Maine Breeders Stakes wraps up at Skowhegan

CUMBERLAND, ME – The Maine Breeders Stakes (MSBS) wrapped up their week-long harness racing meet at the Skowhegan State Fair, with the Glamour Boys vying for two $18,000-plus divisions on Saturday (Aug. 20).

In the first division, Use Yah Blinkah (Western Maverick) scored with a wire-to-wire effort to grab the lion’s share of the $18,002 purse for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings, tripping the timer in 1:56.3 and giving himself a new lifetime record in the process.

Driven by Heath Campbell for trainer Valerie Grondin, Use Yah Blinkah picked up his third MSBS victory in a row, and has emerged as the new leader of that division.  Owned and bred by David Thibault, Paul Vacca, Ed Nowak Jr. and Jim Hardy, the ultra-consistent pacer has been 1-2-3 in 10 of 12 seasonal outings.

Former point leader Deal With It Roman (Kevin Switzer Jr. / Marc Tardif) finished second; Ranaldi (Ron Cushin / Heidi Gibbs) was third.

In the second $18,227 MSBS division, also a non-wagering event, Bandolito Blaze (Western Maverick) assumed a leadership role and blazed a path for his challengers to follow.

Leaving from post five, the 3-year-old went right to the top and never looked back for driver Heath Campbell, scoring in 1:57.3 for trainer/breeder and co-owner Valerie Grondin (with Rhoda Underhill).  The race time established a new lifetime best for Bandolito Blaze, who picked up his second victory of the year.  Stormin Maverick (Andy Harrington / Marc Tardif) was placed second; Daughtry (Ron Cushing / Heidi Gibbs) was placed third for interference.

On Thursday (Aug. 18) Pembroke Legacy (Baron Biltmore) continued to write her own songbook, as the 3-year-old filly is yet to be headed in Maine-sired competition.

Leaving from pylon position in the $18,086 first pari-mutuel twilight race for sophomore distaffs, the filly was wide through the first turn but got every call for driver Heath Campbell.  Winning by 2-1/2 lengths in 2:00.1, it was the seventh consecutive victory for Pembroke Legacy.

Trained by Valerie Grondin for owner/breeder Bill Varney, she paid $2.20 to win as the heavy favorite.  The victory led the way for a near sweep of the 3-year-old MSBS pacing events for the team of Campbell & Grondin.  CMF Fin (Dave Ingraham / David Crochere) finished second; Threetimessix (Shawn Thayer / James Smallwood) was third.

The second $18,086 MSBS div. for 3-year-old pacing fillies was captured by Wolverina (Cheyenne Hollywood) in 2:00.

Driven by Aaron Hall for trainer/breeder/co-owner Mike Graffam (with Bill Arnold), the filly led every step of the way to win by 4-1/2 lengths and paid $3.00 to win.

Sweet Baby G (Walter Case Jr. / Fred Ward Jr.) finished second; Um Erika (Andy Harrington / Marc Tardif) was third.

The Maine Breeders Stakes takes a one-week hiatus, and then returns to the Windsor Fair starting next Saturday (Aug. 27) with the trotting groups.  The meet continues through September 5 with some divisions racing twice.

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 by clicking here.

For complete race results, click here.

by Chris Tully, for the Maine Breeders Stakes