the glamour boys who make their triumphant return to historic Bass Park on Wednesday (Sept. 16).
For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow them on Facebook , or go to their website: MaineSireStakes.com

09/08/2026

Snowonthepines, Just Delightful repeat at Windsor

September 8, 2026 -- by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)

WINDSOR, ME – It was Déjà vu all over again as Maine’s top 3-year-old pacing fillies, Snowonthepines and Just Delightful, repeated their dominance on Labor Day Monday (September 7), the final day of the Windsor Fair.

A week ago harness racing fans and fairgoers witnessed both fillies take their two $17,000-plus Maine Sire Stakes divisions in grand fashion, and seven days later it was much of the same.

With the first $16,984 division carded as an early, non-wagering race, Just Delightful drew into her own division, and made quick work of the competition.

Co-owning driver Ron Cushing hastily grabbed the top and rolled to a :28.2 opening panel. With a :58.4 breather going to the half, the daughter of Western Maverick had Dudelookslikeafily (Aaron Hall) sitting in a tight pocket through the 1:28.1 third panel.

Around the final turn and through the stretch Cushing gave Just Delightful her head and the filly responded by leaving the rest of the field in her wake, drawing off by 8-3/4 lengths to score in 1:58.

Trained by Heidi Cushing for owners Ron Cushing, Stephen Downey, Anthony Romanelli and Joseph Romanelli, it was Just Delightful’s fourth lifetime victory, with her earnings now at $96,907. Bred in Maine by Lynn-Marie Plouffe, she has nine second place finishes in 17 career outings.

Graceofspades (Dave Ingraham) finished second; Dudelookslikeafily was third.

In the second $17,209 division for sophomore distaff pacers, held before the regular card, it was another wire-to-wire romp for divisional standout
Snowonthepines.

Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. posted moderate early fractions of :29.4 and 1:00.4 with Heath Campbell and Heymickeyyousofine stuck to his helmet into a 1:30.4 third panel.

The pacesetting duo rolled on to victory as they usually do, with nary a care in the world. Stopping the clock at 1:59.4, it was the filly’s ninth consecutive seasonal victory, and 18th of her career.

Last season, Snowonthepines was victorious in all nine of her 2-year-old outing, and now has $170,929 in lifetime earnings for trainer Marc Tardif and owner-breeder Leighton Property.

Heymickeyyousofine finished second by 1-1/2 lengths; Ekorus (Joey Mosher) was third.

The Pine Tree State-bred series moves to Bangor for the next few weeks, starting with all of the 2- and 3-year-old trotters on Wednesday (Sept. 9), followed by the freshmen male pacers on Saturday (Sept. 12).

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow them on Facebook , or go to their website: MaineSireStakes.com

09/07/2026

Maine’s top c**ts return to Windsor Fair

September 7, 2026 -- by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)

WINDSOR, ME – The Glamour Boys division returned to Windsor Fair on Sunday (September 6) with two $17,000-plus Maine Sire Stakes legs for 3-year-old male pacers, just a week after their last visit.

In the first $17,434 event, which was held before the regular card, driver Kevin Switzer Jr. left swiftly with Real Horrorshow into a :29.2 opening panel, putting divisional rival Daytoremember (Heath Campbell) into the pocket seat.

Switzer Jr. reduced the tempo while leading the field to a 1:00.2 midway point, with the field stretched out in single file formation. With Daytoremember breathing down his neck, Switzer Jr. hastened the pace with a 1:29.4 third panel, and by the time the pair hit the head of the stretch Daytoremember was just a half-length off the pacesetter.

With a fierce battle ensuing in deep stretch, Heath Campbell got Daytoremember up to score by a nose in the shadow of the wire in 1:58, posting a :28 final quarter.

Trained, owned and bred by Valerie Grondin, it was the seventh seasonal victory for the son of Dude’s The Man, and ninth of his career. His earnings now exceed $114,000. Daytoremember now leads the Real Horrowshow in the point standings, with just three more legs before the lucrative final at Bangor on October 17.

Nuh Uh (Andy Harrington) finished third.

In the second $17,434 division for sophomore male pacers, held on the pari-mutuel card, it was Ghost Of Winter and Joey Mosher who matched strides with stable mate Rebel’s Revenge (Aaron Hall) to take his division in a new lifetime best 1:58.

Trained by Marc Tardif for owner Leighton Property, the son of Deuce Seelster now has three wins on the season and $43,589 in lifetime earnings. He was bred in Maine by Kristina Hall and returned $5.60.

Silence Ofdarkness (Aaron Hall) was third, and all three were trained by Tardif.

Looking ahead, the harness racing action concludes at Windsor Fair with the 3-year-old filly pacers who close out the meet on Labor Day Monday (Sept. 7). The Pine Tree State-bred series moves to Bangor for the next few weeks, starting with all of the 2- and 3-year-old trotters on Wednesday (Sept. 9).

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow them on Facebook , or go to their website: MaineSireStakes.com

09/07/2026

09/06/2026

2:00 Posttime today at Windsor Fair, Non-betting races will go at 1:30 please share.

09/05/2026

Freshmen pacers keep winning at Windsor

September 5, 2026, by Chris Tully, for Maine Sire Stakes
(Joe Shaw photos)

WINDSOR, ME – The entire lot of Maine’s 2-year-old pacers toured the Windsor Fair facility on Friday (September 4), with some of the familiar, unbeaten stars emerging as the next great Pine Tree State-bred harness horses.

Four divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes were held before the regular card at Windsor, with three divisions for the freshmen c**ts and geldings that were made up from the previous (Thursday) day’s rain cancellation. Originally programmed for Friday was an early race for the fillies, and then a $16,983 pari-mutuel 2-year-old filly pace that was held as the opener.

Right out of the gate and blasting to the lead was the leading point winner in the c**t division, The Gucci Man. Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. was tested to the :29.2 opening panel from post six, but made the top and kept his c**t rolling to a 1:01.1 half.

Hollywood Chester (Joey Mosher) sat a tight pocket with Two Bolts (Mike Cushing) and Survive The Ride (Aaron Hall) sparking up the outer flow into a 1:32 third panel.

However, as the field hit the head of the stretch The Gucci Man was already five lengths on top. Gaining ground with every stride he tripped the timer in 2:01, all by himself with 10-1/2 lengths on the rest of the field.

Owned, trained and bred by Marc Tardif, he posted a :29.0 final quarter in his sixth straight score and increased his lifetime earnings to $47,143.

Hollywood Chester hung on for second; Fiddlestix Revenge (Heath Campbell) was third.

Trainer Marc Tardif and the Tardif Taskforce swept the other two c**t divisions with One Last Deal (Andy Harrington) in 2:00.3 who grabbed his first lifetime victory from four previous outings, and a new time badge to go with it.

The son of Dude’s The Man, who is also owned and was bred by Tardif, was parked the final half with Agent James Bond (Switzer Jr.) finishing second and pacesetter Rustysonlytreasure (Aaron Hall) hanging on for third. All three are trained by Tardif.

In the third and final c**t event it was Justcallmebuddy who posted the swiftest win of the day and took a new 1:59.2 record in the process. Trained by Marc Tardif for owners Leighton Property and Victoria Leighton, it was the second lifetime win for the son of Deuce Seelster. Bred in Maine by Kristina Hall, he now has two in a row.

Top Notch Treasure (Mike Stevenson) finished second; Painter’s Treasure (Andy Harrington) was third.

Just like her male counterpart, No Small Wonder has never seen the back of a helmet in six starts this season, and this $16,983 Maine Sire Stakes outing was no exception. Sent right to the top by Kevin Switzer Jr., the daughter of State Treasurer made every call a winning one, tripping the timer in 2:01, and prevailing by two lengths.

Trained by Kevin Switzer Sr. for owners KDK Standardbreds, Kathleen Mofield and Anthony Sivik Jr., she was bred by Luke and Patricia Varnum and now has $48,757 earned. She returned $2.20 as the heavy 1-9 favorite.

W**e For The Lady (Aaron Hall) finished second; Bettor’s Treasure (McGwire Sowers) was third.

The other $16,808 division for 2-year-old pacing fillies was captured by Feel The Fury in 2:01.3.

Driven by Aaron Hall to her first lifetime victory in wire-to-wire style, she is trained by Marc Tardif for owner-breeder Lesley Leighton.

Bad Bunny T (Switzer Jr.) finished second; Calling All Angels (Stevenson) was third.

Looking ahead, the Maine Sire Stakes action resumes with the Glamour Boys (3-year-old male pacers) at Windsor Fair on Sunday (Sept. 6), followed by the 3-year-old filly pacers who close out the meet on Labor Day Monday (Sept. 7).

Maine’s Freshmen compete in two more legs at Bangor and Farmington and then complete their seasons in the rich finals at Cumberland on Saturday, October 3.

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow them on Facebook , or go to their website: MaineSireStakes.com

09/05/2026

Updated point standings for the MAINE SIRE STAKES

09/03/2026

The 3- 2 year old c**t pace Sire Stake races scheduled on today's (thursday) card will go as non-bettors tomorrow (friday) starting at 1:00. Please share!