Grondin and Campbell sweep Maine Sire Stakes

BANGOR, ME – Two $15,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old harness racing trotters led the holiday weekend charge on Sunday (July 7) at Bangor, with driver Heath Campbell and trainer Valerie Grondin sweeping both events.

In the first $15,578 stakes race, which was a non-wagering event held before the regular card, the three male high-steppers were eager to get things started.  As the pylon-positioned Pembroke Will (Pembroke Slugger, Heath Campbell) protected his inside status, stable mate Chipper Dale (Drew Campbell) jumped off stride before the starting gate had sprung.  This allowed Carrabassett (Mark Athearn) to grab the two-hole and track behind the pacesetter into a 30.3 opening panel.

Heading through the 1:03.3 modest half-mile marker Chipper Dale had recovered from his early miscue and regained contact with the field.  Carrabasset maintained his pocket trip until the 1:35 third panel where he made a move to the outside.

Charging down the stretch Pembroke Will could feel the walls closing in around him, yet maintained his composure, and his will power, to hold off the late charge of stable mate Chipper Dale and a tiring Carrabassat.

Scoring by a head in 2:04.4, it was Pembroke Will’s first seasonal victory which also resulted in a new lifetime mark.  Driven by Heath Campbell for trainer Valerie Grondin and owner-breeder Bill Varney, the gelding upped his lifetime earnings to $79,176.

Stable mate Chipper Dale threw in a 29.2 last quarter to be second; Carrabassett was third.

The second $15,983 Maine Sire Stakes of the afternoon opened the regular betting card for the distaff 3-year-old trotters.

At the start Pembroke Breeze (Pembroke Slugger, Heath Campbell) held on to her position on the pegs at the start and rolled through a 31.1 opening panel with My Saving Grace (Mark Athearn) sticking close in second and Twisted Venture (Mike Cushing) cruising along in third.  At the 1:02.3 half the order had not varied, however, Cushing had pulled his filly to the outside to challenge.  By the 1:32.2 third panel Twisted Venture had advanced to second position, albeit uncovered on the outside, while the leader Pembroke Breeze was allowed to trot unfettered.

As the field turned for home the pacesetter had gained separation on the field and the filly drew off to win by 3-1/2 lengths in 2:02.2.  Once again driver Heath Campbell and trainer Valerie Grondin displayed their collective prowess in the Maine Sire Stakes and took home another trophy for owner-breeder Bill Varney.  Pembroke Breeze paid $2.20 to win and take a new career record.

Twisted Venture finished second; My Saving Grace was third.