Star filly is the belle of the ball

FRYEBURG, ME – When the famous Fryeburg Fair welcomed the Maine Sire Stakes on Wednesday (Oct. 1) it was the star sophomore pacing filly Leanne Marie (Artistic Fella) that held sway over the full harness racing field of Pine Tree State-bred sidestepping distaffs.

In the lone $17,853 division fans watched the Cushing clan’s determined 3-year-old female divisional leader Leanne Marie (4/5, Mike Cushing) take no prisoners and come away with the well-rated victory.

When the wings folded Whisper Of Luck (5-1, Andy Harrington) blasted out to the lead from post six, while Leanne Marie ducked in the pocket from post five.  Following a thirty second opening panel, Cushing wasted little time coming right back out to take command and led the field through a 1:00.3 mid-way marker.

With Whisper Of Luck in a tight pocket, and Leanne Marie in command, the pack hit the third station in 1:30.3.  With no significant pressure, Cushing let out a notch to snag the score in 2:00, posting a :29.2 final quarter.

Trained by Charlene Cushing who also bred with co-owners with Pamela Smith and Jane DiPompo, the daughter of Artistic Fella grabbed her eighth win of the season and fourth in a row.

Leanne Marie paid $3.60 and now has $74,314 earned this season, while going over $122,000 in lifetime earnings.

Whisper Of Luck finished second; Glorilla (Aaron Hall) was third.

The Maine Sire Stakes continues at Fryeburg with more agricultural fair racing, with the 3-year-old colt pacers on Thursday (Oct. 2), followed by both divisions of 3-year-old trotters on Friday (Oct. 3).  The $340,000-plus Sophomore Finals of the Maine Sire Stakes take place on Saturday (Oct. 11) at Bangor Raceway.

For more information about the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes, follow our facebook page @MaineBreedersAssociation, or go to their website:  https://www.mainesirestakes.com

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes