Windsor Fair to open with Maine Breeders Stakes

CUMBERLAND, ME – Trotting-bred Standardbreds in the Maine Breeders Stakes (MSBS) are the opening act at the historic Windsor Fair on Saturday (Aug. 27) with four $18,000-plus harness racing divisions before the regular card.

‘A family tradition since 1888’ boasts the Windsor (Maine) fair poster, featuring 50 acres of amusement and all the sights and sounds of an agricultural extravaganza.  One of Maine’s oldest and largest agricultural fairs, the official fair opening is Sunday (Aug. 28), and runs through Labor Day (Sept. 5).

Nestled in all of the attractions and midway offerings are eight days of harness racing, which highlight the fair’s activities.

The first non-wagering race is the $18,214 MSBS 2-year-old colt and gelding trot scheduled for 12:15 pm.  The event pits the point leader Outlawofthevalley (Pembroke Slugger) for driver Kevin Switzer Jr.  and trainer Marc Tardif against the colt that has defeated him in his last two outings, Wabanaki (Boy Band) and driver Ivan Davies.

Seven male freshmen trotters make up the field, which also has Stealin Money (Nick Graffam / Mike Graffam) as the third leading money winner in the division.

Race two is for the fairer set, a $17,884 MSBS 2-year-old filly trot with four entrants.  She’salilbitmouthy (Victor Blue Chip) with driver Matt Athearn and trainer Gretchen Athearn) has been doing all the talking in the division, having won all but one of her starts this season.  Another Adventure (Kevin Switzer Jr. / Marc Tardif) has been following closely and will look to get her second win of the season.

Non-wagering event three is the $18,736 MSBS 3-year-old filly trot with a full field of seven going postward.  The point leader for this division is Maplewood Slugger (Pembroke Slugger) and driver Andy Harrington, trained by John Nason who has four wins in 10 seasonal starts and bankrolled $31,778.  However, Pembroke Honcho (Aaron Hall / Valerie Grondin) is coming off two wins and will look to keep her streak alive.  With $28,517 earned this season, the Lynn-Marie Plouffe-bred filly has peaked at the right time.

The final non-bettor is the $18,264 3-year-old colt and gelding trot featuring six combatants.  Atop the points mountain is Katahdin Mark (Noble Venture) and driver Gary Hall who has won four of his last five outings and will look to add to his substantial $39,728 seasonal bankroll.  Owned and bred by James and Betsey Kelley, the son of Noble Venture rarely makes a mistake.

Warriorofthevalley (Andy Harrington / Marc Tardif) has been 1-2-3 in seven of his eight seasonal starts and earned a respectable $25,262 already this year and will continue to advance his offense.

Windsor Fair hosts the 2-year-old pacing fillies on Sunday (Aug. 28) and the freshmen male pacers on Monday (Aug. 29).

The remaining MSBS fair schedule is as follows:

Farmington, Sept. 18 – 21

Cumberland, Sept. 28 – Oct. 1 (2yo finals)

Fryeburg, Oct 6 – 8

The Maine-sired sophomore finale returns to Bangor for all of the 3-year-old MSBS divisional finals on Oct. 15.  The 2-year-old championships will be held two weeks earlier on Saturday (Oct. 1) at the Cumberland Fair.

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to the Maine State website.

For non-wagering race entries, click here.

For pari-mutuel race entries, click here.

by Chris Tully, for the Maine Breeders Stakes