Homebreds dominate in Maine Breeders Stakes

WINDSOR, ME – Both three-year-old divisions of Maine-sired harness racing trotters took home the top prize for their owners/breeders on Saturday (Aug. 27) at the Windsor Fair, giving credence to the credo, “It pays to breed and race in the Pine Tree State!”

With purses at an all-time high, and the summer fair weather perfect, Maplewood Slugger (Pembroke Slugger) was able to take a new 2:01.1 lifetime mark while winning the $18,736 Maine Breeders Stakes (MSBS) for 3-year-old trotting fillies.

Leaving from pylon position for driver Andy Harrington, the filly was content to let Pembroke Honcho (Aaron Hall) smoke the car from post five and take the lead.  Hall ultimately yielded to an out-and-rolling Show No Tears (John Nason) who was parked into a 29.4 opening panel.  Show No Tears cleared while moving to a 1:00.3 half-mile marker and was followed by her stable mate Maplewood Slugger (also trained by John Nason).

At a 1:31.1 three-quarter stanza both fillies were side by side with Maplewood Slugger poking a nose in front at the head of the stretch and gained ground in the lane to win by three lengths for owner/breeder Maxine Hadlock.

Pembroke Booboo (Heath Campbell / Valerie Grondin), who was second over behind the victor, finished second.  Show No Tears hung on for third.

In the $18,264 MSBS 3-year-old trotting colt and gelding division, Katahdin Mark (Noble Venture) and driver Gary Hall added another victory to his scorecard, making his sixth trip to the winner’s circle this season.  Owned and bred by James and Betsey Kelley, the colt scored handily in a wire-to-wire 2:02.2 effort.

Chamorro (Heath Campbell / Valerie Grondin) finished second; Warriorofthevalley (Andy Harrington / Marc Tardif) was third.

The $18,214 2-year-old colt and gelding trot saw divisional point leader Outlawofthevalley and driver Kevin Switzer Jr. with trainer Marc Tardif do all the heavy lifting but was caught in the stretch by Pembroke Traveler (Pembroke Slugger) (Heath Campbell / Valerie Grondin) who picked up his first lifetime victory in 2:04.3.

Pembroke Traveler is owned by Bill Varney and was bred by Lynn-Marie Plouffe.

A fast closing and ever-improving Eustis (Mike Stevenson / Gordon Corey) finished second; Outlawofthevalley held on for the show dough.

It was no surprise in the $17,884 MSBS 2-year-old filly trot that She’salilbitmouthy (Victor Blue Chip) with driver Mark Athearn and trainer Gretchen Athearn) would yell the loudest and the longest.  Despite a pedestrian 2:08.3, the filly extended herself only as much as was necessary to win by 5-3/4 open lengths and grab the fifth triumph of her career.  Bred by Stephen Hall, She’salilbitmouthy is owned by Bill “Yarmouth Lumber” Phipps.

Another Adventure (Kevin Switzer Jr. / Marc Tardif) finished second; Wild Ending (Ivan Davies) was third.

Windsor is one of Maine’s oldest and largest agricultural fairs, with the official opening on Sunday (Aug. 28) when they will host the 2-year-old pacing fillies, with the freshmen male pacers going postward on Monday (Aug. 29).  Windsor Fair runs through Labor Day (Sept. 5).

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 complete race results, click here.

by Chris Tully, for the Maine Breeders Stakes